Single-Handed Scope Handle for Shaft and Suction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlling distal and proximal movement of a medical scope shaft and suction through a sheath requires multiple hands and uncomfortable hand positioning, leading to operator fatigue and increased risk for the patient.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a handle featuring a hub, grip portion, and arm, allowing a user to control sliding or rotation of a member with a single hand, incorporating a suction channel and aperture for controlling suction, and enabling single-handed operation of a shaft within a sheath.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple hands are used to control shaft movement and suction, then control precision is improved, but operator fatigue increases and procedural safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines shaft movement control and suction control into a single integrated handle assembly. The first handle portion controls shaft movement via a cart mechanism, while the second handle portion controls suction via a valve, both accessible from the same handle. This merging allows one-handed operation while maintaining control over both functions, resolving the contradiction between control precision and procedural safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms between the operator and the device functions. A cart mechanism with rails serves as an intermediary for shaft movement control, providing mechanical advantage and precise control. A valve mechanism serves as an intermediary for suction control. These intermediaries enable precise control while reducing direct manual effort, improving both control precision and procedural safety.
2Measurement precision
If multiple operators are used to control shaft movement and suction, then control precision is improved, but procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single handle assembly that can be operated by one operator. The first handle portion with cart mechanism controls shaft movement, while the second handle portion with valve controls suction. This integration eliminates the need for multiple operators and reduces procedural complexity while maintaining control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is designed as a universal control interface that performs multiple functions: shaft movement control via the cart mechanism and suction control via the valve. This multi-functional design allows a single operator to control both functions, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining the precision that would otherwise require multiple specialized operators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If awkward hand positioning is used to control multiple functions, then control capability is improved, but operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handle into distinct functional portions: a first handle portion with a cart mechanism for shaft movement control, and a second handle portion with a valve for suction control. Each segment is optimized for its specific function and can be operated independently with natural hand positioning. This segmentation maintains control capability while eliminating awkward positioning and reducing operator fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial dimensionality to the control interface by extending the handle in multiple directions. The first handle portion extends in one direction for shaft control, while the second handle portion extends in another direction for suction control. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the operator to access both controls comfortably from a single hand position, improving ease of operation while maintaining full control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices and systems are described. The medical device may include a handle that includes a hub, a grip portion, and an arm. The hub may define a lumen having a proximal opening. The arm may extend proximally from the hub and may be coupled to a member slidable or rotatable relative to the arm. The grip portion may extend transverse to the lumen of the hub. The grip portion may be configured to receive a palm of a user's hand while a thumb of the user's hand controls sliding or rotation of the member.