Biopsy Container Segregating D-Cells and Solid Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
The decline in tissue biopsy size due to less invasive biopsy tools has created a shortfall in tissue available for diagnostic testing, leading to 'Tissue Exhaustion' and the need for additional biopsies, which impacts healthcare quality and patient care.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy container apparatus that includes a sample collection container, a basket sieve, and a buffer container, allowing for the recovery and segregation of dislodged cells (D-cells) from the biopsy needle, which would otherwise be discarded, and preserving them for diagnostic testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If core needle biopsy tools are used to perform less invasive biopsies, then patient trauma is reduced and procedure time is decreased, but the amount of tissue obtained for diagnostic testing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy system is segmented into multiple collection components: a primary tissue container and a separate D-cell collection container. This segmentation allows the system to collect different types of biological material (solid tissue cores and dislodged cells) separately, ensuring sufficient material for various diagnostic tests without requiring larger initial biopsies.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention collects dislodged cells from a different dimension - the needle surface and surrounding area - rather than relying solely on the solid tissue core. By capturing cells that dislodge during needle insertion and withdrawal, the system obtains additional diagnostic material from a previously wasted source, effectively increasing total tissue yield without increasing biopsy size.
2Reliability
If standard formalin-fixation is applied to all biopsy tissue, then tissue preservation for pathology is achieved, but molecular testing quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy collection system is divided into separate containers for different tissue types. Solid tissue cores go into formalin for standard pathology processing, while dislodged cells are collected separately in a different container that can be processed for molecular testing without formalin fixation. This segmentation allows each tissue type to receive the most appropriate preservation method for its intended diagnostic use.
Solution Approach 2:
Different preservation qualities are applied to different portions of the biopsy sample based on their intended use. Solid tissue receives formalin fixation optimized for histological examination, while dislodged cells are preserved in a manner optimized for molecular integrity. This local quality approach ensures each sample portion has the precise characteristics needed for its specific diagnostic modality.
3Ease of manufacture
If dislodged cells are discarded with medical waste, then waste management is simplified, but valuable diagnostic information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts dislodged cells from the waste stream by providing a separate collection container that captures cells as they dislodge during the biopsy procedure. Instead of allowing all cellular material to mix with medical waste, the extraction mechanism (the separate D-cell container) isolates these valuable cells for subsequent diagnostic analysis, preventing information loss while maintaining simple waste disposal for non-cellular materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a system where dislodged cells are recovered from what would otherwise be discarded material. The separate D-cell collection container captures cells that would normally be lost, allowing their recovery and utilization for diagnostic testing. This transforms a waste stream into a valuable diagnostic resource without complicating the disposal of actual medical waste.
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
The apparatus enables the recovery of valuable D-cells for molecular testing, reducing the risk of tissue exhaustion and providing sufficient diagnostic information for treatment decisions, while also avoiding the suboptimal results associated with formalin-fixation.
Implementation Method 1
a basket sieve configured for removable attachment at least partially within the sample collection container and including a sieve surface configured to pass the D-cells from the biopsy but not the solid tissue from the biopsy
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for recovering solid tissue and dislodged cells (“D-cells”) from a biopsy are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a biopsy container apparatus includes a sample collection container, a basket sieve, and a buffer container. The sample collection container includes a reagent chamber. The basket sieve is configured for removable attachment at least partially within the sample collection container and includes a sieve surface configured to pass the D-cells from the biopsy but not the solid tissue from the biopsy. The buffer container is configured for removable attachment to the sample collection container and includes a buffer chamber.