Flexible Tissue Collection Device with Articulating Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for harvesting bone marrow are inefficient, requiring multiple punctures through the bone cortex, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and painful for the donor, and often results in diluted stem cell concentrations due to aspiration-based collection methods.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cannulated shaft with rigid interlocking segments allows for safe and efficient collection of bone marrow from a single entry point, enabling both coring and aspiration methods to collect a core of marrow with high stem cell concentration and then aspirate remaining stem cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rigid needle is used for bone marrow harvesting, then the needle can be advanced in a linear path through bone, but it requires multiple punctures through the cortex to collect sufficient marrow volume
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shaft is divided into multiple rigid interlocking segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the needle to bend at segment joints while maintaining structural integrity for cutting bone and collecting marrow at multiple locations through a single puncture
Solution Approach 2:
The needle transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically flexible structure where rigid segments can articulate and bend, enabling the needle to follow non-linear paths through bone marrow cavity while maintaining sufficient rigidity for bone penetration and marrow collection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible needle is used to access different bone locations from a single entry point, then multiple punctures are avoided, but the needle becomes prone to breakage due to very small diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is constructed from multiple rigid segments that interlock to form a flexible yet strong structure, where each segment maintains sufficient diameter and wall thickness to resist breakage while the segmented design allows overall flexibility for navigating bone marrow cavity
Solution Approach 2:
The needle combines rigid segmental structures with flexible interlocking mechanisms, creating a composite structure that exhibits both the strength and rigidity needed for bone penetration and the flexibility required to navigate non-linear paths without breaking
3Ease of operation
If aspiration method is used to collect bone marrow, then the collection process is simple, but the stem cells become diluted with blood and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges coring and aspiration functions into a single integrated system, where the coring action first collects concentrated stem cells in a solid core, followed by aspiration to collect remaining stem cells, thereby maintaining high stem cell concentration while using a simple single-device procedure
4Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible needle with uniform cross section is used, then the needle is flexible along its entire length, but it lacks control over bending location and rigidity distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The uniform flexible needle is replaced with a segmented structure where individual rigid segments can articulate at controlled joints, allowing precise control over where bending occurs and enabling different portions of the needle to have different rigidity characteristics based on operational requirements
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 flexible shaft allows for non-linear access to higher stem cell concentrations, reduces the need for multiple punctures, minimizes stem cell dilution, and provides a safer, more efficient harvesting process with reduced pain and recovery time.
Implementation Method 1
When the flexible shaft is connected to a source of negative pressure, the shaft is configured to draw tissue from a body cavity into a passage extending from the proximal end portion of the tubular body to the distal end portion of the tubular body
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for collecting tissue from a body cavity includes a hollow tubular body having a tubular wall. The hollow tubular body can collect material from a body cavity in a coring mode or an aspiration mode. The tubular wall defines a passage that extends from a proximal end portion of the tubular body to a distal end portion of the tubular body. A middle section of the tubular body includes an articulating section that allows the middle section to articulate relative to the proximal end portion. The distal end portion includes at least one suction port extending from an outer wall surface to an inner wall surface of the tubular wall. The suction port provides a path of fluid communication between the outer wall surface and the passage for drawing in tissue from a body cavity when the tubular body is connected to a source of negative pressure.