Liquid Adhesive Skin Sampling for RNA Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for recovering RNA from skin are invasive and non-reliable, as they often result in variable sample quality and risk of infection, particularly due to the use of adhesive tape which struggles with skin surface irregularities and requires skilled operator-dependent pressure application.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a liquid to the skin surface that hardens, allowing for the removal of a skin sample using a substrate or without one, utilizing sutureless wound closing agents like Dermabond or Histoacryl, which forms a strong bond with the skin, enabling efficient RNA extraction from lesional and unaffected skin areas for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive tape is used to recover skin samples, then sample recovery is achieved, but the method requires skilled operator-dependent pressure application and struggles with skin surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the adhesive from solid (tape) to liquid form. This liquid adhesive can flow and conform to skin surface irregularities, eliminating the need for skilled pressure application while maintaining reliable sample recovery. The liquid state allows the adhesive to adapt to varying skin topographies automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid adhesive forms a flexible film that conforms to the skin surface contours. This flexible nature allows it to adapt to skin irregularities without requiring precise manual pressure control, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining sample recovery reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If invasive biopsy methods are used to recover skin samples, then adequate sample quantity is obtained, but the risk of infection and scarring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary superficial skin layers (stratum corneum and viable epidermis) using liquid adhesive, leaving the deeper dermal layers intact. This extraction approach obtains sufficient sample quantity for RNA analysis while avoiding full-thickness invasion, thereby eliminating the need for sutures and significantly reducing infection risk and scarring.
Solution Approach 2:
The method uses partial action by collecting only the superficial skin layers needed for gene expression analysis rather than removing the entire skin thickness. This partial sampling provides adequate RNA quantity while minimizing harm to the patient.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional biopsy methods are used, then skin samples including epidermis and dermis are isolated, but bleeding wounds and scarring are created
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid adhesive selectively extracts only the superficial skin layers (stratum corneum and viable epidermis) that contain the necessary RNA for gene expression analysis. By leaving the deeper dermal layers intact, the method obtains sufficient epidermal tissue while avoiding full-thickness wounds that cause bleeding and scarring.
4Quantity of substance
If tape stripping is used to recover RNA from skin, then RNA can be obtained, but more than 20 applications of fresh tape are usually required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the adhesive from solid tape to liquid form, which can be applied in a single layer that conforms to the skin surface. This liquid adhesive has sufficient bonding strength to recover RNA in one or few applications, eliminating the need for repeated tape stripping and significantly reducing the time required.
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
This approach allows for non-invasive, efficient, and reproducible RNA recovery from skin samples, reducing the risk of infection and improving sample uniformity by conforming to skin irregularities, facilitating the analysis of gene expression for predictive purposes, such as assessing patient response to drugs like Enbrel for psoriasis.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid adhesive of the present invention is configured to conform to irregular surfaces and adhere thereto
Implementation Method 2
A method involving the application of a liquid to the skin surface that hardens
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid is placed on an area of skin in which an RNA sample is to be extracted. The liquid is configured to harden which allows for the hardened material to be peeled off. In some implementations, a substrate is attached to the liquid before it hardens to facilitate removal of the skin sample.