Biopsy Needle Variable Diameter Capturing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biopsy needles face challenges in efficiently capturing and retaining tissue specimens during bone marrow or soft tissue biopsies, leading to patient discomfort and inadequate sample recovery due to issues with specimen dislodgement and the complexity of existing designs.

Innovation Solution

A biopsy needle with a capturing mechanism that features a variable diameter, where the inner tube is free to move longitudinally within the outer tube, allowing for the activation of a specimen capturing member that can close and open to securely capture and release the specimen, improving specimen retention and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional biopsy needle is used to obtain bone marrow samples, then the procedure can be performed, but excessive patient discomfort is caused and inadequate biopsy material is recovered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiopsy material recoveryVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The biopsy needle incorporates a dynamic capturing mechanism with jaws that can open and close automatically during the biopsy procedure. The jaws are actuated by the insertion and withdrawal movements of the needle itself, eliminating the need for manual manipulation by the physician and reducing patient discomfort while ensuring reliable specimen capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The needle's capturing mechanism is designed to activate automatically through the natural movements of needle insertion and withdrawal. The jaws self-actuate to grasp the tissue specimen without requiring additional manual intervention, thereby reducing procedural complexity and patient discomfort while improving specimen recovery reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual manipulation of the needle is used to ensure specimen retention, then specimen recovery may improve, but patient discomfort increases and the procedure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecimen retentionVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capturing mechanism is designed to self-actuate through the natural insertion and withdrawal movements of the needle. The jaws automatically open during insertion to allow tissue entry and close during withdrawal to secure the specimen, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and reducing procedure complexity while maintaining reliable specimen retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism transitions from a static needle design to a dynamic system where the capturing jaws automatically respond to the insertion and withdrawal movements. This dynamic activation ensures specimen retention without requiring additional manual manipulation, thereby simplifying the procedure and reducing patient discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a simple needle design is used, then ease of operation improves, but the ability to securely capture and retain tissue specimens deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidspecimen capture capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The capturing mechanism is integrated directly into the needle structure, merging the functions of tissue penetration and specimen capture into a single unified device. The jaws are formed as part of the needle assembly, allowing automatic activation through insertion and withdrawal movements, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving specimen capture capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The capturing jaws are nested within the needle structure, with the jaws positioned inside the needle shaft and capable of opening and closing automatically during insertion and withdrawal. This nested configuration allows the simple needle design to incorporate advanced capturing functionality without increasing external complexity, maintaining ease of operation while improving specimen retention reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS7608049B2Biopsy needle

Publication Date: 2009.10.27 GOLDENBERG ALEC S

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a biopsy needle for removal of tissue from a patient includes an outer tube having a distal end and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube. The needle includes a capturing mechanism that has a variable diameter for capturing a tissue specimen. The capturing mechanism includes a distal first end that is fixed relative to the distal end of the outer tube and an opposing proximal end that is attached to the inner tube. The inner tube is free to move longitudinally within and relative to the outer tube, whereby longitudinal movement of the inner tube causes activation of the capturing mechanism resulting in the closing and opening, respectively, of the capturing mechanism to capture and release the specimen, respectively.