Cytology Sampling System with Steerable Brush for Deep Lung Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for early cancer detection lack the capability to collect sufficient cell samples from deep within lung tissues, limiting the accuracy and likelihood of early cancer detection.
Innovation Solution
A cytology sampling system comprising a flexible shaft with a brush and position sensor, capable of navigating through branched luminal networks, which includes a steerable distal tip and working channel for precise targeting and sampling of tissue, utilizing CT image data for pathway planning and navigation, and featuring a deployable brush configuration to capture cells from targeted tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If current devices are used for early cancer detection, then the detection process is simple, but the cell sample size collected is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The brush is divided into multiple brush shafts (e.g., three brush shafts) that can be independently deployed. Each brush shaft can be extended separately to contact different regions of the target tissue, allowing the device to collect cells from multiple locations simultaneously, thereby increasing the total cell sample size without requiring a single complex large-scale sampling mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The brush shafts are nested within the catheter tube during transport and storage. Each brush shaft can be retracted into the catheter tube, and the entire brush assembly can be inserted through a navigation catheter. This nested configuration allows the complex multi-component brush to be delivered through narrow luminal pathways while maintaining its capability to deploy and collect large cell samples at the target site
2Measurement precision
If larger cell samples are collected from deep lung tissues, then early cancer detection accuracy improves, but navigation precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A position sensor is integrated into the catheter or brush assembly to provide real-time feedback on the location of the sampling device within the luminal network. This position information can be correlated with pre-acquired CT image data to confirm accurate positioning at the target site before deploying the brush, ensuring that large cell samples are collected from the correct location and improving detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
CT image data is acquired and processed before the procedure to create a navigation plan that identifies the optimal pathway to the target lesion. This preliminary planning allows the operator to navigate the catheter along a pre-determined route, reducing the difficulty of reaching deep lung tissues and ensuring proper positioning before sample collection
3Productivity
If a deployable brush configuration is used, then cell sampling capability increases, but device structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brush shafts are designed to be dynamically deployable rather than statically fixed. Each brush shaft can be extended or retracted as needed, allowing the device to transition between a compact configuration for navigation and a deployed configuration for sampling. This dynamic capability increases cell sampling capability while managing structural complexity through controlled deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The brush shafts are biased to automatically extend outward from the catheter tube when released, utilizing elastic or spring forces to achieve deployment without requiring complex actuation mechanisms. This self-service deployment simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the capability to increase cell sampling area when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A cytology sampling system includes a catheter tube and a cytology tool. The catheter tube has open proximal and distal ends. The cytology tool is insertable through the catheter tube and includes a flexible shaft and a brush. The brush is coupled to the distal end of the flexible shaft. The brush includes a plurality of brush shafts. Each brush shaft has bristles disposed along a portion of a length thereof. The bristles are coupled to and extend radially away from an outer surface of each of the brush shafts. The bristles are configured to collect cell samples from targeted tissue of a patient.