Steerable Medical Laser Fiber With Flexible Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser fibers used in medical procedures lack the ability to be actuated or deflected for precise control of the distal tip, limiting the operator's ability to accurately place the laser fiber in desired positions within the body, particularly in urology and other endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A laser fiber system comprising a catheter with a flexible joint region and a push-pull wire mechanism that allows the distal end of the catheter to be steered and controlled, enabling precise placement of the laser fiber by manipulating the push-pull wire at the proximal end, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laser fibers are used, then the device structure is simple, but the operator cannot control the distal tip position precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments with varying flexibility, creating a distal flexible segment that can be deflected independently from the proximal rigid segment. This segmentation allows precise control of the distal tip position while maintaining structural simplicity in the proximal portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates a dynamic deflection mechanism where the distal flexible segment can be actively deflected in response to wire manipulation. This transforms the static conventional catheter into a dynamic system that can adapt its shape and position, enabling precise distal tip placement controlled by wire insertion and retraction.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible joint region is added to enable steering, then the operator can control distal tip position, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A deflection wire acts as an intermediary element that transmits control signals from the proximal end to the distal flexible segment. The wire inserts into and exits through the flexible joint region, allowing the operator to control distal tip position through simple wire manipulation without complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs a flexible joint region with a specific structural configuration that allows controlled flexion. The flexible segment includes a curved configuration with defined dimensions that enable the joint to bend in a predictable manner, providing ease of operation through simple deflection wire manipulation.
3Measurement precision
If the catheter is made more flexible for better positioning, then the laser fiber can be placed more accurately, but the catheter may bend too easily losing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter exhibits different mechanical properties at different locations: the proximal segment is rigid for stability and ease of manipulation, while the distal flexible segment provides the necessary flexibility for positioning. This local quality differentiation allows the catheter to maintain stability where needed while achieving precise placement at the distal end.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the catheter into rigid and flexible portions, the design isolates the flexibility requirement to only the distal portion. The rigid proximal segment maintains stability during insertion and operation, while the flexible distal segment can be deflected for accurate laser fiber placement without compromising overall catheter stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a catheter section comprising a flexible joint region disposed between a distal end and a proximal end. The device includes a laser fiber disposed within the catheter section. The laser fiber emits laser light at a fiber distal end. The device includes a wire comprising a distal end coupled to the catheter section. The wire is configured to move the distal end of the catheter section from a first position to a second position about the flexible joint region.