Ergonomic steering handle
Inventors
Altshuler, Gregory • Yaroslavsky, Ilya • Boutoussov, Dmitri • ANDREEVA, Viktoriya • Traxer, Olivier • Barenboym, Michael • Ostrovsky, Isaac • KOVALENKO, Anastasiya
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11617858-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Catheter steering handles that are ergonomically designed to enable an operator to reduce hand fatigue. Various ergonomic aspects of the disclosed steering handles include geometries that more naturally conform to the palm of the hand and that enable the hand to be held in a natural, low stress posture during operation of the steering handle. In another aspect of the disclosure, the catheter steering handle is configured so that the operator can release or partially release the grip on the handle, thereby enabling the operator to relax and flex the hand, thereby reducing fatigue.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an ergonomic catheter steering handle configured to reduce operator hand fatigue. The handle includes a housing having a body portion defining a curvilinear handle axis, and a head portion and a base portion separated by the body portion along the handle axis. The housing defines a mid-plane that is coplanar with the handle axis and passes through a forward side and a rearward side of the housing.
At a junction between the body portion and the head portion, the housing defines a transition portion. The head portion and the transition portion define a catch on the forward side of the housing at the mid-plane. The catch defines a hook profile configured for insertion of a phalange of a hand and formed by a protrusion that extends in a forward direction from the head portion and partially over the body portion, and at least a portion of the protrusion provides a finger rest.
The document further describes an associated catheter assembly including electrical and catheter ports and optional valve actuators. A cable-based balance equalization is described, and the center of gravity is constrained relative to the base portion and below the catch along a vertical gravity-aligned axis. A method of relieving hand fatigue is described, in which the hook/catch supports the handle while the operator opens the hand and rests an actuation finger on the finger rest.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is focused on a catheter steering handle defining a curvilinear handle-axis housing with a mid-plane, and a forward-side catch/hook profile formed by a protrusion that provides a finger rest for insertion of a hand phalange. Additional inventive features in dependent claims specify geometric constraints at the catch, thumb-lever rotational coupling, mid-plane exterior profile shape, and balance-related center-of-gravity placement, as well as related catheter-assembly aspects.
Curvilinear handle-axis housing with coplanar mid-plane
A housing having a body portion defining a handle axis that is curvilinear and a head portion and a base portion separated by the body portion along the handle axis, wherein the housing defines a mid-plane that is coplanar with the handle axis and passes through a forward side and a rearward side of the housing.
Transition-defined forward-side catch with hook profile protrusion
A transition portion at a junction between the body portion and the head portion, wherein the head portion and the transition portion define a catch on the forward side of the housing at the mid-plane, the catch defines a hook profile configured for insertion of a phalange of a hand and formed by a protrusion that extends in a forward direction from the head portion and partially over the body portion, and at least a portion of the protrusion provides a finger rest.
Quantified catch geometry using minimum opening dimension and mid-plane depth
The catch defines a mid-plane opening with a minimum opening dimension defined relative to a reference line, and a mid-plane catch depth defined as a maximum perpendicular distance from the reference line to the hook profile.
Numerical range for maximum catch depth dimension
The steering handle is configured such that its maximum depth dimension is within 13 to 28 millimeters inclusive.
Thumb lever rotation about a lateral axis orthogonal to the mid-plane
A thumb lever coupled to the head portion, where the thumb lever can rotate about a lateral axis orthogonal to the mid-plane.
Convex and concave mid-plane exterior profiles on opposite sides
The body portion rear side forms a convex mid-plane profile and the body portion forward side forms a concave mid-plane portion.
Center of gravity located near the base portion and below the catch
The center of gravity is located near the base portion and centered below the catch along a vertical gravity-aligned axis.
Across the independent and dependent claims, the core inventive concept is the ergonomic steering handle geometry combining a coplanar mid-plane and a forward-side catch/hook profile protrusion that partially overlaps the body portion to provide a finger rest for insertion of a hand phalange, with further constraints on catch dimensions, thumb-lever coupling, mid-plane profile shape, and center-of-gravity placement.
Stated Advantages
Reduce operator hand fatigue by enabling support of the handle through a hook/catch with the hand partially released.
Documented Applications
Catheter steering using an ergonomic catheter steering handle and an associated catheter assembly having electrical and catheter ports.
Relieving hand fatigue during catheter steering by opening the hand while the hook/catch supports the handle and an actuation finger rests on the finger rest.
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