Modular Catheter Handle Assembly with Rotating Barrel and Spindle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steerable catheter control handles are often bulky, expensive, require significant user effort, and are not easily customizable or adaptable to different catheter designs, limiting their flexibility and modularity.
Innovation Solution
A modular handle assembly featuring a handle with rotatable barrels and spindles connected by guide cables that axially move deflection wires to control the catheter's distal tip, allowing for customizable two or four-direction deflection and compatibility with various catheter designs using fewer parts and a simpler design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art control handles are used, then catheter deflection control is achieved, but the handles become excessively bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is divided into modular components: a handle body, a rotatable barrel, and a spindle mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while reducing the overall volume compared to integrated prior art designs. The barrel can rotate independently to control deflection wires, and the spindle translates rotational motion into linear cable movement, enabling compact packaging of control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle is disposed inside the barrel, and the guide cables are routed through the barrel structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the external dimensions of the handle assembly while maintaining all necessary control functions for catheter deflection.
2Reliability
If prior art control handles are used, then catheter deflection control is achieved, but the handles require significant user effort to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The guide cable acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the spindle rotation and the deflection wire tensioning. As the spindle rotates, it winds or unwinds the guide cable, which in turn tensions or releases the deflection wire. This intermediary mechanism provides mechanical advantage, allowing the user to apply small rotational forces to the barrel that are amplified into the linear tension forces needed to deflect the catheter tip.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical linkages with a simpler rotational-to-linear motion conversion system. Instead of using traditional cable pulls or lever systems that require direct linear force application, the user simply rotates the barrel, and the spindle-guide cable mechanism automatically converts this rotational input into the necessary linear tension on the deflection wires, reducing the perceived effort required.
3Reliability
If prior art control handles are used, then catheter deflection control is achieved, but the handles cannot be easily modified for different catheter designs
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly employs a dynamic, modular architecture where the barrel and spindle can be configured for different operational modes. The system can be adapted to control one, two, or four deflection wires by simply reconfiguring which cables are routed through the spindle and how they are anchored. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the same basic handle design to serve multiple catheter types and deflection patterns without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrel-spindle-cable mechanism serves multiple functions: it can control deflection in different directions, accommodate different numbers of deflection wires, and work with various catheter body configurations. The modular cable routing and anchoring system allows a single handle assembly to be universally applied across different steerable catheter designs, enhancing adaptability and reducing the need for multiple specialized handle types.
4Reliability
If prior art control handles are used, then catheter deflection control is achieved, but the handles are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the handle into standardized modular components (handle body, barrel, spindle, cable anchoring points), each part can be manufactured independently using optimized processes and then assembled. This segmentation enables economies of scale in component production and simplifies quality control, reducing overall manufacturing costs compared to producing monolithic or highly integrated handle assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses parameter changes in the cable routing and anchoring configuration rather than changing the fundamental mechanical architecture. By adjusting parameters such as cable attachment points, winding directions, and spindle positioning, the same basic mechanism can control different numbers and arrangements of deflection wires, eliminating the need for multiple expensive specialized handle designs and reducing tooling and manufacturing complexity.
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
The modular handle assembly provides improved steering performance, reduced costs, increased flexibility, and modularity, allowing for easier customization and use with different steerable catheter designs while requiring less effort from the user.
Implementation Method 1
The guide cable is wrapped about the spindle for axially moving the deflection wires in response to rotation of the first spindle about the axis by way of the barrel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3
AI summary
A modular handle assembly (20, 120) for supporting and controlling a steerable catheter (26) having at least one deflection wires (32) includes a handle (24) extending along an axis for being secured about a portion of the steerable catheter. The modular handle assembly includes at least one barrel (100) rotatably connected to the handle for rotation about the axis, and at least one spindle (76) disposed in and connected with said barrel for rotation about the axis with the barrel. At least one guide cable (86) extends from an anchored end being anchored to the spindle to a distant end for connection with one of the deflection wires of the steerable catheter. The guide cable is wrapped about the spindle for axially moving the deflection wires in response to rotation of the first spindle about the axis by the barrel to curl the distal tip of the elongated body of the steerable catheter.