Mass Spectrometry Tissue Profiling for Intraoperative Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for intra-operative tissue evaluation, such as frozen section analysis, face challenges due to freezing artifacts and difficulty in distinguishing between thyroid, thymic, and parathyroid tissues, leading to costly and risky re-operative surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A method using mass spectrometry, specifically DESI-MS, to analyze tissue samples by applying a fixed volume of solvent, such as a droplet, to a tissue site, and a collection of a liquid solvent, and a collection of a liquid sample, followed by mass spectrometry analysis, to identify tissue types and guide surgical intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If frozen section analysis is used for intra-operative tissue evaluation, then tissue processing and staining can be performed, but freezing artifacts occur that interfere with tissue structure and cell morphology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical freezing and staining process with mass spectrometry-based molecular profiling. Instead of relying on histological staining that creates freezing artifacts, the system uses solvent application followed by mass spectrometry to directly detect molecular signatures, eliminating the need for freezing and traditional staining while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from morphological (visual inspection of stained tissues) to molecular (mass spectrometry signals). By transitioning from evaluating tissue structure through light microscopy to analyzing molecular composition through mass spectrometry, the system avoids freezing artifacts while maintaining the ability to identify tissue types and detect malignancy
2Reliability
If traditional light microscopy evaluation is used, then pathologists can evaluate tissue morphology, but certain tumor cells are very difficult to recognize due to atypical growth patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual morphological evaluation with mass spectrometry-based molecular profiling. Instead of relying on pathologists to visually distinguish atypical cells through stained sections, the system applies solvents to extract molecular signatures and uses mass spectrometry to detect characteristic molecular patterns, providing objective and reliable identification of tumor cells regardless of their atypical morphology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mass spectrometry as an intermediary detection method between the tissue sample and the diagnostic conclusion. The mass spectrometer acts as a mediator that translates complex tissue composition into measurable molecular signals, making it easier to detect and characterize tumor cells that would be difficult to recognize through traditional visual inspection
3Measurement precision
If expert pathologists perform manual tissue evaluation, then detailed pathologic interpretation can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual pathologic evaluation with automated mass spectrometry analysis. Instead of requiring expert pathologists to visually inspect and interpret stained tissue sections, the system automatically applies solvents, extracts molecular signatures, and performs mass spectrometry analysis, significantly reducing evaluation time while maintaining or improving diagnostic accuracy through objective molecular detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the tissue sample to provide its own diagnostic information through automated molecular profiling. The mass spectrometry system automatically generates molecular signatures that can be directly interpreted by computers, eliminating the need for manual processing and expert interpretation, thereby reducing time and resource requirements while maintaining diagnostic precision
4Reliability
If re-operative cervical surgery is performed following failed resection, then residual or misplaced tissue can be removed, but the complication rate increases 10-fold and quality of life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs rapid molecular profiling of tissue margins during the initial surgery to determine whether resection is complete before closing. By using mass spectrometry to identify tissue types and detect malignancy in real-time, the system allows surgeons to make immediate decisions about whether additional resection is needed, preventing the need for high-risk re-operative surgeries and reducing complications
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
Accurately differentiates between thyroid, thymic, and parathyroid tissues, reducing the need for invasive procedures and improving surgical precision.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the sample to mass spectrometry analysis
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the sample to mass spectrometry analysis, and identifying the tissue site
Implementation Method 3
applying a fixed or discrete volume of a solvent to a tissue site in the subject, collecting the applied solvent to obtain a liquid sample
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices are provided for assessing biological samples using molecular analysis. In certain aspects, methods and devices of the embodiments allow for the collection of liquid tissue samples and delivery of the samples for mass spectrometry. In certain aspects, the results of the mass spectrometry can be analyzed to determine tissue type, sample quality, or disease state of the sample.