Trigger Wire Activation Lever for Stent Grafts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stent delivery devices with multiple trigger wires face increased force requirements for deployment, leading to operator difficulty due to significant loads on trigger wire actuation mechanisms and friction from interacting components.

Innovation Solution

A prosthesis deployment device featuring a control mechanism with an elongate body member and a lever, where trigger wires are operably connected to the lever to selectively disengage the prosthesis retaining device, reducing the force needed for deployment by providing a more efficient mechanism for releasing the prosthesis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple trigger wires are used to control prosthesis deployment, then control precision is improved, but the force required to withdraw the trigger wires increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidforce to withdraw trigger wires

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger wire withdrawal mechanism is segmented into two functional parts: a knob for applying withdrawal force and a lever for mechanical advantage. The lever arm pivots on the elongate body member, allowing the operator to apply force at one end while the trigger wires are released at the other end, effectively dividing the force requirement between the operator's hand and the mechanical lever system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lever acts as an intermediary mechanical advantage device between the operator's withdrawal force and the trigger wires. By pivoting on the elongate body member, the lever amplifies the operator's applied force, reducing the direct force requirement on the trigger wire actuation mechanism while maintaining precise control over the prosthesis deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a knob is used to remove trigger wires, then ease of operation is improved, but the force required becomes increasingly difficult to manage with multiple trigger wires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of trigger wire removalVSAvoidforce to pull knob and remove trigger wires

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism transitions from a static knob to a dynamic lever system that pivots on the elongate body member. This dynamic lever arm allows the operator to apply force at an optimal angle and position, converting linear withdrawal force into rotational motion that efficiently releases multiple trigger wires simultaneously, making the operation increasingly manageable even with multiple wires.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If trigger wire actuation mechanisms are designed to handle multiple wires, then adaptability is improved, but friction from interacting components increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to multiple trigger wiresVSAvoidfriction from interacting components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lever mechanism extracts the friction problem from the trigger wire actuation path by providing a dedicated pivot point on the elongate body member. This separates the high-friction interaction (between the lever and pivot point) from the low-friction wire release interface, allowing multiple trigger wires to be released with minimal friction between the wires themselves while the lever handles the mechanical advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces the operational force required for deploying stent grafts by allowing easier manipulation of the trigger wires through a pivotally connected lever mechanism, enhancing control and reducing the strain on the operator during deployment.

Implementation Method 1

the lever is pivotally connected to the elongate body member on the exterior surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS9132024B2Trigger wire activation lever

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

An actuation assembly having at least one lever operably connected to one or more trigger wires which are operably connected to a stent retaining device for a stent graft introducer is disclosed. The lever or levers can be extended or detached from the introducer to remove the trigger wires.