Needle Wave Coupling for Higher Biopsy Yield With Less Trauma

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biopsy techniques face challenges in obtaining sufficient tissue or fluid samples due to limited sample collection efficiency, and increasing needle size poses risks of patient trauma, while existing portable solutions like ultrasound transmission are cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical wave inducing device that converts electric energy into mechanical energy, utilizing wing parts to efficiently transmit longitudinal waves to the needle tip, allowing for efficient sample collection with a compact, portable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If needle size is increased to obtain more sample material, then sample quantity is improved, but patient trauma risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample material quantityVSAvoidpatient trauma risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration to the needle tip to enhance tissue disruption and sample collection efficiency. The vibration mechanism enables effective tissue breakdown and sample acquisition using a smaller needle diameter, thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining sufficient sample material and minimizing patient trauma risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Productivity

If ultrasound transmission device is used to transmit energy to needle tip, then sample collection efficiency is improved, but device size and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample collection efficiencyVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and integrates only the essential ultrasound transmission components directly into the needle assembly, eliminating the need for separate, bulky external equipment. This integration approach maintains effective sample collection efficiency while dramatically reducing overall device size and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasound transmission components are nested within the needle structure itself, with the transducer and related mechanisms integrated into the needle shaft. This nested configuration minimizes the external footprint of the device while preserving the energy transmission capability needed for efficient sample collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If mechanical wave inducing device is miniaturized for portability, then device size is reduced, but power consumption and energy conversion efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the operating parameters of the miniaturized mechanical wave inducing device, including frequency, amplitude, and pulse duration, to maximize energy conversion efficiency. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the device achieves effective tissue interaction with minimal power consumption, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and energy efficiency.

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 enhances sample collection efficiency by converting electric energy to mechanical energy, enabling effective tissue or fluid extraction with reduced power consumption and a smaller, portable form factor.

Implementation Method 1

The device has a displacement source 5 and an arrangement for a driving signal... Each wing part with the connection portion is a converter in order to convert longitudinal mechanical wave movement created by the displacement source into transversal mechanical wave movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transduction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Each wing part with the connection portion is a converter in order to convert longitudinal mechanical wave movement created by the displacement source into transversal mechanical wave movement for the needle 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical wave transmission: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12582390B2Mechanical wave inducing device being connectable to a needle

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 AALTO UNIV FOUND

AI summary

The inventive device is a mechanical wave inducing device being connectable to a needle. The device has a displacement source and a driving signal connection part in order to connect the displacement source to a signal source. The device has also two connections parts, which are connected to the displacement source, and which each wing part has a connection point to be attached with the needle. The wing parts are converters in order to convert longitudinal mechanical wave movement created by the displacement source into transversal mechanical wave movement for the needle, and at least one connection point is designed to match the transversal mechanical waves to the needle.