Motorized Control Assembly for Multi-Plane Endoscope Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as steerable endoscopes and catheters, face challenges in maneuverability and ergonomics, leading to physician fatigue and musculoskeletal issues due to repetitive motions and awkward postures, with hand size variations affecting control precision and stability.
Innovation Solution
A motorized control assembly with multiple motors and gear assemblies, including a joystick for simultaneous or independent control of distal tip deflection in different planes, and homing and speed control features to enhance maneuverability and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control mechanisms are used for steerable medical devices, then device simplicity is maintained, but physician fatigue and musculoskeletal issues occur due to repetitive motions and awkward postures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control mechanisms with an automated motorized control assembly. The motorized assembly includes motors that rotate drive axles to control deflection mechanisms, substituting the need for manual manipulation of control elements by the physician. This reduces repetitive motions and awkward postures while providing precise control of the distal tip through electronic actuation rather than direct mechanical manipulation.
2Measurement precision
If motorized control assembly is added to improve precision, then control precision and stability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control assembly is segmented into modular components including a motor control housing that can be detachably coupled to the handle. Each motor is independently mounted and can be controlled separately, allowing for precise control of different deflection planes. This modular segmentation enables precise control while managing complexity through independent, replaceable units rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor control assembly is designed to provide multiple functions through integrated components. The same motorized system controls both first and second drive axles that operate different deflection mechanisms in different planes. The control system can operate in multiple modes including simultaneous control of both motors or independent control of single motors, providing versatility without requiring separate control assemblies for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors and gear assemblies are used for multi-plane deflection control, then maneuverability and precision are enhanced, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first drive axle is positioned within a lumen of the second drive axle, creating a nested configuration. This nesting arrangement allows both drive axles and their associated motors to be housed in a compact space, reducing the overall volume and weight of the motor control assembly while maintaining the capability for multi-plane deflection control through coordinated operation of the nested components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A steerable medical device, such as an endoscope of an endoscopic system, including a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle to a distal tip, a motor control assembly including a motor control housing configured to detachably interface with the handle, wherein the motor control assembly includes a first motor disposed within the motor control housing and a first gear assembly disposed within the motor control housing, and a first drive axle configured to engage the first gear assembly with a first deflection mechanism disposed within the handle, the first deflection mechanism being configured to deflect the distal tip in a first plane.