Tetherless Biopsy Device Self-Reversing Cutter Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopsy devices often require tethering for power, communication, and fluid transfer, limiting their portability and ease of use, especially in procedures requiring single-handed operation and multiple tissue sample acquisition without pre-formed tissue openings.
Innovation Solution
A tetherless biopsy device with a self-reversing cutter drive mechanism, featuring a needle with a rotating and translating cutter, a vacuum pump, and a tissue sample holder, allowing for single-handed operation and multiple sample acquisition with a single insertion, utilizing a motor-activated cutter rotation and translation mechanism and a valve system for efficient tissue sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tethered biopsy device is used for power and fluid transfer, then reliable power supply and fluid communication are achieved, but portability and ease of single-handed operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a power module with battery and motor, a fluid module with vacuum pump and reservoir, and a cutting module with cutter and needle. This segmentation allows each module to be independently optimized and connected through flexible couplings, enabling single-handed operation while maintaining full functionality without tethers
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single handheld unit: the motor provides both rotational cutting power and drives the vacuum pump for tissue aspiration, the same housing contains both power supply and fluid reservoir, and the needle serves both as a cutting guide and tissue sampling channel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tethered equipment
2Productivity
If multiple tissue samples are acquired with a single insertion, then procedural efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the cutter drive mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter drive mechanism transitions from static to dynamic operation: the motor can reverse rotation direction to advance and retract the cutter, and the cutter position is dynamically adjusted during the cutting cycle. This dynamic control allows the same mechanism to perform multiple cutting strokes and acquire multiple samples without requiring separate drive systems for each sample
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter mechanism is designed to automatically return to its starting position after each cutting stroke through the reversal drive, and the vacuum system automatically aspirates tissue samples without manual intervention. This self-service capability allows continuous multiple sample acquisition with a single insertion while minimizing the complexity of manual control mechanisms
3Manufacturing precision
If a rotating and translating cutter is used, then precise tissue sampling is achieved, but the mechanism complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses pneumatic principles where the vacuum pump creates negative pressure to aspirate tissue samples through the needle during cutter retraction. This pneumatic assistance reduces the mechanical force and power required by the motor to drive the cutter, while maintaining precise tissue sampling capability through the combined mechanical cutting and vacuum aspiration action
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, single-handed acquisition of multiple tissue samples with a single insertion, reducing procedural complexity and enhancing user convenience while maintaining precise control and sample collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump, and a tissue sample holder, allowing for single-handed operation and multiple sample acquisition with a single insertion
Data Source
AI summary
A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, a cutter, a motor, a power source, a vacuum source, and a cutter translation assembly. The needle extends distally from the body and receives tissue. The cutter translates with respect to the needle to sever tissue received by the needle. The motor is disposed within the body and rotates a drive shaft in a first direction. The power source is disposed within the body and powers the motor. The vacuum source is disposed within the body and provides vacuum in at least one of the needle and the cutter. The cutter translation assembly is disposed within the body and translates the cutter proximally and distally with respect to the needle in response to rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction.