Steerable Medical Handle With Knob Locking for Precise Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steerable medical device handles, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,944,690 and 7,691,095, lack ease of use, precision in steering, and are complex to manufacture, making them difficult to operate and control.
Innovation Solution
A handle design featuring a spindle with rotatable knobs and wire holders that allow precise control over multiple control wires, enabling deflection in multiple directions, and a lock mechanism to maintain desired shapes, along with anti-rotation washers for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slider mechanism is used for controlling control wires, then the device can be steered, but the handle becomes awkward to grasp and use with limited control precision
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into separate functional components: a grip portion for user interaction, a spindle for wire routing, multiple independent wire holders for each control wire, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, making the handle easier to operate while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex slider mechanism that moves along a track, the invention inverts the approach by using a spindle with wire holders that can be independently positioned and locked. The control wires are routed through the spindle and attached to the wire holders, allowing direct manipulation of each wire's position and tension.
2Measurement precision
If a single thumb control is used, then the device structure is simple, but the steering precision is insufficient for minute manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into multiple independent wire holders, each capable of being individually positioned and locked. This allows precise control of each control wire separately, enabling minute manipulations and precise steering of the medical device in multiple directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism transitions from a single-dimensional thumb control to a multi-dimensional system with multiple wire holders that can be independently positioned in different directions. Each wire holder can be adjusted in multiple directions, providing comprehensive control over the medical device's steering in three-dimensional space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a bi-directional steerable catheter control handle with adjustment knob is used, then the catheter can be deflected in opposite directions, but the handle becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into distinct functional components: a grip portion, a spindle with routing channels, multiple wire holders with positioning mechanisms, and a locking mechanism. Each component can be manufactured separately using standard manufacturing processes and then assembled, simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining bi-directional control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle serves multiple functions: it provides a central routing path for control wires, supports multiple wire holders, and integrates the locking mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while achieving bi-directional and multi-directional control of the catheter.
Data Source
AI summary
A handle for a steerable medical device including a plurality of control wires, a distal end of the plurality of control wires being coupled to the medical device at a distal region thereof, includes a grip having a distal end and a proximal end. A spindle extends from the distal end of the grip and includes a channel for receiving the control wires and a plurality of openings through which the plurality of control wires extend. A first knob is rotatably coupled to the spindle. The first knob is configured for actuating a first wire holder to manipulate a first control wire to produce a change in deflection of the medical device in a first direction and actuating a second wire holder to manipulate a second control wire to produce a change in deflection of the medical device in a second direction. The handle includes a rotatable lock.