Flexible Bone Marrow Harvesting Needle Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid bone marrow harvesting needles risk inadvertently puncturing the cortical wall of target bones, especially when navigating curved bone regions, leading to inefficient marrow aspiration and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A bone marrow harvesting device with a flexible needle shaft featuring a helical groove and a non-elastomeric overcoat, allowing the needle to flex and conform to bone curvature while maintaining structural integrity, combined with a trocar and stylet system for precise bone penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid needle is used for bone marrow harvesting, then the needle maintains structural integrity and ease of manufacture, but it risks puncturing the cortical wall when navigating curved bone regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of cortical wall punctureVSAvoidneedle rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The needle shaft is segmented into a proximal rigid portion and a distal flexible portion, allowing each segment to perform its specialized function - the rigid proximal portion provides structural support while the flexible distal portion navigates curved bone regions without puncturing the cortical wall

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with varying flexibility along its length. The flexible portion can bend and adapt to the curvature of the bone, while the rigid portion remains stable during insertion and aspiration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a flexible needle is used to navigate curved bone regions, then the reliability of marrow aspiration improves, but the structural integrity and manufacturing complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaspiration efficiency in curved regionsVSAvoidneedle shaft structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the needle shaft have different mechanical properties - the proximal portion is rigid for structural support, while the distal portion is flexible for navigating curved regions. This local differentiation of properties allows the single needle to satisfy multiple conflicting requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible portion is added to the needle shaft, then the ability to reach marrow in curved regions improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reach curved bone regionsVSAvoidneedle shaft fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process parameters are changed by specifying different heat treatment conditions for different portions of the needle shaft. The flexible portion undergoes specific heat treatment to achieve the desired flexibility, while the proximal portion maintains its rigid properties through different processing parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2624762B1Bone marrow harvesting device having flexible needle

Publication Date: 2016.01.13 SYNTHES GMBH

Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D

AI summary

A bone marrow harvesting device includes a flexible bone marrow harvesting needle that can bend during operation to prevent the needle tip from piercing the inner cortical wall of the target bone. The needle defines an aspiration channel that defines an intake end that is recessed to reduce the instances that the aspiration channel will be fouled by bone particles or other debris within the cancellous portion.