Probe-guide for single-insertion brain biopsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy devices for brain tumors require multiple insertions into the tissue, increasing the risk of complications such as infection and hemorrhage, and are time-consuming and costly due to the need for multiple specialists and prolonged surgery.
Innovation Solution
A probe-guide device with a tube-shaped design featuring forward- and side-looking openings, capable of hosting an optical probe and biopsy needle, allowing for real-time identification and harvesting of biopsies with only one insertion by using optical fibers and lasers for tissue identification and navigation, and a mechanism for delivering medications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple insertions are used to harvest a biopsy, then the biopsy accuracy is improved, but the risk of complications and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device nests multiple functional components within a single insertion trajectory: an optical probe is inserted first to map the tumor and identify safe biopsy sites by detecting blood vessels, then a biopsy needle is inserted through the same trajectory to harvest tissue at the predetermined safe location. This nesting approach allows multiple functions (tumor mapping, vessel detection, biopsy site identification, and tissue harvesting) to be performed through one insertion, eliminating the need for separate insertions while maintaining biopsy accuracy and reducing complication risks.
2Measurement precision
If multiple insertions are performed, then tumor mapping accuracy is improved, but surgical time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges tumor mapping and biopsy harvesting into a single integrated workflow. The optical probe performs fluorescence imaging and laser Doppler flowmetry to create a detailed map of the tumor and its vasculature, identifying optimal biopsy sites. This mapping information is then immediately used to guide the biopsy needle to the predetermined safe location within the same surgical session, eliminating the need for separate mapping and biopsy procedures and significantly reducing surgical time while maintaining high mapping accuracy.
3Device complexity
If side-looking guides are used, then device simplicity is improved, but vessel detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a side-looking guide that attempts to detect vessels laterally, the invention inverts the approach by using a forward-looking optical probe that actively maps the tumor and detects blood vessels along the insertion trajectory before the biopsy needle is deployed. This inversion allows vessel detection to occur in the same directional path as the biopsy, ensuring that vessels directly in front of the biopsy site are identified and avoided, thereby maintaining simple device structure while dramatically improving vessel detection capability.
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
Enables safe and efficient biopsy harvesting with reduced risk of complications, minimizing the need for multiple insertions and specialists, thereby decreasing surgical time and healthcare costs while ensuring accurate tumor tissue identification and diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
The probe use fluorescence for identifying malign tissue (PpIX)
Implementation Method 2
and blood vessels by laser Doppler flowmetry
Implementation Method 3
The probe is essentially tube-shaped outer housing accommodating optical fibers... configured to transmit and receive light via the first opening of the probe-guide
Implementation Method 4
The probe comprises a light spectrometer laser; and a LDF laser; and a Raman laser
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a probe-guide for guiding, identifying, and harvesting a biopsy, said probe-guide can be combined with an optical probe, a biopsy needle or a device for delivering a medicament.