Angled Introducer with Rounded Bevel for RF Needle Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiofrequency needles are introduced into the body without guides, leading to inaccurate placement, particularly for smaller gauge needles, and limited access to certain areas, such as the vertebral body, due to concerns about introducer sharp edges damaging the needle's insulation.

Innovation Solution

A hollow tube introducer with a first and second portion, where the second portion is angled and features a distal tissue piercing tip segment and a bevel with a rounded inner edge to prevent snagging, and is electropolished to ensure smooth needle placement, allowing for precise guidance and access to previously hard-to-reach areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a radiofrequency needle is introduced without an introducer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the placement accuracy deteriorates and access to certain areas is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintroducer structureVSAvoidneedle placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow tube introducer serves as an intermediary device that facilitates accurate needle placement without requiring complex external guidance systems. The introducer's pre-formed angled configuration and smooth internal surfaces guide the radiofrequency needle along a precise trajectory to the target site, improving placement accuracy while maintaining procedural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If an introducer is used to guide needle placement, then placement accuracy improves, but the risk of insulation damage from sharp edges increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle placement accuracyVSAvoidinsulation damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The introducer features localized quality variations: the distal end includes a bevel with a rounded heel segment that provides a smooth transition surface, while the proximal portion maintains structural integrity. This localized rounding at the critical interface area prevents insulation damage while preserving the introducer's overall guiding function and placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heel segment of the bevel is rounded with a radius of curvature that eliminates sharp edges. This curved surface allows the radiofrequency needle to pass through the introducer smoothly without snagging or damaging the insulation, while the introducer's angled configuration maintains its ability to guide precise needle placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the introducer has a sharp bevel for tissue penetration, then access to hard-to-reach areas improves, but the likelihood of snagging the needle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to vertebral bodyVSAvoidneedle passage reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bevel is designed with differentiated local qualities: the outer edge maintains sharpness for effective tissue penetration and access to the vertebral body, while the inner heel segment is rounded to prevent needle snagging. This localized quality variation enables both reliable tissue penetration and smooth needle passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The rounded heel segment with appropriate radius of curvature creates a smooth internal surface that guides the needle through the introducer without catching or damaging the insulation, while the external bevel geometry maintains sharp tissue-piercing capability for accessing difficult areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The introducer enables accurate placement of radiofrequency needles, including smaller gauges, and facilitates access to areas like the vertebral body, reducing the risk of needle snagging and ensuring effective heat application without compromising insulation integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The inner edge is rounded substantially continuously along the heel segment in an amount sufficient to prevent snagging of a radiofrequency needle on the inner edge as the radiofrequency needle is moved during placement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRounded edge geometry:

Implementation Method 2

is electropolished to ensure smooth needle placement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectropolishing:

Data Source

PatentUS9125684B2Introducer for radiofrequency needle

Publication Date: 2015.09.08 SPECTRA MEDICAL DEVICES

AI summary

An introducer for a radiofrequency needle includes a hollow tube. An introducer for a radiofrequency needle may also include a radiofrequency needle that extends through the hollow tube. The hollow tube includes a first portion that includes a longitudinal axis and a second portion that includes a longitudinal axis, that extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first portion and has a distal tissue piercing tip segment and a bevel. The bevel has a heel segment in which the inner edge is rounded. The inner edge is rounded substantially continuously along the heel segment in an amount sufficient to prevent snagging of a radiofrequency needle on the inner edge as the radiofrequency needle is moved during placement.