Fracture-Directed Steerable Needle for Tissue Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steerable needle technologies face challenges in achieving accurate and precise steering to a target location within tissues, especially around obstructions and with internal organ movement, while minimizing tissue damage and maintaining steerability.
Innovation Solution
A fracture-directed steerable needle system that uses a spiral stylet within a hollow tube, where the stylet is rotated to create a fractured path within the tissue, allowing the needle to follow and adjust its trajectory, and an alternative method utilizing a water-jet nozzle to control tissue fracture and needle direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bevel-tipped or pre-bend steering methods are used to create asymmetric force at the needle tip, then steering capability is improved, but large displacements and deformation occur in the surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical asymmetric force method with a water jet cutting mechanism. Instead of relying on mechanical bevel-tipped or pre-bend steering that causes tissue displacement, the invention uses a high-velocity water jet to fracture tissue along a controlled path, eliminating the harmful mechanical deformation while maintaining steering capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic energy in the form of a high-velocity water jet to achieve tissue fracture and steering. The water jet system delivers kinetic energy to cut through tissue along a predetermined path, replacing mechanical steering methods and minimizing collateral tissue damage
2Manufacturing precision
If the needle is made stiffer to maintain trajectory accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but steerability and ability to navigate around obstructions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the needle into two distinct functional components: a stiff hollow tube for maintaining overall trajectory accuracy and a flexible spiral stylet for active steering and navigation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its properties - the tube provides structural stability while the stylet provides adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic steerability through the spiral stylet that can be actively manipulated during insertion. The stylet's spiral configuration and rotational capability allow real-time adjustment of the fracture path, enabling the needle to adapt to obstructions and reach targets that require non-linear trajectories
3Adaptability or versatility
If pre-bend angle is increased to improve steering around obstructions, then adaptability is improved, but the radius of curvature control and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces static pre-bend configurations with dynamic, active steering control through spiral stylet manipulation. The stylet can be rotated and repositioned during insertion to adjust the fracture path in real-time, providing adaptability without committing to fixed geometric parameters that would compromise manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameter from fixed geometric pre-bend angle to active rotational manipulation of the spiral stylet. This allows continuous adjustment of steering characteristics during the procedure, achieving adaptability while maintaining precise control over the fracture path geometry
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 system achieves high accuracy and steerability, maintaining a substantially straight trajectory even with tissue changes, reducing tissue deformation and collateral damage, and enabling sub-millimeter cutting/fracturing with controlled dexterity.
Implementation Method 1
Cutting/fracturing occurs when energy is introduced into a material to overcome chemical bindings in the particular structure. Mechanical methods use the kinetic energy of the moving tool or create ductile materials by using pressure.
Implementation Method 2
water-jet cutting. Such an arrangement is beneficial in that it delivers energy in the form of a high-speed liquid material applied to a work piece/subject (tissue).
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments herein relate to an improved needle design and control methodology for fractured directed guiding to a desired target. This system has the capability to control the insertion not only in 2D-plane, but also in 3D-space in a very controlled manner. A method of controlling the path of movement of a needle structure toward a target can include a stylet type of needle configuration or a water-jet needle configuration.