Braking mechanisms for steerable medical devices and related methods

{
  "publication_number": "US11986157B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Braking mechanisms for steerable medical devices and related methods",
  "abstract": "A steering system for a medical device may include a first drive member having a central longitudinal axis; a central shaft extending through the first drive member; a control knob coupled to the first drive member; a braking knob coupled to the central shaft and including a first protrusion; and a brake shoe member coupled to the central shaft between the control knob and the braking knob. The first protrusion may be positioned within a first channel of the brake shoe member; the first protrusion may be configured to engage the brake shoe member to move a first arm of the brake shoe member radially outward towards a wall of the control knob when the braking knob is rotated in a first direction; and the first arm may be configured to move away from the wall when the braking knob is rotated in a second direction.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A steering system for a medical device, the steering system comprising: a first drive member having a central longitudinal axis; a central shaft extending through the first drive member; a control knob coupled to the first drive member; a braking knob coupled to the central shaft and including a first protrusion; and a brake shoe member coupled to the central shaft between the control knob and the braking knob, wherein the first protrusion is positioned within a first channel of the brake shoe member; wherein the first protrusion is configured to engage the brake shoe member to move a first arm of the brake shoe member radially outward, relative to the central longitudinal axis, towards a wall of the control knob when the braking knob is rotated in a first direction; wherein the first arm is configured to move away from the wall of the control knob when the braking knob is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction; wherein the brake shoe includes: a central portion including a lumen configured to receive the central shaft; a first protrusion extending radially-outward, relative to the central longitudinal axis, from the central portion; a second protrusion extending radially-outward, relative to the central longitudinal axis, from the central portion; the first arm extending outward from the first protrusion, wherein the first arm is curved towards the central shaft and includes a first expanded end and a first recess; a second arm extending outward from the second protrusion, wherein the second arm is curved towards the central shaft and includes a second expanded end and a second recess; a first spring beam extending from the first arm and extending at least partially within the first recess; and a second spring beam extending from the second arm and extending at least partially within the second recess.",
    "2. The steering system of claim 1, further comprising a dual-stop member coupled to the central shaft and positioned between the brake shoe member and the control knob.",
    "3. The steering system of claim 2, wherein the dual-stop member is configured to limit rotation of the control knob and the braking knob.",
    "4. The steering system of claim 2, wherein the dual-stop member is coupled to the brake shoe member via at least one pin.",
    "5. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the control knob includes a recess, and wherein the recess receives the brake shoe member and the first protrusion.",
    "6. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the braking knob includes a second protrusion, and wherein the first recess is configured to receive the first protrusion and the second recess is configured to receive the second protrusion.",
    "7. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the first expanded end includes a rough surface, grooves, and/or teeth configured to engage the wall; and the second expanded end includes a rough surface, grooves, and/or teeth configured to engage the wall.",
    "8. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the brake shoe further includes: a first lumen extending through the first expanded end; and a second lumen extending through the second expanded end.",
    "9. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the first recess extends from the first expanded end to a portion of the first arm spaced from the expanded end.",
    "10. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the first protrusion is spaced from the central shaft.",
    "11. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the first arm extends circumferentially around the central longitudinal axis.",
    "12. A steering system for a medical device, the steering system comprising: a first drive member having a central longitudinal axis; a central shaft extending through the first drive member; a control knob coupled to the first drive member; a braking knob coupled to the central shaft and including a first protrusion; and a brake shoe member coupled to the central shaft between the control knob and the braking knob, wherein the first protrusion is positioned within a first channel of the brake shoe member; wherein the first protrusion is configured to engage the brake shoe member to move a first arm of the brake shoe member radially outward, relative to the central longitudinal axis, towards a wall of the control knob when the braking knob is rotated in a first direction; wherein the first arm is configured to move away from the wall of the control knob when the braking knob is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction; wherein the brake shoe includes: a central portion including a lumen configured to receive the central shaft; a first protrusion extending radially-outward, relative to the central longitudinal axis, from the central portion; a second protrusion extending radially-outward, relative to the central longitudinal axis, from the central portion; the first arm extending outward from the first protrusion, wherein the first arm is curved towards the central shaft and includes a first expanded end and a first recess; a second arm extending outward from the second protrusion, wherein the second arm is curved towards the central shaft and includes a second expanded end and a second recess; a first lumen extending through the first expanded end; and a second lumen extending through the second expanded end.",
    "13. The steering system of claim 12, further comprising a dual-stop member coupled to the central shaft and positioned between the brake shoe member and the control knob.",
    "14. The steering system of claim 13, wherein the dual-stop member is configured to limit rotation of the control knob and the braking knob.",
    "15. The steering system of claim 13, wherein the dual-stop member is coupled to the brake shoe member via at least one pin.",
    "16. The steering system of claim 12, wherein the control knob includes a recess, and wherein the recess receives the brake shoe member and the first protrusion.",
    "17. The steering system of claim 12, wherein the braking knob includes a second protrusion, and wherein the first recess is configured to receive the first protrusion and the second recess is configured to receive the second protrusion.",
    "18. The steering system of claim 12, wherein the first expanded end includes a rough surface, grooves, and/or teeth configured to engage the wall; and the second expanded end includes a rough surface, grooves, and/or teeth configured to engage the wall.",
    "19. The steering system of claim 12, wherein the first protrusion is spaced from the central shaft.",
    "20. The steering system of claim 12, wherein the first arm extends circumferentially around the central longitudinal axis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure generally relates to medical systems, devices, and related methods that may be used to treat a subject. Aspects of the disclosure relate to medical devices and related methods for endoscopic or other medical procedures that incorporate a steerable medical device, among other aspects.\n\nCurrent medical devices, such as catheters and endoscopes, are employed for examination and/or treatment of the mammalian body. In particular, various surgical procedures employ a catheter, endoscope, or other device to exam remote parts of the body and/or introduce surgical tools, fluids or other materials into the body for treatment thereof. For example, in some procedures, catheters and endoscopes may be used for the introduction of items, including but not limited to radiographic contrast materials, drugs, angioplasty balloons, stents, fiber optic scopes, laser lights, and cutting instruments (e.g. biopsy forceps, RF cutters, atherectomy devices, etc.), into vessels, cavities, passageways, or tissues of the body.\n\nIt is known in the pertinent art to provide the steerable catheter or endoscope with a braking mechanism for arresting the relative deflection of the elongated shaft during use. In a conventional manner, the control knobs are manually operated to articulate the elongated shaft for navigation through a vessel, cavity, or passageway of a patient. Manual release of the control knobs returns the elongated shaft to its straight condition. At certain points during any particular surgical procedure, it may be desired to arrest the relative orientation of the elongated shaft.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61B 1/0052",
    "A61B 1/0057",
    "A61M 25/0136",
    "A61M 25/0147",
    "G05G 1/01"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 1/005",
    "G05G 1/01"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Scimed Life Systems Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "John B. Golden",
    "Evan Wilder",
    "Colby HARRIS",
    "Michael McBrien"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-08-03",
  "publication_date": "2024-05-21",
  "grant_date": "2024-05-21",
  "priority_date": "2021-08-04",
  "application_number": "US-202217880416-A",
  "family_id": "83149432",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
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    "US20090287188A1",
    "US20160000304A1",
    "US20110088498A1",
    "US8808168B2",
    "US20120277535A1",
    "US20150364271A1"
  ]
}