Three-Layer Medical Needle Ultrasound Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical material needles, such as radio-frequency thermal ablation needles, are difficult to locate under ultrasound imaging due to their small size and low echogenicity, and existing methods to enhance visibility may compromise biocompatibility and conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A medical material needle with a three-layer structure, where the outer, middle, and inner structures have different characteristic acoustic impedances and dimensions less than the ultrasound wavelength, enhancing echogenicity without compromising biocompatibility and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the needle diameter is reduced to achieve finer medical material, then the needle can provide better flexibility and smaller ablation range, but the visibility under ultrasound imaging becomes too weak to be located
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is divided into multiple layers with different acoustic impedance characteristics. The multi-layer structure includes an inner needle body, middle layer, and outer layer, each with specific acoustic impedance values that create enhanced ultrasound reflection and imaging visibility while maintaining the overall needle flexibility and functional performance
Solution Approach 2:
The needle employs composite material construction with multiple layers having different acoustic impedance properties. The inner needle body uses biocompatible conductive material, the middle layer uses material with intermediate acoustic impedance, and the outer layer uses material with high acoustic impedance, creating a composite structure that enhances ultrasound visibility without compromising flexibility or ablation functionality
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the needle is coated with specific material or produced with concave surface structures to magnify ultrasound echo, then the echogenicity is enhanced, but the biocompatibility and conductivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is segmented into multiple functional layers where the inner needle body maintains biocompatibility and conductivity for ablation, the middle layer provides acoustic impedance transition, and the outer layer enhances ultrasound reflection. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the biocompatibility and conductivity requirements of the inner needle body
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers of the needle are assigned different local qualities: the inner needle body has biocompatible and conductive properties for tissue interaction, the middle layer has intermediate acoustic impedance for wave transmission, and the outer layer has high acoustic impedance for echo enhancement. Each local region is optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability
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
The three-layer structure significantly improves the visibility of the needle under ultrasound, allowing for easier positioning while maintaining biocompatibility and conductivity, thus addressing the challenge of locating small medical materials during clinical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the outer structure and the middle structure have different characteristic acoustic impedance with respect to the ultrasound, the inner structure and the middle structure have different characteristic acoustic impedance with respect to the ultrasound
Data Source
AI summary
A medical material needle, applicable for detection and positioning by an ultrasound, includes a needle body having a three-layer structure. The three-layer structure includes an outer structure, an inner structure, and a middle structure disposed between the outer structure and the inner structure. The outer structure and the middle structure have different characteristic acoustic impedance with respect to the ultrasound, the inner structure and the middle structure have different characteristic acoustic impedance with respect to the ultrasound, and at least one of the outer structure, the middle structure and the inner structure is provided with a dimension in at least one direction less than a wavelength at a frequency of the ultrasound in water.