Memory Metal Puncture Needle for Intravascular Biopsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tumor biopsy methods using rigid puncture needles are challenging, especially for deep-seated tumors near blood vessels, as they can cause damage, bleeding, and pain, and require precise navigation through complex vascular structures.
Innovation Solution
An intravascular memory metal puncture system with a spiral guide tube and a split-shaped head portion made of memory metal, which changes shape in response to temperature, allowing flexible navigation through blood vessels and precise puncture of tumor tissue with minimal damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid puncture needle is used for deep-seated tumors, then puncture precision is improved, but tissue damage and bleeding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The puncture needle is designed with a memory metal spiral structure that can dynamically change its configuration. During navigation through blood vessels, the needle maintains a flexible spiral state to conform to vascular geometry. Upon reaching the target tumor site, the needle transforms into a rigid puncture configuration, enabling precise penetration while minimizing tissue damage through controlled deformation rather than forced rigid insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle utilizes temperature-dependent parameter changes in memory metal to transition between flexible and rigid states. By controlling the thermal state of the memory metal, the needle can switch its mechanical properties: remaining soft and flexible during navigation, then becoming rigid for accurate puncture. This parameter change allows the same structure to satisfy both navigation safety and puncture precision requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible guidewire is used to navigate blood vessels, then navigation safety is improved, but puncture capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire-integrated needle system employs dynamic structural transformation. During the navigation phase, the needle maintains a flexible spiral configuration that allows smooth passage through tortuous blood vessels. When the target is reached and the guidewire is withdrawn, the needle automatically transforms into a rigid puncture configuration, gaining sufficient strength to penetrate the tumor capsule and enable effective biopsy sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary navigation using the flexible spiral structure guided by the guidewire before the puncture action is needed. The guidewire is inserted first to navigate the complex vascular anatomy safely, positioning the needle tip at the target site. Only after successful navigation and positioning does the needle transform to its rigid puncture state, separating the navigation and puncture functions in sequence.
3Measurement precision
If the puncture needle is made rigid for accurate puncture, then puncture precision is improved, but flexibility to navigate blood vessels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed as a dynamic structure rather than a static rigid or flexible component. The memory metal spiral configuration allows the needle to be flexible during navigation, adapting to blood vessel curvature and diameter changes. Upon reaching the target and receiving thermal stimulus, the needle dynamically transforms into a rigid puncture configuration, achieving both flexibility for navigation and rigidity for precision puncture at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle utilizes phase transition characteristics of memory metal to switch between flexible and rigid states. By controlling the thermal phase state of the memory metal material, the needle transitions from a compliant spiral configuration during navigation to a rigid puncture configuration at the target site, enabling the same component to satisfy contradictory mechanical requirements at different operational phases.
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
Enables smooth passage through long blood vessels with reduced tissue damage, accurate puncture of tumor tissue, and effective biopsy sampling, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the puncture needle is made of memory metal and has a spiral structure when the pitch is increased to enhance flexibility, and the puncture needle is deformed into a needle shape by decreasing the pitch
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides an intravascular memory metal puncture system and the use thereof. The puncture system comprises a hollow guide tube and a head portion, the hollow guide tube has a spiral structure made of metal and composed of a plurality of spiral coils, the head portion comprises a split-shaped structure capable of opening and closing, as well as a metal spiral hollow tube including a plurality of spiral coils, wherein the split-shaped structure and the metal spiral tube are made of memory metal, and the split-shaped structure is composed of a plurality of tapered petals; when each of tapered petals is closed, the split-shaped structure is a conical structure; when the temperature is T1, the pitch between two adjacent spiral coils in the metal spiral tube is decreased, each of tapered petals in the split-shaped structure is closed; when the temperature is T0, the pitch between two adjacent spiral coils in the metal spiral tube is increased, and each of tapered petals is opened. The puncture system achieves synergistic effect of various components therein, so that it not only can move well in the blood vessels, but also can accurately pierce the blood vessel wall, and achieve effective sampling for biopsy.