Modular Catheter Handle Gear Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steerable catheter control handles are often bulky, expensive, require significant user effort to operate, and are not easily modifiable or adaptable to different catheter designs, limiting their versatility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A modular handle assembly featuring a dial with radially extending gear arms and a cam mechanism that allows for controlled deflection of deflection wires, enabling precise steering of the catheter's distal end with reduced mechanical complexity and the ability to use multiple deflection wires terminating at a single point, without the need for metal-to-polymer wire transitions or active winding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prior art control handles use traditional mechanical components to control catheter deflection, then the catheter can be steered, but the handle becomes excessively bulky and requires significant user effort to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional complex mechanical handle mechanisms with a simplified system using a pull wire that runs from the catheter tip through the catheter body to the handle, where it connects to a simple release mechanism. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical components while maintaining steering capability, directly reducing user effort and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art control handles are designed for specific catheter configurations, then they can control distal end deflection, but they cannot be easily modified or adapted to different catheter designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal handle design with a standardized pull wire connection system that can accommodate various catheter configurations. The handle's release mechanism and pull wire attachment points are designed to work with multiple catheter types, enabling easy adaptation without redesigning the entire handle system, thus improving versatility while keeping design complexity low.
3Reliability
If prior art control handles use traditional deflection wire control mechanisms, then they can achieve desired catheter deflection, but they require the operator to take conscious steps to maintain the catheter at the desired deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-maintaining deflection system where the pull wire remains under tension after the operator releases the catheter tip. The wire's elastic properties and the mechanical advantage of the release mechanism automatically maintain the desired deflection position without requiring continuous operator intervention, improving reliability while reducing ease of operation burden.
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 a compact, user-friendly, and adaptable solution for controlling steerable catheters, allowing for precise movement of the catheter tip with reduced mechanical effort and ease of assembly, while eliminating the need for complex wire transitions and active winding, thus improving operational efficiency and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
A cam is coupled with at least one of the first and second gear tips for corresponding movement of the cam during rotation of the dial. The cam presents at least one deflection surface for deflecting the at least one deflection wire extending across the at least one deflection surface during rotation of the dial
Implementation Method 2
A first gear arm extends radially relative to the first rotational axis from the dial and terminates at a first gear tip. A second gear arm is rotatably connected to the handle and is rotatable about a second rotary axis
Implementation Method 3
The actuator is commonly internally linked to the distal portion of the catheter body by at least one deflection wire. The deflection wires are commonly called pull or tension wires
Data Source
AI summary
A modular handle assembly includes a dial rotatably connected to a handle and rotatable about a first rotary axis. A first gear arm extends from the dial and terminates at a first traction surface. A second gear arm is connected to the handle and rotatable about a second rotary axis that is parallel to the first rotary axis. The second gear arm terminates at a second gear tip that presents a second traction surface disposed against the first traction surface such that rotation of the dial in a first rotary direction effectuates rotation of the second gear arm in an opposite direction. A cam is coupled with at least one of the first and second gear tips and presents at least one deflection surface for deflecting a deflection wire during rotation of the dial to steer a distal end of a steerable catheter containing the deflection wire.