Tail Vein Injection System with 6-DOF Position Adjuster
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in accurately puncturing the thin tail vein of mice, which is significantly smaller than human blood vessels, using existing automated injection techniques, as these methods are not effectively adapted for the smaller diameter and require precise positioning and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A tail vein injection system with a position adjuster having six degrees of freedom, combined with cameras for image processing and a fixture to retain the mouse's tail, calculates the three-dimensional positions of the tail vein and adjusts the syringe needle's position and posture for precise puncture, facilitating the insertion of the needle along the correct axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing automated injection techniques for human blood vessels are used, then the injection process can be automated, but the techniques are not effective for the smaller diameter tail vein of mice
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the injection device to accommodate the smaller tail vein diameter. The position adjuster with six degrees of freedom enables precise control of the syringe needle at a finer scale, and the image processing algorithm is adapted to detect and measure the smaller vein diameter, allowing the system to maintain puncture precision despite the size difference
Solution Approach 2:
The automated injection device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both human blood vessels and mouse tail veins. The position adjuster's six degrees of freedom provide universal positioning capability across different scales, and the image processing system can universally detect blood vessels regardless of size, making the device adaptable to different animal models
2Manufacturing precision
If a position adjuster with six degrees of freedom is used, then the syringe needle position and posture can be precisely adjusted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position adjuster is segmented into six independent degrees of freedom, each controlling a specific aspect of needle positioning (three translational movements and three rotational movements). This segmentation allows each degree of freedom to be controlled independently, simplifying the control algorithm while achieving precise three-dimensional positioning and orientation of the syringe needle
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex manual mechanical positioning with an automated computer-controlled position adjuster. The computer calculates the required needle position and posture based on image processing data, then automatically controls the six-degree-of-freedom adjuster to achieve precise positioning, eliminating the need for complex manual calibration and alignment procedures
3Manufacturing precision
If image processing is used to calculate three-dimensional positions, then the puncture accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image capture and three-dimensional position calculation before the actual puncture procedure. By pre-calculating the needle insertion path and target position based on the captured images, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming real-time adjustments during the procedure, reducing overall calibration time while maintaining high puncture accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or model of the tail vein geometry through image processing. This virtual model allows the computer to calculate the optimal needle path and position in silico before physical puncture, eliminating the need for repeated trial-and-error physical adjustments and reducing calibration time
Data Source
AI summary
A tail vein injection system includes at least one memory; and at least one processor connected to the at least one memory. The at least one processor is configured to: calculate information including a position of a tail vein based on one or more images of a tail; adjust a position and a posture of a syringe needle based on the calculated information; and after the adjusting, perform a puncture of the tail vein using the syringe needle.