Dual-Bevel Tissue Harvesting Needle for Lower Insertion Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hollow tubes, such as needles, require high force for insertion into tissue sites, which can damage the tissue and increase pain, especially when multiple tubes are applied simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A dual bevel needle design with a hollow tube featuring a first and second bevel on each lateral side, forming a narrow heel and reducing the force required for insertion by minimizing tissue damage and pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional hollow tubes or single bevel needles are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but high force is required for insertion which damages tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The needle heel is segmented into multiple discrete points (first heel point and second heel point) rather than a continuous surface. This segmentation allows each point to penetrate tissue independently, distributing the insertion force across multiple contact points and reducing the peak force required, while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of discrete geometric elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the needle are given different geometric properties: the heel region features sharp points with specific angular configurations (45-60 degree angles) optimized for penetration, while the body maintains structural integrity. This local optimization of geometry at the heel points reduces insertion force without requiring complex overall needle design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple needles are applied simultaneously to reduce insertion force per needle, then tissue damage is reduced, but the total force required and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heel points (first and second heel points) are combined into a single needle structure, allowing the needle to function as both a single unit and a multi-point penetrator. This merging approach enables the needle to distribute force across multiple points while maintaining ease of operation as a single device, eliminating the need to manually position multiple separate needles.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle design serves multiple functions: the heel points provide penetration capability similar to multiple separate needles, while the hollow tube body enables tissue harvesting. This multi-functionality allows a single device to achieve the tissue-damaging reduction effect of multiple needles while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Force
If the needle heel is made wider to distribute force, then insertion force is reduced, but tissue damage increases due to broader contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The heel contact area is segmented into discrete points rather than a continuous wide surface. This segmentation allows force distribution across multiple points (reducing peak force) while maintaining a narrow overall contact footprint (minimizing tissue damage), as each point concentrates force locally for penetration rather than spreading it laterally.
Solution Approach 2:
The force distribution is achieved through a vertical arrangement of heel points along the needle axis rather than a lateral spread. The first and second heel points are positioned at different locations, creating a distributed penetration pattern that reduces required force without increasing the lateral contact width that would cause tissue damage.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
In one aspect, the dual bevel needle can include a hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side; a first needle point at the distal end of the hollow tube; a second point at the distal end of the hollow tube; a first bevel on each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the first bevel comprising a first bevel angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube; and a second bevel on each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the second bevel having a second bevel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the first and second bevels each form a portion of an ellipse, the ellipse having an inner cutting edge and terminating in the first and second needle points at the distal end of the tube, the second bevel angle being shallower than the first bevel angle, the second bevel being located adjacent the proximal end of the first bevel, and the inner cutting edge converging to a narrow heel.