Segmented Oocyte Retrieval Needle Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Current oocyte retrieval needles either cause pain and tissue trauma due to their thickness or result in longer aspiration times and increased sample cooling with thinner needles, which can compromise the viability of oocytes during the IVF procedure.

Innovation Solution

A sampling needle design featuring a thin leading tubular region for penetration and a wider trailing region for fluid communication, allowing faster aspiration while minimizing tissue invasion and trauma, with dimensions optimized to balance aspiration time and sample integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a thin needle is used for oocyte retrieval, then tissue trauma and pain are reduced, but aspiration time increases and sample cooling occurs which compromises oocyte viability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue trauma and painVSAvoidaspiration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is divided into two distinct tubular regions with different diameters: a first tubular region with a smaller outer diameter for tissue penetration, and a second tubular region with a larger outer diameter for fluid aspiration. This segmentation allows the needle to combine the advantages of both thin and thick needles by separating the penetration function from the aspiration function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the needle have different local properties: the leading first tubular region has a smaller diameter optimized for minimizing tissue trauma during penetration, while the trailing second tubular region has a larger diameter optimized for fast fluid aspiration and maintaining sample temperature. Each region is locally optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a thin needle is used for oocyte retrieval, then tissue trauma is reduced, but sample cooling increases which compromises oocyte viability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidsample temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is divided into two distinct tubular regions with different diameters: a first tubular region with a smaller outer diameter for tissue penetration, and a second tubular region with a larger outer diameter for fluid aspiration. This segmentation allows the needle to combine the advantages of both thin and thick needles by separating the penetration function from the aspiration function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the needle have different local properties: the leading first tubular region has a smaller diameter optimized for minimizing tissue trauma during penetration, while the trailing second tubular region has a larger diameter optimized for fast fluid aspiration and maintaining sample temperature. Each region is locally optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If a thick needle is used for oocyte retrieval, then aspiration time is reduced, but tissue trauma and pain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaspiration speedVSAvoidtissue trauma and pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is divided into two distinct tubular regions with different diameters: a first tubular region with a smaller outer diameter for tissue penetration, and a second tubular region with a larger outer diameter for fluid aspiration. This segmentation allows the needle to combine the advantages of both thin and thick needles by separating the penetration function from the aspiration function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the needle have different local properties: the leading first tubular region has a smaller diameter optimized for minimizing tissue trauma during penetration, while the trailing second tubular region has a larger diameter optimized for fast fluid aspiration and maintaining sample temperature. Each region is locally optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10765454B2Sampling needle

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 VITROLIFE SWEDEN AB

AI summary

An oocyte retrieval needle is provided. The needle comprises a first tubular region in fluid communication with a second tubular region. The first tubular region comprises a sharp point leading end configured for insertion into a subject. The second tubular region comprises an open trailing end. The leading and trailing ends form respective opposite ends of the needle. Internal passages of the first and second tubular regions form a continuous open passage extending from the leading end to the trailing end. The first tubular region has an outer diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the second tubular region and the internal passage of the first tubular region has an inner, luminal diameter which is less than an inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region. The oocyte retrieval needle is a double lumen needle.