Tubular Needle Sensor Wall Structure for Strength at Small Diameter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sensors implanted in the body for substance detection face challenges in achieving a balance between sufficient strength and reduced diameter, particularly during insertion and prolonged use, while minimizing stress on the subject.

Innovation Solution

A sensor design featuring a tubular needle member with a thick portion on its side wall, providing a receiving surface for the detection member, and an opening reinforcement portion, which allows for securement of strength and reduced diameter, along with a manufacturing method involving thickness pressing and tubular shape formation steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the needle member diameter is reduced for less stress on the subject, then the strength and rigidity of the needle member deteriorate, causing bending or breakage during insertion or use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress on subjectVSAvoidneedle member strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The needle member features a thick portion with increased wall thickness at a specific location along its length, while other portions maintain thinner walls. This local quality variation provides enhanced strength and rigidity where needed (in the thick portion) to prevent bending and breakage, while keeping the overall diameter small to reduce stress on the subject during insertion and use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the needle member diameter is reduced for better positioning and reduced stress, then the structural stability and resistance to deformation during insertion deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress on subjectVSAvoidneedle member stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The thick portion with increased wall thickness provides localized structural stability and resistance to deformation during insertion and use, while the overall reduced diameter maintains better positioning and reduces stress on the subject.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the overall diameter to improve stability, the invention adds dimensional variation in the wall thickness direction (radial dimension) at a specific location, creating a thick portion that provides enhanced stability without increasing the outer diameter of the needle member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the needle member has sufficient strength for insertion and use, then the diameter must be increased, but this increases stress on the subject

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle member strengthVSAvoidstress on subject

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle member has a thick portion with increased wall thickness that provides sufficient strength for insertion and prolonged use, while the rest of the needle maintains a smaller diameter to reduce stress on the subject. This localized thickening achieves the strength requirement without the penalty of overall diameter increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11771351B2Sensor and method for manufacturing sensor

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 TERUMO KK

AI summary

A sensor includes: a tubular needle member that includes a side wall and defines a hollow portion; and a linear detection member located in the hollow portion. The side wall of the needle member includes a thick portion that is thicker than another portion of the side wall in a cross-section of the needle member, and wherein the thick portion protrudes toward the hollow portion.