Flush Cut Biopsy Needle Assembly Minimizing Dead Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biopsy needle assemblies often generate dead space during tissue sample collection, which can lead to incomplete extraction of tissue samples and unwanted trauma to surrounding tissues.

Innovation Solution

The biopsy needle assembly is designed with a cutting member and outer tubular member configuration that minimizes or eliminates dead space by allowing the cutting member to sever the tissue sample at a position adjacent to the distal end of the outer tubular member's cut, ensuring precise extraction without damaging surrounding tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional biopsy needle assembly is used to cut and extract tissue samples, then tissue samples can be obtained, but dead space is generated causing incomplete extraction and trauma to surrounding tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of tissue sample extractionVSAvoidtrauma to surrounding tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting member is configured to move relative to the outer tubular member during the biopsy procedure. The cutting member advances to cut the tissue sample, then retracts to allow the outer tubular member to advance and flush-cut the distal end of the tissue sample. This dynamic coordination between moving and stationary cutting elements eliminates dead space and prevents trauma to surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting function is divided into two distinct stages performed by two different components: the cutting member performs the initial severing of the tissue sample, while the outer tubular member performs the flush-cut at the distal end. This segmentation of cutting functions allows each component to be optimized for its specific role, eliminating the need for excessive stroke length and dead space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the outer tubular member advances far into the tissue to ensure complete sample extraction, then more tissue is captured, but surrounding tissues and vessels are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of tissue sample extractedVSAvoiddamage to adjacent body components

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting member performs a preliminary cutting action to sever the tissue sample at a controlled position before the outer tubular member advances. This preliminary cut defines the proximal boundary of the tissue sample, allowing the outer tubular member to advance only the necessary distance to perform the distal flush-cut, thereby capturing the complete sample without excessive advancement that would damage surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces a single mechanical cutting action with a coordinated two-stage process involving relative motion between the cutting member and outer tubular member. This mechanical coordination substitutes for the need to advance the outer tubular member excessively deep into the tissue, as the cutting member's preliminary action enables complete sample extraction with minimal advancement of the outer tubular member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the cutting member uses a long stroke length to sever the tissue sample, then complete separation is achieved, but dead space is created and surrounding tissues are traumatized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of tissue sample separationVSAvoiddead space volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic relative motion between the cutting member and outer tubular member to achieve complete tissue separation with minimal stroke length. The cutting member advances to perform the initial cut, then retracts while the outer tubular member advances to perform the distal flush-cut. This coordinated dynamic action achieves complete separation without requiring a long stroke length, thereby eliminating dead space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting function is merged into a coordinated sequence where the cutting member's proximal cut and the outer tubular member's distal flush-cut work together to achieve complete tissue separation. This merging of cutting actions into a unified process eliminates the need for excessive stroke length and dead space that would result from a single cutting action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10568611B2Flush cut biopsy needle assembly and method of use

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A biopsy needle assembly configured for use with a tissue biopsy device is disclosed. The biopsy needle assembly may be configured to be advanced to a predetermined tissue sample, sever the tissue sample, and extract the tissue sample from a body tissue of a patient. The biopsy needle assembly may be further configured to minimize or eliminate the length of dead space at or adjacent a position of the tissue sample extraction.