Biopsy Needle Blade Attachment via Multi-Member Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopsy devices face challenges in securely attaching a flat blade to a small gauge needle and maintaining the structural integrity of a tray or shelf within a needle portion, especially when creating a 'figure eight' cross-section, which can lead to interference with internal cutters and deformation issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cutter receiving tube that forms two sections within the needle, allowing for a metal-to-metal contact between the blade assembly and needle, and uses a multi-member coupling assembly to securely attach the blade, eliminating deformation risks and enhancing attachment strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat blade is combined with a very small gauge needle portion, then the blade can be properly secured to the needle and the needle can function effectively, but the attachment becomes particularly difficult and may compromise the strength of the bond
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is divided into two separate sections: a needle portion and a blade portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier assembly while maintaining strong attachment. The separated sections can be coupled together through a coupling mechanism that ensures reliable bonding without the difficulties of attaching to very small gauge needles.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary element between the needle portion and blade portion. This intermediary component simplifies the attachment process and ensures strong bonding by providing a dedicated interface for joining the two sections, eliminating the need to directly attach the blade to the small gauge needle portion.
2Shape
If a shelf or tray is inserted into an ovular needle portion to create a figure eight cross-section, then the desired cross-sectional shape is achieved, but the tray attachment is limited by access for welding and the tray may deform during insertion or welding
Solution Approach 1:
The needle structure is segmented into a needle portion and a separate blade portion, eliminating the need to insert a shelf or tray into the needle portion. This segmentation provides better access for welding and assembly operations while preventing deformation that would occur when inserting and welding trays within the needle portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade portion is extracted as a separate component from the needle portion, removing the need to create a figure eight cross-section by inserting shelves or trays into the needle. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing process, improves access for welding, and eliminates deformation risks associated with inserting and welding trays within the needle structure.
3Shape
If a shelf or tray is welded within the needle portion, then the figure eight cross-section is formed, but interference with internal cutters may occur during biopsy device operation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the needle into separate needle and blade portions, the design eliminates the shelf or tray structure that would interfere with internal cutters. The separated blade portion can be coupled to the needle portion without creating obstructions in the needle lumen that would interfere with cutter operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade portion is extracted as a separate component, removing the shelf or tray that causes interference with internal cutters. This extraction allows the needle portion to maintain a clear path for internal cutter operation while still achieving the desired cross-sectional shape through the separated blade coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A biopsy device may comprise a probe assembly that has a needle assembly extending distally from the probe assembly. The needle assembly has a needle portion and blade assembly. The blade assembly comprises a blade and a multi-member coupling assembly. The multi-member coupling assembly is configured to couple to the blade and to the needle portion to attach the blade to the needle portion. In one configuration the multi-member coupling assembly comprises two coupling members configure to couple to the blade. The blade may be a flat blade that has a retention channel formed therein, wherein the two coupling members may couple to the blade at the retention channel. The needle portion may comprise a needle and a cutter receiving tube. The needle may be an ovular cross-sectioned tube having a cut-out portion into which a circular cross-sectioned cutter receiving tube may be inserted and coupled thereto.