Remote Catheter Control Handle with Motion Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical personnel are exposed to high levels of radiation during catheterization procedures due to the use of fluoroscopes, and existing remote control systems lack an intuitive and safe means for precise control of catheter movement and tactile feedback.

Innovation Solution

A remote control catheterization system with an intuitive user interface that includes a handle for simulating the motion of a catheter or guide wire, providing tactile feedback and user-controlled scaling of motion and feedback, along with safety mechanisms to prevent accidental movement, allowing operators to control catheterization procedures from a distance and reduce radiation exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluoroscope is used to guide catheterization procedure, then real-time imaging is achieved, but radiation exposure to medical personnel increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time imaging capabilityVSAvoidradiation exposure to medical personnel

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote control system with a control console that acts as an intermediary between the operator and the catheterization field. The operator controls the catheter remotely through a control console equipped with fluoroscopic imaging, eliminating the need for direct presence in the high-radiation zone while maintaining real-time imaging guidance capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If heavy lead protective garments are worn to protect from radiation, then radiation protection is improved, but operator mobility and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protectionVSAvoidoperator mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the operator from the radiation field entirely by implementing remote control capability. The control console is positioned outside the fluoroscope's radiation zone, allowing the operator to perform catheterization procedures without wearing heavy protective garments, thus maintaining both radiation protection and operator mobility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If remote control system is implemented to reduce radiation exposure, then radiation safety improves, but intuitive control and tactile feedback capability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation safetyVSAvoidintuitive control and tactile feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism in the control console that provides the operator with tactile and visual information about catheter position and movement. The control console displays fluoroscopic images in real-time and provides force feedback through the control mechanisms, restoring intuitive control capability while maintaining remote operation for radiation safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control console creates a virtual copy of the catheterization field through fluoroscopic imaging and transmits this visual information to the operator. This visual copy allows the operator to perceive catheter position and surroundings without direct visual observation, maintaining situational awareness while operating remotely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Object-affected harmful factors

If control system with motors is used to move catheter remotely, then radiation exposure is reduced, but control precision and maneuverability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidcatheter position control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms in the control console that allow real-time adjustment of catheter movement parameters. The system provides scalable control where the operator can adjust the degree of catheter movement in response to tissue resistance, maintaining precise control while operating remotely from the radiation field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8257302B2User interface for remote control catheterization

Publication Date: 2012.09.04 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS ENDOVASCULAR ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

A remote control catheterization system comprising: a propelling device, which controllably inserts a flexible, elongate probe into the body of a patient; and a control unit, in communication with the propelling device, and comprising user controls which are operated by a user of the system remote from the patient to control insertion of the probe into the body by the propelling device, wherein the user controls include an intuitive user interface comprising a handle that can be moved longitudinally, forward and back along a longitudinal axis, and also can be moved rotationally, in rotation around the longitudinal axis; the intuitive user interface comprising motion sensors that detect longitudinal motion and rotational motion of the handle and convert them to signals; and signal communication circuitry that communicates the signals to the control unit for commanding the propelling device to move the probe in respective direction and distance as the handle.