Sensor-Guided Shaft Articulation for Stable Endoscope Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Maintaining stability of medical devices during procedures is challenging due to routine bodily movements, particularly in minimally invasive surgeries, which can lead to inadvertent instrument movement and potential injury to the subject.

Innovation Solution

A medical assembly with a drive mechanism and sensor system that automatically adjusts the position of a medical device's distal end based on measured data, using actuators and motors to articulate the device back to a target site, enhancing stability and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual control of the endoscope and instruments is used to maintain stability at the target site, then the device can be adjusted in real-time, but the user must continuously exert effort and attention to counteract bodily movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of medical device at target siteVSAvoidmanual control effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-service by implementing automated control where the medical device itself monitors its position through sensors and automatically adjusts its orientation and position through actuators to maintain stability at the target site, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by using sensors to continuously monitor the position and orientation of the distal end, comparing it to the desired target position, and automatically adjusting through actuators based on the detected deviation, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the medical device is left stationary at the target site, then stability is maintained, but the device cannot adapt to changes in subject anatomy or positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of medical deviceVSAvoidability to adjust to anatomical changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by transitioning from a static stationary position to a dynamic adaptive position through automated control, where the medical device continuously monitors its environment and adjusts its position and orientation in real-time to maintain optimal placement at the target site while adapting to anatomical changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The medical device performs self-adjustment by using its own sensors to detect position changes and its own actuators to correct deviations, enabling the device to autonomously adapt to anatomical variations while maintaining stable positioning at the target site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If automated control systems are implemented to maintain device stability, then manual control effort is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual control effortVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical control with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect position and actuators to adjust orientation, substituting human effort with an automated electromechanical system that reduces manual control effort while managing complexity through integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260041423A1Control assemblies for medical devices and related methods of use

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 BOSTON SCI MEDICAL DEVICE LTD

AI summary

A medical assembly that includes a medical device including a handle having an actuator, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and a sensor at a distal end of the shaft. The distal end of the shaft is coupled to the actuator by a wire extending through the shaft, and the sensor is configured to measure data indicative of the distal end of the shaft moving from a first position to a second position. The actuator is configured to articulate the distal end of the shaft based on the data measured by the sensor to move the distal end from the second position to the first position.