A drive system for controlling movement of an elongate member includes a base unit having a first rotatable knob and a second rotatable knob, a follower assembly including a follower slidably coupled to a guide rail, a longitudinal movement wire, and a rotational movement wire. The follower includes a longitudinal movement pulley, a rotational movement pulley, and an alignment element structured to receive an elongate member such that the elongate member is attachable thereto. The longitudinal movement wire operably couples the first rotatable knob to the longitudinal movement pulley such that rotation of the first knob drives the follower in a longitudinal direction along the guide rail. The rotational movement wire operably couples the second rotatable knob to the rotational movement pulley such that rotation of the second knob rotates the alignment element and attached elongate member.
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1. A drive system comprising:
a base unit including first and second spools drive spool shafts to spool, respectively, first and second wires; and
an assembly extending in a longitudinal direction and coupled to the base unit by the first and second wires, the assembly including a mount coupled to the assembly, and the mount including a rotatable portion and first and second wire supports that support, respectively, the first and second wires, wherein:
the rotatable portion is rotatable about an axis of rotation that extends in the longitudinal direction, and is structured to hold and rotate an elongated member about the axis of rotation,
the first wire support is coupled to the mount and the assembly such that a movement of the first wire along the first wire support causes the mount to move along the assembly in the longitudinal direction, and
the second wire support is coupled to the mount and the rotatable portion such that a movement of the second wire along the second wire support causes the rotatable portion to rotate about the axis of rotation of the rotatable portion, and wherein:
the base unit includes first and second spool shafts spools for each of the first and second spools drive spool shafts, such that rotational movements of the first and second spools drive spool shafts cause rotations of each of the respective first and second spool shafts; spools,
opposing ends of the first wire are connected to the first and second spools shafts for the first spool drive spool shaft, such that the rotational movement of the first spool drive spool shaft causes, concurrently, both the first and second spool shafts spools for the first spool drive spool shaft to rotate, causing the first and second spool shafts spools for the first spool drive spool shaft to respectively wind and unwind the first wire;, and
opposing ends of the second wire are connected to the first and second spools shafts for the second spool drive spool shaft, such that the rotational movement of the second spool drive spool shaft causes, concurrently, both the first and second spool shafts spools for the second spool drive spool shaft to rotate, causing the first and second spool shafts spools for the second spool drive spool shaft to respectively wind and unwind the second wire.
21. A method for a drive system, the drive system
comprising: a base unit including
first and second spools drive spool shafts to spool, respectively,
first and second wires, and
first and second spool shafts spools for each of the first and second spools drive spool shafts, such that rotational movements of the first and second spools drive spool shafts cause rotations of each of the respective first and second spool shafts spools, wherein
opposing ends of the first wire are connected to the first and second spools shafts for the first spool drive spool shaft, such that the rotational movement of the first spool drive spool shaft causes, concurrently, both the first and second spool shafts spools for the first spool drive spool shaft to rotate, causing the first and second spool shafts spools for the first spool drive spool shaft to respectively wind and unwind the first wire;, and
opposing ends of the second wire are connected to the first and second spools shafts for the second spool drive spool shaft, such that the rotational movement of the second spool drive spool shaft causes, concurrently, both the first and second spool shafts spools for the second spool drive spool shaft to rotate, causing the first and second spool shafts spools for the second spool drive spool shaft to respectively wind and unwind the second wire; and
an assembly extending in a longitudinal direction and coupled to the base unit by the first and second wires, the assembly including
a mount coupled to the assembly, and the mount including
a rotatable portion, and
first and second wire supports that support, respectively, the first and second wires, wherein:
the rotatable portion is rotatable about an axis of rotation that extends in the longitudinal direction, and is structured to hold and rotate an elongated member about the axis of rotation,
the first wire support is coupled to the mount and the assembly such that a movement of the first wire along the first wire support causes the mount to move along the assembly in the longitudinal direction, and
the second wire support is coupled to the mount and the rotatable portion such that a movement of the second wire along the second wire support causes the rotatable portion to rotate about the axis of rotation of the rotatable portion; and
the method comprising:
rotating the first spool drive spool shaft to drive the mount in one of opposing forward and backward directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction based on a direction of the rotating of the first spool drive spool shaft; and
rotating the second drive spool shaft to rotate the rotatable portion in one of opposing clockwise and counter-clockwise directions about the rotational axis of the rotatable portion based on a direction of the rotating of the second spool drive spool shaft.
2. The drive system of
the first wire support includes a first pulley and, wherein
the assembly includes a guide rail that includes a track that extends in the longitudinal direction and that is coupled to the first pulley;, and
the first wire winds around the first pulley such that winding and unwinding of the first wire causes the first pulley to rotate and move the mount in the longitudinal direction along the track of the guide rail.
3. The drive system of
4. The drive system of
the second wire support includes a second pulley that surrounds a portion of the rotatable portion such that the second pulley has an axis of rotation that is the same as the axis of rotation of the rotatable portion; and
the mount includes an idler support; and, wherein
the second wire enters the mount, winds around the idler support, and then winds around the second pulley, such that winding and unwinding of the second wire causes the second pulley to rotate and move the rotatable portion in a rotational direction about the rotational axis of the rotatable portion.
5. The drive system of
6. The drive system of
the first wire support includes a gear and the assembly includes a gear track to engage with the gear of the first wire support;, wherein
the first wire winds around the first wire support such that winding and unwinding of the first wire causes the gear to rotate and move the mount in the longitudinal direction along the gear track;
the second wire support includes a guide shaft that surrounds a portion of the rotatable portion such that the guide shaft has an axis of rotation that is the same as the axis of rotation of the rotatable portion; and
the mount includes an idler support; and
wherein the second wire enters the mount, winds around the idler support, and then winds around the guide shaft, such that winding and unwinding of the second wire causes the guide shaft to rotate and move the rotatable portion in a rotational direction about the rotational axis of the rotatable portion.
7. The drive system of
wire sheaths that cover the first and second wires for at least portions of the first and second wires that extend between the base unit and the assembly, wherein
the wire sheaths are flexible conduits that allow the first and second wires to travel therein, and that are fixedly secured to the base unit and the assembly.
8. The drive system of
the base unit includes first and second tension blocks for the first and second wires;, each of the first and second tension blocks including a respective sheath connector block, wherein
respective sheath connector blocks of the first and second tension blocks are attached to respective wire sheaths of the first and second wires;, the sheath connector blocks are elastically secured to the first and second tension blocks;, and
the first and second tension blocks relieve tension placed on the first and second wires, during movements thereof, by allowing travel between the wire sheaths and the first and second tension blocks, via the sheath connector blocks.
9. The drive system of
10. The drive system of
the base unit further includes a gear coupled to each of the first and second spools drive spool shafts, and wherein
the gear for each of the first and second spools drive spool shafts is configured to releasably engage respective gear teeth to respectively control respective rotational movement of the first and second spools drive spool shafts.
11. The drive system of
12. The drive system of
13. The drive system of
15. The drive system of
16. The drive system of
17. The drive system of
the rotational movement of the first drive spool shaft causes only the longitudinal movement of the mount and the rotatable portion in the longitudinal direction; and
the rotational movement of the second drive spool shaft causes only the rotational movement of the rotatable portion.
18. The drive system of
the rotational movement of the first drive spool shaft causes the longitudinal movement of the mount and the rotatable portion in the longitudinal direction in one of opposing forward and backward directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction based on a direction of the rotational movement of the first drive spool shaft; and
the rotational movement of the second drive spool shaft causes the rotational movement of the rotatable portion in one of opposing clockwise and counter-clockwise directions about the rotational axis of the rotatable portion based on a direction of the rotational movement of the second drive spool shaft.
19. The drive system of
20. The drive system of
22. The method of
the base unit further includes a gear coupled to each of the first and second spools drive spool shafts, and wherein
the gear for each of the first and second spools drive spool shafts is configured to releasably engage respective gear teeth to control rotational movement of, respectively, the first and second spools drive spool shafts; and the method further comprising: comprises
axially displacing one of the first and second spools drive spool shafts to disengage the one of the first and second spools from the respective gear teeth to allow rotating of the one of the first and second spools drive spool shafts.
23. The method of
the drive system includes the elongated member,;
the rotating the first spool drive spool shaft drives the elongated member in the one of opposing forward and backward directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction based on the direction of the rotating of the first spool, drive spool shaft; and
the rotating the second spool drive spool shaft rotates the elongated member in the one of opposing clockwise and counter-clockwise directions about the rotational axis of the rotatable portion based on the direction of the rotating of the second spool drive spool shaft.
0. 24. The drive system of claim 1 further comprising:
a display provided on the base unit that displays longitudinal positioning of the elongated member extending in the longitudinal direction.
0. 25. The drive system of claim 24, further comprising:
a potentiometer assembly attached to the elongated member extending in the longitudinal direction and configured to provide feedback regarding the longitudinal positioning of the elongated member extending in the longitudinal direction.
0. 26. The drive system of claim 25, further comprising:
a processing means connected to the potentiometer assembly, wherein the processing means processes the feedback regarding the longitudinal positioning.
0. 27. The drive system of claim 26, wherein:
the feedback regarding the longitudinal positioning of the elongated member extending in the longitudinal direction is displayed as a numerical value relative to a longitudinal zero reference point.
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This application is a Reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,728,092, which issued on May 20, 2014, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/088,969, filed Aug. 14, 2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates generally to control systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a drive system for controlling the longitudinal movement and rotational position of an elongate member.
Each year roughly 200,000 patients are diagnosed with brain tumors in the United States. Roughly 17,000 of these tumors are “benign,” meaning that the tumor mass is not cancerous. However, the other roughly 183,000 of these tumors are “malignant” (i.e., cancerous), meaning that they are capable of causing or contributing to patient death. Approximately 10% of cancerous brain tumors are “primary” tumors, meaning that the tumors originate in the brain. The primary tumors typically consist of brain tissue with mutated DNA that aggressively grows and displaces or replaces normal brain tissue. The most common of the primary tumors are known as gliomas, which indicate cancer of the glial cells of the brain. In most instances, primary tumors appear as single masses. However, these single masses can often be quite large, irregularly-shaped, multi-lobed and/or infiltrated into surrounding brain tissue.
Primary tumors are generally not diagnosed until the patient experiences symptoms, such as headaches, altered behavior, sensory impairment, or the like. However, by the time the symptoms develop the tumor may already be large and aggressive.
One well known treatment for cancerous brain tumors is surgery. In particular, surgery involves a craniotomy (i.e., removal of a portion of the skull), dissection, and total or partial tumor resection. The objectives of surgery include removal or lessening of the number of active malignant cells within the brain, and a reduction in the pain or functional impairment due to the effect of the tumor on adjacent brain structures. However, by its very nature, surgery is highly invasive and risky. Furthermore, for some tumors surgery is often only partially effective. In other tumors, the surgery itself may not be feasible, it may risk impairment to the patient, it may not be tolerable by the patient, and/or it may involve significant cost and recovery.
Another well known treatment for cancerous brain tumors is stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). In particular, SRS is a treatment method by which multiple intersecting beams of radiation are directed at the tumor such that the point of intersection of the beams receives a lethal dose of radiation, while tissue in the path of any single beam remains unharmed. SRS is non-invasive and is typically performed as a single outpatient procedure. However, confirmation that the tumor has been killed or neutralized is often not possible for several months post-treatment. Furthermore, in situations where high doses of radiation may be required to kill a tumor, such as in the case of multiple or recurring tumors, it is common for the patient to reach the “toxic threshold” prior to killing all of the tumors, where further radiation is inadvisable.
More recently, the treatment of tumors by “heat” (also referred to as hyperthermia or thermal therapy) has been developed. In particular, it is known that above 57° C. all living tissue is almost immediately and irreparably damaged and killed through a process called coagulation necrosis or ablation. Malignant tumors, because of their high vascularization and altered DNA, are more susceptible to heat-induced damage than normal tissue. Various types of energy sources may be used, such as laser, microwave, radiofrequency, electric, and ultrasound sources. Depending upon the application and the technology, the heat source may be extracorporeal (i.e., outside the body), extrastitial (i.e., outside the tumor), or interstitial (i.e., inside the tumor).
Interstitial thermal therapy (ITT) is a process designed to heat and destroy a tumor from within the tumor. One advantage of this type of therapy is that the energy is applied directly to the tumor rather than passing through surrounding normal tissue. Another advantage of the type of therapy is that the energy deposition is more likely to be extended throughout the entire tumor.
One exemplary ITT process begins by inserting an optical fiber into the tumor, wherein the tumor optical fiber has an element at its “inserted” end that redirects laser light from an exterior source in a direction generally at right angles to the length of the fiber. The energy from the laser thus extends into the tissue surrounding the end or tip and effects heating. The energy is directed in a beam confined to a relatively shallow angle so that, as the fiber is rotated, the beam also rotates around the axis of the fiber to effect heating of different parts of the tumor at positions around the fiber. The fiber can thus be moved longitudinally and rotated to effect heating of the tumor over the full volume of the tumor with the intention of heating the tumor to the required temperature without significantly affecting the surrounding tissue.
The fiber used in the ITT process may be controlled and manipulated by a surgeon with little or no guidance apart from the surgeon's knowledge of the anatomy of the patient and the location of the tumor. Therefore, it is difficult for the surgeon to effect a controlled heating which heats the entire tumor to a required level while also minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue.
It is known that the location of tumors and other lesions to be excised can be determined using a magnetic resonance imaging system. Although these imaging systems have been helpful to assist the surgeon in determining a location of the tumor to be excised, use of the imaging systems ended once the location of the tumor was mapped out for the surgeon. In particular, previous excision procedures required the removal of the patient from the imaging system prior to commencing treatment. However, movement of the patient, together with the partial excision or coagulation of some of the tissue, can significantly change the location of the tumor to be excised. As a result, any possibility of providing controlled accuracy in the excision is eliminated.
It is also known that magnetic resonance imaging systems can be used by modification of the imaging sequences to determine the temperature of tissue within the image and to determine changes in that temperature over time.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,608 (LeBiahan) assigned to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued Apr. 3, 1990, discloses a method for determining temperature in tissue.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,144 (Delannoy) also assigned to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and issued Feb. 8, 1994, discloses an apparatus for hyperthermia treatment of cancer in which an external, non-invasive heating system is mounted within the coil of a magnetic resonance imaging system. The disclosure is speculative and relates to initial experimentation concerning the viability of MRI measurement of temperature in conjunction with an external heating system. The disclosure of the patent has not led to a commercially viable hyperthermic treatment system.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,368,031 and 5,291,890 assigned to General Electric relate to an MRI controlled heating system in which a point source of heat generates a predetermined heat distribution which is then monitored to ensure that the actual heat distribution follows the predicted heat distribution to obtain an overall heating of the area to be heated. Again this patented arrangement has not led to a commercially viable hyperthermia surgical system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,254 (Fair) assigned to Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases and issued Jun. 9, 1987, discloses a method for the non surgical treatment of tumors in which the tumor is subjected to shock waves. This type of treatment does not incorporate a monitoring system to monitor and control the effect of the shock waves.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,941 (Shaunnessey), not assigned, and issued Oct. 20, 1998, discloses a specially modified endoscope designed to support an optical fiber. The optical fiber emits light energy and may be moved longitudinally and rotated angularly about its axis to direct the energy. The device is used for excising tumors, and the energy is arranged to be sufficient to effect vaporization of the tissue to be excised. The gas formed during the process is removed by suction through the endoscope. An image of the tumor is obtained by MRI, which is thereafter used to program a path of movement of the fiber to be taken during the operation. Again, there is no feedback during the procedure to control the movement of the optical fiber, and the operation is wholly dependent upon the initial analysis. This arrangement has not achieved commercial or medical success.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,807 (Lennox) assigned to Boston Scientific Corporation and issued Oct. 3, 1995, discloses a device for use in irradiating a tumor with light energy from an optical fiber. A cooling fluid is supplied through a conduit within the fiber to apply surface cooling and to prevent surface damage while allowing increased levels of energy to be applied to deeper tissues. Once again, this arrangement does not provide feedback control of the heating effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,704 (Bille) assigned to MRC Systems GmbH and issued Jul. 28, 1996, also discloses a particular arrangement of a laser beam and lens for use in irradiation of brain tumors. In particular, this arrangement uses high speed pulsed laser energy for a photo-disruption effect, but does not disclose methods of feedback control of the energy.
Kahn, et al. in Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography 18(4):519-532, July/August 1994; Kahn, et al. in Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 8: 160-164, 1998; and Vogl, et al. in Radiology 209: 381-385, 1998, all disclose a method of application of heat energy from a laser through a fiber to a tumor where the temperature at the periphery of the tumor is monitored during the application of the energy by MRI. McNichols, R J et al. in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 34:48-55, 2005, disclose energy control by an MRI feedback monitoring arrangement in a paper entitled “MR Thermometry-Based Feedback Control of LITT at 980 nm.” Additionally, the paper of Vogl discloses a cooling system supplied commercially by Somatex of Berlin, Germany for cooling the tissues at the probe end. The system is formed by an inner tube containing the fiber mounted within an outer tube. Cooling fluid is passed between the two tubes and inside the inner tube in a continuous stream.
While highly effective in certain applications, the use of ITT to treat brain tumors has been limited by the inability to focus the energy exclusively and precisely on the tumor so as to avoid damage to surrounding normal brain tissue. This is complicated by the fact that many brain tumors are highly irregular in shape.
Focused laser interstitial thermal therapy (f-LITT) is the next general refinement of laser-based thermal therapy technologies. In particular, f-LITT enables precise control over the deposition of heat energy, thereby enabling the physician to contain cell damage exclusively to within a tumor mass of virtually any size and shape. However, as with other ITT treatment systems, there is a need for an apparatus that allows a surgeon to precisely control the position of the treatment device within the tumor mass.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists to establish a drive system for an elongate member that is capable of precisely controlling both the longitudinal and rotational positions of the elongate member with respect to a target, such as a tumor mass. Furthermore, what is needed is a drive system for an elongate member that is simple to use and that yields accurate and predictable results. The drive system should preferably be structured for use with any elongate medical device including, but not limited to, laser probes, catheters, endoscopes, and the like. The drive system should also preferably be manufactured from materials that make the system MRI-compatible.
The present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing a drive system for controlling movement of an elongate member including a base unit having a first rotatable knob and a second rotatable knob, a follower assembly including a follower slidably coupled to a guide rail, a longitudinal movement wire, and a rotational movement wire. The follower includes a longitudinal movement pulley, a rotational movement pulley, and an alignment element structured to receive an elongate member such that the elongate member is attachable thereto. The longitudinal movement wire operably couples the first rotatable knob to the longitudinal movement pulley such that rotation of the first knob drives the follower in a longitudinal direction along the guide rail. The rotational movement wire operably couples the second rotatable knob to the rotational movement pulley such that rotation of the second knob rotates the alignment element and attached elongate member.
The present invention involves a drive system for stereotactic positioning of an elongate member. The elongate member may include, for example, elongate probes, catheters, endoscopes, and the like. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drive system of the present invention may be used in conjunction with any elongate member requiring precise control in a longitudinal and/or rotational direction.
In one exemplary embodiment, the drive system in accordance with the present invention may be used to control the precise movement of a laser probe insertable into the skull of a patient for the treatment of tumors. In particular, and as will be evident to one skilled in the art based upon the following disclosure and corresponding figures, the drive system may be operated to position a distal end of a probe at precise locations within the tumor through both controlled longitudinal and rotational movement of the probe.
Referring now to
Potentiometer assembly 15 may be operably coupled to follower assembly 14 and configured to provide feedback regarding the longitudinal and angular position of elongate member 16 to a computer system or other processing means through connector 13. An external display may be operably coupled to the computer system or processing means in order to display longitudinal and rotational movement of elongate member 16 during operation of drive system 10. A display may alternatively be provided on commander unit 12 instead of (or in addition to) the external display as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal movement of elongate member 16 may be displayed as a numerical value (relative to a “zero” reference point) having any suitable unit, such as in millimeters. Furthermore, the rotational movement of elongate member 16 may be displayed in any suitable manner, such as by a number in a range between about +180 degrees and about −180 degrees surrounding a “zero” reference point. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the longitudinal and rotational movement of elongate member 16 may be displayed in numerous other ways and within numerous other ranges without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.
Although follower assembly 14 is illustrated in
Turning again to follower assembly 14 of
As generally illustrated in
As generally illustrated in
As shown in
Although first and second drive spool shafts 48 and 54 have been described as including generally square end portions 72 and 68, respectively, that are configured to mate with generally square apertures, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drive spool shafts may alternatively include end portions having numerous other cross-sectional shapes including, for example, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, and the like. Thus, any shape combination that will allow rotational movement to be transferred from a knob gear to a drive spool shaft is contemplated and within the intended scope of the present invention.
In addition to the connection to first knob gear 42 described above, first drive spool shaft 48 may be contained within commander unit 12 by first spool shaft top carrier 74 and drive shaft retainer 76. Similarly, in addition to the connection to second knob gear 46 described above, second drive spool shaft 54 may be contained within commander unit 12 by second spool shaft top carrier 78 and drive shaft retainer 76. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, first spool shaft top carrier 74, second spool shaft top carrier 78, and drive shaft retainer 76 function together with commander base 19 to form bushings for containing first and second drive spool shafts 48 and 54 and allowing rotation of the shafts. Once first and second drive spool shafts 48 and 54 are properly positioned within commander unit 12 during assembly, both first and second spool shaft top carriers 74 and 78, along with drive shaft retainer 76, may be fastened to commander base 19. In one exemplary embodiment, first spool shaft top carrier 74, second spool shaft top carrier 78, and drive shaft retainer 76 are fastened to commander base 19 with screws 80, although any suitable fastening means may be used as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art such as bolts or an adhesive. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that first and second drive spool shafts 48 and 54 may be sufficiently contained by the bushings formed with first and second spool shaft top carriers 74 and 78 such that the use of drive shaft retainer 76 is not necessary. Thus, in an alternative embodiment drive shaft retainer 76 may be removed from commander unit 12 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
As illustrated in
In order to prevent first and second knobs 18 and 20 from being rotated unintentionally and to lock them into place when not in use, drive system 10 also includes first and second locking devices 85 and 87. In particular, first locking device 85 is structured to engage first knob gear 42 in order to lock first knob 18, while second locking device 87 is structured to engage second knob gear 46 in order to lock second knob 20. Thus, first and second locking devices 85 and 87 serve as “safety” devices that minimize the possibility that the longitudinal and rotational positions of elongate member 16 may be unintentionally altered. As will be discussed in further detail to follow, an axial force must be applied to first knob 18 against the force of a first spring 89 disposed between first knob 18 and commander base 19 in order to disengage first locking device 85 and allow first knob 18 to be rotated, and thus allow the user to manipulate the longitudinal position of elongate member 16. Similarly, an axial force must also be applied to second knob 20 against the force of a second spring 91 disposed between second knob 20 and commander base 19 in order to disengage second locking device 87 and allow second knob 20 to be rotated, and thus allow the user to manipulate the rotational position of elongate member 16.
Optionally, as shown in
In particular,
Numerous alternative tension block assemblies may also be incorporated into commander unit 12 as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, in one alternative tension block assembly, the sheath connector block may be designed such that rather than traveling in a direction that substantially coincides with the direction of movement of longitudinal movement wire 82, the sheath connector block instead travels in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of longitudinal movement wire 82. Thus, as longitudinal movement wire 82 “rides” on and is guided by the sheath connector block, the post and spring operably coupled to the sheath connector block allow the block to travel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of longitudinal movement wire 82 in order to minimize the tension placed on longitudinal movement wire 82 as the wire travels into and out of the commander unit 12.
Rotational movement pulley 106 is coupled to or formed integral with tubular member 109 and alignment device 30. Thus, as rotational movement pulley 106 is rotated by rotational movement wire 84, the rotational movement is transferred to tubular member 109 and alignment device 30. First idler pulley 107 may be positioned adjacent a first one of the wire sheaths 62, while second idler pulley 108 may be positioned adjacent a second one of the wire sheaths 62. Rotational movement wire 84 extends out of the first one of the wire sheaths 62 and wraps around first idler pulley 107 prior to reaching and wrapping around rotational movement pulley 106. Rotational movement wire 84 then extends to and wraps around second idler pulley 108 prior to once again entering the second one of the wire sheaths 62 where it returns to commander unit 12.
As first knob 18 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 34A, first drive spool shaft 48 is also rotated in a similar direction due to the connection between end portion 72 of first drive spool shaft 48 and first knob gear 42 of first internal knob 40 as previously discussed in reference to
The underside 114 of follower assembly 14 illustrates a gear track portion 120 of guide rail 28 having a plurality of teeth 122 structured to mate with a corresponding plurality of teeth 124 on follower gear 116. Thus, as follower gear 116 is being rotated by longitudinal movement pulley 105, teeth 124 on follower gear 116 engage teeth 122 on gear track 120 in order to drive follower gear 116, and thus follower device 22, longitudinally along gear track 120.
Once again, rotating first knob 18 in the direction indicated by arrow 32A causes first drive spool shaft 48 to be rotated in a similar direction. As a result, second end 88 of longitudinal movement wire 82 is further wound around second spool 52 of first drive spool shaft 48, while first end 86 of longitudinal movement wire 82 is further unwound from first spool 50. While first end 86 and second end 88 of longitudinal movement wire 82 are being correspondingly unwound from and wound onto first and second spools 50 and 52, respectively, longitudinal movement pulley 105 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 126 in
As second knob 20 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 36A, second drive spool shaft 54 is also rotated in a similar direction due to the connection between end portion 68 of second drive spool shaft 54 and second knob gear 46 of second internal knob 44 as previously discussed in reference to
Once again, rotating second knob 20 in the direction indicated by arrow 38A causes second drive spool shaft 54 to be rotated in a similar direction. As a result, second end 94 of rotational movement wire 84 is further wound around second spool 58 of second drive spool shaft 54, while first end 92 of rotational movement wire 84 is further unwound from first spool 56. While first end 92 and second end 94 of rotational movement wire 84 are being correspondingly unwound from and wound onto first and second spools 56 and 58, respectively, rotational movement pulley 106 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 38B in
As illustrated in
As further illustrated in
Workers skilled in the art will appreciate that although drive system 10 has been described with reference to rotational movements of first and second knobs 18 and 20 that result in longitudinal and rotational movements in specific directions, the drive system may be modified such that rotation of the knobs instead result in movement in the opposite direction without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. Thus, the specific direction in which elongate member 16 moves as a result of manipulating knobs 18 and 20 is not an essential component of the present invention.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Qureshi, Salman, Grant, Mark, Fernandes, Luis Filipe Silva
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