Toggle Locking Mechanism for Balloon Catheter Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pressurization devices for balloon catheters face challenges in maintaining uniform detenting forces, user convenience, and precise assembly, particularly due to the complexity of link members and pivot pins, which can lead to uneven loading and potential damage during high-pressure use.
Innovation Solution
A toggle locking mechanism with a unitary link member that includes an integral spring, biasing the nut member into engagement with the plunger, allowing only micro movements until a control surface is pressed to release, enabling macro movements, and simplifying assembly by eliminating the need for precise alignment of link members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If link members and pivot pins are used to facilitate nut member movement, then the nut member can be moved into and out of engagement with the plunger, but maintaining uniform detenting forces becomes challenging due to multiple part dimensions and tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the link members and pivot pins from the mechanism, replacing them with a direct pressing action on the control surface of the nut member itself. This extraction eliminates the intermediate components that caused tolerance accumulation and non-uniform detenting forces, while preserving the ability to move the nut member into and out of engagement with the plunger.
2Ease of operation
If link members are used to operate the nut member, then movement is facilitated, but assembly complexity increases requiring precise alignment and multiple manipulation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the link members from the mechanism, replacing the complex multi-component linkage system with a simple direct-press control surface on the nut member. This extraction dramatically simplifies assembly, requiring no precise alignment of multiple moving parts, while still enabling the nut member to be moved into and out of engagement with the plunger through direct user action.
3Ease of operation
If two link members are used in tandem, then the nut member can be moved, but the amount of force required depends on multiple part dimensions and tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the two-link mechanism and replaces it with a direct pressing action on the nut member's control surface. This eliminates the force transmission chain through multiple joints and links, resulting in more predictable and uniform detenting forces that depend only on the nut member's own geometry and material properties, rather than on the dimensions and tolerances of multiple separate components.
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 solution provides a more reliable and user-friendly fluid displacement device with reduced assembly complexity, improved alignment, and enhanced durability by preventing twisting of the nut member during engagement, thus ensuring consistent performance and reducing the risk of thread damage.
Implementation Method 1
a unitary link member that provides an integral spring, biasing the nut member into engagement with the threaded portion of the plunger
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid displacement device, particularly for use of the device to pressurize balloon catheters, or the like. The device includes a plunger (68) which is displaceable through a housing (42), and an actuating mechanism which engages the plunger. The actuating mechanism includes a nut member (80) that is biased into engagement with a threaded portion (86) of the plunger. The device has a press-to-release feature wherein the plunger is instantly releaseable by simply depressing a control surface to overcome a restorative spring force. Subsequently, the plunger can be translated using macro movements (i.e., by pushing or pulling the plunger).