Quick-Release Drive Connector for Medical Device Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device implantation procedures face challenges in confirming the anatomical location of guidewires or similar devices during placement, which can hinder the proper positioning of medical devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of a medical device system that includes an elongate medical device with sensors and a drive connector. The drive connector is detachably coupled to the medical device and communicatively linked to a console, allowing for real-time feedback on the device's location and preventing embolization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the guidewire is configured with sensors and connector attachments to provide real-time location feedback, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire system is divided into separate functional modules: the guidewire shaft with embedded sensors, detachable sensor connector attachments at the proximal end, and a separate drive connector. This segmentation allows the complex sensing functionality to be added only when needed while keeping the basic guidewire simple for straightforward procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor connector attachments and drive connector are designed with universal coupling mechanisms that can attach to various guidewire configurations. The same connector design works across different sensor types and guidewire specifications, reducing overall system complexity through standardization.
2Reliability
If the drive connector is detachably coupled to provide real-time feedback, then reliability is improved through stabilization, but ease of operation deteriorates due to attachment and detachment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor connector attachments are pre-configured on the guidewire before insertion, and the drive connector is pre-attached to provide stabilization during the critical placement phase. This preliminary configuration ensures reliability is established before the procedure begins, reducing the need for adjustments during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design allows dynamic transition between attached and detached states based on procedural needs. The quick-release mechanism enables rapid attachment and detachment without complex tools or procedures, maintaining ease of operation while providing stabilization when required.
3Ease of operation
If the drive connector is detached to facilitate smooth placement, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to potential embolization
Solution Approach 1:
The drive connector is attached beforehand to provide stabilization during guidewire insertion and medical device placement. This preliminary stabilization prevents embolization during the critical phase when the guidewire is being maneuvered into position, allowing easy placement without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the attachment state of the drive connector based on procedural phase: attached during insertion and placement to prevent embolization, and detached during final positioning to facilitate smooth device delivery. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical device systems including an elongate medical device having a proximal end including one or more sensor connectors, a distal end including one or more sensors or emitters communicatively coupled to the one or more sensor connectors, and a quick-release drive connector including one or more sensor connector attachments configured to detachably couple to the one or more sensor connectors. The one or more sensor connector attachments can be configured to drive the one or more sensors or emitters of the elongate medical device.