Wedge and Ring Connector for Medical Delivery Device Sheath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional delivery devices for self-expanding prosthetic heart valves are prone to inner connection failures and are often bulky, making it difficult to reposition or resheath the valve after initial deployment.
Innovation Solution
A medical delivery device featuring a distal sheath, inner shaft, and a connector with a wedge and cylindrical ring design that securely couples the distal sheath and inner shaft, allowing for reliable attachment and reduced bulk, enabling easier repositioning and deployment of the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional delivery devices use traditional connection methods for distal sheath and inner shaft, then the structure is simple, but the connection is prone to failure and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional components: a wedge member with tapered surface, a cylindrical ring member with corresponding tapered inner surface, and engagement features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge member is nested within the cylindrical ring member, with the wedge's tapered surface engaging the ring's tapered inner surface. This nested configuration creates a compact, reliable connection that eliminates bulky external connection structures while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If the delivery device uses a bulky connector design, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the device is difficult to reposition and resheath
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs tapered surfaces that allow for dynamic engagement and disengagement. The wedge's tapered outer surface and the ring's tapered inner surface enable smooth insertion and removal, facilitating easy repositioning and resheathing while maintaining strong connection during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical ring member provides a curved, tapered inner surface that complements the wedge's tapered geometry. This curved engagement surface distributes forces evenly and allows for smooth relative movement during repositioning operations, reducing friction and enabling easier manipulation.
3Volume of moving object
If the connector design is compact, then the device profile is reduced, but the connection may be less secure
Solution Approach 1:
The connector combines different geometric forms (wedge shape and cylindrical ring) with complementary tapered surfaces to create a compact yet secure connection. The combination of these shapes with precise taper angles provides both compactness and mechanical interlocking for reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered surfaces are pre-configured in the wedge and ring members to automatically align and engage when assembled. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that the compact connector achieves secure connection without requiring additional fastening elements or complex assembly steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector for coupling a distal sheath (124) to an inner shaft (126) of a medical delivery device includes a wedge (300) defining a lumen for accepting the inner shaft of the medical delivery device and a cylindrical ring (400) sized to mate with the wedge. The wedge may be welded or otherwise fixed to the inner shaft., The wedge and the ring are configured to be pressed together and lock a portion of the distal sheath therebetween.