Flexible Sheath Needle Force Translator for Tortuous Path Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Needle aspiration devices, such as transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) devices, face challenges in effectively translating proximal actuating forces into distal forces at the needle tip due to tortuous paths, which can hinder precise tissue sampling.

Innovation Solution

A flexible sheath with a needle and a force translator system that includes a pull wire, biasing device, and force transmitter/receiver components, allowing for the translation of proximal forces into distal forces to expel the needle tip into target tissue, enabling efficient tissue sampling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a tortuous path is used for the needle to reach target tissue, then the needle can navigate complex anatomical structures, but the actuating force becomes dispersed and ineffective at the distal tip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle navigation capabilityVSAvoiddistal force transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A force translator mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the proximal actuating force and the distal needle tip. This mechanism includes a biasing device (spring) and a force transmitter that convert the tortuous force transmission path into a direct linear impact force at the needle tip, resolving the force dispersion problem while maintaining navigational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing device is pre-loaded with potential energy before needle deployment. When the needle needs to be advanced, this pre-stored energy is rapidly released to generate a strong distal impact force, ensuring adequate penetration capability without requiring continuous proximal force application through the tortuous path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible sheath is used to guide the needle, then the device can navigate tortuous anatomical paths, but the force transmission from proximal to distal becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical path navigationVSAvoidsampling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The force translator acts as a mediator that decouples the flexible navigation function from the force transmission function. The flexible sheath maintains adaptability for navigation, while the force translator ensures efficient force transmission by converting proximal actuation into direct distal impact, thereby improving sampling efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a flexible sheath for navigation, a force translator for force transmission, and a needle for sampling. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the others, improving overall productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If direct force application is used at the needle tip, then precise tissue sampling is achieved, but the device cannot navigate tortuous paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue sampling precisionVSAvoidanatomical path access

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates navigation and force application functions into distinct segments. The flexible sheath handles navigation through tortuous paths, while the force translator and needle assembly handle precise force application for sampling, achieving both adaptability and precision simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle and force translator assembly is pre-positioned within the flexible sheath during navigation. Once the sheath reaches the target location, the pre-positioned needle can immediately receive the impact force and penetrate the tissue with precision, combining navigational adaptability with sampling precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution ensures precise and effective deployment of the needle tip into target tissue, facilitating accurate sampling and retrieval of tissue samples for analysis.

Implementation Method 1

applying a loading force to a biasing device based on the applied proximal force to the force transmitter, releasing the proximal force applied to the force transmitter, and transferring a distal force from the biasing device to the force transmitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage and release: Spring

Implementation Method 2

causing an impact force between the force transmitter and a force receiver. Based on the impact force, the method includes expelling a distal tip of a needle component attached to the force receiver outside of a needle device sheath and into the adjacent target tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS20220218320A1Inertial impact needle sampling apparatuses, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2022.07.14 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing tissue sampling. In an illustrative embodiment, an illustrative apparatus includes a flexible sheath having a lumen, a needle slidably received within the lumen, and a force translator configured to translate a proximal biased force into a distal force of the needle at a distal end of the flexible sheath.