Medical Platform Arm Assembly for Intuitive Instrument Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices face challenges in providing intuitive control and positioning during minimally invasive procedures, leading to prolonged procedures and potential injury due to device failure or breakage.

Innovation Solution

A medical device platform with a body and movable arms that facilitate the suspension and positioning of medical instruments, allowing for intuitive control and enhanced maneuverability through translational and pivoting movements, along with a locking mechanism for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If medical devices are used in minimally invasive procedures, then access to target treatment sites is improved, but control and positioning difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to target treatment siteVSAvoidcontrol and positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A handle assembly is introduced as an intermediary device between the user and the medical device. The handle assembly includes a control member that can be manually operated to translate into movement of the medical device's articulation mechanism, providing intuitive control without direct manipulation of the complex device components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex direct mechanical control systems with a simplified handle assembly that uses translation mechanisms. The control member's linear movement is converted through mechanical linkages into the desired positional changes of the medical device, making the control system more intuitive and easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If complex procedures are performed, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but procedure duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidprocedure duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The handle assembly is pre-configured with the control member and articulation mechanism before the procedure begins. This preliminary setup allows for rapid deployment and immediate use during the procedure, eliminating setup time and reducing overall procedure duration while maintaining complex treatment capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If direct manipulation of medical devices is used, then positioning precision is improved, but risk of injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidrisk of injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle assembly serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the user from direct contact with the medical device's critical components. This intermediary structure reduces the risk of injury to both the user and the device while maintaining precise positioning control through the control member's articulated movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If intuitive control mechanisms are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive controlVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into distinct functional components: the handle assembly with the control member, the articulation mechanism, and the medical device body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the handle assembly provides intuitive control while the articulation mechanism handles the complex transformation of movements, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4449973B1Medical device platforms
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 BOSTON SCI LTD
  • EP4449973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4449973B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4449973B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a medical device, comprising: a body; an arm extending from the body and configured to receive a first device such that the first device is suspended relative to the body, wherein translation of the arm relative to the body is configured to move the first device relative to the body; and a receiver extending from the body and configured to receive a second device such that the second device is suspended relative to the body, wherein the body includes a slot configured to receive the arm such that the arm is movable within the slot.