Multi-faceted Biopsy Needle Tip Reduces Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopsy needles, particularly small gauge needles, face challenges in penetrating patient skin with minimal insertion force, which can increase patient discomfort and complications during tissue sampling.
Innovation Solution
The development of a biopsy needle with a multi-faceted tissue piercing tip, featuring a first set of facets with a larger angle and a second set with a smaller angle, converging to form a sharp distal point, reduces insertion forces by minimizing the cross-sectional area at the tip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If smaller gauge needles (larger lumen diameters) are used to extract larger amounts of tissue, then tissue sampling efficiency is improved, but insertion force increases making penetration more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the needle tip, specifically creating a multi-faceted configuration with controlled angles (first angle and second angle) to optimize the balance between tip sharpness and lumen diameter. This allows larger gauge needles to penetrate with reduced force while maintaining their capacity for large tissue extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The needle tip is segmented into multiple facets (first set of facets and second set of facets) with different angular configurations. This segmentation creates a progressive cutting action that reduces insertion force while preserving the full lumen diameter for tissue collection
2Force
If larger gauge needles (smaller lumen diameters) are used to reduce insertion force, then patient comfort is improved, but tissue sampling capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the needle tip by introducing a multi-faceted design with specific angle ranges (first angle and second angle) that create sufficient sharpness for easy penetration while maintaining a larger lumen diameter for adequate tissue sampling capacity
3Force
If multi-faceted needle tip design is implemented to reduce insertion force, then patient comfort is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific parameter ranges for the first angle and second angle that can be achieved through conventional manufacturing processes such as grinding or forming. These controlled angular parameters create the multi-faceted geometry needed to reduce insertion force while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-faceted soft tissue piercing element includes three distal planar cutting edges converging to form a sharp, distal point of the tissue piercing element. Each distal cutting edge forms a first angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the tissue piercing element. The tissue piercing element also includes three proximal planar cutting edges. Each proximal cutting edge extends proximally from a respective one of the three distal planar cutting edges. Each proximal cutting edge forms a second angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the tissue piercing element. The second angle is larger than the first angle.