Cervical Mucus DNA Extraction via Emulsifier Lysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Pap tests discard valuable cervical mucus containing cells, cell fragments, and DNA material that could indicate ovarian, fallopian tubal, and endometrial tumors, due to its gelatinous nature and separation from the rinsing liquid, making it difficult to harvest for diagnostic purposes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving rinsing cervical mucus samples, separating the rinsed mucus from the liquid, and using mechanical or chemical treatments to release cells, cell fragments, and DNA material, which can then be lysed and isolated for genetic analysis, utilizing emulsifiers to dissolve and reswell the mucus, and techniques like filtration or centrifugation to separate and isolate the DNA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If cervical mucus is discarded after Pap test rinsing, then the diagnostic complexity is reduced, but valuable DNA material from ovarian, fallopian tubal, and endometrial tumors is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers valuable DNA material from cervical mucus that would otherwise be discarded after Pap test rinsing. The method involves collecting the rinsed mucus, treating it with lysing buffer to release DNA, and processing it for genetic analysis, thereby transforming waste material into a valuable diagnostic resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts DNA material from the gelatinous cervical mucus matrix through chemical treatment with lysing buffer. This extraction process releases DNA from cells and cell fragments embedded in the mucus, separating the valuable genetic material from the problematic gelatinous structure for subsequent analysis.
2Reliability
If cervical mucus is processed to harvest DNA material, then diagnostic value is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary collection of cervical mucus during the routine Pap test procedure itself, rather than requiring a separate collection step. The mucus is collected on the Pap test brush during normal cervical sampling, and then processed afterward, utilizing existing clinical workflow to minimize additional time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the cervical mucus through treatment with lysing buffer, which alters the gelatinous structure to release DNA. This parameter change enables efficient DNA extraction without requiring complex mechanical processing or extended processing times.
3Productivity
If emulsifiers are used to dissolve cervical mucus, then DNA release is improved, but the chemical treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs emulsifiers and detergents in the lysing buffer to change the physical-chemical parameters of the cervical mucus, disrupting its gelatinous structure and releasing DNA. This chemical parameter change efficiently solubilizes the mucus matrix without requiring complex mechanical processing equipment or multiple treatment steps.
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
This method allows for the efficient harvesting and analysis of DNA material from cervical mucus, providing valuable information for diagnosing and monitoring ovarian, fallopian tubal, and endometrial tumors, reducing the overwhelming cervical cell genetic information and increasing the diagnostic value of the samples.
Implementation Method 1
treating the mucus with emulsifier, or other chemical treatment to dissolve or reswell the rinsed cervical mucus
Implementation Method 2
techniques like filtration or centrifugation to separate and isolate the DNA
Implementation Method 3
lysis of cells, cell nuclei or cell fragments released from the rinsed cervical mucus sample
Data Source
AI summary
Efficient harvesting of cells, cell fragments, free nuclei, and DNA material from female reproductive system is made possible by processing gelatinous part of cervical mucus. Rinsing may be used to separate the gelatinous part of cervical mucus from the remainder of the cervical mucus sample.