Medical Device Control System

• US 20100114116A1
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: McDonald, Frank T., Weitzner, Barry, Golden, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,549,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0208 Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2912 transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

A control system for allowing a physician to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions with one hand. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A control for orienting a medical device having elongate control members operably associated with a distal tip of the medical device, comprising:

a single actuator configured to direct movement of the distal tip of the medical device in at least two directions via rotational movement of the single actuator about a first axis and a second axis; and

a body coupled to the single actuator and configured to permit rotational movement of the single actuator about the first axis and the second axis;

wherein rotation of the single actuator about the first axis tensions a first elongate control member to direct the distal tip of the medical device generally up or down;

wherein rotation of the single actuator about the second axis tensions a second elongate control member to direct the distal tip of the medical device generally left or right.

11. The control of claim 10, wherein the single actuator is configured for single hand operation.

12. The control of claim 10, wherein the body is coupled to a rail configured to permit longitudinal movement of the single actuator along the rail to direct the distal tip of the medical device generally forward or backward.

13. The control of claim 10, wherein the body is coupled to a rail configured to permit rotational movement of the single actuator about a longitudinal axis of the rail to direct rotational movement of the distal tip of the medical device.

14. The control of claim 10, wherein at least one of the elongate control members includes a cable.

15. The control of claim 10, wherein the medical device is configured for use with an endoscope.

16. The control of claim 10, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the control.

17. The control of claim 10, wherein the first axis and the second axis are generally orthogonal.

18. A system for orienting a medical device having elongate control members operably associated with a distal tip of the medical device, comprising:

a single actuator operably associated with at least two elongate control members and configured to direct movement of the distal tip of the medical device in at least two directions via rotational movement of the single actuator about a plurality of axes;

a body coupled to the single actuator and configured to permit rotational movement of the single actuator about at least two of the plurality of axes, wherein rotation of the single actuator about a first axis of the at least two of the plurality of axes directs the distal tip of the medical device generally up or down and rotation of the single actuator about a second axis of the at least two of the plurality of axes directs the distal tip of the medical device generally left or right; and

a frame coupled to the body and configured to permit rotational movement of the single actuator about a third axis of the plurality of axes, wherein rotation of the single actuator about the third axis directs rotation of the distal tip of the medical device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the frame includes a rail configured to permit rotational movement of the single actuator about a longitudinal axis of the rail to direct rotation of the distal tip of the medical device.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the frame includes a rail configured to permit longitudinal movement of the single actuator along the rail to direct the distal tip of the medical device generally forward or backward.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the single actuator is configured for single hand operation.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the elongate control members includes a cable.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the medical device is configured for use with an endoscope.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of axes is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the first axis and the second axis are generally orthogonal.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least two elongate control members includes four elongate control members.

27. A surgical system, comprising:

a first control for controlling a distal region of a first medical device having at least two first elongate control members operably associated with the distal region of the first medical device, comprising;

a first actuator operably associated with the at least two first elongate control members and configured to direct movement of the distal region of the first medical device in at least two directions via independent movement of the at least two first control cables;

a first body coupled to the first actuator and configured to permit movement of the first actuator in at least two directions; and

a second control for controlling a distal region of a second medical device having at least two second elongate control members operably associated with the distal region of the second medical device, comprising;

a second actuator operably associated with the at least two second elongate control members and configured to direct movement of the distal region of the second medical device in at least two directions via independent movement of the at least two second elongate control members;

a second body coupled to the second actuator and configured to permit movement of the second actuator in at least two directions.

28. The surgical system of claim 27, wherein the first body is coupled to a first rail and the second body is coupled to a second rail.

29. The surgical system of claim 28, wherein the first and second rails are coupled to a frame.

30. The surgical system of claim 28, wherein at least one of the rails is configured to permit longitudinal movement of a corresponding actuator to direct the distal tip of a corresponding medical device generally forward or backward.

31. The surgical system of claim 28, wherein at least one of the rails is configured to permit rotational movement of a corresponding actuator to direct rotational movement of the distal tip of a corresponding medical device.

32. The surgical system of claim 27, wherein the first actuator is positioned for use by a left hand of a user and the second actuator is positioned for use by a right hand of the user.

33. The surgical system of claim 27, further including an endoscope configured to receive the distal tip of at least one of the medical devices.

34. The surgical system of claim 27, wherein at least one of the medical devices includes an instrument for performing an examination or procedure on a patient.

35. The surgical system of claim 27, wherein at least one of the first and second medical devices is a catheter having one or more lumens through which an instrument can be passed.

36. The surgical system of claim 27, wherein each elongate control member is a cable.

37. The surgical system of claim 27, further comprising the first medical device and the second medical device.