A Medical Device for Puncturing Tissue with an Energy-Delivering Tip
This patent describes a medical device designed to puncture tissue using an energy-delivering tip, featuring a specific shape with curved and straight sections and a constant diameter layer for precise control.
Original patent title: “Methods and devices for puncturing tissue”
This patent describes a medical device designed to puncture tissue using an energy-delivering tip, featuring a specific shape with curved and straight sections and a constant diameter layer for precise control. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This medical device is designed to create a puncture through tissue at a specific site. It includes a long, slender part called an elongate member, which has a curved section and a straight section towards its end. The straight part is closer to the very tip than the curved part. At the very end of this device is an active tip that uses energy to make the puncture. The device also features a constant diameter layer that wraps around a narrower part of the straight section, suggesting a design for smooth insertion and stability.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover medical devices that puncture tissue using only mechanical force, without delivering energy from an active tip.
- Does not cover devices where the distal (far) end lacks both a distinct curved portion and a distinct straight portion.
- Does not cover devices where the active tip is not located at the very distal end of the device.
- Does not cover devices where a constant diameter layer does not surround a minimum diameter portion of the distal straight section.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever aspect lies in the specific structural combination: an elongate member with both a curved and a straight distal section, where the straight section's narrowest part is enveloped by a constant diameter layer. This design likely allows for controlled navigation through tissue with the curved part, followed by stable and precise penetration using the energy-delivering tip, while maintaining a consistent outer profile for smoother entry.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Biopsy needles with energy-assisted tips
Catheters for minimally invasive surgery
Ablation probes
Endoscopic tools for tissue access
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Precise tissue puncturing is fundamental to many medical procedures, from biopsies to catheter insertions. Devices that improve control, reduce trauma, or enhance the accuracy of these punctures can lead to better patient outcomes and safer surgeries. This patent aims to refine the design of such tools, potentially making delicate procedures more reliable.
Filed
October 17, 2025
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major medical device manufacturers like Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and Boston Scientific are continuously innovating in the field of minimally invasive surgical tools and diagnostic devices. Companies specializing in interventional radiology and cardiology also focus on improving catheters and probes for precise tissue access and treatment.
Market impact
Improvements in tissue puncturing devices can lead to safer and more effective medical procedures, potentially expanding the types of conditions treatable with minimally invasive techniques. Such advancements can reduce recovery times and patient discomfort, driving demand for new generations of surgical and diagnostic instruments. This could influence market share among medical device companies competing in these areas.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This medical device is designed to create a puncture through tissue at a specific site. It includes a long, slender part called an elongate member, which has a curved section and a straight section towards its end. The straight part is closer to the very tip than the curved part. At the very end of this device is an active tip that uses energy to make the puncture. The device also features a constant diameter layer that wraps around a narrower part of the straight section, suggesting a design for smooth insertion and stability.
The clever bit
The clever aspect lies in the specific structural combination: an elongate member with both a curved and a straight distal section, where the straight section's narrowest part is enveloped by a constant diameter layer. This design likely allows for controlled navigation through tissue with the curved part, followed by stable and precise penetration using the energy-delivering tip, while maintaining a consistent outer profile for smoother entry.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover medical devices that puncture tissue using only mechanical force, without delivering energy from an active tip.
- Does not cover devices where the distal (far) end lacks both a distinct curved portion and a distinct straight portion.
- Does not cover devices where the active tip is not located at the very distal end of the device.
- Does not cover devices where a constant diameter layer does not surround a minimum diameter portion of the distal straight section.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 19.0 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). A Medical Device for Puncturing Tissue with an Energy-Delivering Tip (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,955). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733955/methods-and-devices-for-puncturing-tissue
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A Medical Device for Puncturing Tissue with an Energy-Delivering Tip cover?
This patent describes a medical device designed to puncture tissue using an energy-delivering tip, featuring a specific shape with curved and straight sections and a constant diameter layer for precise control.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Precise tissue puncturing is fundamental to many medical procedures, from biopsies to catheter insertions. Devices that improve control, reduce trauma, or enhance the accuracy of these punctures can lead to better patient outcomes and safer surgeries. This patent aims to refine the design of such tools, potentially making delicate procedures more reliable.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover medical devices that puncture tissue using only mechanical force, without delivering energy from an active tip.
Patent monitoring