Fusiform Blade Skin Biopsy Device for Consistent Depth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current skin biopsy methods and devices suffer from operator variability, leading to inconsistent results and puckering of wound closures, which can result in scarring and improper healing.
Innovation Solution
A skin biopsy device with a fusiform blade, adjustable depth limiter, and a firing pin mechanism that ensures consistent force application, reducing operator error and puckering by using a fusiform blade that aligns wound edges properly during closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circular blade is used for skin biopsy, then the biopsy can be performed with simple device design, but the wound edges do not align properly causing puckering and scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the blade shape from a symmetric circular form to an asymmetric fusiform (elliptical or diamond-shaped) configuration. This asymmetric shape creates wound edges that align properly during closure, eliminating puckering and scarring while maintaining relatively simple device manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If manual force application is used during biopsy insertion, then the device can be operated without complex mechanisms, but operator variability causes inconsistent biopsy depth and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-loaded spring mechanism that stores energy before the biopsy procedure. When activated, this spring delivers a consistent, predetermined force to drive the blade through the skin at the correct depth, eliminating operator variability while maintaining ease of operation through simple activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static manual force application to a dynamic spring-loaded system that automatically adjusts and delivers consistent force. This dynamic mechanism ensures uniform biopsy depth across different operators while keeping the device easy to operate.
3Ease of operation
If downward and rotational forces are applied during insertion, then the device can penetrate the skin, but inconsistent forces lead to improper biopsies and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded before use, storing the necessary energy to deliver consistent penetrating force. This eliminates the need for operators to manually apply variable downward and rotational forces, ensuring reliable and consistent biopsy quality across different users.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism performs the force application automatically upon activation, without requiring the operator to manually control the magnitude and direction of forces. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent biopsy quality while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for performing a skin biopsy are discussed herein. The skin biopsy device provides for consistent depth and shape, such as by reducing or eliminating operator error or inter-operator variability by generating the same forces across multiple uses. The skin biopsy device can also eliminate puckering of wound closures by incorporating a fusiform blade (e.g., elliptical blade or a diamond-shaped blade). The skin biopsy device includes a casing, a firing pin, a retaining rod, and a blade. The retaining rod holds the blade or can attach to a punch biopsy. The firing pin generates and impacts the retaining rod with a force necessary to drive the blade a given depth into a target tissue to obtain a biological sample.