Variable Rigidity Needle Tube for Endoscopic Biopsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy systems face challenges in accessing and collecting tissue from deep organs like the pancreas, particularly due to the difficulty in optical observation and the need for precise, flexible needle insertion without damaging the endoscope's channel.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy system with a bendable endoscope insertion portion, a needle tube with varying bending rigidity, a sheath, and a connection member that allows the needle tube to move within a specific range, enabling smooth navigation through the gastrointestinal tract and high pushability for tissue puncture, while minimizing friction and maintaining the endoscope's structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the needle tube is made with uniform rigidity, then it is easy to manufacture, but it cannot simultaneously achieve high pushability for deep tissue puncture and flexibility to navigate the endoscope channel
Solution Approach 1:
The needle tube is divided into multiple sections with different rigidity characteristics. The distal end region (first region) has lower rigidity to facilitate navigation through the endoscope channel, while the proximal end region (second region) has higher rigidity to provide pushability for deep tissue puncture. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the needle tube are assigned different mechanical properties. The distal end region is designed with lower rigidity to enable flexibility and navigation, while the proximal end region is designed with higher rigidity to provide pushability. This local differentiation of quality allows the single needle tube to simultaneously satisfy both navigation and puncture requirements.
2Strength
If the connection member is positioned proximally, then the needle tube has better pushability, but it increases friction with the endoscope channel and may damage the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The position of the connection member is optimized to balance pushability and friction. By positioning the connection member at a specific location that is not too proximal, the needle tube maintains sufficient pushability while minimizing contact friction with the endoscope channel, thereby preventing channel damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath acts as an intermediary component between the needle tube and the endoscope channel. It provides a smooth interface that reduces friction and prevents the needle tube from directly contacting and damaging the endoscope channel while still allowing the needle tube to be pushed effectively.
3Ease of operation
If the needle tube is made flexible to navigate the channel, then it can pass through the endoscope channel, but it loses pushability for deep tissue puncture
Solution Approach 1:
The needle tube is segmented into distal and proximal regions with different rigidity characteristics. The distal end region has lower rigidity to facilitate navigation through the endoscope channel, while the proximal end region has higher rigidity to provide the necessary pushability for deep tissue puncture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the needle tube are given different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functional requirements. The distal end is optimized for flexibility and navigation, while the proximal end is optimized for pushability and puncture force transmission.
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
Enables efficient and precise tissue collection from the pancreas by allowing the needle tube to maintain high pushability and flexibility, reducing friction and preserving the endoscope's bending shape, thus facilitating complex biopsy procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a needle tube (3) which includes a distal end region (301), and a proximal end region (302) having a higher bending rigidity than the bending rigidity of the distal end region (301)
Implementation Method 2
the connection member (303) is capable of moving within only a range of the insertion portion more proximal than a proximal end of the bendable portion (105) and more distal than a proximal end of a follow-bending region
Implementation Method 3
a needle tube operation portion which advances and retracts the needle tube (3) relative to the sheath (7)
Implementation Method 4
an ultrasonic endoscope or the like, and the tissue is collected by puncturing the organs with a puncture needle
Data Source
AI summary
A biopsy system includes an endoscope which includes an insertion portion having a channel, and a bendable portion provided in a distal end portion of the insertion portion; a needle tube which includes a distal end region, and a proximal end region having a higher bending rigidity than that of the distal end region; a sheath which can be inserted into the channel and inserted through by the needle tube; an attachment adapter which is provided on a proximal end side of the sheath and is capable of being mounted at the endoscope; and a connection member which connects the distal end region and the proximal end region, wherein the connection member can move within only a range of the insertion portion more proximal than a proximal end of the bendable portion and more distal than a proximal end of a follow-bending region.