Nano-porous Silicon Sampling Rod for Fragile Biochemical Species
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional histological sampling methods are invasive, costly, and not compatible with modern molecular analysis techniques, particularly for fragile biochemical species like RNA and proteins, and do not support extemporaneous analysis during surgical operations.
Innovation Solution
A nano-porous contact surface, specifically nano-porous silicon with dendritic structure pores and high porosity, is used for non-surgical sampling and analysis of biological species, allowing efficient and selective adsorption without functionalization, and serving as an analysis support for methods like mass spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional biopsy techniques are used for tissue sampling, then tissue samples can be obtained for analysis, but the procedures are invasive and cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nano-porous contact surface made of silicon with controlled pore sizes (2-50 nm) and high porosity (50-70%). The porous structure provides a large surface area for adsorbing biochemical species while allowing non-invasive contact with tissue, eliminating the need for traditional surgical biopsy techniques that cause tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical tissue removal (biopsy) with a chemical/physical adsorption process. The nano-porous surface selectively adsorbs biochemical species through surface interactions rather than mechanical extraction, substituting a gentle chemical process for invasive mechanical sampling.
2Reliability
If conventional histological preparation procedures are used, then tissue samples can be fixed and analyzed, but the procedures are not compatible with molecular investigation approaches for fragile biochemical species
Solution Approach 1:
The nano-porous surface performs preliminary adsorption and stabilization of biochemical species directly at the sampling site. By capturing molecules in their native state and providing immediate physical protection within the porous structure, the system prevents degradation before analysis, eliminating the need for harsh fixation procedures that compromise molecular integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nano-porous silicon structure provides a protective environment that maintains biochemical species integrity. The controlled pore sizes and high surface area allow molecules to be trapped and stabilized without exposure to damaging fixation agents, preserving RNA and protein structures for subsequent molecular analysis.
3Reliability
If conventional sterilization methods are applied to functionalized contact surfaces, then the device can be sterilized, but the functionalization is affected and degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent physical properties of nano-porous silicon, specifically its hydrophilicity and adsorption capacity, which do not require additional chemical functionalization. This eliminates the need for sterilization processes that would degrade functional coatings, as the base material properties provide the necessary biochemical interaction capabilities.
4Loss of time
If rapid staining histological analysis is performed, then extemporaneous analysis during surgery can be achieved, but the information obtained is not sufficiently relevant
Solution Approach 1:
The nano-porous silicon contact surface provides a large surface area that enables rapid adsorption of biochemical species directly during surgery. The high surface area to volume ratio allows sufficient molecule capture in seconds, enabling both speed and comprehensive molecular information acquisition for accurate intraoperative diagnosis.
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 minimizes tissue damage, reduces contamination risks, and enables efficient, selective capture and analysis of biochemical species, facilitating non-invasive sampling and rapid analysis, even during surgical procedures, while maintaining the integrity of fragile molecules.
Implementation Method 1
a) placing a surface for capturing said biological or biochemical species in contact with a biological tissue or fluid, such that at least one biological or biochemical species is adsorbed by said surface
Implementation Method 2
The nano-pores allow efficient and relatively selective adsorption of chemical and biological species, even in the absence of surface functionalization (although functionalization may also be provided in certain embodiments, to further improve the selectivity and/or capture efficiency); this is attributed to a phenomenon of suction by the pores.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sampling biological or biochemical species, comprising the following steps: a) arranging a capture surface (SC) for said biological or biochemical species in contact with a biological tissue or fluid (TB); and b) rinsing said surface to remove biological or biochemical species that have not been adsorbed; the method being characterised in that said capture surface is the surface of a nanoporous material (MC). A method of analysing said biological or biochemical species, characterised by the use of said surface as an analysis support. The analysis may in particular be performed using a method selected from mass spectroscopy with laser desorption and fluorescence imaging. A device for sampling biological or biochemical species comprising a rod (TM) to which is attached a material (MC) having a capture surface (SC) for said biological or biochemical species, arranged so as to be able to be brought into contact with a biological tissue or fluid (TB), characterised in that said material is a nanoporous material. The rod can be slid into a guide tube to facilitate the insertion thereof into a human or animal body.