Steering Cam Control for Untensioned Endoscope Wire Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steerable medical devices, such as endoscopes, face challenges in consistent cleaning and disinfection due to intricate designs, leading to infection risks and manufacturing complexities, while single-use endoscopes suffer from steerability issues and high packaging costs.
Innovation Solution
A control device with interchangeable steering cams that allow for un-tensioned and tensioned states of steering wires, enabling easy assembly, reliable operation, and reduced packaging needs, featuring a latch assembly and rotary knob assembly for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control wires are tensioned prior to sterilization in single-use endoscopes, then the device is ready for immediate use, but the articulation section becomes distorted during sterilization, transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the control wire tension dynamic rather than static. The control device includes a tensioning mechanism that applies tension only when activated by the operator. During sterilization, transportation and storage, the control wires remain untensioned, preventing distortion. When the operator activates the control device, tension is applied to achieve the desired articulation and steering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the device in advance by pre-assembling all components including the control wires in their untensioned state. The tensioning mechanism is pre-configured but not activated until use. This preliminary preparation allows the device to be sterilized and stored without distortion, while still being ready for immediate functional use when tension is applied.
2Stability of the object's composition
If single-use endoscopes are packaged straight with catheter in protective tube, then distortion during storage is prevented, but packaging size and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the catheter from a rigid straight configuration to a dynamic flexible configuration. The catheter is designed to maintain its shape when untensioned during storage, but can be bent and positioned as needed when tension is applied during use. This eliminates the need for rigid protective tubes, reducing packaging volume while preventing distortion through the catheter's inherent flexibility and memory properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If reusable endoscopes are designed with detachable disposable catheter, then cleaning and disinfection is simplified, but the attachment and detachment process becomes difficult and non-intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reusable control device with the disposable catheter through an integrated control mechanism. The control device includes features that guide and secure the catheter attachment, making the process intuitive and straightforward. The merging of these components creates a unified system where the attachment and detachment operations are simplified while maintaining the ability to separate for disposal and cleaning purposes.
4Reliability
If control wires are kept tensioned in steerable medical devices, then predictable deflection is achieved, but cleaning and disinfection becomes difficult due to intricate design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control wire tensioning where wires are untensioned during cleaning and disinfection phases, allowing easy access and thorough cleaning of all components. The tensioning mechanism is designed to be easily activated and deactivated. When tension is applied during use, predictable deflection is achieved. This dynamic approach resolves the conflict between cleaning ease and deflection predictability.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for use with a steerable medical device comprises a steering shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof, a first steering cam is affixed to the steering shaft to rotate in unison therewith. A second steering cam is mounted on the steering shaft and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft independent of the steering shaft. A latch assembly is operatively connected to the first steering cam and the second steering cam and operable in an inactive configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain first and second steering wires in an un-tensioned or reduced tension state, and further operable in an active configuration in which the first and second steering cams are positioned to maintain the first and second steering wires in a tensioned state. A rotary knob assembly is also disclosed.