Sliding Medical Locking Device Actuator for Catheter Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for medical catheters and probes cause localized cramping, pinching, or deformation, and require significant axial or radial forces for operation, often necessitating two hands and leading to displacement during treatments like urinary incontinence therapy.
Innovation Solution
A slidable locking device with a housing and actuator that moves between locked and unlocked positions, applying minimal force (1-3 lbf) to secure and release the catheter or probe, allowing single-handed operation and maintaining lumen patency with distributed force (10-40 PSI) to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional locking devices (locking collars, seals, clamps, compression sleeves) are used to secure the catheter or probe, then positioning stability is improved, but the catheter or probe lumen becomes radially narrowed or occluded, and localized cramping, pinching, or deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into multiple independent engaging members (at least two) that can be individually actuated. Each engaging member can independently engage or disengage from the catheter or probe, allowing selective engagement points that distribute the locking force and prevent concentrated deformation of the lumen.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging members are designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged states through actuation. This dynamic capability allows the locking mechanism to transition from a static clamping force to a controlled, reversible engagement that maintains lumen patency while providing secure positioning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional locking devices are engaged or locked in place, then positioning stability is improved, but disengaging or unlocking requires transmission of undesirable amounts of axial translation force, radial force, and friction to the catheter or probe, usually displacing the catheter or probe relative to the treatment site
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates user input into controlled movement of the engaging members. By using the actuator to mediate the engagement and disengagement process, the system reduces the direct force transmission to the catheter or probe, minimizing displacement while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical friction-based locking is replaced with a system that uses actuated engaging members with defined engagement geometries. This substitution reduces reliance on high friction forces and axial translation, allowing for easier disengagement with minimal force transmission to the catheter or probe.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional locking devices are used, then positioning stability is improved, but the locking mechanism becomes cumbersome, often requiring the use of both hands of a physician or user to unlock and reposition the device
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: it can engage the engaging members to lock the catheter or probe in place, disengage them to unlock for repositioning, and potentially adjust the positioning. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual operations into a single controllable mechanism, enabling one-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system is designed to be self-contained and self-actuating, where the actuator itself provides the mechanical advantage and control needed to engage and disengage the locking mechanism without requiring additional manual manipulation of separate components. This self-service capability simplifies operation to a single intuitive action.
Data Source
AI summary
A slidable locking device for fixing a position of a medical device, includes a housing having a passageway therethrough and an actuator coupled to the housing movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator includes at least two arms extending therefrom that are operatively coupled with at least two engaging members disposed within the housing, each engaging member having a slot configured to receive a respective arm of the actuator, the engaging members being biased towards the housing passageway, wherein the engaging members are disposed toward the housing passageway when the actuator is in the locked position, and the engaging members are disposed away from the housing passageway when the actuator is in the unlocked position.