Steerable Endoscopic Needle With Rotating Elbow Joint
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic ultrasound needles have rigid tips, making it difficult to direct wires or therapies within accessed organs like bile ducts or pancreatic ducts, as they can only be directed by rotating or bouncing off opposing walls.
Innovation Solution
A steerable endoscopic needle with a hollow elbow joint capable of rotating up to 270 degrees, allowing for flexible direction changes, combined with a stabilizing rod for initial guidance and a mechanism for remote steering via inner wires or computer guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid needle tip is used, then the needle maintains structural stability during insertion, but it becomes difficult to direct the wire or therapy within the accessed organ
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is divided into multiple segments including a proximal shaft, a distal shaft, and a joint connecting them. The joint allows relative movement between segments, enabling the distal tip to be directed in different directions while the proximal shaft remains stable during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure. The joint mechanism allows the needle to change its configuration and direction after insertion, providing directional control within the organ while maintaining structural integrity during the procedure.
2Reliability
If the needle is made rigid for stable insertion, then insertion stability is improved, but the ability to change direction after accessing the organ is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is segmented into multiple parts with a joint connection, allowing the proximal portion to remain stable during insertion while the distal portion can be directed flexibly within the organ.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle incorporates a dynamic joint that allows movement and direction changes after insertion, providing adaptability for directing wires or therapies while maintaining reliability during the insertion phase.
3Ease of operation
If the needle tip is made flexible for easy direction, then ease of operation is improved, but the needle may rotate or deform during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is divided into a rigid proximal shaft for stable insertion and a flexible distal shaft for directional control. The joint connects these segments, allowing the rigid portion to maintain stability while the flexible portion provides ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the needle have different mechanical properties: the proximal shaft is rigid for stable insertion, while the distal shaft is flexible for easy direction. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If a steerable joint is added to the needle, then directional control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is segmented into manageable sections with a simple joint connection, providing directional control without excessive complexity. The segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, a system, and a method for carrying out an endoscopic procedure in a patient's body using an endoscopic device comprising (a) a tube with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end coupled to a handle and a proximal end configured to enter into the patient's body, (b) an ultrasound probe on the proximal end of the tube, positioned to emit sound waves to create a visual image of a target site inside the patient's body, and (c) a needle that is configured to be housed inside the tube, wherein the tube includes an internal cavity for a development of the needle.