Biopsy Tool with Integrated Sensor and Screw Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bronchoscopes are limited in reaching deep lung locations due to size constraints, and once a locatable guide is removed, operators lack guidance for repositioning biopsy tools, leading to 'blind' navigation and potential inaccuracies in tissue sampling.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy tool with an elongated flexible body, integrated sensory assembly for location detection, and a screw member with a helical configuration for tissue sampling, which includes a drive motor and actuator for controlled rotation, enabling precise navigation and sampling while maintaining tracking capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a locatable guide is used to navigate to the target location, then navigation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and tracking is lost after guide removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locatable guide functionality with the biopsy tool itself by integrating a sensor assembly into the biopsy tool's elongated flexible body. This merging eliminates the need for a separate locatable guide while maintaining navigation accuracy through continuous tracking of the biopsy tool's position and orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The biopsy tool is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the navigation instrument (with integrated sensor assembly for tracking) and the tissue sampling instrument (with screw member for biopsy). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate navigation and biopsy tools, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining tracking capabilities throughout the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the locatable guide is removed after reaching the target, then ease of operation is improved, but navigation capability is lost leading to blind repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation and biopsy functions are merged into a single integrated tool. The sensor assembly remains attached to the biopsy tool throughout the entire procedure, ensuring continuous tracking information is available during both navigation and tissue sampling operations, eliminating the information loss that occurs with guide removal.
3Length of moving object
If bronchoscope size is reduced to reach deep lung locations, then accessibility is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy tool employs an elongated flexible body that can navigate deep into the airways while maintaining structural integrity. The flexibility allows the tool to reach distant targets through curved pathways, while the screw member provides rigid tissue engagement capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The biopsy tool is segmented into distinct functional components: the flexible elongated body for navigation, the sensor assembly for tracking, and the screw member for tissue sampling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system.
Data Source
AI summary
A biopsy tool includes an elongated flexible body, a sensor assembly, and a screw member. The sensor assembly is disposed within the elongated flexible body towards the distal end thereof. The sensor assembly includes a location sensor(s) configured to enable detection of a location of the sensor assembly. The screw member is coupled to the distal end of elongated flexible body, extends distally from the elongated flexible body, and is positioned distally of the sensor assembly. The screw member defines a helical configuration having a hollow interior and is configured for simultaneous rotation relative to tissue and advancement into tissue to obtain a tissue sample.