Vascular Stent Deployment Ratchet Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular prosthesis deployment devices lack incremental deployment control and feedback mechanisms, making precise placement and deployment of self-expanding stents within the body challenging, and often require significant manual force and awkward handling positions.
Innovation Solution
A deployment device with a handle assembly and elongate delivery catheter that includes a ratchet slide mechanism providing incremental deployment control, visual, audible, and tactile feedback, and mechanical advantage, allowing for one-handed, ambidextrous operation with ergonomic design for enhanced user comfort and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional vascular prosthesis deployment device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the deployment control precision is poor and incremental deployment is not achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment device is segmented into multiple functional components: a delivery catheter assembly with outer sheath, intermediate sheath, and inner core member; a ratchet mechanism with multiple ratchet teeth; and a carrier assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, enabling incremental deployment control while maintaining manageable overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism is pre-configured with multiple ratchet teeth that engage with corresponding pawls on the carrier assembly. This preliminary arrangement of mechanical elements enables incremental deployment to occur automatically as the outer sheath is retracted, providing precise control without requiring complex active control systems
2Ease of operation
If a traditional deployment device is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but user control during deployment is poor and feedback mechanisms are absent
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism provides inherent mechanical feedback to the operator during deployment. As the outer sheath is retracted incrementally, each ratchet engagement produces audible clicks and tactile sensations, giving the operator real-time feedback on the deployment progress and allowing precise control of the stent expansion process
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested structure where the inner core member is surrounded by the intermediate sheath, which is in turn surrounded by the outer sheath. This nested arrangement allows the components to be manufactured separately using standard techniques, then assembled together, balancing manufacturing ease with the ability to provide controlled deployment and user feedback
3Ease of operation
If significant manual force is applied to deploy the stent, then the deployment can be achieved, but the handling becomes awkward and user comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment device transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system as deployment progresses. The ratchet mechanism allows the device to adapt its mechanical properties during retraction, providing mechanical advantage that reduces the force required by the operator while maintaining secure engagement, thereby improving user comfort and handling
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism acts as an intermediary between the operator's manual retraction force and the stent deployment force. It translates small incremental retraction movements into controlled expansion forces, reducing the overall manual force requirement while maintaining effective stent deployment, thus improving user comfort
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise, incremental deployment of stents with enhanced user control, reduced manual force requirement, and improved ergonomics, facilitating safer and more efficient vascular prosthesis placement within the body.
Implementation Method 1
the ratchet slide includes a distal end configured to engage the carrier assembly such that relative movement between the ratchet slide and the carrier assembly results in incremental displacement of the outer sheath with respect to the inner core member
Implementation Method 2
a spring positioned between the actuator and the housing and configured to return the actuator to the unconstrained position
Implementation Method 3
mechanical advantage, allowing for one-handed, ambidextrous operation with ergonomic design for enhanced user comfort and control
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A vascular prosthesis deployment device and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments the deployment device may provide audible, tactile, or visual feedback to a practitioner as to the degree of deployment of a prosthesis. The deployment device may also provide mechanical advantage when deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device may be configured to incrementally deploy a prosthesis.