Linear-Motor Biopsy Drive for Quiet Needle Firing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biopsy devices using spring-loaded components for firing operations generate significant noise due to impact between movable parts.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy device equipped with a linear motor drive that operates in conjunction with electromechanical components to replace the firing springs, reducing or eliminating the impact between movable parts and providing a noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If spring-loaded components are used for firing operations, then the biopsy device can achieve rapid firing motion, but significant noise is generated due to impact between movable parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spring-loaded mechanical firing system with an electromechanical driver assembly that uses a rotary motor coupled to a rack-and-pinion mechanism. This substitution eliminates the impact between spring components and mechanical stops, thereby resolving the noise issue while maintaining the rapid firing motion capability through controlled motor actuation.
2Device complexity
If spring-loaded components are used for firing operations, then the biopsy device can achieve simple structure, but significant noise is generated due to impact between movable parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple spring-loaded mechanical system with an electromechanical driver assembly comprising a rotary motor, transmission mechanism, and rack-and-pinion system. While this increases structural complexity, it eliminates the impact noise generated by spring components striking mechanical stops, achieving noise reduction through controlled electromechanical actuation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If linear motor drive is used to replace firing springs, then noise is reduced by eliminating impact between movable parts, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a linear motor drive system that directly actuates the cutting cannula and stylet, replacing the spring-loaded firing mechanism. This substitution eliminates impact noise by providing controlled, impact-free linear motion, while the integrated linear motor design minimizes the increase in device complexity through direct coupling and streamlined actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a linear motor drive system that provides dynamically controlled motion of the cutting cannula and stylet throughout the biopsy procedure. The linear motor enables precise, programmable control of firing speed, retraction rate, and positioning, replacing the passive spring-driven mechanism with an actively controlled system that reduces noise while enabling sophisticated motion profiles.
4Manufacturing precision
If linear motor drive is used, then precise control over the exposed extent of the sample notch is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical control mechanisms with an electromechanical driver assembly featuring a rotary motor and rack-and-pinion system. This enables precise, programmable control of the cutting cannula's position relative to the stylet, allowing accurate adjustment of the exposed sample notch extent through electrical control signals rather than mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical driver assembly enables controlled actuation of the cutting cannula and stylet with precise positioning capability. The system can be implemented with feedback control to maintain accurate exposure of the sample notch, allowing the cutting edge to be positioned at predetermined distances from the stylet tip for consistent sampling depth and exposure control.
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 use of linear motors in the biopsy device reduces noise and allows precise control over the exposed extent of the sample notch, enabling a continuous range of sample size openings.
Implementation Method 1
a linear motor drive having at least one linear motor
Implementation Method 2
a switching motor drive having at least one DC motor
Implementation Method 3
The gear assembly is configured to releasably engage at least one of the first rack member of the first cannula driver and the second rack member of the second cannula driver
Data Source
AI summary
A biopsy device includes a cutting cannula driver connected to a cutting cannula and a stylet driver connected to a stylet. The cutting cannula driver has a first rack member and a flange. The stylet driver has a second rack member. A drive assembly has a linear motor drive, a transmission assembly, a switching motor drive, and an electrical controller circuit. The electrical controller circuit is configured to execute program instructions to selectively operate the linear motor drive and the switching motor drive. The transmission assembly has a gear assembly drivably coupled to the switching motor drive and configured to releasably engage at least one of the first rack member of the first cannula driver and the second rack member of the second cannula driver. A coupler member is connected to the linear motor drive and is configured to receive and to engage the flange of the first cannula driver.