Cell Puncture Needle Support With Evacuated Replacement Position

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cell puncture devices face challenges in efficiently replacing damaged or broken needles and accurately relocating the needle tip due to limited visibility and space constraints during the replacement process, especially when working with cells of micrometer to tens of micrometer sizes.

Innovation Solution

A cell puncture device with a needle support system that includes a mover and regulators to move the needle unit between puncturing and evacuated positions, allowing for increased space for replacement work, and a microscope system that facilitates accurate relocation of the needle tip within the field of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the needle is positioned close to the cell for accurate puncture, then the puncture precision is improved, but the space for needle replacement becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepuncture precisionVSAvoidneedle replacement workability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle support is designed to be movable between a first position (close to the cell for puncture) and a second position (evacuated from the cell). The mover mechanism enables dynamic repositioning of the needle support, allowing operators to switch between puncture mode and replacement mode. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable: when puncture precision is needed, the needle support moves close to the cell; when needle replacement is required, the needle support moves to the evacuated position, providing sufficient space for operators to work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the needle support is fixed in position, then the device structure is simplified, but the ability to relocate the needle tip accurately is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle support structureVSAvoidneedle tip relocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The needle support is designed to be movable between a first position (close to the cell for puncture) and a second position (evacuated from the cell). The mover mechanism enables dynamic repositioning of the needle support, allowing operators to switch between puncture mode and replacement mode. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable: when puncture precision is needed, the needle support moves close to the cell; when needle replacement is required, the needle support moves to the evacuated position, providing sufficient space for operators to work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A microscope is integrated into the device to provide visual feedback during needle replacement operations. The microscope enables operators to observe the needle tip position and the cell in real-time, ensuring accurate relocation of the needle tip to the desired position. This feedback mechanism compensates for the added complexity of the movable needle support by providing precise visual guidance during repositioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the needle is evacuated from the cell for replacement, then the space for needle replacement is increased, but the puncture operation efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle replacement workabilityVSAvoidpuncture operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle support is designed to be movable between a first position (close to the cell for puncture) and a second position (evacuated from the cell). The mover mechanism enables dynamic repositioning of the needle support, allowing operators to switch between puncture mode and replacement mode. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable: when puncture precision is needed, the needle support moves close to the cell; when needle replacement is required, the needle support moves to the evacuated position, providing sufficient space for operators to work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable needle support design allows operators to proactively move the needle support to the evacuated position before needle replacement is needed. This preliminary action prepares the workspace in advance, ensuring that when needle replacement becomes necessary, there is already sufficient space and visibility for the operation. This reduces the time loss associated with repositioning during the replacement process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250304902A1Cell puncture device and microscope system

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

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 18a 1 configured to move the needle unit 17 between the first position and a second position to which the needle 17a is evacuated.