Expandable Biological Sample Collector With Porous Matrix Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue collection devices face challenges with expansion, sample collection efficiency, and patient comfort, particularly when used in the esophagus, due to their design and materials.
Innovation Solution
A collection member with a porous matrix gradient and tether system that transforms from a compressed to an expanded configuration, utilizing a porous matrix with varying pore densities and a tether for easy navigation and sample collection, enhanced by a dissolvable capsule or binding material for expansion control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the collection member is made large enough to collect adequate tissue samples, then sample collection efficiency is improved, but device size during insertion increases making it difficult to navigate through the esophagus
Solution Approach 1:
The collection member transitions from a compressed low-profile configuration for insertion to an expanded configuration for sample collection. The memory alloy material enables automatic expansion upon heating in the body, transforming the device from a small insertable form to a large sampling form, thus resolving the contradiction between small insertion size and large sampling size.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection member is contained within a delivery catheter during insertion, with the compressed collection member nested inside the catheter lumen. This allows the large sampling surface area to be hidden within a small delivery profile, enabling navigation through the esophagus and subsequent expansion at the target site.
2Ease of operation
If the collection member is made small for easy insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but sample collection efficiency decreases due to insufficient sample yield
Solution Approach 1:
The collection member dynamically changes size from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state during sampling. The memory alloy material provides automatic expansion when heated by body temperature, ensuring adequate sample collection area is available only when needed, thus maintaining both ease of insertion and sample collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the collection member changes from compressed to expanded through temperature-induced phase change in the memory alloy material. This parameter change enables the device to present a small profile during insertion and a large surface area during sampling, resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and sampling efficiency.
3Productivity
If the device structure is made complex to enable expansion and sample trapping, then sample collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection member is self-expanding through the elastic recovery of the memory alloy material when heated by body temperature. No external expansion mechanism or complex actuation system is needed - the material itself provides the expansion force, significantly simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective sample collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive elastic memory alloy material replaces active mechanical expansion systems (such as balloons, expandable frames, or motorized actuators). This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while achieving reliable expansion and sample trapping functionality through material properties alone.
4Ease of operation
If the collection member remains compressed during retrieval, then ease of operation is improved, but sample collection efficiency decreases due to poor sample retention
Solution Approach 1:
The collection member dynamically maintains an expanded configuration during retrieval to preserve collected samples, then transitions to a compressed state only after samples are secured. The memory alloy material ensures the expanded shape is maintained throughout the retrieval process, preventing sample loss while keeping the device manageable through the tether system.
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 system allows for efficient, multiple-sample collection with improved patient comfort by ensuring adequate sample yield and minimizing device size during insertion, while maintaining sample integrity during retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the plurality of separable layers can include pores capable of capillary action to draw a sample through the gradient of pores
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of separable layers can include at least one hydrophilic layer
Data Source
AI summary
A sample collection device, system, and methods, including a collection member designed to expand from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration to contact a sample; a porous matrix imparted on the collection member and arranged in a gradient on the collection member, the gradient of the porous matrix having a range from about 10 pores per inch to 80 pores per inch; and a tether coupled to the collection member and extending proximally to permit pulling of the collection member in a proximal direction.