Expandable Mesh Cell Collector for Minimizing Lumen Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting surface cells from body lumens, such as cytology brushes, often result in damage and inefficiency due to the need for stiff bristles that can cause bleeding and inadequate cell collection.
Innovation Solution
A cell collection device featuring an expandable mesh or braided structure that can be deployed to a larger diameter, allowing for efficient cell collection without damaging the lumen surface, comprising an elongated member with a mesh or braid that expands radially when constrained by a sleeve or sheath, facilitating the collection of cells while minimizing foreign cell contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a cytology brush with stiff bristles is used to collect surface cells, then cell collection capability is improved, but damage to the lumen surface and bleeding occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh structure transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded operational state. During delivery, the mesh is constrained within a delivery catheter at a small profile. Upon deployment, the mesh expands radially to a larger diameter, allowing the filaments to gently contact and collect cells from the lumen surface without the need for stiff bristles that cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh is constructed from flexible filaments that can conform to the lumen surface geometry. These flexible filaments gently engage and collect cells through contact rather than abrasion, eliminating the need for stiff bristles while maintaining effective cell collection capability.
2Quantity of substance
If a cytology brush with stiff bristles is used to collect surface cells, then cell collection capability is improved, but collection efficiency is reduced due to bleeding and inadequate collection
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable mesh provides a larger surface area for cell collection compared to traditional cytology brushes. The dynamic expansion allows the mesh to present multiple filaments simultaneously to the lumen surface, increasing the number of cells that can be collected in a single pass and improving overall collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of filaments, allowing cells to be collected from multiple points along the length and circumference of the mesh. This dimensional advantage enables more comprehensive cell sampling compared to the linear structure of traditional brushes.
3Productivity
If an expandable mesh is used for cell collection, then cell collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the expandable structure
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is nested within a delivery catheter during delivery and storage. The delivery catheter provides a confined space that maintains the mesh in a compressed, low-profile state. Upon deployment, the mesh is released from the catheter and expands to its operational configuration, providing an simple yet effective mechanism for transitioning between delivery and operational states.
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
The device effectively collects surface cells with minimal damage to the lumen, improving diagnostic accuracy by ensuring a larger number of cells are collected without the inefficiencies and bleeding associated with traditional cytology brushes.
Implementation Method 1
The mesh is comprised of a plurality of interwoven filaments biased to expand outward to a deployed diameter greater than the outside diameter of the elongated member
Implementation Method 2
The sleeve is axially slidable along the elongated member from a first position that radially constrains the plurality of interwoven filaments to a first configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A cell collection device having an elongated member and a mesh disposed about the elongated member. The mesh has a low energy expanded state and a high energy compressed state. A sheath is disposed about a distal end of the elongated member and is slidable along the elongated member from a first position in which the sheath radially constrains the mesh to the high energy compressed state and a second position in which the sheath does not constrain the mesh.