Biopsy Site Marker With Shape-Memory Arms to Prevent Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopsy site markers tend to migrate after placement, making it difficult to accurately identify the biopsy site during subsequent follow-up procedures.
Innovation Solution
Biopsy site markers with movable arms made of shape-memory alloys that expand from a pre-deployment to a post-deployment configuration, anchored by active arms that splay outwardly upon reaching body temperature, ensuring stable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a marker is placed at a biopsy site, then the biopsy site can be identified in subsequent procedures, but the marker may migrate to another location during the intervening time
Solution Approach 1:
The marker incorporates movable arms that can change configuration from a compressed delivery state to an expanded anchored state. The arms are designed to move outwardly upon deployment, transitioning from a compact form suitable for delivery through a biopsy needle to an expanded form that engages surrounding tissue to prevent migration over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker utilizes shape-memory alloy material that changes its physical properties in response to temperature changes. When exposed to body temperature, the material undergoes a phase transformation that causes the arms to expand and splay outwardly, transforming from a flexible delivery configuration to a rigid anchored configuration that resists migration.
2Reliability
If the marker structure is made complex with movable portions, then migration is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is divided into multiple segments or arms that can move independently relative to each other. These segmented arms are hinged or jointed to allow movement from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded anchored configuration, enabling complex functionality through simple modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker employs self-actuating arms that automatically expand and splay outwardly upon deployment without requiring external actuation mechanisms. The shape-memory material inherently responds to body temperature by causing the arms to move into their anchored position, eliminating the need for motors, actuators, or complex control systems.
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 markers remain fixed at the biopsy site, enhancing visibility under ultrasound and reducing migration, thereby facilitating precise relocation during follow-up procedures.
Implementation Method 1
movable arms made of shape-memory alloys that expand from a pre-deployment to a post-deployment configuration, anchored by active arms that splay outwardly upon reaching body temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A biopsy site marker includes a marker element. The marker element includes a base portion and an anchor portion. The anchor portion extends from the base portion. The anchor portion includes a plurality of arms. One or more arms of the plurality of arms is configured to be responsive to heat to transition from a pre-deployment configuration to a post-deployment configuration. Each transitioned arm of the plurality of arms extending outwardly from a longitudinal axis defined by the marker element when in the post-deployment configuration.