Elastic Memory Alloy Wire for Precise Site Marker Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for deploying site markers in breast biopsy procedures lack precision, leading to potential misplacement and difficulty in accurately locating the marker due to variability in pressure and cannula placement.
Innovation Solution
A site marker deployment device with a retracting and deployment mechanism using biasing portions and actuation members allows for precise placement by retracting the site marker into the cannula and deploying it using elastic deformation, ensuring accurate positioning within the biopsy cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a plunger or pushrod is depressed to force the marker into the biopsy cavity, then the marker is deployed into the cavity, but the marker may not be placed exactly where intended due to varying pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual pushrod mechanism with an elastic memory alloy wire that automatically deploys the marker through elastic recovery. The wire is inserted in a compressed state and then allowed to expand to its original shape, providing consistent deployment force without manual pressure variation. This eliminates the imprecision caused by varying pushrod pressure while maintaining ease of operation through a simple insertion and release process.
2Measurement precision
If the cannula is placed at the center of the biopsy cavity, then the marker should be centrally located, but the marker may move to one side making it difficult to locate
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic memory alloy wire maintains its curved configuration during insertion and deployment, allowing it to flexibly adapt to the biopsy cavity geometry while maintaining consistent deployment force. This flexibility ensures the marker is deployed along the wire's curved path, improving location accuracy and reliability compared to rigid pushrod mechanisms that may cause marker deviation.
3Ease of operation
If varying amounts of pressure are applied on the pushrod, then the marker can be deployed, but the site marker may extend further into the cavity than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deployment mechanism from manual pressure application to elastic recovery of the memory alloy wire. The wire's elastic properties provide a controlled, consistent deployment force that prevents over-extension of the marker into the cavity. The deployment depth is controlled by the wire's elastic recovery characteristics rather than variable manual pressure, ensuring precise depth control while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 device enables more precise and accurate placement of site markers, reducing the risk of misplacement and ensuring the marker remains in the intended location, facilitating subsequent evaluations and treatments.
Implementation Method 1
deploying it using elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A site marker deployment device includes a housing defining a first portion, an outer cannula at least partially interposed within the first portion and having a proximal end and a distal end defined by an outer cannula aperture, an inner member at least partially interposed within the outer cannula, a first biasing portion, a second biasing portion, wherein the second biasing portion will selectively urge the outer cannula to move proximally relative to the inner member, and a site marker selectively disposed within the outer cannula adjacent the inner member, near the distal end of the outer cannula. The first biasing portion will selectively urge a site marker at least partially within the outer cannula.