Biopsy Device Alignment Mechanism for Tortuous Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopsy devices, particularly those used for endoscopic procedures, face challenges in maintaining alignment between the cannula and stylet, leading to misalignment issues that affect the quality of tissue samples, especially in flexible and tortuous anatomical paths, resulting in sub-optimal histological analysis.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy device with an alignment mechanism that includes a coupling mechanism with raised and recessed portions to maintain alignment between the cannula and stylet, resisting relative rotation, flexing, and axial translation, ensuring the cutting portion aligns with the tissue sampling portion for effective tissue collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible biopsy device is used to navigate tortuous anatomical paths, then adaptability is improved, but alignment between cannula and stylet deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy device is divided into distinct segments (cannula, stylet, coupling mechanism) that can independently flex while maintaining relative alignment through the coupling mechanism with raised and recessed portions
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the cannula and stylet, featuring raised portions on one component and corresponding recessed portions on the other to maintain alignment while allowing flexibility for navigating tortuous paths
2Ease of operation
If the cannula and stylet are made flexible for endoscopic use, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism employs asymmetric raised portions and corresponding recessed portions that are strategically positioned to prevent relative rotation and maintain alignment between the cannula and stylet during flexible manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features (raised and recessed portions) are pre-configured in the coupling mechanism to automatically maintain proper alignment between the cutting portion and tissue sampling portion before tissue contact occurs
Data Source
AI summary
A biopsy device (100), comprising: a cannula (102) comprising an elongate cannula body (106) extending between a cannula distal end (108) and a cannula proximal end (110) to define a lumen (112), wherein the cannula comprises a cutting portion at the cannula distal end (108); a stylet (104) comprising an elongate body (116) having a stylet distal end (118) and a stylet proximal end (120), the stylet (104) being slidably disposed within the lumen (112), wherein the stylet (104) comprises a tissue sampling portion (122); and an alignment means (126) arranged to maintain a preferred alignment between the stylet (104) and the cannula (102), wherein the alignment means (126) is arranged to align one or more of: i) relative rotation between the stylet distal end and the cannula distal end; ii) relative flexing between the stylet distal end and the cannula distal end; and iii) relative axial translation between the stylet distal end and the cannula distal end.