Biopsy Container Segregating Dislodged Cells for Molecular Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The declining size of tissue biopsies due to advancements in biopsy tools has created a mismatch between the amount of tissue available for diagnostic testing and the amount needed for molecular testing, leading to insufficient diagnostic information and potential need for repeat biopsies.
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 reduce invasiveness, then patient trauma and procedure time are reduced, but the amount of tissue obtained for diagnostic testing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the biopsy collection system into multiple components: a first container for solid tissue, a second container for dislodged cells, and a sieve structure. This segmentation allows separate collection and preservation of different biopsy materials, ensuring sufficient substrate for both histopathology and molecular testing without increasing needle invasiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional aspect to tissue collection by separating spatial locations: solid tissue is collected in one container while dislodged cells are captured in another container positioned to receive cells falling from the needle. This spatial differentiation enables recovery of previously lost cellular material without changing the biopsy procedure itself
2Ease of operation
If smaller biopsy samples are taken, then procedure invasiveness is reduced, but the quantity of tissue available for molecular testing becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers dislodged cells that would otherwise be discarded as waste. The second container specifically captures cells falling from the needle during withdrawal, and these recovered cells are preserved in buffer solution for molecular testing, converting previously wasted material into valuable diagnostic substrate
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a duplicate sample source by collecting dislodged cells separately from solid tissue. These D-cells serve as a complementary copy of the biopsy material, providing additional genetic substrate for molecular testing when solid tissue is insufficient
3Ease of operation
If dislodged cells are discarded with medical waste, then waste handling is simplified, but valuable genetic information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts dislodged cells from the waste stream by positioning a second container to receive cells as they fall from the needle during withdrawal. This separation removes valuable cellular material from the medical waste pathway before it can be discarded, enabling preservation and analysis of genetic information that would otherwise be lost
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, providing additional tissue for diagnostic testing and reducing the need for repeat biopsies, while also preserving the quality of the nucleic acids for molecular studies.
Implementation Method 1
a basket sieve configured for removable attachment at least partially within the sample collection container and having 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 for recovering solid tissue and D-cells from a biopsy includes a buffer container, a sieve container and a sample collection container. The buffer container includes a buffer chamber. The sieve container is located least partially within the buffer container and includes a sieve surface configured to pass the D-cells from the biopsy but not the solid tissue from the biopsy into the buffer chamber. The sample collection container is removably attached to the buffer container and includes a reagent chamber.