Biopsy Needle with Angled Retaining Grooves

Solution Overview

Problem

Current biopsy needles face challenges in effectively retrieving tissue samples due to lack of adherence between the needle and tissue, requiring multiple insertions, increased patient discomfort, and high manufacturing costs associated with helical-shaped retaining structures.

Innovation Solution

A biopsy needle with an elongated body featuring discontinuous, longitudinally spaced retaining members that are angled between 45 and 90 degrees, allowing for non-rotational insertion and easier tissue retention, along with a beveled cutting surface and non-circular distal aperture for improved tissue sampling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a helical-shaped retaining structure is used in the biopsy needle, then tissue retention is improved, but the needle must be inserted rotationally which increases operational complexity and may reduce the amount of tissue retrieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue retentionVSAvoidinsertion operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining structure is divided into multiple discrete retaining members spaced along the needle shaft, each independently engaging tissue. This segmentation allows the needle to be inserted non-rotationally while still providing effective tissue retention through the distributed engagement of individual members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a helical structure that requires rotational insertion, the invention inverts the approach by using discrete retaining members that engage tissue through their geometry alone, eliminating the need for rotational insertion while maintaining retention effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a helical-shaped retaining structure is used, then tissue retention is improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to complex manufacturing processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue retentionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining structure is divided into multiple discrete retaining members spaced along the needle shaft, each independently engaging tissue. This segmentation allows the needle to be inserted non-rotationally while still providing effective tissue retention through the distributed engagement of individual members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a helical structure that requires rotational insertion, the invention inverts the approach by using discrete retaining members that engage tissue through their geometry alone, eliminating the need for rotational insertion while maintaining retention effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If multiple insertions are performed to ensure adequate tissue sampling, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient discomfort increases and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidbiopsy procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The biopsy needle is designed as a disposable device with integrated retaining members that ensure single-use effectiveness. The retaining members are designed to engage and hold tissue reliably in a single insertion, eliminating the need for multiple insertions and improving both diagnostic accuracy and procedural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining members are designed with specific geometric parameters (angles, depths, and spacing) that optimize tissue engagement. By carefully controlling these parameters, the device achieves reliable tissue retention in a single insertion, improving diagnostic accuracy while reducing procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20210330303A1Biopsy Device with Focal Internal Grooves and Method of Use

Publication Date: 2021.10.28 H LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER & RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC

AI summary

A medical device and method of using said medical device to remove a biopsy specimen from a patient. The device includes a series of retaining members, such as grooves or ridges protruding into the internal lumen of the medical device. The retaining members do not fully circumscribe the internal lumen. Upon rotation of the device, the retaining members engage the sample tissue received in the internal lumen, which improves the interference between the device and the tissue sample for extraction of the tissue sample from the patient. In some embodiments the grooves are angled to further improve interference between the device and the tissue sample. The medical may also include a biopsy sample ejector or ejector funnel and a cannula and/or a trocar with respective tips configured to optimize penetration of the device into the tissue with minimum patient trauma and enhanced reliability of obtaining a biopsy specimen.