Steerable Instrument Radial Spacer Clamping Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steerable instruments for endoscopic and invasive applications often experience clamping issues when bending, due to the bending outer and inner cylindrical elements clamping the longitudinal elements, which hinders further movement and control of the instrument.
Innovation Solution
The steerable instrument design incorporates coaxially arranged cylindrical elements with longitudinal steering members that form integral parts of the intermediate elements, featuring slits and lip-shaped portions for welding, allowing for independent bending of flexible zones and preventing clamping by creating a cage-like structure that maintains flexibility and movement of the longitudinal elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional steering cables are used between flexible zones, then steering function is achieved, but friction and clamping occur that hinder further movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conventional steering cables from between the flexible zones and extracts only the essential steering function. The longitudinal elements are made as integral parts of the cylindrical elements, eliminating the need for separate cables that cause friction and clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the steering function with the structural cylindrical elements by making the longitudinal steering elements integral parts of the cylindrical elements. This combination eliminates the interface between separate components that causes friction and clamping forces.
2Ease of manufacture
If material removal techniques are used to create longitudinal elements, then steering members are formed, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into two distinct approaches: material addition (injection molding, plating) and material removal (laser cutting, photochemical etching, deep pressing). This segmentation allows selection of the most appropriate technique for specific application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from traditional mechanical machining to advanced techniques such as laser cutting, photochemical etching, and injection molding. These parameter changes enable more precise and efficient fabrication of longitudinal elements with complex geometries.
3Ease of operation
If radial spacers are added to prevent clamping, then longitudinal element movement is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radial spacers as intermediary components between the cylindrical elements. These spacers act as mediators that prevent direct contact and clamping between the cylindrical elements while maintaining the necessary structural integrity and steering function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds radial spacers that extend in the radial dimension, creating a cage-like structure. This dimensional addition prevents clamping in the longitudinal direction while maintaining flexibility, effectively solving the movement restriction problem through spatial arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications includes an elongated tubular body and at least one actuation means at a proximal side of the steerable instrument and at least one bendable zone at a distal side of the steerable instrument, the at least one actuation means being arranged to control bending of the at least one bendable zone by means of longitudinal elements. The instrument further includes first, second and third cylindrical elements; at least one tangential spacer; and at least one lip shaped portion formed on at least one of the first cylindrical element or the third cylindrical element.