Expandable Esophageal Sampling Device for Eosinophil Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing eosinophilic esophagitis, such as traditional endoscopy, may not effectively capture eosinophil white blood cells, leading to inadequate sample collection for accurate diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A device with an expandable collection portion, featuring a tubular member with a collapsible and expandable design, equipped with tissue collecting projections, is swallowed by the patient to capture eosinophil white blood cells within the esophagus, allowing for efficient sample collection and subsequent analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional endoscope is used to visually inspect the esophagus, then the physician can see tissue damage and inflammation, but the device cannot effectively capture eosinophil white blood cells for accurate diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The collection portion is divided into multiple tissue collecting projections that can be independently distributed across the esophageal wall surface, allowing simultaneous collection from multiple locations to increase the quantity of eosinophils captured
Solution Approach 2:
The collection portion transitions from a collapsed one-dimensional state during swallowing to an expanded three-dimensional state during sampling, enabling the projections to contact and collect cells from the esophageal wall surface area
2Quantity of substance
If the collection portion is expanded to capture samples, then sample collection effectiveness improves, but the risk of contamination during device removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection portion dynamically changes shape between collapsed and expanded states, remaining expanded during sampling to maintain sample quantity, then collapsing before removal to enclose and protect the collected samples from contamination
Solution Approach 2:
When collapsed, the second axial end portion extends into the first axial end portion, creating a nested configuration that encloses the collected samples within the tubular member structure, preventing contamination during device withdrawal
3Ease of operation
If the device is designed to be swallowed by the patient, then ease of administration improves, but the device size must be limited which may reduce sampling capability
Solution Approach 1:
The collection portion is designed in a collapsed state for swallowing that minimizes device size and maximizes ease of administration, then expands to a larger size at the sampling site to provide adequate sampling capability without compromising either requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The second axial end portion is nested within the first axial end portion in the collapsed state, allowing the device to be swallowed in a compact form while still containing the full sampling structure that can be deployed later
Data Source
AI summary
A method for collecting a cell sample, including eosinophil white blood cells in a patient is provided. The method includes advancing to a location in an esophagus associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a device provided with a collection portion having a first axial end portion and an inflatable second axial end portion. Thereafter, axially moving the second axial end portion, relative to the first axial end portion, from a collapsed position within the first axial end portion into an expanded position out from the first axial end portion. Once the second axial end portion is in the expanded position, allowing it to engage the location associated with EoE to collect a sample of cells.