Ratchet Implant Delivery Handle for Precise Tube Self-Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implant delivery systems for transcatheter valve replacement lack precision in guide transmission and self-locking, leading to potential operator mistakes and complications such as inaccurate valve stent placement and paravalvular leakage.
Innovation Solution
An implant delivery handle with a ratchet assembly comprising a cam, ratchet wheel, and ratchet pawls, which controls axial movement and direction of inner and outer tubes for precise and safe self-locking and guide transmission, preventing undesirable backward movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional delivery system is used, then the structure is simpler, but the guide transmission precision and self-locking reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery handle is divided into two independent conveyance sub-systems: a first sub-system for controlling the outer tube and a second sub-system for controlling the inner tube. Each sub-system includes its own synchronous conveying device and ratchet assembly, allowing independent and precise control of each tube's axial movement and self-locking without interfering with the other.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional delivery system is used, then the device complexity is lower, but the guide transmission precision is insufficient leading to operator mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet assembly provides mechanical feedback through the cam and ratchet pawl mechanism. When the synchronous conveying device moves the tube, the ratchet wheel rotates and engages with the ratchet pawl, providing tactile and visual feedback to the operator that the tube has moved the desired distance and is securely locked in position, thereby improving guide transmission precision.
3Measurement precision
If precise control of tube movement is implemented, then positional controllability is improved, but the risk of release accidents increases without proper safety mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet assembly is designed to prevent backward movement of the tubes before release is intentionally commanded. The ratchet pawl engages with the ratchet wheel teeth to block any reverse motion, providing preliminary protection against accidental release or unintended position changes during the delivery process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is positioned to control the engagement and disengagement of the ratchet pawls in advance. Before actual release occurs, the cam can be positioned to maintain ratchet engagement, providing a safety buffer that prevents accidental release even if other control mechanisms fail.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4a
AI summary
An implant delivery handle (2), an implant system, a delivery system and method for operating thereof are disclosed. A ratchet assembly (340) in the implant delivery handle (2) includes a cam (3461), a ratchet wheel (342) and two ratchet pawls (344, 345). The ratchet wheel (342) is secured to a synchronous conveying device (320) and is configured to cooperate with the two ratchet pawls (344, 345) to control an axial movement and an axial movement direction of an outer (120) or an inner (110) tube so as to enable a safe self-locking, and transmission and guiding of the outer (120) or inner tube (110). A first end of each ratchet pawl (344, 345) is disposed rotatably on one side of the cam (3461) and a second end of each ratchet pawl (344, 345) is disposed in the vicinity of the ratchet wheel (342), and the ratchet pawls are configured to control a rotation and a rotational direction of the ratchet wheel (342). The cam (3461) is rotatably disposed between the two ratchet pawls (344, 345) and is configured to control pivoting of the two ratchet pawls (344, 345). In this way, the inner tube (110) and the outer tube (120) can be unidirectionally locked.