Segmented Needle With Smaller Distal Tip For Viscous Fluid Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle systems struggle with efficiently injecting viscous fluids and high viscosity agents into body tissues, particularly in distant or hard-to-reach regions, while minimizing pressure requirements and shear forces, and preventing clogs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a needle device with a tubular member and a distal tubular extension having a smaller cross-section, along with a manifold for directing injectable materials, and optional features like a bypass member and clearing elements to manage fluid flow and prevent clogs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a small needle is used to minimize trauma, then patient trauma is reduced, but injection of viscous fluids becomes difficult due to inadequate flow
Solution Approach 1:
The needle system is divided into two distinct segments: a larger-bore needle portion for efficient fluid injection and a smaller-gauge tip portion for minimized patient trauma. This segmentation allows each segment to optimize its function independently, resolving the contradiction between flow rate and trauma reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the needle have different local qualities (bore sizes) optimized for their specific functions. The proximal portion has a larger bore for high flow rate injection of viscous fluids, while the distal tip has a smaller gauge for reduced trauma, allowing each location to have the appropriate properties for its role.
2Productivity
If a large diameter needle is used to enable ease of injection, then injection flow rate is maximized, but patient trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is segmented into a large-bore injection portion and a small-gauge tip portion, allowing the system to achieve both high flow rate capability and minimized trauma through the strategic division of functions between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle employs varying local qualities along its length, with larger bore dimensions at the injection site and smaller dimensions at the patient interface, optimizing both injection efficiency and patient comfort simultaneously.
3Productivity
If high pressure is applied to inject viscous fluids, then injection flow rate is sufficient, but shear force on cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented needle design with its larger proximal bore reduces fluid velocity and pressure requirements for injecting viscous materials, thereby reducing shear forces on cellular contents while maintaining adequate flow rate through the optimized geometry of the needle segments.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for injecting one or more agents into tissue within a patient's body. In one embodiment, an injection device includes a substantially axially incompressible elongate member including a lumen extending between proximal and distal ends thereof. A distal stop is provided on the distal end and a needle tip extends distally beyond the distal stop, the needle tip having a cross-section smaller than the distal end. The needle tip includes a passage communicating between the lumen and an outlet in the distal tip that has having a cross-section smaller than the lumen. In an exemplary embodiment, the elongate member includes a coil extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a sleeve disposed within an interior region of the coil extending between the proximal and distal ends. The sleeve defines the lumen and may be free-floating within at least a portion of the coil.