Echogenic Needle Spiral Grooves for Clearer Ultrasound Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing echogenic needles used for surgical procedures like peripheral nerve block and epidural procedures lack sufficient ultrasound reflectivity, making them difficult to visualize under ultrasound imaging.
Innovation Solution
The echogenic needle features a distal portion with orthogonal, crisscrossing spiral grooves that either tilt or have increased pitch density, enhancing ultrasound wave reflection back to the transducer, improving image clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional needle designs are used, then the needle structure is simple, but the ultrasound imaging capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of optical property changes by modifying the needle surface to alter its interaction with ultrasound waves. The echogenic features (spiral grooves, ridges, or coatings) change the acoustic impedance and reflectivity of the needle surface, making it appear brighter and more visible on ultrasound images without complicating the basic needle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the needle surface by introducing spiral grooves with specific pitch densities, varying groove depths, or applying echogenic coatings with specific acoustic properties. These parameter modifications enhance ultrasound wave reflection and scattering, improving image visibility while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If echogenic features are added to improve ultrasound reflection, then the ultrasound image quality improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spiral grooves or ridges that follow a curved path along the needle shaft. This curved geometry naturally scatters and reflects ultrasound waves in multiple directions, enhancing echogenicity. The spiral form can be manufactured using conventional techniques such as wire wrapping, grooving, or coating processes, avoiding complex manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The echogenic features are segmented into discrete spiral grooves or ridges rather than a continuous complex structure. This segmentation allows each feature to independently interact with ultrasound waves, improving overall visibility. The segmented design can be manufactured by sequential grooving, wrapping, or coating operations.
3Measurement precision
If the groove pitch is decreased to increase density, then the ultrasound wave reflection is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic spiral grooves or ridges with regular pitch intervals along the needle shaft. This periodic structure creates consistent ultrasound wave interference patterns that enhance reflection and scattering. The regular spacing can be achieved through conventional manufacturing methods such as rotary indexing, programmed wire feeding, or periodic coating deposition, reducing precision requirements compared to aperiodic designs.
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 design provides an enhanced ultrasound image of the needle, facilitating precise needle placement during procedures by reflecting ultrasound waves in a reverse direction, thereby improving procedural accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
at least one wall of the tilted groove would reflect the ultrasound wave back to the receiver of the transducer at substantially the reverse direction, i.e., at approximately 180°, to present an improved ultrasound image of the echogenic needle
Implementation Method 2
by decreasing the pitch between the adjacent tips formed by the V-shaped groove, the density of the number of turns for the groove increases. As a result, an enhanced ultrasound wave is reflected back to the receiver of the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
An echogenic needle may have at least one V-shaped spiral groove formed at its distal portion adjacent to its patient end. The walls of the groove are orthogonal to each other. The groove is titled at a given angle from a neutral position toward the proximal end of the needle so that when the needle is inserted into the patient at an insertion angle under ultrasound imaging, the ultrasound wave emitted from the ultrasound transducer is reflected in a substantially reverse direction back to the transducer by at least one wall of the spiral groove. A pair of crisscrossing grooves may be spirally wound about the distal portion of the needle with each groove being tilted to the given angle to enhance echogeneity. The echogeneity of the needle may also be enhanced by increasing the pitch density of each groove while maintaining the crisscrossing groves at their neutral position.