Biopsy Extraction Unit with Offset Sample Rod

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biopsy devices with small outer diameters face challenges in manufacturing and using inner cannulas with longitudinal slits due to deformation risks and difficulty in holding tissue samples effectively, especially when the material thickness becomes too thin.

Innovation Solution

A biopsy extraction unit with a sample rod inserted along the inner wall of the outer cannula, which holds the tissue sample using radial forces and minimal surface contact, allowing for multiple uses without deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the outer diameter of the biopsy needle is reduced to minimize trauma, then the trauma during sampling is reduced, but the inner cannula material thickness becomes too thin causing deformation and manufacturing difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrauma during samplingVSAvoidinner cannula deformation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the inner cannula component with longitudinal slits from the biopsy device. Instead, it uses only an outer cannula with a distal conical section that has a smaller inner diameter than the proximal section, eliminating the need for a separate thin-walled inner cannula that is prone to deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of reducing the inner diameter of the entire outer cannula or using a thin inner cannula to hold the sample, the invention inverts the approach by creating a conical section at the distal end with reduced inner diameter that naturally tapers to grip the tissue sample, while the proximal section maintains sufficient diameter for sample storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Length of moving object

If the inner cannula material thickness is reduced to fit smaller outer diameters, then the biopsy needle can be made smaller, but the inner cannula becomes difficult to manufacture and handle without deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiopsy needle outer diameterVSAvoidinner cannula manufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention eliminates the inner cannula component entirely, removing the manufacturing challenges associated with producing thin-walled tubes with longitudinal slits. The solution uses only the outer cannula with an integrated conical distal section that is easier to manufacture as a single piece

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of the outer cannula and inner cannula into a single outer cannula structure with a conical distal section. This integration eliminates the need for separate manufacturing of thin-walled inner cannulas and simplifies the overall device construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the inner diameter at the distal end is reduced to accommodate the inner cannula with slits, then the tissue sample can be held, but the distal tip of the inner cannula is forced inwards and deformed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue sample holdingVSAvoidinner cannula distal tip deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the inner cannula with longitudinal slits that causes deformation at the distal tip. Instead, it uses the outer cannula's conical distal section directly to hold the tissue sample, eliminating the deformation problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using an inner cannula that is forced inwards and deformed, the invention inverts the approach by having the outer cannula's distal conical section create the gripping action, with the conical shape naturally forcing tissue inwards rather than requiring a deformed inner cannula tip

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2563230B1Biopsy extraction unit
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 APRIOMED
  • EP2563230B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2563230B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Biopsy extraction unit for use in relation to a biopsy device provided with an outer cannula. The biopsy extraction unit is provided with a unit handle, an intermediate part and an elongated sample rod, the rod being offset and essentially parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the biopsy extraction unit, wherein the sample rod is adapted to essentially be positioned along an inner wall of the outer cannula when inserted into said biopsy device.