Surgical Needle Guide with Arcuate Slots for Angle Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical needle guiding apparatuses are imprecise in maintaining the calculated angle of entry, leading to prolonged operation times, discomfort, and increased radiation exposure due to repeated needle entries and scans, especially when the patient's body surface is not flat.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a sliding carriage and arc members that allow the needle guide to be rotated and released, enabling fine positioning of the needle after attachment to the patient, with an angle marking device for precise angle adjustment relative to the base, facilitating accurate needle placement in both axial and cranio-caudal planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If known needle guiding apparatus are configured with predicted angle of entry before attaching to patient body, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the accuracy of needle entry angle is insufficient when patient body surface is not flat
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms including arcuate slots that allow the needle holder to pivot and carriages that can slide along arcs to modify the angle of the needle guide support relative to the base. This enables real-time adjustment of needle entry angle after patient attachment, accommodating non-flat body surfaces while maintaining accurate angle control through movable rather than fixed geometric relationships
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into functionally independent segments: a base for patient attachment, a needle guide support that can be independently angled, a needle holder with pivot capability, and carriages for fine positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving high angular precision without requiring complete structural redesign
2Productivity
If trial and error method with multiple needle entries is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the operation time is prolonged and radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary angle configuration and fine positioning adjustments before needle insertion. The needle guide support is pre-set to the calculated entry angle using arcuate slot mechanisms, and carriages are positioned in advance to achieve precise angular alignment. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for trial-and-error needle insertions, allowing accurate single-pass needle placement that reduces both operation time and repeated CT scanning radiation exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates angle marking devices that provide visual feedback to confirm the needle guide support is positioned at the correct angle relative to the base. This feedback mechanism allows operators to verify angular accuracy before needle insertion, ensuring correct needle trajectory on first attempt and eliminating the need for corrective reinsertions that would increase both time and radiation exposure
3Measurement precision
If robotic automated image guided stereotactic apparatus are used, then the accuracy of needle position and angle is high, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses simple, non-robotic mechanical components including pivotable needle holders, sliding carriages, and arcuate slot mechanisms that can be manufactured at low cost. These components achieve high positioning accuracy through precise mechanical geometry rather than expensive robotic actuators, providing a cost-effective alternative to automated stereotactic systems while maintaining the necessary precision for accurate needle placement
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus employs self-aligning mechanical features where the needle guide support automatically maintains its angle relative to the base through the arcuate slot geometry, and carriages self-position along arcs to achieve correct needle orientation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex robotic control systems, specialized software, and highly trained operators, providing high accuracy through passive mechanical design rather than active automation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus (100) for guiding a surgical needle with improved accuracy. The apparatus (100) having a base (1) for positioning the apparatus (100) on a patient; a second arc member (6) attached to the base (1); a first arc member (4) moveably attached to the second arc member (6); an arm (2) attached to a needle guide support (3) at one end and moveably attached to the first arc member (4) at a distal end, and an angle marking device (7) attached to the arm (2) to indicate a vertical reference point for measuring the angle of tilt of the arm (2) from the vertical reference point relative to the base (1). Wherein the first arc member (4) is configured to move on the second arc member (6) to facilitate movement of the needle guide support (3) in a cranio-caudal plane and the arm (2) is configured to move on the first arc member (4) to facilitate movement of the needle guide support (3) in an axial plane.