Rotatable Control Handle for Medical Guidewires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control handles for medical devices like guidewires fail to provide adequate support and rotation mechanisms when navigating through hemostatic valve members, leading to complexity and potential kinking issues during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable control handle design comprising a handle, compressible member, cap, and cannula, which allows for adjustable attachment and torque application to facilitate smooth passage and rotation of guidewires through valve members, preventing kinking and improving procedural efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guidewire is manually manipulated through a hemostatic valve member without a control handle, then the valve member can seal around the guidewire to minimize fluid leakage, but the guidewire becomes difficult to introduce, withdraw, and rotate, increasing procedural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A control handle serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the guidewire. The handle includes a passageway through which the guidewire extends, allowing the operator to manipulate the guidewire (introduce, withdraw, rotate) while the guidewire remains supported and protected. The valve member seals around the guidewire distal to the handle, maintaining sealing effectiveness while the handle provides mechanical advantage for manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the control handle for manipulation, the guidewire for navigation, and the valve member for sealing. The handle can be detached from the guidewire, allowing independent optimization of each component's function without interfering with the sealing mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If two hands are used to rotate the guidewire relative to the valve member, then rotation can be achieved, but the procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle acts as a mechanical intermediary that provides rotation capability through a single hand. The handle includes a rotatable component with a grip surface that allows the operator to apply torque to rotate the guidewire. This eliminates the need for two-handed manipulation while maintaining full rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control handle incorporates dynamic elements including a compressible member that can be compressed to release and re-engage with the guidewire. The handle can be moved between a locked configuration (providing rigid support during rotation) and an unlocked configuration (allowing easy attachment and detachment), making the procedure more efficient.
3Productivity
If the guidewire is manipulated through the valve member without adequate support, then the procedure can be performed, but the guidewire may become kinked and unsuitable for continued use
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle serves as a support structure that prevents kinking of the guidewire during manipulation. The guidewire extends through the handle's passageway, which provides structural support and maintains the guidewire's straight configuration. The compressible member within the handle can be compressed to temporarily release the guidewire for insertion/removal, then re-engaged to provide continued support during rotation and advancement procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Rotatable control handles and methods of using rotatable control handles are described herein. An example embodiment of a rotatable control handle comprises a handle, a compressible member disposed within the handle, a cap attached to the handle, and a cannula rotatably attached between the handle and the cap. The handle comprises a first member and a second member that is releasably attachable to the first member.