Real-Time Needle Sampling Control With Sealing, Anti-Buckling Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting samples within a body using elongated instruments often fail to effectively seal and control the instrument's movement, potentially causing damage and inefficiency during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A control system for elongated instruments that includes a coupling with sealing members and anti-buckling devices, allowing secure sealing and controlled movement through an insertion device, featuring a bushing with dual sealing members and anti-buckling support to prevent fluid leakage and instrument damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an elongated instrument is inserted through an insertion device to collect samples, then minimally invasive sampling is achieved, but effective sealing and control of instrument movement are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing members (first sealing member on the bushing, second sealing member on the elongated instrument) that work together to provide comprehensive sealing. This segmentation allows each sealing member to address specific sealing challenges at different locations, ensuring reliable fluid containment while maintaining instrument mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing acts as an intermediary component between the insertion device and the elongated instrument. It provides a structured interface that accommodates instrument movement while maintaining sealing integrity, mediating between the fixed insertion device and the movable instrument to prevent fluid leakage.
2Productivity
If the elongated instrument is allowed to move freely for sampling, then sampling efficiency is improved, but instrument stability and control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static sealing arrangement to a dynamic one where the bushing and sealing members are designed to accommodate and guide the movement of the elongated instrument. The sealing members maintain contact and sealing effectiveness throughout the instrument's range of motion, enabling both mobility for sampling and stability for control.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing members utilize flexible sealing elements that can deform and adapt to the movement of the elongated instrument while maintaining sealing integrity. This flexibility allows the instrument to move freely for sampling purposes while the flexible seals continue to prevent fluid leakage effectively.
3Reliability
If sealing components are added to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, guides the elongated instrument, accommodates instrument movement, and houses the first sealing member. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the design achieves reliable sealing without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing members are integrated within the existing structure of the bushing and insertion device rather than being added as separate external components. The first sealing member is disposed on the bushing, and the second sealing member is disposed on the elongated instrument, creating a nested arrangement that minimizes additional complexity while achieving comprehensive sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling advancement of a needle deployed through a control system. In an illustrative embodiment, a needle actuator is configured to be fixably coupled to a proximal end of a needle. A first release device is movably coupled to the needle actuator and is engageable to release the needle actuator to move from a retracted position to a ready position where the distal end of the needle is adjacent the distal end of the sheath. A second release device is movably coupled to the needle actuator and is engageable to release the needle actuator to move from the ready position to a sampling position where the distal end of the needle is advanceable into tissue to be sampled.