Micro Robot Recapture Line Tensile Strength Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Micro robots used in minimally invasive surgeries face challenges in navigating against strong fluid streams, such as blood flow, due to limitations in size and the insufficient strength of magnetic fields for guidance and movement.
Innovation Solution
A micro robot design featuring a recapture line with sufficient tensile strength but not column strength, allowing it to be easily inserted and pulled back through body ducts, combined with a drive mechanism and positioning system for navigation and functional units like propellers or magnetic guidance, enables movement against fluid streams and precise positioning within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the recapture line has high column strength to push the micro robot against fluid streams, then the robot can be moved against blood flow, but the line becomes too thick to be easily insertable into body ducts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the recapture line to push the robot forward against fluid streams, the invention inverts the approach by using the line solely for pulling the robot back during recapture. The forward movement is achieved through other means (magnetic fields, drive mechanisms), while the thin recapture line is optimized only for retrieval, resolving the contradiction between line thickness and retrieval capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the functions of forward propulsion and recapture into distinct mechanisms. The recapture line is dedicated solely to retrieval operations, allowing it to be thin and flexible for easy insertion, while forward movement is achieved through separate drive mechanisms such as magnetic actuation or onboard propellers, eliminating the need for the line to provide pushing force
2Volume of moving object
If the micro robot is made small to enable minimally invasive surgery, then insertion trauma is reduced, but the robot cannot carry batteries and motors for active propulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical propulsion systems (batteries and motors) with alternative actuation mechanisms suitable for micro-scale devices. Magnetic fields, fluid flow utilization, or chemically-powered propulsion replace electrochemical power sources, enabling micro robots to achieve active movement without carrying heavy batteries, thus maintaining minimal invasiveness while providing propulsion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces external or environmental intermediaries to provide propulsion force. Magnetic fields generated externally, body fluid flows, or chemical gradients in the body environment serve as mediators that transfer energy to the micro robot, eliminating the need for onboard power sources while maintaining small size for minimally invasive application
3Measurement precision
If magnetic fields are used to guide the micro robot, then navigation to target location is enabled, but the field strength is insufficient to move the robot against strong blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates navigation and propulsion functions into distinct mechanisms. Magnetic fields are used solely for precise navigation and positioning guidance, while propulsion against fluid streams is achieved through separate drive mechanisms such as onboard propellers, ciliary motion, or chemical propulsion, allowing each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces additional intermediary mechanisms to convert magnetic guidance into mechanical propulsion. Magnetic fields guide the robot to the target location, and upon arrival, external magnetic actuation or fluid flow manipulation serves as an intermediary to generate the necessary force for positioning adjustments or counteracting blood flow, separating weak guidance fields from strong propulsion requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the micro robot to be effectively navigated and positioned within the body, allowing for procedures like thrombosis removal and targeted drug delivery, while being easily retrievable and trackable using biocompatible materials and imaging techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The recapture line may have a tensile strength sufficient to pull back the medical device
Implementation Method 2
A popular way to guide the micro robots to the target locations is to control a micro robot comprising magnetic materials using external magnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device (10), preferably a micro robot for application inside a body, and more preferably for application inside a human body (2). The medical device (10) includes a body part (11) and a tail part (12). A recapture line (13) is attached to the tail part (12). The recapture line (13) has a tensile strength which is sufficient to pull back the device while the column strength of the recapture line (13) not sufficient to push the medical device (10).