Interlock to define a fixed spatial relationship between medical instruments
Inventors
BOWER, Stephen • ARNETT, Benjamin Scott • Natarajan, Shyam • Hulme, Gary
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12011222-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for fixing a spatial relationship between medical instruments can include an interlock component including a body defining an aperture to receive and retain a first needle, a head connected to the body and defining a slot extending parallel to the aperture, and a first magnet at least partially surrounded by the head and disposed between the aperture and the slot. The system can also include a handle to receive and retain a second needle, the handle defining a retaining feature for receiving a portion of the interlock component and including a second magnet positioned adjacent to the retaining feature. The second magnet attracts the first magnet to retain the portion of the interlock component in the retaining feature such that the interlock component is oriented in a desired spatial relationship relative to the handle.
Core Innovation
The invention is an interlock system for fixing a desired spatial relationship between medical devices. The system includes an interlock component and a handle that cooperatively retain and orient the interlock component relative to the handle so that the medical devices have a fixed spatial relationship.
The interlock component includes a body defining an aperture to receive and retain a first needle and a head connected to the body that defines a slot extending parallel to the aperture. A first magnet is disposed between the aperture and the slot at least partially surrounded by the head, and the handle defines a retaining feature for receiving a portion of the interlock component.
The retaining feature includes a second magnet positioned adjacent to the retaining feature, where the second magnet attracts the first magnet to retain the portion of the interlock component in the retaining feature. The attracted retention orients the interlock component in the desired spatial relationship relative to the handle, and disclosed options include a third magnet that repels to deter misorientation when the interlock component is not oriented in the desired spatial relationship, with visible indicia indicating correct positioning.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim with inventive features centered on magnet-attracted retention to orient an interlock component between a first needle and a second needle, and dependent refinements that add safety against misorientation, specify spatial relationship geometry, and provide verification and retention-geometry features.
Magnet-attracted interlock to fix desired spatial relationship
An interlock component defines an aperture to receive and retain a first needle and a head with a slot extending parallel to the aperture, with a first magnet at least partially surrounded by the head disposed between the aperture and the slot, and a handle receives and retains a second needle and includes a retaining feature with a second magnet adjacent to the retaining feature so the second magnet attracts the first magnet to retain the interlock component portion such that the interlock component is oriented in the desired spatial relationship relative to the handle.
Repulsive misorientation deterrence using a third magnet
The second magnet attracts the first magnet to retain the portion of the interlock component in the retaining feature such that the interlock component is oriented in the desired spatial relationship relative to the handle, and the system includes a third magnet configured to apply a repulsive force to the first magnet when the interlock component is not oriented in the desired spatial relationship to the handle.
Desired angle and spatial offset for the spatial relationship
The system configures the desired spatial relationship between the interlock component and the handle to include a desired angle and a spatial offset.
Visible indicia confirming desired positioning
The system includes visible indicia indicating that the interlock component and handle are positioned in the desired spatial relationship.
Protrusion/slot coupling for retention
An interlock component portion includes a protrusion that is retained by a handle portion via a slot, where the slot is sized and shaped to match the protrusion.
Thin material constraint between first magnet and head rear surface
The system has a material thickness between the first magnet and a rear surface of the head that is less than 0.01 inches.
Overall, the claim set in the partial content fixes a desired spatial relationship by magnet-attracted retention of an interlock component relative to a handle, and further refines the system with repulsive misorientation deterrence, geometric specification of the desired spatial relationship (desired angle and spatial offset), visible indicia verification, protrusion/slot retention geometry, and a quantitative dimensional constraint regarding thickness between the first magnet and the head rear surface.
Stated Advantages
Fixes a desired spatial relationship between medical devices by orienting the interlock component relative to the handle.
Retains the portion of the interlock component in the retaining feature using magnetic attraction.
Deter misorientation when the interlock component is not oriented in the desired spatial relationship using repulsive force.
Provides indication that the interlock component and handle are positioned in the desired spatial relationship using visible indicia.
Improves retention by coupling an interlock protrusion with a corresponding slot.
Documented Applications
Interstitial therapies using medical needles and devices, including laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and laser ablation/FLA/LITT with thermal/optical/multimodal sensors and energy sources [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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