Compact Stent Delivery Handle Using Segmented Slide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stent delivery system operating handles with rack and pinion mechanisms are bulky and heavy, leading to reduced operability, increased risk of sterilization defects, and higher transportation and storage costs due to their large size and weight, which can result in decreased deploying accuracy and increased risk of EOG gas retention.
Innovation Solution
A compact operating handle design featuring a slide mechanism with multiple divided bodies that transmit driving force sequentially, reducing the overall length and weight of the handle, and incorporating a rotating member to facilitate easy sliding, thereby enhancing operability and reducing the risk of sterilization defects and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rack and pinion mechanism is used for the slide mechanism, then reliable operation is achieved, but the length and volume of the operating handle become large
Solution Approach 1:
The slide body is divided into multiple divided bodies (first divided body, second divided body, etc.) that can slide relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mechanism to achieve the necessary stroke length through sequential sliding of multiple shorter segments rather than requiring a single long rack, thereby reducing the overall handle length while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The divided bodies are nested within each other in a telescopic arrangement, where the second divided body is received by the first divided body, the third by the second, and so on. This nesting allows the mechanism to compactly store the required stroke length without increasing the external dimensions of the handle, resolving the contradiction between reliable operation and compact size
2Length of moving object
If the entire length of the operating handle is increased, then the necessary stroke is achieved, but the weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the slide body into multiple smaller divided bodies that slide sequentially, the mechanism achieves the necessary stroke without requiring a single long component. This segmentation reduces the overall volume and weight of the handle while maintaining the required operational stroke
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of achieving the stroke length purely in the longitudinal direction (which would increase handle length and weight), the invention uses the radial dimension through the telescopic nesting of divided bodies. This allows the stroke to be achieved through expansion in multiple dimensions simultaneously, reducing the handle's overall weight and volume
3Length of moving object
If the inner shaft length is increased, then the handle length is sufficient, but deploying accuracy decreases due to deflection or buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented slide body mechanism allows the inner shaft to remain relatively short while still achieving the necessary delivery catheter stroke through the telescopic action of the divided bodies. This keeps the inner shaft within a length range that prevents deflection and buckling, thereby maintaining deploying accuracy
4Volume of stationary object
If the volume of the operating handle is increased, then the necessary components are accommodated, but sterilization efficiency decreases and EOG gas retention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The divided bodies create a more compact, segmented structure that reduces the overall volume of the operating handle compared to a conventional single-piece rack and pinion mechanism. This reduced volume allows for more efficient sterilization processing and better gas evacuation, improving sterilization efficiency and reducing EOG gas retention
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
The compact design improves operability, prevents deflection of the inner shaft, enhances sterilization efficiency, reduces the risk of damage during stacking, and lowers transportation and storage costs by minimizing the handle's volume and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a friction engagement between the rotating body and the engaging part
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an operation handle capable of shortening an entire length and enhancing operability. The slide mechanism (S) comprises a rotating body (4) that rotates in conjunction with a rotation of the thumbwheel (3) as the rotating wheel and a slide body (5) that engages with the rotating body (4), slides. The slide body (5) is configured by a 1st divided body (6) formed with a 1st engaging part (6A) engaged with the rotating body (4) in the initial state, and a 2nd divided body (7) formed with a 2nd engaging part (7A) engaged with the rotating body (4) in the initial state and not engaged with the rotating body (4) in the position where the rotating body (4) and the 1st engaging part (6A) is not engaged with each other. A power transmitting means (T) that transmits a driving force of the 1st divided body (6) to the 2nd divided body (7), to integrally slide the 1st divided body (6) and the 2nd divided body (7), is provided. When the engagement between the rotating body (4) and the 1st engaging part (6A) is not engaged and the 1st divided body (6) is stopped, the rotating body (4) is engaged with the 2nd engaging part (7A) and the 2nd divided body (7) slides to the proximal side (A).