Tetherless Biopsy Handpiece Integrating Vacuum and Pressure Pumps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy devices often require tethering for power and fluid communication, limiting their portability and versatility in medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A tetherless biopsy device design featuring a separable probe and holster configuration, with a needle portion having a tissue piercing tip and a vacuum lumen, and a cutter that rotates and translates to sever tissue samples, allowing for fluid communication between lumens for tissue aspiration and sample collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biopsy devices are tethered to external modules for power and fluid communication, then reliability and control are improved, but portability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a reusable motorized handpiece containing the vacuum pump, cutter motor, and control electronics, and a disposable probe assembly containing the needle and cutter. This segmentation allows the complex controlled functions to be contained in the reusable portion while enabling versatile disposable configurations for different procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized handpiece is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of disposable probes for different biopsy procedures (core needle biopsy, vacuum-assisted biopsy, etc.). The integrated vacuum pump and motor system provides multiple functions: driving the cutter, creating vacuum for tissue aspiration, and controlling the biopsy process, eliminating the need for separate tethered modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tetherless design is implemented, then portability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions that would traditionally require separate tethered modules are merged into a single integrated motorized handpiece: the vacuum pump, cutter motor, control electronics, and fluid communication systems are combined. This consolidation reduces the number of external connections needed while managing system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable probe assembly contains the complex needle and cutter mechanisms that are used once and discarded. This allows the reusable handpiece to be simplified in design since it doesn't need to accommodate wear and sterilization requirements, while the disposable portion can be optimized for single-use versatility without concern for long-term durability.
3Productivity
If vacuum assistance is provided for tissue prolapse and retraction, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump function is merged with the cutter motor drive system in the reusable handpiece. The same motor that drives the cutter rotation also powers the vacuum pump, and a single fluid communication system handles both cutter lumen evacuation and vacuum-assisted tissue aspiration. This integration provides vacuum assistance for improved tissue prolapse and retraction efficiency without requiring a completely separate vacuum system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, portable, and versatile tissue sampling under various medical guidance methods, such as ultrasound or MRI, without the need for external connections, improving procedural efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum pump is provided within the reusable portion. The vacuum pump is configured to create a vacuum
Implementation Method 2
A pressure pump is provided within the reusable portion. The pressure pump is configured to generate a pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A biopsy device may include a needle, a cutter, and a handpiece. A vacuum pump in the handpiece may provide a vacuum to the needle and/or to the cutter. A pressure pump in the handpiece may also provide pressurized air to the needle and/or to the cutter. A motor in the handpiece may drive the vacuum pump, the pressure pump, and/or the cutter. A vacuum sensor may sense a vacuum level within the biopsy device, and cause initiation of operational cycles in response to sensed vacuum levels. Portions of a valving mechanism and a clutching mechanism may be integrally formed. A clutching and valving mechanism may be driven by a first battery-powered motor; and a cutter, pressure pump, and vacuum pump by a second battery-powered motor. A biopsy device may thus provide vacuum, pressurized air, and power from within a handpiece, such that the biopsy device is tetherless.