Flexible Biopsy Tool With Shielding Atraumatic Tip

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biopsy tools with sharp tips can damage internal channels of flexible medical devices during insertion and removal, limiting the size of tissue samples that can be collected and requiring the use of protective sheaths that reduce the tool's size and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A flexible biopsy tool with a cutting surface on a distal end of a flexible cannula and a flexible stylet with an atraumatic tip that shields the cutting surface when in a closed configuration, allowing the tool to navigate through internal channels without damaging them and enabling larger tissue samples to be collected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a biopsy tool with a sharp cutting tip is used to collect tissue samples, then the ability to cut and collect tissue is improved, but the internal channels of flexible medical devices are damaged during insertion and removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue cutting capabilityVSAvoiddamage to internal channels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An atraumatic tip is introduced as an intermediary component between the cutting surface and the internal channel. This tip shields the cutting surface during navigation through the internal channel, preventing damage to the channel while allowing the cutting surface to remain sharp and functional for tissue sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The biopsy tool is divided into distinct functional segments: a cutting surface for tissue sampling and a separate atraumatic tip for protection during navigation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the other - the cutting surface remains sharp while the atraumatic tip prevents channel damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If protective sheaths are added to shield the cutting surface, then damage to internal channels is prevented, but the tool's size is reduced and effectiveness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of internal channelsVSAvoidtool size and effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The atraumatic tip is disposed within the lumen of the flexible cannula, with the distal end of the atraumatic tip extending beyond the distal end of the cannula. This nested configuration provides protection without requiring an external sheath, maintaining the tool's size and effectiveness while preventing damage to internal channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If the cutting surface is exposed during navigation, then cutting effectiveness is maintained, but damage to internal channels occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting effectivenessVSAvoidcompatibility with flexible medical devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The biopsy tool transitions between two dynamic states: during navigation, the atraumatic tip shields the cutting surface for safe passage; during tissue sampling, the cutting surface is exposed to perform its function. This dynamic configuration allows the tool to be both safe during navigation and effective during sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250049423A1Biopsy tool

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A biopsy tool includes a flexible cannula having a cutting surface on a distal end portion of the flexible cannula. In some examples, an atraumatic tip on a distal end portion of the flexible stylet extends from the distal end portion of the flexible cannula and at least partially shields the cutting surface of the flexible cannula when the biopsy tool is in a closed configuration.