Reciprocating Needle Suspension for Temporary Skin Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for applying skin marks for radiation therapy are painful, time-consuming, and risk accidental ink drips or permanent tattoos, while ensuring precise alignment during repeated radiation sessions.

Innovation Solution

A driving device with a reciprocally movable needle, suspended by an elastic system, operates at a resonance frequency to efficiently introduce ink into the epidermis, minimizing power consumption and preventing permanent marks, using a controller to adjust amplitude and frequency for precise needle penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a scalpel is used to apply skin marks, then the marks can be applied, but the process becomes painful and time-consuming with risks of accidental ink drips and punctures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of applying skin marksVSAvoidpain and risk of accidental injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical scalpel method with an automated reciprocating needle mechanism driven by a motor and controlled by a controller. The needle moves automatically between extended and retracted positions, eliminating the need for manual dipping and manual skin puncturing, thereby reducing pain and accidental injury risks while increasing application speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic reciprocating motion of the needle, where the needle alternates between extended (puncturing) and retracted (safe) positions. This periodic action allows controlled ink delivery through the needle into the skin while automatically retracting to prevent accidental injury and enable rapid repeated applications without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a tattooing device is used to apply skin marks, then the marks remain permanent, but this is undesired for radiation therapy alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of skin mark visibilityVSAvoidpermanent tattooing

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter of needle penetration depth to achieve temporary rather than permanent marks. By controlling the needle to penetrate only the epidermis (superficial layer) and not the deeper dermis where permanent tattooing occurs, the skin marks naturally fade as the epidermal cells are shed, providing temporary alignment marks suitable for radiation therapy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies ink locally to the epidermis layer of the skin rather than the deeper dermal layer. This localized application to the specific epidermal region creates visible but temporary marks that serve alignment purposes without creating permanent tattoos, as the ink remains in the superficial skin layer that naturally renews

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the needle penetration depth is increased to ensure sufficient ink introduction, then the marks become more visible, but permanent tattoos are created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of skin marksVSAvoidpermanence of skin marks

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the needle penetration depth parameter to fall within the epidermal layer thickness (approximately 0.05-0.15 mm for most body sites). This parameter optimization ensures sufficient ink delivery for visible marks while preventing penetration into the dermis, thereby achieving visibility without permanence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The device provides efficient, pain-free, and precise skin puncturing with minimal energy consumption, ensuring temporary marks for accurate radiation therapy alignment without permanent tattoos.

Implementation Method 1

a suspension system arranged in between a frame member of the driving device and the driving rod and, wherein the suspension system is arranged for elastically suspending the driving rod in the longitudinal direction in the frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

operates at a resonance frequency to efficiently introduce ink into the epidermis, minimizing power consumption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12485259B2Device for reciprocally puncturing skin

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 MEDICAL PRECISION BV

AI summary

A device for puncturing skin in a reciprocal manner includes a reciprocally movable needle, a driving device including a driving mechanism and a driving rod arranged for driving the reciprocally movable needle between a retracted and extended position. The driving mechanism is arranged for reciprocally driving the driving rod in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis of the driving rod. The driving device further includes a suspension system arranged between a frame member of the driving device and the driving rod and the suspension system is arranged for elastically suspending the driving rod in the longitudinal direction in the frame such that the driving rod is freely movable in longitudinal direction. The suspension system is further arranged for biasing the driving rod to a longitudinal neutral position.