Frictional Tissue Sampling Device with Abrasive Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for obtaining biopsy samples from body surfaces, particularly from lesions, often cause pain and trauma, and are not effective in sampling neoplastic changes or infections like HPV, as they either puncture or shear tissues, failing to provide a reliable and minimally invasive approach.
Innovation Solution
A device with a handle and a flat, concave, or convex surface featuring abrasive fabric loops that abrade tissue surfaces, allowing for the collection of cells and tissue fragments using a combination of hooks and loops to ensure consistent and reliable sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biopsy methods (puncture or shear) are used to obtain tissue samples, then tissue sampling is achieved, but pain and trauma are caused to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical biopsy methods (puncture needles, shear force instruments) with a friction-based sampling mechanism. The device uses a rotating brush with abrasive material that mechanically abrades the tissue surface through friction, collecting cells and tissue fragments without requiring deep penetration or violent shearing forces, thereby reducing pain and trauma while maintaining sampling reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of tissue removal from high-force mechanical disruption (puncture/shear) to controlled frictional abrasion. By adjusting the abrasive material characteristics, brush rotation speed, and pressure application, the system achieves effective tissue sampling through gentle frictional contact, transforming the physical parameters of the sampling process to reduce harmful effects
2Reliability
If traditional biopsy methods are used, then tissue samples can be obtained, but they are not effective in sampling neoplastic changes or infections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sampling function into multiple components: the rotating brush with abrasive material for surface abrasion, the collection mechanism for capturing cells and fragments, and the rotation mechanism for consistent contact. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall sampling effectiveness for detecting neoplastic changes and infections while maintaining consistency through controlled rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs continuous rotation of the brush during sampling, maintaining constant frictional contact with the tissue surface. This continuous action ensures consistent and reliable sampling across the entire lesion area, improving the detection of neoplastic changes and infections compared to intermittent or single-point biopsy methods
3Reliability
If abrasive fabric loops are used to abrade tissue surfaces, then consistent sampling is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the abrasive material and collection mechanism into a single integrated rotating brush assembly. The abrasive fabric loops are combined with the collection structure, allowing tissue fragments and cells to be both abraded from the surface and captured simultaneously during one rotational motion. This merging reduces device complexity compared to separate abrasive and collection systems while maintaining sampling consistency
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 enables minimal pain and invasive sampling, effectively collecting tissue and cells from various surfaces, including concave and convex areas, improving diagnostic accuracy by providing a more consistent and reliable biopsy method compared to existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
abrasive fabric loops that abrade tissue surfaces
Implementation Method 2
fabric for functionally abrading tissue surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment of the invention, a frictional tissue sampling device for obtaining a histological sample from an epithelial layer includes a platform with an axis, an abrasive material comprising a plurality of fibers associated with the platform, where the abrasive material is adapted to abrade the epithelial layer to dislodge the histological sample, where rotation of the platform around the axis rotates the abrasive material, and a collector material comprising a plurality of loops associated with the platform, where rotation of the platform around the axis rotates the collector material, where the collector material is adapted to collect the histological sample dislodged by the abrasive material, where contacting the platform with the epithelial layer and rotation of the platform moves the abrasive material and the collector material over the epithelial layer thereby obtaining the sample.