Retractable Probe Imaging Needle with Interposer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surgical procedures, particularly open surgeries, come with significant drawbacks such as high infection risks, tissue damage, and the need for full anesthesia, which can lead to severe complications and discomfort. Minimally invasive procedures offer advantages but face challenges in visualizing the surgical field due to the small incisions used.
Innovation Solution
The development of an imaging needle apparatus with a hub, retractable probe, and interposer that includes a substrate with conductive lines for receiving imaging signals, allowing for precise imaging and fluid delivery through small needles, enabling minimally invasive procedures with improved visualization and reduced tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional high-resolution imaging modalities are used, then imaging precision is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the imager, interposer, and conductive lines inside the hollow needle structure. The probe containing the imager can extend from and retract into the needle, creating a nested configuration that achieves high-resolution imaging within a compact needle-sized device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from bulky three-dimensional imaging devices to a two-dimensional planar interposer with conductive lines that can be folded or rolled into a compact form. This dimensional transformation allows high-resolution imaging capabilities to be packed into a minimal volume suitable for needle-based delivery.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive procedures are used, then patient risk and discomfort are reduced, but visualization of the surgical field becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The needle device combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: it can pierce tissue to access the target site, deliver therapeutic materials through its hollow lumen, and simultaneously capture images using the imager. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate imaging equipment, maintaining minimally invasive benefits while restoring visualization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The imager acts as an intermediary that captures visual information from inside the patient's body and transmits it to external monitoring systems. This intermediary device bridges the gap between the confined internal environment and the external observer, enabling visualization without requiring large incisions or separate imaging equipment.
3Illumination intensity
If open surgical procedures are used, then surgical field visibility is improved, but infection risk and tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the imaging function from traditional open surgical equipment and integrates it directly into the needle itself. By taking out the camera and placing it within the needle structure, the system achieves surgical field visibility equivalent to open procedures while maintaining the minimal incision benefits, thereby eliminating infection risks associated with large wounds.
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
This solution enables more precise and less invasive surgical procedures, reducing patient risk and discomfort, and potentially allowing for office-based diagnostics and treatments without the need for general anesthesia, thereby improving patient convenience and reducing healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
an interposer provided within the needle and including a substrate and a conductive line patterned on the substrate, the interposer being configured to receive the image signal from the imager via the conductive line
Implementation Method 2
the imager includes a plurality of photocells configured to generate the imaging signal
Implementation Method 3
a lens disposed between the imager and the cover, the lens being configured to focus light on the plurality of photocells
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes a hub; a needle extending from the hub, a probe provided within the needle and configured to extend and retract, an imager disposed in the probe, and an interposer provided within the needle. The imager is configured to generate an imaging signal. The interposer includes a substrate and a conductive line patterned on the substrate. The interposer is configured to receive the image signal from the imager via the conductive line.