Magnetic Apheresis for Circulating Tumor Cell Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The scarcity of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood vessels poses a challenge for accurate detection and personalized immunotherapy, necessitating improved methods for their collection and isolation from blood components.
Innovation Solution
An apheresis device utilizing a magnetic field and markers, such as microparticles or nanoparticles, to selectively attract and bind CTCs, combined with electroporation for DNA transfection and immunotherapy applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tissue biopsy methods are used for tumor detection, then detection accuracy is maintained, but patient acceptance and ease of sample collection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts tumor detection from invasive tissue biopsy and relocates it to liquid biopsy by isolating CTCs from blood samples. This extraction approach maintains detection accuracy while significantly improving patient acceptance and sample collection ease, as blood draws are non-invasive and can be performed repeatedly
2Ease of operation
If liquid biopsy with CTC collection is used, then patient acceptance and sample availability improve, but detection precision deteriorates due to CTC scarcity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces magnetic markers as intermediary substances that bind to CTCs. These markers serve as mediators between the rare CTCs and the detection system, enabling precise identification and isolation of CTCs from the vast excess of normal blood cells through magnetic field-based separation techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of CTCs by attaching magnetic markers to their surfaces. This parameter change transforms undetectable CTCs into magnetically responsive targets, enabling their precise isolation and detection through magnetic field application despite their scarcity in blood samples
3Measurement precision
If magnetic markers are used to isolate CTCs, then isolation accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs the apheresis device with multi-functional components that perform multiple operations. The magnetic separation module, for example, can both isolate CTCs and concentrate them, while the electroporation system can both kill CTCs and deliver therapeutic agents. This universality reduces overall device complexity despite the sophisticated isolation requirements
4Reliability
If electroporation is used for CTC destruction and transfection, then therapeutic efficacy improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs periodic pulsed electric fields for electroporation instead of continuous energy application. The pulsed nature of electroporation delivers high energy only during brief intervals when needed for membrane permeabilization, followed by rest periods that allow thermal dissipation and reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining therapeutic efficacy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention in some embodiments thereof relates to an apheresis device for collecting and/or removing substances from the blood, such as, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), selected proteins, lipids, pathogens, various harmful substances, etc. More particularly, but not exclusively, the device may be used to reduce the amount of CTCs and/or for personalized immunotherapy.