Inner Surface Ultrasonic Reflecting Puncture Needle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional puncture needles with ultrasonic wave reflection grooves on the outer surface struggle to accurately depict the needle's distal end position, especially when the needle's angle changes, leading to inconsistent echo images due to inadequate reflection of ultrasonic waves.
Innovation Solution
A hollow puncture needle with an ultrasonic wave reflecting structure on its inner surface, featuring a concave or hole-shaped reflecting portion with inclined surfaces that become closer as they approach the outer surface, ensuring consistent reflection of ultrasonic waves regardless of the needle's angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the ultrasonic wave reflecting groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the position of the needle distal end portion cannot be accurately recognized and ultrasonic waves may not be reflected toward the probe when the angle changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by moving the ultrasonic wave reflecting structure from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the needle distal end portion. This inversion allows the reflecting structure to be positioned at the tip where it can accurately indicate the needle distal end position and effectively reflect ultrasonic waves toward the probe regardless of the needle's angular orientation during insertion.
2Ease of manufacture
If the groove for ultrasonic wave reflection is provided on the outer peripheral surface, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the echo image clarity deteriorates due to inconsistent ultrasonic wave reflection when needle angle changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by moving the ultrasonic wave reflecting structure from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the needle distal end portion. This inversion allows the reflecting structure to be positioned at the tip where it can accurately indicate the needle distal end position and effectively reflect ultrasonic waves toward the probe regardless of the needle's angular orientation during insertion.
3Reliability
If the reflecting portion has inclined surfaces parallel to the needle axis, then ultrasonic waves are efficiently reflected toward the probe regardless of needle angle, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetric inclined surfaces within the reflecting portion that are specifically oriented to reflect ultrasonic waves toward the probe. The first and second inclined surfaces have different orientations, with each optimized for specific angular positions during needle insertion, ensuring reliable ultrasonic wave reflection across varying angles while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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
This design allows for clear recognition of the needle's distal end position and efficient reflection of ultrasonic waves, even when the needle's angle changes, resulting in a clearer echo image.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasonic wave reflecting structure includes at least one reflecting portion having a concave or hole shape that opens on an inner peripheral surface of the needle distal end portion... Each of the pair of the inclined surfaces is parallel to the axis of the puncture needle... even if the angle around the axis of the puncture needle with respect to the puncture site changes, the ultrasonic waves can be reflected toward the probe of the ultrasonic imaging device
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow puncture needle includes: a needle body portion; a needle distal end portion that extends from the needle body portion in a distal direction and that includes a blade surface that is inclined with respect to an axis of the puncture needle; and an ultrasonic wave reflecting structure including at least one reflecting portion having a concave or hole shape that opens on an inner peripheral surface of the needle distal end portion. An inner surface of the reflecting portion includes a pair of inclined surfaces that face each other, wherein a distance between the inclined surfaces becomes smaller in a direction towards an outer peripheral surface side of the needle distal end portion. The inclined surfaces is parallel to the axis of the puncture needle.