Needle Guide Contamination Reduction via Elastic Membrane Pocket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical equipment systems that use a sheath-covered biopsy system with an externally mounted needle guide face contamination issues when inserted into body cavities, leading to increased costs and time due to the need for a double sheath arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A self-sealing, adhesive needle or cannula exit hole cover is used to protect the internal sections of needle guides, eliminating the need for a complete second sheath by covering the exit hole with a small membrane or boot that adheres to the needle guide, reducing contamination and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double sheath arrangement is used to protect the needle guide from contamination, then the sterile state of internal spaces is maintained, but the cost and time consumption are doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The protective covering is divided into two distinct parts: the primary sheath that covers the transducer and proximal portions of the needle guide, and a separate distal needle guide cover that specifically protects the distal portion and needle exit hole. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables selective application of protection where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly protecting the entire needle guide with a complete second sheath, the invention applies protection locally only to the distal portion and needle exit hole where contamination risk is highest. This localized approach maintains sterility at critical points while reducing overall complexity and cost.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a complete second sheath is used to cover the needle guide, then contamination is prevented, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective covering is divided into two distinct parts: the primary sheath that covers the transducer and proximal portions of the needle guide, and a separate distal needle guide cover that specifically protects the distal portion and needle exit hole. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables selective application of protection where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly protecting the entire needle guide with a complete second sheath, the invention applies protection locally only to the distal portion and needle exit hole where contamination risk is highest. This localized approach maintains sterility at critical points while reducing overall complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If a complete second sheath is used to protect the needle guide, then sterility is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective covering is divided into two distinct parts: the primary sheath that covers the transducer and proximal portions of the needle guide, and a separate distal needle guide cover that specifically protects the distal portion and needle exit hole. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables selective application of protection where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly protecting the entire needle guide with a complete second sheath, the invention applies protection locally only to the distal portion and needle exit hole where contamination risk is highest. This localized approach maintains sterility at critical points while reducing overall complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reducing the risk of contamination of interior regions of a needle guide which is disposed on an endocavity transducer, which system includes an elastic membrane forming a pocket which covers a needle exit hole in the needle guide. The pocket is disposed on a sheath which is both; disposed around the endocavity transducer and between the endocavity transducer and the needle guide.