Medical Probe Isolation Member for Liquid Intrusion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical imaging apparatuses for diagnosis, such as OCT and OFDI, face challenges in preventing liquid intrusion into the rotational drive unit, particularly when a hole forms in the catheter sheath or when an unreasonable load is applied, leading to potential contamination and attenuation of the optical signal.
Innovation Solution
A probe with a catheter sheath and a shaft that includes an isolation member with an insertion hole for the shaft and an ejection hole on the surface, perpendicular to the rotation axis, which directs any liquid flowing backward outside the isolation member, preventing its intrusion into the rotational drive unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the rotational drive unit is covered to prevent liquid intrusion, then protection from external liquid is improved, but liquid can still intrude from the inside through holes in the catheter sheath or kinks
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation member divides the internal space into a first area (rotatable member) and a second area (catheter sheath), creating separate zones that prevent liquid from traveling from the catheter sheath to the rotational drive unit through the rotation drive mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation member acts as an intermediary barrier between the catheter sheath and the rotational drive unit, blocking liquid flow paths while allowing the rotation drive mechanism to function independently
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical probe unit is inserted inside the blood vessel, then diagnostic capability is improved, but liquid can flow backward along the catheter sheath and intrude into the rotational drive unit
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection hole, positioned to receive backward-flowing liquid, converts the harmful backward flow into a beneficial ejection function, directing liquid away from the rotational drive unit through the isolation member's ejection hole
3Ease of operation
If the catheter sheath is made flexible for insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but holes may form causing liquid intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation member with ejection hole is positioned in advance to counteract potential liquid intrusion through sheath holes or kinks, creating a preventive barrier before liquid can reach the rotational drive unit
Data Source
AI summary
A probe including a catheter sheath, a shaft inserted inside the catheter sheath, and an attachment portion detachably attached to a rotational drive unit, wherein the attachment portion includes an isolation member isolating the inside of the attachment portion into a first area in which a member for transmitting the drive force generated by the rotational drive unit to the shaft is rotatably held and a second area in which the catheter sheath is fixedly held; the isolation member includes: an insertion hole through which the shaft is inserted between the first area and the second area and an ejection hole provided in a surface to which an end portion on the rotational drive unit side of the catheter sheath is connected and which is approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis of the shaft; and the ejection hole defines a flow path extending to the outside of the isolation member.