Biopsy Device Rotational Loading Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biopsy devices face challenges in efficiently obtaining multiple tissue samples simultaneously and preventing unintended motion during the sampling process.

Innovation Solution

A biopsy instrument with independently translatable stylets and cannulas, utilizing a rotational loading mechanism with first and second wheels, and a firing mechanism that allows for rapid and controlled forward motion to collect tissue samples, while a safety mechanism prevents spurious operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single stylet and cannula are used for biopsy sampling, then the device structure is simple, but multiple tissue samples cannot be collected simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiopsy sampling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biopsy device is divided into multiple independent stylet-cannula assemblies (first stylet with first cannula, second stylet with second cannula), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows multiple tissue samples to be collected simultaneously while maintaining relatively simple individual component structures, thus improving productivity without excessive complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple stylet-cannula assemblies are merged into a single integrated device with common housing, loading mechanism, and control systems. The first and second wheels are combined in a single housing with shared operational mechanisms, allowing simultaneous control of multiple sampling elements while maintaining structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Speed

If the stylet and cannula are rapidly projected into tissue, then biopsy sampling speed is improved, but unintended motion during sampling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiopsy sampling speedVSAvoidsampling precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs dynamic control mechanisms where the first and second wheels can be independently rotated to control the positioning and motion of respective stylet-cannula assemblies. The brake mechanism provides dynamic braking control to manage the rapid projection motion, allowing speed control while maintaining sampling precision through coordinated dynamic adjustment of multiple elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coordinated control system provides feedback mechanisms where the rotation of first and second wheels is interlinked through the housing structure, allowing one wheel's position to influence the other. This feedback ensures synchronized motion control during rapid projection, preventing unintended motion while maintaining high sampling speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If a brake mechanism is added to control stylet motion, then sampling precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling precisionVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake mechanism is designed as a multi-functional component that serves both to control the rapid projection motion of stylets and to enable precise positioning during sampling. The same brake system that controls speed also provides fine adjustment capability, eliminating the need for separate precision control mechanisms and thus adding minimal complexity while achieving high sampling precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The brake mechanism allows dynamic change of motion parameters during operation, transitioning from high-speed projection to controlled low-speed positioning. By adjusting the braking force parameter, the system achieves both rapid sampling and precise positioning without requiring fundamentally different mechanisms, thereby maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2595545B1Biopsy device
Publication Date: 2015.10.14 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP2595545B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP2595545B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2595545B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3A

AI summary

A mechanism for sequentially loading and unloading a biopsy instrument includes a first wheel operatively connected with a cannula, the first wheel being rotatably mounted upon an axle such that the axle urges rotation of the first wheel in a first direction to transfer the cannula and the first wheel to a loaded position, the first wheel being configured for selective rotation with respect to the axle in a second direction to transfer the cannula and the first wheel to an unloaded position. A second wheel is operatively connected with a stylet, the second wheel being configured to be rotated by the axle in the first direction when the first wheel is in the loaded position, the second wheel configured for rotation relative to the axle to transfer the stylet and second wheel from the loaded to unloaded position. The second wheel is operatively engaged with the first wheel to allow partial rotation of the second wheel in the second direction with respect to the first wheel and urging similar rotation of the first wheel in the second direction after at least some duration of relative rotation of the second wheel with respect to the second wheel.