Medical Tool Positioning Handles with Independent Axial Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular medical devices lack effective systems for better control, positioning, and usability, particularly in handling ultrasound probes, which require improved displacement and rotation mechanisms to enhance maneuverability and prevent excessive rotation.
Innovation Solution
A handle assembly with a first displacement system for the medical tool that bypasses the steerable shaft, allowing independent axial and rotational movements, and includes a rotation limiter to prevent excessive rotation, with components like a compound rotation limiter assembly and a hard stop feature to secure the ultrasound probe within the handle body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single displacement system is used for both the medical tool and steerable shaft, then device complexity is reduced, but independent control of axial movement for each component is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the displacement control into separate systems: a first displacement system for the medical tool and a second displacement system for the steerable shaft. This segmentation allows independent axial movement control of each component while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic coupling between the two displacement systems, where the first displacement system can be selectively coupled to the second system to enable coordinated movement, or decoupled to allow independent control. This dynamic configuration provides operational flexibility without requiring permanently complex structures.
2Ease of operation
If the medical tool can rotate freely within the handle assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to excessive rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation limiter assembly is pre-configured within the handle assembly to counteract excessive rotation before it causes harm. The limiter includes a rotation stop feature that engages with a corresponding feature on the medical tool to prevent rotation beyond a predetermined safe angle, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of excessive rotation while preserving useful rotational freedom.
3Measurement precision
If the first displacement system extends further proximally than the steerable shaft, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first displacement system is nested within the handle assembly structure, extending proximally beyond the steerable shaft while utilizing the existing handle body architecture. This nesting approach allows enhanced positioning precision for the medical tool without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the additional control elements are integrated into the handle's existing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical tool positioning and control devices, systems, and methods. Handle assemblies that allow a steerable shaft to be steered, while allowing the separate movement of a medical tool. The handle assemblies can allow for rotation and axial movement of the medical tool, and optionally with an actuator disposed distal to a second actuator that controls steering of the steerable shaft.