Breast Biopsy Lateral Arm with Self-Adjusting Rollers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies face challenges in precisely locating biopsy needles for deep-seated abnormalities, particularly in breast biopsies, and existing biopsy guiding systems are often complex and costly to manufacture, requiring extensive training for medical personnel.
Innovation Solution
A needle guide system comprising a lateral arm with a carriage assembly that traverses along a predefined axis, featuring self-adjusting rollers and a cam-actuated X-axis stop to secure the carriage in a predetermined position, allowing for precise positioning of a biopsy gun and needle within the breast biopsy station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a stereotactic guided percutaneous breast biopsy is performed to remove a relatively small amount of tissue, then the invasiveness of the procedure is reduced, but it becomes necessary to locate the biopsy needle with considerable precision which increases the complexity of the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a needle guide system as an intermediary device between the imaging system and the biopsy needle. This guide system provides mechanical constraints and alignment features that simplify needle positioning, reducing the procedural complexity while maintaining the minimally invasive nature of the biopsy
2Measurement precision
If existing biopsy guiding systems are used to achieve precise needle positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The needle guide system is divided into separate modular components including a guide body, alignment features, and positioning mechanisms that can be manufactured independently and assembled. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining positioning precision through carefully designed interface features
Solution Approach 2:
The guide system incorporates self-aligning features and self-adjusting mechanisms that automatically position the needle correctly without requiring complex external positioning systems or extensive operator training, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining precision
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 system enables precise and cost-effective positioning of biopsy needles, facilitating accurate tissue sampling with reduced complexity and training requirements for medical personnel, enhancing the efficiency of breast biopsy procedures.
Implementation Method 1
One or more spring members may be used to load the movable set of guide rollers against the lateral arm
Implementation Method 2
a clamp which applies frictional force to the lead screw in response to actuation of a camshaft
Implementation Method 3
a cam-actuated lock assembly which secures the carriage to the lateral arm in an engaged state
Implementation Method 4
the lock assembly may include a clamp which applies frictional force to the lead screw in response to actuation of a camshaft, thereby inhibiting rotation of the lead screw
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A breast biopsy lateral arm system includes a removable gun mount which attaches to a carriage that traverses along an X-axis defined by a lateral arm in order to position a biopsy needle relative to a patient. The carriage rides along the lateral arm on self-adjusting rollers which are loaded against the lateral arm by spring members. A cam-actuated carriage slide lock can be used to secure the carriage in a desired position relative to the lateral arm. A cam-actuated removable gun mount lock allows the gun mount to be quickly changed and offset orthogonally with respect to the X-axis. An X-axis stop can be used to establish a position to which the carriage can be returned with accuracy.