Biopsy Device With Spring-Driven Retractable Stylet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy devices, particularly for fine needle biopsies, are inefficient, resource-intensive, and cause trauma to delicate tissues due to their design and method of operation, lacking specialized tools for precise and safe sampling in sensitive areas like the thyroid and vital organs.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy device with a retractable and extendable mechanism, featuring a hollow needle, a stylet with a biopsy element, and a spring mechanism, allowing for controlled extension and retraction of the biopsy element through the needle, reducing tissue trauma and improving sampling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a core needle biopsy is used to obtain a tissue sample, then the biopsy sample can be obtained, but significant trauma is caused to the tissue during biopsy extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy device divides the biopsy element into multiple segments or lobes that can independently engage the tissue. This segmentation allows the biopsy element to capture tissue samples through multiple small contact points rather than one large traumatic contact, reducing overall tissue damage while still obtaining sufficient sample material.
Solution Approach 2:
The biopsy element features localized cutting edges or engagement surfaces at specific segments rather than along the entire length. This concentrates the tissue interaction at discrete locations, minimizing trauma to surrounding areas while maintaining effective sample acquisition at the critical interface with the tissue.
2Quantity of substance
If a large gauge needle is used for core needle biopsy, then a biopsy sample can be extracted, but the needle size and method of action are too disruptive and difficult to implement at the sample site
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy element is nested within the hollow needle, allowing the device to maintain a small external profile for easy insertion while housing a functional biopsy mechanism inside. The biopsy element can extend or deploy from the needle only when needed, combining the advantages of small size for access with sufficient sampling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The biopsy device transitions from a static small-gauge needle to a dynamic configuration where the biopsy element can extend, deploy, or transform upon insertion. This dynamic transformation allows the device to start as a minimally invasive needle and then activate sampling functions only after proper positioning, reducing implementation difficulty while maintaining sampling effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fine needle aspiration or fine needle nonaspiration is used, then less trauma is caused to vital or delicate soft tissue, but the procedure is inefficient, time consuming, and resource intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy element is pre-positioned and prepared within the needle before tissue contact. The device is pre-loaded with the sampling mechanism ready to engage, eliminating the need for repeated needle insertions or manual manipulation techniques used in traditional FNA. This preliminary preparation enables single-pass efficient sampling while maintaining the gentle approach of fine needle techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The biopsy element maintains continuous engagement with the tissue during the sampling process, rather than requiring repeated insertions and withdrawals. The device performs the complete sampling action in one continuous motion after initial insertion, eliminating the time-consuming repetitive probing characteristic of traditional fine needle techniques and significantly improving procedural efficiency.
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 enables efficient, safe, and precise biopsy sampling with reduced trauma and risk of infection, requiring less skill and time, and allowing for multiple samples with a single needle insertion, thus improving procedural efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism operably connected to the trigger such that the spring mechanism compresses in response to operation of the trigger, extending the biopsy element, and is configured to rebound following compression, the rebound causing the biopsy element to retract toward or within the hollow needle
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary biopsy device includes (i) an elongated body, (ii) a hollow needle coupled to the distal end of the elongated body, the hollow needle having a channel that spans the length of the hollow needle, (iii) a trigger associated with the elongated body, (iv) a stylet having or associated with a biopsy element, the stylet being disposed within the channel of the hollow needle, operably connected to the trigger, and configured to extend beyond the distal end of the hollow needle and subsequently retract within the channel of the hollow needle, and (v) a spring mechanism operably connected to the trigger such that the spring mechanism compresses in response to operation of the trigger, extending the biopsy element, and is configured to rebound following compression, the rebound causing the biopsy element to retract toward or within the hollow needle.