Electric Field Assisted Biopsy Device for Volumetric Tumor Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy techniques are inadequate for comprehensive tumor characterization due to their inability to non-surgically extract volumetric samples, leading to insufficient molecular diagnosis and treatment guidance, as they sample only a small fraction of the tumor volume and are sensitive to cancer type, extraction order, and physician technique, failing to capture the global tumor microenvironment.
Innovation Solution
The use of pulsed electric fields (PEF) to induce permeabilization of cells in solid tissue, allowing for the extraction of intracellular materials such as DNA, RNA, and proteins through a device with adjustable electrodes and suction, guided by computational models to optimize electric field and suction gradients for efficient sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional biopsy techniques are used, then the procedure is simple and quick, but the sample volume is insufficient and cannot represent the global tumor microenvironment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: electroporation electrodes for cell permeabilization, suction mechanism for material extraction, and computational modeling for real-time optimization. This merged system enables volumetric sampling without requiring multiple separate procedures or complex equipment setups, thereby increasing sample quantity while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biopsy device is designed with multi-functionality to perform electroporation, suction-based extraction, and computational optimization in one integrated system. This universal approach allows the device to address multiple limitations of conventional biopsy (sample volume, representation, extraction efficiency) simultaneously, providing comprehensive tumor profiling without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
2Productivity
If high frequency focused ultrasound is used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but equipment investment and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical ultrasound systems with an electrical field-based approach (electroporation). By using electrical pulses to permeabilize cells and enable material extraction through suction, the system achieves high extraction efficiency without requiring expensive ultrasound equipment, thereby improving productivity while reducing device complexity and investment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes controllable electrical parameters (voltage, pulse duration, frequency) to optimize extraction efficiency. By adjusting these parameters computationally in real-time based on tissue properties, the system achieves high productivity comparable to ultrasound methods but with simpler, more cost-effective equipment that allows flexible parameter modification without hardware changes.
3Quantity of substance
If vacuum assisted biopsy is used, then sample extraction is enhanced, but the ability to predict surveyed volume and achieve high specificity/sensitivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates computational models that provide real-time feedback on the electric field distribution, predicted surveyed volume, and extraction efficiency. This feedback loop allows the system to optimize electroporation parameters and suction settings dynamically, ensuring both enhanced extraction and accurate volume prediction with high specificity and sensitivity for tumor characterization.
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 predictable, volumetric extraction of intracellular materials for comprehensive tumor profiling, improving cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies by providing access to the entire tumor genome, transcriptome, and proteome, overcoming the limitations of conventional biopsies.
Implementation Method 1
the PEF induces a biophysical response from cells in solid tissue or other condition (such as be blood, in vitro etc.) resulting in at least one cellular component to exit to extracellular and/or interstitial space
Data Source
AI summary
A device may (i) at least one electrode associated with an electric generator to generate a pulsed electric field (PEF) in solid tissue, wherein said electrode comprises more than one hole/opening at the end in contact with said solid tissue and an insulating sleeve that can be adjusted to alter the side hole profile. A device may (ii) a cellular-component extraction element by suction through at least one electrode, wherein upon introducing said at least one electrode into said solid tissue, and generating the PEF, the PEF induces a biophysical response from cells in solid tissue or other condition (such as be blood, in vitro etc.) resulting in at least one cellular component to exit to extracellular matrix which is then extracted by said extraction element.