Imaging Probe Control Handle Locking for Stable Tip Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control handle configurations for interventional medical devices, such as those used in transesophageal echocardiography, lack an effective deflection lock mechanism that securely maintains the position of the transducer during prolonged imaging procedures, leading to potential movement and suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
A control handle with a movement control mechanism featuring gears, cables, and a motion locking mechanism with brake rods and a release switch, allowing for precise control and locking of the transducer's position within the patient, enabling secure image acquisition without inadvertent movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deflection lock mechanism is added to secure the transducer position, then the stability and reliability of the transducer position is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake rod is disposed within the control handle body, nested among the gears and cables. The locking mechanism is integrated into the existing control structure, with the brake rod positioned to engage with gear teeth without requiring external or separate locking components. This nesting approach adds the locking function while minimizing increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake rod is biased by a spring into engagement with the gear teeth, creating a self-activating locking mechanism. When the operator releases control of the control wheel, the spring automatically engages the brake rod with the gear teeth to maintain the transducer position, eliminating the need for separate locking actuators or complex control systems.
2Ease of operation
If a brake rod mechanism with spring bias is used for locking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded brake rod automatically engages with the gear teeth when the operator releases the control wheel, providing self-activating locking without requiring separate actuators. The mechanism serves itself by using the operator's release action to trigger the spring engagement, simplifying operation while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element between the operator's control input and the locking action. Instead of requiring direct mechanical linkage or complex control systems, the spring mediates the transition from control wheel movement to locked position, simplifying the overall operation while adding a single intermediate component.
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 improved deflection lock mechanism enhances the stability of the transducer's position, reducing movement errors and maintaining image quality during extended procedures, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of interventional imaging.
Implementation Method 1
one or more brake rods biased into engagement with the engagement structures on the one or more gears
Data Source
AI summary
An invasive/interventional device or probe includes a control handle operably connected to an imaging system and an insertion tube. The control handle includes a body, a movement control mechanism disposed at least partially within the body and having one or more control elements disposed on the body, one or more gears rotatably disposed within the body, operably connected to the control elements, and one or more cables engaged with the gears, the cables extending outwardly from the body and adapted to be engaged with a tip of the interventional medical device. The control handle further includes a motion locking mechanism disposed at least partially within the body, the motion locking mechanism having one or more brake rods biased into engagement with the gears and a release switch engaged with the brake rods to selectively position the brake rods into or out of engagement with the gears.