Cancer Test Device Using Selective Staining for Early Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting cancerization in living cells are not capable of identifying cancer at an early stage, leading to delayed diagnosis and prognosis.

Innovation Solution

A cancer test device that applies a stain selectively staining cancer-related gene products in a chromatic color, followed by imaging and evaluation using a multiphoton or confocal laser microscope to assess the grade of cancerization based on staining patterns, allowing for early detection of cancer cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional imaging methods are used to detect cancer cells, then the detection can be performed, but the cancerization cannot be grasped in an early stage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer detection sensitivityVSAvoiddiagnosis timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a stain that selectively stains cancer-related gene products in a chromatic color, enabling visual differentiation of cancerous cells from healthy cells through color changes. This allows early detection by highlighting abnormal cells before they become visible through conventional imaging methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a stain as an intermediary substance that binds to cancer-related gene products, making them visible through optical microscopy. This mediator enables the detection of early-stage cancerization by translating molecular-level abnormalities into observable color changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a stain is applied to selectively stain cancer-related gene products, then early cancer detection is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancerization grade evaluationVSAvoidstaining and imaging system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stain applied to the living cell group performs multiple functions automatically: it selectively binds to cancer-related gene products, provides visual contrast through chromatic staining, and enables grading of cancerization based on staining patterns. This self-service approach reduces the need for additional complex analytical equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The staining system serves multiple purposes: detecting presence of cancer cells, evaluating cancerization grade, and providing visual documentation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate diagnostic tools and procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiphoton laser light is applied to stained cell groups, then sharp images of individual cells and nuclei can be generated, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidlaser energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the optical properties of the stain at specific laser wavelengths, changing the parameter of light-matter interaction to achieve enhanced fluorescence signals. This allows for lower laser power settings while maintaining high image resolution, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the early detection of cancerization, improving the prognosis of cancer patients by identifying cancer cells before they reach the mucosa surface, and allowing for precise evaluation of cancer stage and treatment.

Implementation Method 1

a multiphoton laser for a multiphoton laser microscope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultiphoton absorption:

Implementation Method 2

the cell group stained the living body emits fluorescence when the multiphoton laser light is applied thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

a continuous-wave (CW) laser for a confocal laser microscope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConfocal optical sectioning:

Data Source

PatentUS11852632B2Cancer test device, cancer test method, and staining agent for use in cancer test

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 LASER BENEFIT LLC

AI summary

A cancer test device (1) is provided with: an application unit (40) for applying a staining agent (45), which can selectively stain a product of a cancer-relating gene in a living cell a chromatic color, onto a group of living cells; an imaging unit (10) for imaging the group of living cells having the staining agent (45) applied thereto; and a determination unit (52) for determining the level of malignancy of cancerization of the group of living cells on the basis of the state of the stained expression pattern of the cancer-relating gene in the group of living cells in an image obtained by the aforementioned imaging.