Steerable Guide Device Rack and Pinion Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current steerable guide systems lack the ability to translate comfortable rotational manipulation by a physician into effective distal deflection of a guide tube, and they do not provide a mechanical advantage that allows minimal manipulation to result in sufficient distal deflection, making it difficult to accurately orient and maintain operative tools within tissue regions.
Innovation Solution
A steerable guide device equipped with a steering assembly that includes a rack and pinion linkage system or a pivoting lever system, allowing for single-handed operation and providing a mechanical advantage to translate small increments of clinician control into larger increments of guide tube deflection, eliminating the need for an on-board steering mechanism or guide wire lumen on the operative tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional steerable guide system is used, then the guide tube can be deflected, but the system lacks mechanical advantage requiring large manual manipulation for sufficient deflection
Solution Approach 1:
A tensioning member acts as an intermediary between the operator's manual manipulation and the deflecting component. By pulling on the tensioning member, the operator can apply precise forces to deflect the guide tube distal end region, translating small manual increments into controlled deflection without requiring direct mechanical advantage from the operator's hand movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical steering mechanisms (such as push-pull rods or cable systems) with a tensioning member system that uses direct linear tension to control deflection. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages and provides more direct control, where the operator's pulling action on the tensioning member directly translates to deflection force on the guide tube.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an on-board steering mechanism is added to the operative tool, then steering capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering functionality is extracted from the operative tool itself and placed in the guide device. The deflecting component is positioned in the guide tube rather than on the operative tool, and the tensioning member provides the steering control from the guide device. This extraction eliminates the need for complex on-board steering mechanisms on the operative tool while maintaining full steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device is designed to accommodate multiple operative tools through a single deflecting component and tensioning member system. The deflecting component can control the orientation of any operative tool passed through the guide tube, making the steering mechanism universal rather than tool-specific. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If a guide wire lumen is added to the operative tool, then steering control is improved, but the device complexity and procedural steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control function is extracted from the operative tool and implemented in the guide device through the tensioning member system. The tensioning member runs through the guide tube and connects to the deflecting component, providing steering control without requiring any guide wire lumen in the operative tool. This extraction simplifies the operative tool design while maintaining steering control capability.
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 device enables precise orientation and maintenance of operative tools within tissue regions with reduced manual effort, enhancing the ability to accurately place and maintain fasteners or other tools without the need for additional steering mechanisms or guide wires, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The steering assembly includes a rack and pinion linkage system that translates rotation of an actuator into linear movement of a rack into rotation of a gear train, to apply a tension force to a deflecting component
Implementation Method 2
the steering assembly includes a pivoting lever system that translates rotation of an actuator into linear movement of a slider into pivotal movement of a lever arm, to apply a tension force to a deflecting component
Implementation Method 3
The tension applied to the deflecting component bends or deflects the distal end region of the guide tube
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6A
AI summary
A guide device establishes a guide passage through a guide tube, through which an operative tool can be deployed into an interior body region for use. A steering assembly, in use, deflects or bends the distal end region of the guide tube, so that the operative tool can be placed in a desired orientation with respect to tissue. The steering assembly is desirable configured for single handed operation by the clinician. The steering assembly is also desirably configured to provide a mechanical advantage sufficient to translate relatively small increments of clinician control into relatively larger increments of guide tube deflection. In one arrangement, the steering assembly includes a rack and pinion linkage system. In another arrangement, the steering assembly includes a pivoting lever system.