Ultrasonic Probe Needle Guide With Movable Support

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic probes require multiple needle guides of different sizes to guide needles of varying diameters, which complicates management and usage, especially for unskilled users.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic probe with a detachable needle guide featuring a guide part with a guide groove of varying depth and width, and a support member that moves along the guide part to support needles of different diameters, eliminating the need for multiple guides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple needle guides of different sizes are used to guide needles of varying diameters, then the adaptability to different needle sizes is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to manage and replace multiple guides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different needle sizesVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple needle guides

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle guide is designed with a single structure that can guide needles of different diameters by adjusting the position of the support member along the guide groove. The guide groove has varying width and depth that can accommodate different needle sizes, eliminating the need for multiple separate needle guides for different needle diameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is configured to be movable along the guide groove, allowing dynamic adjustment of the needle guide's internal structure. This movement enables the guide to adapt to different needle diameters by repositioning the support member to appropriate locations along the groove, providing versatility without requiring multiple static guide structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple needle guides of different sizes are used to guide needles of varying diameters, then the adaptability to different needle sizes is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to replace guides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different needle sizesVSAvoidease of using needle guides

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle guide is designed with a single structure that can guide needles of different diameters by adjusting the position of the support member along the guide groove. The guide groove has varying width and depth that can accommodate different needle sizes, eliminating the need for multiple separate needle guides for different needle diameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is configured to be movable along the guide groove, allowing dynamic adjustment of the needle guide's internal structure. This movement enables the guide to adapt to different needle diameters by repositioning the support member to appropriate locations along the groove, providing versatility without requiring multiple static guide structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a guide groove with varying depth and width is used, then the ability to accommodate different needle sizes is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate different needle sizesVSAvoidprecision of guide groove dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove is designed with locally varying properties - the width and depth change at different positions along the groove to accommodate different needle diameters. This local variation in geometry allows a single groove structure to adapt to multiple needle sizes without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances across the entire component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is configured to be movable along the guide groove, allowing dynamic adjustment of the needle guide's internal structure. This movement enables the guide to adapt to different needle diameters by repositioning the support member to appropriate locations along the groove, providing versatility without requiring multiple static guide structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12310784B2Ultrasonic probe

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic probe that acquires an ultrasonic image to diagnose or treat an object using a needle.The ultrasonic probe includes a case, a needle inserted into an object in the vicinity of the case, and a needle guide detachably mounted on the case to guide the needle, wherein the needle guide includes a base including a guide part configured such that the needle is inserted therein, and a support member configured to be movable along the guide part to support movement of the needle.