Cylindrical Diameter Adaptation in Steerable Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steerable instruments face issues with cumbersome construction, increased diameter, reduced reliability, and compromised maneuverability due to conventional diameter adaptation arrangements, which are costly and prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A steerable instrument with an internally arranged cylindrical diameter adaptation section that minimizes the instrument's diameter, improves maneuverability, and enhances reliability by using fewer cylindrical elements, and incorporates spacers to maintain a predetermined tangential distance between longitudinal elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional diameter adaptation arrangements are used, then the instrument can adapt between different diameters, but the construction becomes cumbersome and the diameter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediameter adaptation capabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the diameter adaptation function directly into the intermediate cylindrical element by forming a frustoconical portion that integrates both structural support and diameter transition. This eliminates the need for separate diameter adaptation arrangements, reducing construction complexity while maintaining adaptability between different diameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate cylindrical element with the frustoconical portion is nested between the proximal and distal cylindrical elements, allowing smooth diameter transitions within the confined space of the elongated tubular body. This nested arrangement enables diameter adaptation without increasing the overall instrument diameter or adding external complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional diameter adaptation arrangements are used, then diameter adaptation is achieved, but reliability is reduced due to being prone to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediameter adaptation capabilityVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the diameter adaptation function into the intermediate cylindrical element itself through the frustoconical portion, the patent eliminates separate adaptation mechanisms that would be prone to damage. The unified structure reduces potential failure points and improves overall reliability while maintaining diameter adaptation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional diameter adaptation arrangements are used, then diameter adaptation is possible, but maneuverability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediameter adaptation capabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The nested arrangement of cylindrical elements with the frustoconical intermediate element allows smooth diameter transitions without creating external protrusions or increasing the overall instrument diameter. This maintains a compact profile that preserves maneuverability while enabling adaptation between different diameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional diameter adaptation arrangements are used, then diameter adaptation can be achieved, but the instrument becomes more costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediameter adaptation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the diameter adaptation function with the intermediate cylindrical element structure, eliminating the need for separate adaptation components. This integration reduces the total number of parts, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining full diameter adaptation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260041311A1Steerable instrument comprising a cylindrical diameter adaptation section

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 FORTIMEDIX ASSETS II BV

AI summary

A method of making a steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications, such as in surgery is provided. The instrument has an elongated tubular body having at least one actuation zone at a proximal side of the steerable instrument and at least one bendable zone at a distal side of the steerable instrument, said at least one actuation zone arranged to control bending of said at least one bendable zone by means of a plurality of longitudinal elements. The method comprises:making slits in a first intermediate cylindrical element such as to define a first set of one or more adjacent longitudinal elements which may be used as pushing/pulling wires in the assembled state of the steerable instrument,cutting open spaces in a second intermediate cylindrical element such as to render a sliding island in each open space, which are defined by rigid, cylindrical portions and connection elements, each open space being associated with one longitudinal element, such that when the cutting process is finished, each sliding island is still attached to at least one of an adjacent connection element and rigid, cylindrical portion by means of one or more break islands,aligning every sliding island with one longitudinal element and connecting or attaching every sliding island to one longitudinal element of the first set of longitudinal elements,moving the longitudinal elements and respective sliding islands together such as to cause the one or more break islands to break off during moving the longitudinal elements relative to the second intermediate cylindrical element.