Spring-Locked Medical Device Handle for Controlled Needle Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved handles for medical devices, particularly injection needles, that allow for precise control over the advancement and retraction of a needle within a body, with a mechanism to prevent accidental activation and ensure safe insertion and delivery of fluids.
Innovation Solution
The handles incorporate a shaft movable within a chamber, featuring a locking mechanism with a button and a spring or resilient member to control the needle's configuration, allowing for controlled transitions between retracted and extended positions, and a locking mechanism to maintain the extended configuration until manually released.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with button and spring is added to control needle configuration, then safety and control precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is nested within the shaft structure, with the button positioned on the exterior surface of the housing that can be accessed by the operator. The spring is positioned within the shaft, surrounding the rod. This nesting arrangement allows the locking mechanism components to be integrated into the existing handle structure without adding significant external complexity, while still providing the required safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring automatically engages the actuator with the depression on the shaft when the needle is in the extended configuration, providing automatic locking without requiring continuous operator intervention. The taper on the first depression allows the shaft movement itself to dislge the actuator, enabling automatic transition between configurations.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental activation, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring automatically engages the actuator with the depression on the shaft when the needle is in the extended configuration, providing automatic locking without requiring continuous operator intervention. The taper on the first depression allows the shaft movement itself to dislge the actuator, enabling automatic transition between configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The taper is applied only to the proximal end of the first depression, creating a localized feature that facilitates actuator disengagement during shaft extension. This localized modification allows the locking mechanism to engage automatically in the extended configuration while still permitting easy manual release by the operator when needed.
3Measurement precision
If the shaft is made movable within the chamber to control needle advancement, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is nested within the shaft structure, with the button positioned on the exterior surface of the housing that can be accessed by the operator. The spring is positioned within the shaft, surrounding the rod. This nesting arrangement allows the locking mechanism components to be integrated into the existing handle structure without adding significant external complexity, while still providing the required safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is designed to be movable within the chamber rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between different configurations (retracted and extended). This dynamic capability enables precise control over needle advancement by allowing the operator to adjust the shaft position as needed during the procedure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides precise control over needle advancement and retraction, preventing accidental activation during insertion and ensuring safe operation, enhancing the safety and efficacy of medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The spring may be compressible between an end of the cavity and a surface of one of the first support or the second support. Transitioning the handle from the first configuration to the second configuration may compress the spring.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and related methods for actuating medical devices are disclosed herein. The disclosure includes a medical device handle. The medical device handle includes a housing defining a chamber. The medical device handle includes a shaft positioned at least partially within the chamber. The shaft includes a first depression and a second depression. The medical device handle further includes an actuator. The shaft is configured to be moveable within the chamber, relative to the housing, from a first configuration, in which a portion of the actuator is received within the first depression, and a second configuration, in which the portion of the actuator is received within the second depression.