Biopsy Needle With Optical Element For Tissue Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biopsy needle procedures face challenges in accurately locating optimal tissue samples, particularly distinguishing between malignant and non-malignant tissues, while minimizing damage to surrounding structures like blood vessels, due to limited imaging capabilities and positioning flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with an optical element that receives and directs electromagnetic radiation, such as near-infrared light, to provide imaging information about the tissue region, allowing for precise localization of diseased tissue and avoidance of critical structures, and a separate inlet for improved manufacturing and sterilization, enabling three-dimensional imaging and versatile positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional biopsy needle is used without imaging capabilities, then the device structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to locate optimal tissue samples and avoid critical structures is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue sample localization accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines imaging capabilities (optical element, light source, detector) with the biopsy needle structure, merging diagnosis and sampling functions into a single integrated device. This allows real-time imaging guidance during tissue sampling, enabling accurate localization of malignant tissue while avoiding critical structures like blood vessels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The biopsy needle is designed with multiple functions: imaging (optical element and detector), tissue sampling (receptacle and cutting mechanism), and potential therapeutic delivery. This multi-functional design allows the same device to perform both diagnostic imaging and tissue acquisition, reducing the need for separate procedures and improving localization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the inlet is positioned close to the receptacle, then the device structure is compact, but manufacturing complexity increases and sterilization becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice manufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddevice compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: the inlet region for optical component placement, the receptacle region for tissue sample collection, and the cutting mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for manufacturing and sterilization while maintaining appropriate spacing to reduce complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the optical element is positioned close to the receptacle, then the device structure is compact, but sterilization becomes more difficult and the optical element may be contaminated by the tissue sample

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoiddevice compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is extracted from the tissue sampling path and positioned at a distance from the receptacle. The inlet is separated from the receptacle opening, creating a spatial distinction between the optical component region and the tissue sample region. This extraction protects the optical element from tissue contamination while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of information

If imaging capabilities are added to the biopsy needle, then the ability to identify malignant tissue improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue characterization informationVSAvoiddevice structural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical tissue sampling and identification mechanisms with optical imaging technology. Instead of relying solely on mechanical cutting and visual inspection, the optical element and detector provide real-time imaging information about tissue characteristics, enabling non-invasive tissue characterization before sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables accurate identification of malignant tissue and avoidance of blood vessels, facilitating the procurement of optimal tissue samples with minimized tissue damage and improved device manufacturing and sterilization.

Implementation Method 1

the optical element is arranged to receive near-infrared light that is backscattered or emitted from a material region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear-infrared light imaging: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3102113B1A medical device for insertion into a material to obtain a material sample
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
  • EP3102113B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3102113B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3102113B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a medical device for obtaining a material sample from a material. The medical device comprises a first member comprising a receptacle for receiving the material sample; and a second member having a hollow region for accommodating at least a portion of the first member such that the at least a portion of the first member is movable within the second member. The first and second members are arranged such that when the material sample is received in the receptacle of the first member, the material sample can be obtained by moving the first member within the second member. The medical device further comprises an optical element arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation that can be used to determine information in relation to the material. The medical device has a distal end for inserting the medical device into the material. The distal end further comprises an inlet that is transmissive for at least the received electromagnetic radiation and that is spaced apart from the receptacle of the first member. The medical device is arranged such that the optical element receives the electromagnetic radiation through the inlet.