Pull Wire Anchoring With a Wrapping Set Screw for Steerable Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing pull wires to the adjustment mechanism of steerable delivery devices, such as catheters, is challenging due to difficulties in wrapping and inspecting the wire connections, which requires skilled operators and can lead to inconsistent device performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a wrapping set screw with a lumen and notches to secure the pull wire, allowing it to be easily anchored by passing through the lumen and notches, and then rotating it to lie along the roots of the screw's threaded portion, ensuring secure fixation within the wire wrap housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wire wrapping methods are used to secure pull wires to the adjustment mechanism, then the pull wire can be anchored, but the process becomes complex and requires skilled operators, leading to inconsistent device performance
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a body portion with a wire wrap groove for anchoring the pull wire, and a separate set screw with an integrated lumen for wire insertion and notching. This segmentation simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining secure wire fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The set screw acts as an intermediary component that facilitates wire anchoring. It provides a controlled interface between the pull wire and the adjustment mechanism body, using its lumen and notched features to guide and secure the wire before final tightening against the wire wrap groove.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional wire wrapping methods are used, then pull wire anchoring is achieved, but operator skill requirements increase and inspection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The set screw design incorporates self-aligning features including a lumen that guides the pull wire through and notches that automatically position the wire at the correct location for anchoring. This self-service mechanism reduces dependence on operator skill and ensures consistent wire placement during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire wrap groove and notched features provide visual indicators that allow easy inspection of proper wire installation. The geometric features create observable alignment points and engagement positions, enabling quality control personnel to verify correct wire anchoring without complex measurement tools.
3Productivity
If the pull wire is secured using conventional methods, then the connection is made, but manufacturing time and operator skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The set screw is pre-configured with a lumen and notched features during manufacturing. These preliminary actions prepare the component to automatically guide and position the pull wire during assembly, eliminating the need for operators to perform complex wrapping or positioning maneuvers during the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional manual wire wrapping mechanical process with a simplified insertion and tightening mechanism. The set screw's lumen and notches substitute for skilled manual wrapping operations, allowing rapid wire anchoring through straightforward mechanical insertion and screw tightening.
Data Source
AI summary
Steerable delivery devices use one or more pull wires. Described herein are devices and methods for securing a pull wire to an adjustment mechanism of such delivery devices. The disclosed devices facilitate securing the pull wire by using a wrapping set screw that forms a lumen for the pull wire and one or more notches in the side of the wrapping set screw at its proximal end. The notches allow the pull wire to be pulled through a notch so that when the wrapping set screw is driven into a threaded lumen the pull wire lies along the roots of the screw. The pull wire is secured in place due at least in part to friction and/or to being pressed between the screw and the threaded lumen of a wrap housing where the wrap housing can be part of the adjustment mechanism of the delivery device.