Variable-Stiffness Coil Structure for Flexible Elongate Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive medical tools face challenges in achieving variable bending stiffness along their length, which can lead to damage and reduced responsiveness during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A flexible elongate device with a coil layer comprising multiple coils of varying ribbon widths and bonding densities, allowing for customized bending stiffness profiles along its axial length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible elongate device is made uniformly flexible along its length, then it can be easily inserted through anatomical passageways, but it cannot provide precise control or resistance in specific regions during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elongate device incorporates variable bending stiffness along its length by adjusting coil characteristics (ribbon width, bonding density) at different axial positions. The proximal section has higher bending stiffness for precision control, while the distal section has lower bending stiffness for flexibility during insertion, resolving the contradiction between uniform ease of operation and region-specific adaptability
2Reliability
If a flexible elongate device is made uniformly stiff along its length, then it provides structural support and responsiveness, but it risks damage and reduced flexibility during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs variable bending stiffness where the proximal section maintains higher stiffness for structural support and responsiveness to movement commands, while the distal section reduces stiffness to minimize damage risk during manipulation through anatomical passageways, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and harm prevention
3Productivity
If a flexible elongate device has high bending stiffness throughout, then it responds well to movement commands, but it cannot navigate tight anatomical curves
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elongate device implements region-specific bending stiffness characteristics where the proximal section maintains higher stiffness for responsive control during procedures, while the distal section incorporates lower stiffness to enable navigation through tight anatomical curves, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible elongate device comprises an articulable distal section and a non-articulable proximal section. The non-articulable proximal section is proximal to the articulable distal section. A distal portion of the non-articulable proximal section has a first bending stiffness, and a proximal portion of the non-articulable proximal section has a second bending stiffness. The first bending stiffness is less than the second bending stiffness.