Constant Speed Probe for Soft Tissue Mechanical Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring mechanical characteristics of biological soft tissues, such as ligaments and cartilage, face challenges in maintaining constant force application speed and accurately measuring force and displacement simultaneously, leading to subjective and inaccurate diagnoses.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical measuring device with a probe that moves at a constant speed, equipped with load and distance measuring means, and optional rigidity calculation, display, and recording capabilities, allowing for precise, quantitative, and objective assessment of biological soft tissues without the need for a reference probe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a probe is moved manually to measure force and displacement of biological soft tissue, then the measurement can be performed with simple equipment, but the speed of force application varies and cannot be kept constant, leading to inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical probing system with an automated motor-driven probe system. The motor drives the probe at a controlled constant speed, eliminating the variability introduced by manual operation. This substitution allows precise control of the force application speed while maintaining measurement capability, directly resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and measurement accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If force is applied to biological soft tissue at varying speeds, then the measurement process can be flexible and adaptive, but the relationship between force and displacement cannot be precisely measured due to viscoelastic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of force application speed from variable to constant. By controlling the probe to move at a constant speed, the system establishes a consistent relationship between force and displacement measurements. This parameter change is essential for accurately characterizing the viscoelastic properties of biological soft tissue, as it eliminates the confounding variable of speed variation while preserving measurement flexibility through programmable control.
3Measurement precision
If simultaneous measurement of force and displacement is implemented, then objective and quantitative diagnosis can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the force measurement function and displacement measurement function into a single integrated system. The motor that drives the probe simultaneously controls displacement while the force sensor measures reaction force. This merging of functions achieves simultaneous measurement of both parameters without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same actuator serves dual purposes.
4Measurement precision
If a reference probe is used to specify inserting degree as in hard tissue measurement, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but the measurement device cannot be applied to soft tissue which cannot withstand pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can handle both hard and soft tissues through a single probe design. The motor-driven constant speed mechanism provides precise positioning without requiring a separate reference probe, making the system adaptable to soft tissues that cannot withstand the pressing force of traditional reference probe systems. This universal design eliminates the need for tissue-type-specific configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical measuring device includes a body case, a probe 10 extending from the body case and abutting against a predetermined portion of a biological soft tissue, a load measuring means 12 which is integrally connected to the probe 10 and which measures a load applied to the biological soft tissue by the probe 10, a moving means 14 for moving the probe 10 at a constant speed, and a distance measuring means 20 for measuring a moving distance by the moving means 14, and in a measuring operation of the biological soft tissue such as muscle and cartilage, the load applied to the biological soft tissue and the moving distance of the probe 10 are simultaneously measured in a state where the probe 10 is moved at a constant speed, thereby realizing inspection and diagnose of a mechanical state of the biological soft tissue.