Blunt-Tip Epicardial Access Needle With Energy Puncture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical puncture using large bore needles for accessing the pericardial space is associated with high clinical complication rates and unwanted tissue damage due to instability and lack of tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
A surgical needle with a blunt atraumatic tip and a side-port for delivering energy and guiding a guidewire, featuring a guiding surface and insulation to reduce abrasive friction and improve tactile feedback, allowing for safer and more predictable access to the pericardial space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical puncture using large bore needles is used for accessing the pericardial space, then access to the pericardial space is achieved, but tissue damage and clinical complications increase due to instability and lack of tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional sharp mechanical needle with a blunt-tipped needle that delivers energy (electrical, thermal, or mechanical) to puncture the pericardium. This substitution allows the needle to maintain mechanical stability while using energy delivery to achieve tissue penetration, reducing unwanted mechanical tissue damage associated with sharp needle puncture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the needle tip from sharp to blunt, and introduces energy delivery capability (electrical, thermal, or mechanical energy) to enable puncture function. This parameter change allows the needle to achieve both stability and tactile feedback while maintaining the ability to access the pericardial space
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a blunt-tipped needle with energy delivery is used, then tissue damage is reduced and tactile feedback is improved, but device complexity increases due to energy delivery mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The needle device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a mechanical puncture tool and an energy delivery system. The same blunt-tipped needle structure delivers electrical, thermal, or mechanical energy to achieve tissue penetration, eliminating the need for separate sharp needles and reducing overall procedural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The needle structure itself is designed to facilitate its own function - the blunt tip with integrated energy delivery mechanism enables the needle to create its own puncture path through energy-mediated tissue disruption, reducing the need for additional guiding or stabilization devices
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
The needle provides improved safety and predictability in accessing the pericardial space by reducing tissue damage and enhancing tactile feedback, facilitating the use of treatment devices like ablation and mapping catheters.
Implementation Method 1
a blunt atraumatic tip for delivering energy for puncturing tissue
Implementation Method 2
an insulation covering an outside of the elongate member... facilitating the easy passage of a device through the side-port
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for a needle for gaining access to the pericardial cavity of a heart. The needle includes an elongate member (e.g. a main shaft) defining a lumen and a side-port in fluid communication with the lumen; a blunt atraumatic tip for delivering energy for puncturing tissue; and a guiding surface (e.g. a ramp) for directing a device (e.g. a guidewire) through the side-port. The method includes using the needle for tenting a pericardium and delivering energy for puncturing the pericardium, and advancing a guidewire or other device through the needle and into the pericardial cavity.