Pull Wire Anchoring With Wrapping Set Screws in 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 threads, ensuring secure fixation within the wire wrap housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional wire wrapping methods are used to secure pull wires, then the pull wires can be anchored to the adjustment mechanism, but the process requires skilled operators and leads to inconsistent device performance
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping set screw is designed to automatically secure the pull wire through its own threading action. As the set screw is rotated, its threads engage with the pull wire and progressively wrap around it, creating a secure anchor without requiring external wrapping tools or skilled manual manipulation. The device performs the securing function through its inherent mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional manual wire wrapping process is replaced by a mechanical threading mechanism. The wrapping set screw converts rotational motion into a self-wrapping action that automatically secures the pull wire, eliminating the need for skilled manual wrapping operations and ensuring consistent anchoring strength.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional wire wrapping methods are used, then pull wires can be secured, but inspection of wire connections is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping set screw incorporates a visually distinct head portion that contrasts with the wire wrap housing, making the secured connection easily visible during inspection. The head can be colored differently or have a distinct geometric feature that allows operators to quickly verify proper installation and wire anchoring without difficult visual inspection of the wrapped wire itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapping set screw is designed as a separate, distinct component with a visible head portion that segments the wire anchoring function from the housing. This segmentation allows the inspection focus to be on the easily visible head and its position relative to the housing, rather than attempting to inspect the hidden wrapped wire connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If a wrapping set screw with lumen and notches is used, then the anchoring process is simplified, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping set screw is designed as a multi-functional component that combines several features into a single element: it provides a lumen for wire passage, notches for wire positioning and wrapping, threading for secure anchoring, and a head for tool engagement. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall manufacturing process by consolidating multiple operations into a single component installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The set screw design merges the wire guide function, wire wrapping function, and anchoring function into a single integrated component. Instead of requiring separate elements for each function, the wrapping set screw combines them all, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the assembly process despite the increased complexity of the individual component.
Data Source
AI summary
Steerable delivery devices use one or more pull wires secured to the devices using wrapping set screws. The wrapping set screws facilitate securing the pull wire to the steerable delivery devices due using a lumen through the screw and one or more notches. 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.