Bubble-Containing Embryo Transfer Tube for Ultrasound Visibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing embryo transfer tube bodies with high ultrasound imaging properties become brittle due to a large number of bubbles, affecting their visibility and structural integrity during microscopic observation and use.

Innovation Solution

An embryo transfer tool with a soft tube featuring alternating bubble-containing and transparent surface layers, where the bubble-containing layers are thin and wide, and the transparent layers are substantial, ensuring high ultrasound imaging and optical transparency without brittleness, and a sheath to accommodate the soft tube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large number of bubbles are introduced into the tube wall to improve ultrasound imaging property, then visibility in ultrasound imaging is improved, but the tube becomes brittle and structural integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasound imaging visibilityVSAvoidtube structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct zones within the tube wall: a bubble-containing outer layer for ultrasound visibility and a bubble-free inner layer for structural strength. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between imaging visibility and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structure with two distinct layers: an outer layer containing bubbles for ultrasound imaging and an inner bubble-free layer for structural strength. This composite approach combines the benefits of both bubble-containing (visibility) and bubble-free (strength) regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If bubbles are introduced into the tube wall to improve ultrasound imaging, then ultrasound visibility is improved, but optical transparency for microscopic observation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasound imaging visibilityVSAvoidoptical transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct zones within the tube wall: a bubble-containing outer layer for ultrasound visibility and a bubble-free inner layer for optical transparency. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between imaging visibility and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If the bubble-containing part is made thin to maintain optical transparency, then microscopic observation visibility is improved, but ultrasound imaging property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroscopic observation visibilityVSAvoidultrasound imaging property

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides a non-brittle embryo transfer tool with enhanced ultrasound imaging and optical transparency, allowing secure embryo transfer and easy microscopic observation without compromising structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

said soft tube has a first bubble-containing surface layer extended in a predetermined width and in a predetermined length from said distal end of said soft tube toward said proximal end thereof... each of said first and second bubble-containing surface layers has a lot of bubbles set long in an axial direction of said soft tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound reflection and scattering: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP3345559B1Instrument for embryo transplantation and device for embryo transplantation

Publication Date: 2020.10.14 KITAZATO CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An embryo transfer tool (1) has a soft tube (11) and a hub (12). The soft tube (11) has a first bubble-containing surface layer (13a) extended in a predetermined width and in a predetermined length from a distal end of the soft tube toward a proximal end thereof, a second bubble-containing surface layer (13b) opposed to the first bubble-containing surface layer (13a), and first and second colorless and transparent parts (15a) and (15b) positioned between the first and second bubble-containing surface layers (13a) and (13b). Each of the first and second bubble-containing surface layers has a lot of bubbles (14) set long in an axial direction of the soft tube. The thickness of each of the first and second bubble-containing surface layers is set to 1/5 to 1/3 of the thickness of the soft tube. The width of each of the first and second bubble-containing surface layers is set to 5/100 to 20/100 of an outer circumferential length of the soft tube.