Tissue Sampling Handle With Bumper-Free Hub Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spring-powered core needle biopsy devices require multiple components, such as silicone bumpers, which wear out over time and lead to functional issues and potential failure points, complicating the device's operation and increasing manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A handle mechanism with a stylet hub and cannula hub, where a resilient member transitions between unflexed and flexed states based on kinetic and potential energy inputs, allowing for cocking and activation without additional components, using a sub-frame to engage the resilient member and facilitate movement between cocked and released positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silicone bumpers are used to keep the stylet hub away from the cannula hub during cocking, then the hubs can be kept separated during cocking, but the bumpers wear out over time and create additional components that increase device complexity and manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehub separation during cockingVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the silicone bumpers and any additional hub separation components from the device. Instead, it uses the inherent geometry of the hubs themselves - specifically, the cannula hub features a recessed area that receives the stylet hub, and the stylet hub has a corresponding protruding feature that engages with this recess. This geometric interlocking provides automatic hub separation during cocking without requiring separate bumper components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates the hub separation function directly into the hub structures themselves. The stylet hub and cannula hub are designed with complementary geometric features (protrusions and recesses) that combine to provide both structural support and automatic separation during cocking, eliminating the need for separate bumper components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If silicone bumpers are used to keep the stylet hub away from the cannula hub, then hub separation is maintained, but the bumpers compress during activation allowing disengagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehub separation during cockingVSAvoidactivation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the compressible bumper components entirely. Instead of relying on material compression to allow disengagement, it uses a geometric disengagement mechanism where the stylet hub's protruding feature rides along a cam surface or ramp on the cannula hub during activation, automatically causing the hubs to separate at the appropriate moment without requiring bumper compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic geometric interaction between the hubs during operation. The relative positions and orientations of the hub features change during cocking and activation sequences, with the stylet hub's protrusion following a predetermined path relative to the cannula hub's recess, enabling automatic separation at the correct moment in the activation cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Reduces the need for additional components, lowers manufacturing costs, simplifies assembly, and minimizes potential failure points, while maintaining effective tissue sampling functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member extending from the outer surface, the resilient member configured to transition between an unflexed state and a flexed state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The resilient member of the stylet hub is configured to transition between the flexed state and the unflexed state dependent on a kinetic energy and a potential energy input exerted onto the resilient member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPotential energy:

Data Source

PatentUS20250241629A1Tissue sampling devices and handles thereof, and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 BARD PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INC

AI summary

Embodiments herein are directed to a tissue sampling device. The tissue sampling device includes a housing and a sub-frame positioned within the housing. A stylet hub is movably coupled to the sub-frame and has an outer surface and a resilient member extending from the outer surface. The resilient member is configured to transition between an unflexed state and a flexed state. The stylet hub is movable between a cocked position and an activated position along a central axis with respect to the sub-frame. A cannula hub is movably coupled to the sub-frame and movable between the cocked position the activated position the central axis with respect to the sub-frame. The resilient member is actuated between the flexed state and the unflexed state when the resilient member is in contact with a portion of the sub-frame as a function of a kinetic energy input exerted on the resilient member.