Reduced Profile Biopsy Device Handle Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biopsy devices have wings that extend from the handpiece, which interfere with the approach angle to the tissue of interest, limiting the range of angles available for sample collection and potentially resulting in insufficient or incorrect tissue samples.

Innovation Solution

A reduced profile biopsy device design featuring a housing with a removable handle that modifies the device from a loading configuration to a delivery configuration, allowing for a greater range of approach angles by reducing the overall profile, enabling more precise and effective tissue sampling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wings are extended from the handpiece to allow grasping and loading the actuating apparatus, then ease of operation is improved, but the approach angle to the tissue of interest is interfered with, limiting the range of angles available for sample collection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of loading actuating apparatusVSAvoidrange of approach angles
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: the handpiece containing the actuating apparatus, the stylet, and the cannula. The stylet can be loaded into the handpiece through a loading mechanism that does not require extended wings, allowing the handpiece to be compact during delivery while still enabling easy loading of the stylet and cannula assembly for actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handpiece is designed with a dynamic configuration where the stylet and cannula can be independently actuated through a trigger mechanism. The stylet can be advanced or retracted relative to the cannula, and the cannula can be advanced or retracted relative to the handpiece, allowing the device to adapt to different tissue depths and angles without requiring extended wings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the biopsy device uses a compact handpiece design to reduce profile, then the range of approach angles is improved, but the ease of loading the actuating apparatus may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of approach anglesVSAvoidease of loading actuating apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet and cannula are pre-assembled as a unit that can be loaded into the handpiece through a dedicated loading port. The loading mechanism is designed to accept the stylet-cannula assembly in a pre-configured state, allowing the actuating apparatus to be loaded without requiring the user to manipulate separate components or extend wings beyond the compact handpiece structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device maintains a reduced profile during delivery, then interference with tissue approach is minimized, but the complexity of the loading mechanism may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of approach anglesVSAvoidcomplexity of loading mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet and cannula are merged into a single actuating assembly that is loaded and actuated together. The loading mechanism combines the insertion of both components into one unified action, reducing the number of separate loading steps and simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining a compact handpiece profile for delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2588002B1Reduced profile biopsy device
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC
  • EP2588002B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1D
  • EP2588002B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2588002B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A biopsy device is disclosed that includes a housing maintaining a stylet and a cannula. A control device is operably coupled to operate the stylet and the cannula. A handle operates to modify the device from a loading configuration with an expanded profile to a delivery configuration with a reduced profile.