Puncture Needle with Dual Transmission Windows for Depth Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metal needles do not transmit near-infrared light, making it difficult to visualize the positional relationship between the needle and blood vessels in depth using transmitted light images, which hinders the accurate placement of the needle within a blood vessel.

Innovation Solution

A puncture needle with a metal body featuring a blade surface and strategically positioned first and second transmission windows that allow light to be transmitted through the needle body, where the second window's visibility changes when the needle is within a blood vessel due to blood absorption, enabling visualization of the needle's position within the vessel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metal needle body is used for puncture, then the needle has sufficient strength and durability, but the needle body does not transmit near-infrared light making it impossible to visualize the needle's position in depth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle strengthVSAvoiddepth position information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The needle body is divided into multiple light-transmitting segments (first light-transmitting portion and second light-transmitting portion) separated by a light-shielding portion. This segmentation allows different portions of the needle to have different optical properties, enabling depth visualization while maintaining the overall structural integrity and strength of the metal needle body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the needle body are assigned different optical qualities: the first and second light-transmitting portions allow near-infrared light transmission for depth visualization, while the light-shielding portion blocks light. This local differentiation of optical properties enables the needle to simultaneously maintain strength and provide depth position information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If transmitted light imaging is used to visualize needle position, then planar position can be seen, but depth direction position relationship cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplanar position visualizationVSAvoiddepth position information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adds depth information to the two-dimensional transmitted light image by utilizing light absorption characteristics of blood in the third dimension (depth). The light-transmitting and light-shielding portions create distinct brightness patterns in the image that correspond to different depth positions of the needle relative to the blood vessel, transforming planar imaging into a tool that provides three-dimensional positional information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the needle body is made opaque to near-infrared light, then the needle structure remains simple and strong, but the user cannot recognize when the needle is located in the blood vessel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle structureVSAvoidneedle insertion recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle body incorporates portions that change their light transmission properties based on their position relative to the blood vessel. When the light-transmitting portions are covered by blood, they appear dark in the transmitted light image; when not covered, they appear bright. This brightness change provides clear visual feedback to the user about needle insertion status without complicating the needle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color 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

Enables users to visually confirm the needle's location within a blood vessel through changes in the transmitted light image, ensuring accurate placement and reducing the risk of incorrect insertion.

Implementation Method 1

the light guided from the first transmission window to the lumen of the needle body is absorbed by the blood and thus is not transmitted through the second transmission window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20230000520A1Puncture needle, catheter assembly, and vascular puncture system

Publication Date: 2023.01.05 TERUMO KK

AI summary

A medical puncture needle includes: a metal needle body formed in a tubular shape and including: a blade surface formed at a distal end portion of the needle body, a first transmission window configured to transmit light, and a second transmission window configured to transmit light transmitted through the first transmission window. The second transmission window is located on a proximal end side relative to the blade surface. The first transmission window and the second transmission window are shifted from each other in a circumferential direction of the needle body.