Planetary Gear Stent Delivery Assembly for Precise Trigger Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-expanding stent delivery systems require complex motions for accurate implant deployment, lacking simplicity and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system featuring a planetary gear actuation assembly with a trigger mechanism, allowing for precise control of the inner shaft's movement relative to the outer tubular member, enabling uni-directional motion and easy deployment of the stent using a simple reciprocating motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional self-expanding stent delivery systems use complex motions for accurate implant deployment, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A planetary gear system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the simple reciprocating trigger motion and the implant deployment process. The gear system converts the back-and-forth trigger movement into precise unidirectional motion that advances the inner shaft relative to the outer sheath, achieving accurate implant deployment without requiring complex direct motion control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with a streamlined planetary gear mechanism. Instead of using multiple actuators or complex linkage systems to achieve precise deployment, the invention uses the inherent mechanical properties of planetary gears to convert simple reciprocating motion into the required unidirectional advancement, reducing overall system complexity
2Ease of operation
If conventional delivery systems use simple motion for implant deployment, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear system serves as a motion conversion intermediary that takes the simple reciprocating trigger motion and transforms it into precise unidirectional advancement of the inner shaft. This allows the user to operate the device with simple back-and-forth movements while the gear mechanism ensures accurate, controlled deployment of the implant
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger mechanism operates through periodic reciprocating motion (back-and-forth movements), and the planetary gear system converts this periodic action into progressive unidirectional motion. Each reciprocating cycle of the trigger advances the inner shaft by a controlled amount, accumulating to achieve the full deployment distance with high precision
3Measurement precision
If the inner shaft moves relative to the outer tubular member using complex mechanisms, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear system acts as a motion conversion intermediary between the trigger and the inner shaft. It translates the reciprocating trigger motion into precise unidirectional advancement of the inner shaft relative to the outer tubular member, achieving accurate positioning without requiring complex direct drive mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it converts reciprocating motion to unidirectional motion, provides mechanical advantage for controlled advancement, and ensures precise positioning through its inherent gear ratio. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms, simplifying the overall actuation system
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 system facilitates accurate and easy deployment of the stent by allowing the inner shaft to move distally and proximally relative to the outer tubular member, ensuring precise positioning and ease of use, improving the overall delivery process.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation assembly including a planetary gear system, the planetary gear system having a planet carrier, at least one planet gear operatively engaged with the planet carrier, a sun gear shaft operatively meshed with the at least one planet gear, a ring gear operatively meshed with the at least one planet gear
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet mechanism functionally coupled to the trigger
Implementation Method 3
a gear train functionally disposed between the trigger and the actuation assembly, the gear train having a trigger gear sector, a trigger pinion operatively meshed with the trigger gear sector
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for delivering an implant including a handle, a trigger, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can include a planet carrier, at least one planet gear operatively coupled to the planet carrier, a sun gear shaft operatively engaged with the planet gear, a ring gear operatively engaged with the planet gear, a first clutch driver, and a second clutch driver. The actuation assembly can be configured to displace the outer tubular member in the proximal direction a distance (d) relative to the handle and to separately move the inner shaft member distally a distance (x) relative to the handle upon deployment of the trigger from a first position to a second position, and move the inner shaft member proximally a distance (y) relative to the handle with no displacement of the outer tubular member upon return of the trigger from the second position to the first position.