Tissue Sampling Device Elastic Blade Retaining Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue sampling devices often malfunction due to incorrect manipulation, leading to unintentional shots and jamming issues, especially when used with one hand, and are prone to contamination and higher manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates symmetrical retaining elements with elastic blades that increase retention force with traction, reducing the risk of unintentional shots and jamming, and features a single-use design with improved assembly and reduced production tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If retaining elements use simple rigid structures, then manufacturing is easier, but they cannot increase retention force with traction and may release under stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention forceVSAvoidretaining element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining element uses an elastic blade whose physical state changes from rigid to flexible under traction force. The blade's elasticity allows it to deform and increase retention force dynamically in response to applied stress, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and adaptive force enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic elastic structure that adapts its retention force based on applied traction. The elastic blade bends and deforms under load, automatically increasing retention force when needed while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If retaining elements are positioned at the front of the device, then arming is easier, but they may be released by traction forces during positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention stabilityVSAvoidarming ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining element is repositioned from the front to the rear of the device, changing its spatial location to a dimension where it is protected from traction forces during positioning. This rear positioning allows the elastic blade to be engaged by the arming mechanism without being simultaneously subjected to releasing traction forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the device allows manual manipulation with one hand, then ease of operation improves, but risk of unintentional shots and incorrect manipulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle-handed operationVSAvoidshot control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic blade retaining element provides self-regulating retention that automatically increases force under traction, reducing dependence on precise manual control. The mechanism's inherent elastic properties compensate for manipulation errors, maintaining shot control reliability even during single-handed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic blade is pre-positioned and pre-loaded to provide cushioning retention force before traction is applied. This beforehand preparation ensures that even if manipulation is imprecise, the retaining element is already in a state to maintain secure engagement and prevent unintentional shots

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of manufacture

If single-use design is implemented, then manufacturing cost decreases and contamination risk reduces, but assembly precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed as a single-use disposable unit, allowing simplified manufacturing processes and reduced quality control costs. The elastic blade retaining element is pre-assembled in a cost-effective manner that leverages the disposable nature to tolerate slightly broader assembly tolerances while maintaining functional reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution ensures secure, single-handed operation with reduced jamming risks and lower manufacturing costs, enhancing sampling efficiency and safety by maintaining high retention forces with lower arming forces and allowing for higher shooting speeds.

Implementation Method 1

said elastic blade having at least one bending area around which this elastic blade is bent under the action of a stress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2804533B1Device for taking at least one sample of tissue
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 COLOPLAST AS
  • EP2804533B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2804533B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3c
  • EP2804533B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This invention relates to a device (10) for taking at least one sample of soft tissue from an organ, said device comprising a body (11) and a needle (12) formed by a stylet (13) and a cannula (14) coaxial with said stylet, said device comprising a mechanism for arming the needle, designed for sequentially moving the cannula (14) and then the stylet (13) from a rest position wherein the stylet and the cannulaare extended towards the outside of the body, to a shooting position wherein the stylet and the cannula are retracted towards the rear of the body, and a triggering mechanism designed to release the stylet then the cannula and to allow their displacement from the shooting position to the rest position, the cannula being coupled kinematically to a cannula slider (24) comprising at least one retaining element(26) for maintaining the cannula slider in a shooting position, the stylet being coupled kinematically to a stylet slider (30) comprising at least one retaining element (32) for maintaining the stylet slider in a shooting position and means for unlocking (34) the cannula slider. In this device, at least one element among said retaining element of the cannula slider (26) and said retaining element of the stylet slider (32) comprises at least one hook (51), this hook comprising at least an elastic blade (52) arranged for resting against a corresponding retaining device(27, 33) in a locking position and for being released from the corresponding retaining device(27, 33) in a shooting position, said elastic blade (52) having at least one bending area (53) around which this elastic blade is bent under the action of a stress, and said bending area (53) is placed at the rear of said corresponding retaining device(27, 33).