Side-fire Ultrasound Probe Needle Guide Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic probes for medical imaging and diagnostics face challenges in aligning biopsy needles within the imaging plane, especially when a protective sheath is present, which can hinder sanitation and re-use while compromising patient comfort and safety due to increased manipulation and risk of accidental damage.
Innovation Solution
A side-fire ultrasonic probe with a cylindrical housing featuring a needle guide alignment feature that allows needles to be aligned within the imaging plane even when a protective sheath is disposed between the housing and the needle guide, enabling precise navigation and access to various locations within the body without extensive probe manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective sheath is disposed between the housing and the needle guide, then sanitation and re-use capabilities are improved, but needle alignment precision within the imaging plane deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment feature is pre-configured on the housing with predetermined geometric relationships to compensation features on the needle guide. This preliminary configuration ensures that even when a protective sheath is present, the needle guide can be accurately positioned and aligned through the sheath without requiring post-assembly adjustments, thus maintaining both sanitation and alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment feature acts as an intermediary mechanism between the housing and the needle guide. It includes alignment elements that extend through or engage with the protective sheath to establish precise spatial relationships, serving as a mediator that maintains alignment functionality despite the presence of the sheath barrier
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive probe manipulation is performed to achieve needle alignment, then needle access to various locations is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to increased risk of accidental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The needle guide is designed with adjustable or movable components that can be dynamically repositioned along the housing while maintaining alignment through the alignment feature. This dynamic capability allows the needle to access various locations within the body without requiring extensive manipulation of the entire probe, reducing the risk of accidental damage to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into modular components: the housing with alignment feature, the protective sheath, and the needle guide with compensation features. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the needle guide relative to the housing, enabling versatile needle access while maintaining stable, pre-aligned relationships that minimize manipulation risks
3Device complexity
If the needle guide is directly attached to the housing without an alignment feature, then device complexity is reduced, but needle alignment within the imaging plane deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment feature is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical alignment between the housing and needle guide, compensates for the presence of the protective sheath, and establishes the precise spatial relationship needed for needle alignment within the imaging plane. This multi-functionality adds minimal complexity while achieving multiple goals
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
This configuration enhances diagnostic capabilities and therapy effectiveness by allowing needles to be accurately positioned within the imaging plane, improving patient comfort and safety by reducing probe manipulation and preventing accidental damage to body structures, while maintaining sanitation and re-use capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic devices are used to identify intra-cavity structures, such a prostate, by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
The received waves are transformed into an image of the intra-cavity structure
Data Source
AI summary
A side-fire ultrasonic probe includes an alignment feature that, when used to connect the probe with a needle guide for intra-cavity medical procedures, enables alignment of a needle in an imaging plane of an ultrasonic transducer. The alignment feature is configured such that alignment of the needle within the imaging plane is accomplished when a protective sheath is disposed between the alignment feature and the needle guide. This configuration can be used with high frequency ultrasonic arrays having frequency distributions centered at about 20 MHz, and for medical procedures, such as biopsying organs or other bodily intra-cavity structures, and delivering intra-cavity therapies.