Cell Puncture Needle Support for Easier Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cell puncture devices face challenges in the workability of replacing needles due to the difficulty in accurately relocating the needle after temporary evacuation, especially when the needle is near a cell of micrometer or nanometer size, and the limited field of view of optical imaging devices.

Innovation Solution

The cell puncture device includes a needle support with a mover that moves the needle unit between a first position for puncturing and a second position for evacuation, a first regulator for precise positioning, and a base with a rotation mechanism to adjust the needle's angle, allowing for easy replacement and repositioning of the needle without obstructing the field of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the needle is evacuated to replace or reposition, then the needle can be replaced, but the needle cannot be accurately relocated after evacuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneedle replacementVSAvoidneedle positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a predefined trajectory guide structure that establishes the correct needle path before the actual puncture operation. The trajectory guide includes positioning features that pre-align the needle holder, ensuring that when the needle is replaced and reinserted, it automatically follows the original accurate path without requiring complex post-evacuation alignment procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a trajectory guide structure as an intermediary element between the needle holder and the sample holder. This intermediary component transfers the positioning information from the sample holder's positioning features to the needle holder, enabling accurate needle relocation after evacuation by mediating the alignment through mechanical engagement features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the needle is positioned close to the cell for accurate puncture, then puncture precision is improved, but the field of view is obstructed and replacement work becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture precisionVSAvoidreplacement workability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the needle holder with movable components that can dynamically adjust the needle position. The needle holder can be moved along the trajectory guide to different positions, allowing the operator to move the needle close to the cell for precise puncture when needed, and move it away for easier observation and replacement work, providing dynamic flexibility in positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the needle holder structure is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneedle holder structureVSAvoidneedle unit positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the trajectory guide and positioning features that automatically align the needle holder without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms. The positioning features on the sample holder and trajectory guide work together to self-align the needle unit, eliminating the need for complex motors, sensors, or control systems while maintaining high positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4624562A1Cell puncture device and microscope system
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4624562A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4624562A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4624562A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cell puncture device 10 according to the present disclosure includes a needle unit 17 having a needle 17a configured to puncture a cell S and a needle fixer 17b configured to fix the needle 17a, a needle support 18a that is connected to the needle fixer 17b and that is configured to arrange the needle unit 17 at a distal end, and a first regulator 18b that is arranged with respect to the needle support 18a and that is configured to locate the needle unit 17 in a first position in which the needle 17a punctures the cell S. The needle support 18a includes a mover 18a1 configured to move the needle unit 17 between the first position and a second position to which the needle 17a is evacuated.