Reusable Biopsy Device Actuation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy devices face high iterative and upfront costs due to their construction and actuation mechanisms, with disposable devices being costly to stock and reusable devices being expensive to maintain, and they often require increased size for higher force and velocity.
Innovation Solution
A reusable biopsy device with a unique actuation mechanism using energy storage through tensionable members that move between positions to achieve high force and velocity without increasing the device's size, allowing for efficient tissue collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If reusable biopsy devices are constructed primarily of metal to enable reuse, then the device can be reused multiple times, but the upfront costs and servicing requirements become prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy device is divided into reusable and disposable components. The reusable body housing contains the actuation mechanism, while the needle assembly (outer cannula and inner needle) is designed as a disposable component that can be easily attached and detached. This segmentation allows the expensive reusable parts to be minimized while maintaining the ability to reuse the device body.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from traditional metal construction to a hybrid construction using autoclavable materials (such as medical-grade plastics) for the body housing. This parameter change in material selection reduces upfront costs while maintaining reusability through sterilization processes.
2Force
If tensionable springs are used for actuation to provide the necessary force, then the biopsy device can function properly, but the device size increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional tensionable spring mechanism is extracted and replaced with an elastic member (such as a rubber band or elastomeric component) that provides the necessary actuation force. This extracted solution occupies significantly less space within the device housing while maintaining adequate force for tissue biopsy.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanism transitions from mechanical springs to elastic members with different material properties. This parameter change in the actuation mechanism allows for reduced size while maintaining the force requirements through selection of elastomeric materials with appropriate elastic moduli and configurations.
3Force
If the force of actuation is increased to improve tissue collection, then the cutting efficiency improves, but the size of the spring or number of springs must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member serves multiple functions: it provides the actuation force for advancing the outer cannula, enables the cocking mechanism for the inner needle, and facilitates the cutting action. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional springs or larger components to achieve increased force.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanism uses dynamic elastic deformation of the elastomeric member to generate high force during the cutting stroke. The elastic member is cocked during the insertion phase and then rapidly releases energy during the cutting phase, providing high instantaneous force without requiring a large static mechanism.
4Ease of repair
If disposable biopsy devices are used to reduce servicing requirements, then the device can be discarded after single use, but the iterative costs and stocking volume become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a reusable body that can be sterilized and reused, and a disposable needle assembly that is discarded after single use. This reduces the number of complete devices that need to be stocked while maintaining the ability to discard contaminated components.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the needle assembly is discarded after use, while the body housing is recovered, sterilized through autoclaving, and reused for subsequent procedures. This recovering approach significantly reduces both iterative costs and the volume of devices that need to be stocked.
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 device provides efficient tissue collection with high force and velocity, reducing costs and size constraints, while being reusable and compatible with various imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation mechanism comprising at least one tensionable member, wherein the at least one tensionable member is moveable between a first member position and a second member position
Data Source
AI summary
Reusable core needle biopsy devices having an energy storage and firing mechanism comprising one or more flexure components and a disposable biopsy needle. The energy storage and firing mechanism and the biopsy needle can move between a retracted (or tensioned) position and an extended position such that a user can retract device and then actuate it to drive the needle into the target tissue.