Steerable Electrode Catheter with Dual Dial Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheters are difficult to maneuver due to the need for manual adjustment of length and direction, prolonging operation time and increasing patient discomfort during procedures like spinal nerve blocking or herniated disk surgery.
Innovation Solution
A steerable electrode catheter assembly with a housing, external member, catheter, position adjusting member, and direction adjusting member, allowing for easy adjustment of catheter length and tip angle using a user-friendly interface, including a position adjusting dial and direction adjusting dial, to facilitate precise placement of the catheter tip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional catheter is used with manual adjustment, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in adjusting length and direction
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments including a catheter body, external member, and adjusting mechanism. The housing is separated into upper and lower bodies with a hollow portion between them. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of catheter length and direction while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter assembly incorporates dynamic adjusting mechanisms that allow the catheter length and tip direction to be changed during operation. The external member can slide relative to the housing, and the catheter can be bent to different angles, providing dynamic adaptability without complex structure.
2Productivity
If manual adjustment of catheter length and direction is required, then the device structure remains simple, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly is pre-configured with adjusting mechanisms that enable quick length and direction changes. The external member is pre-positioned to allow sliding adjustment, and the catheter is pre-bent to facilitate directional changes, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting mechanisms are designed to be self-operating through simple user inputs. Rotating the housing or sliding the external member automatically adjusts the catheter length and direction without requiring complex manual manipulation or additional tools, reducing operation time.
3Measurement precision
If the catheter requires precise placement, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly provides localized control over catheter position and orientation. The external member can be independently positioned relative to the housing, and the catheter can be bent at specific angles, allowing precise placement at the target location while maintaining ease of overall manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The external member acts as an intermediary between the housing and the catheter. It transmits and controls the bending forces applied to the catheter, enabling precise directional control. The hollow portion between the upper and lower housing bodies serves as an intermediary space that accommodates the catheter and allows for smooth manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a steerable electrode catheter assembly capable of easily contacting an affected part of a patient when performing an operation on a human body while adjusting a direction of the electrode catheter assembly. In detail, provided is a steerable electrode catheter assembly whereby a length by which a catheter is inserted into an affect part of a patient during an operation on a human body may be easily adjusted and also an angle of a tip portion of the catheter may be easily adjusted by a user.