Bi-directional Steering Catheter Sheath with Rotatable Control Knob
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intravascular catheter sheaths lack a simple and cost-effective bi-directional steering mechanism for precise placement of diagnostic and therapeutic devices, requiring complex manufacturing and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A steerable intravascular catheter with a bi-directional steering mechanism featuring a handle assembly with a rotatable control knob, interlocked drive gears, and laterally opposed pull wires, allowing for easy bi-directional deflection of the distal end portion, facilitating precise placement of devices within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bi-directional steering mechanism is incorporated into the sheath, then precise placement of diagnostic and therapeutic devices is enabled, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a control knob for user input, drive gears for mechanical transmission, and pull wires for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to a monolithic steering mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Pull wires serve as intermediaries between the user's manual input via the control knob and the distal end portion of the sheath. These wires transmit the steering force through the tubular body wall, enabling precise control without requiring complex mechanical linkages throughout the entire sheath structure.
2Measurement precision
If a steerable catheter is used to guide the sheath to the targeted region, then accurate device placement is achieved, but the procedure time increases due to the need to withdraw and reintroduce the steering catheter for redeployment
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is pre-equipped with an onboard bi-directional steering mechanism that allows the distal end portion to be repositioned without withdrawing the catheter. The control knob and drive mechanism are prepared in advance, enabling the physician to redeploy the distal end to new locations immediately after the initial placement, eliminating the time-consuming process of withdrawing and reintroducing a separate steering catheter.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex bi-directional steering mechanism is used, then maneuverability and placement precision are improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism utilizes standard mechanical components (gears, threaded bores, pull wires) that can be manufactured using conventional processes. The interlocked drive gears with threaded bores and pull wires are designed to be self-contained, requiring no specialized assembly procedures. This self-service approach allows the steering mechanism to be manufactured and assembled using existing tooling and expertise, reducing both cost and complexity.
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 enables easy and precise placement of diagnostic and therapeutic devices with reduced manufacturing complexity and cost, enhancing the usability and effectiveness of intravascular procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The drive mechanism includes a distal drive gear mounted for angular rotation about the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly, having a threaded bore and a cooperating threaded distal drive sleeve positioned within the threaded bore and supported for reciprocal axial movement therein.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable intravascular catheter is disclosed which includes an elongated sheath having a tubular body wall defining a central lumen and a deflectable distal end portion, a pair of laterally opposed elongated pull wires extending through the tubular body wall of the sheath and terminating within the distal end portion thereof, and a handle assembly having a longitudinal axis and operatively associated with a proximal end portion of the sheath, the handle assembly including an rotatable control knob for controlling bi-directional deflection of the distal end portion of the sheath, wherein bi-directional angular rotation of the control knob about the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly effectuates corresponding reciprocal axial movement of the laterally opposed pull wires in opposed axial directions and corresponding bi-directional deflection of the distal end portion of the sheath.