Project Description

 

The 2008-2009 Gore Capstone project includes the design and fabrication of a mechatronic catheter handle prototype. This prototype will utilize mechanical and electrical components to achieve the design requirements and specifications provided by W.L. Gore.

 

Typically, the catheter is used to deploy a medical device into the anatomy and is manually controlled and powered by the physician. Figure 1 shows a typical W.L. Gore delivery catheter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The prototype developed for this project will replace the trailing end of the catheter with a mechatronic device. Click here to view an animation of a W. L. Gore Excluder endoprosthesis deployment.

 

W. L. Gore provided the team with project requirements and specifications. The project requirements are listed below:

 

Ease of Use 

· Usable for the 99 percentile of physicians per current ergonomic standards

· Intuitive to operate

· Physically easy to operate

Operational 

· Manipulate the given fibers and wires

· Maintain access port for 0.035 in. guide wire

· Order of operations must be followed

Optional

· Wire/fiber speed adjustability

· Display current step of procedure

· Provide method for manual actuation of wire/fiber

 

Table 1 shows the kinematic specifications provided by W.L. Gore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. W.L. Gore Delivery Catheter

Table 1: Kinematic Specifications