Real-time pathology sensor for in-vivo tissue detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer diagnosis and treatment methods, such as biopsies, face challenges in providing real-time detection and removal of suspicious tissue, leading to delayed diagnosis and potential re-location procedures, and are not compatible with multiple imaging modalities like MRI.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a resection device with a sensor and real-time pathology module that allows for in-vivo detection of tissue properties, enabling real-time analysis during procedures without removing tissue samples, and is compatible with various imaging modalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional biopsy methods (open procedure or percutaneous) are used, then tissue samples can be obtained for analysis, but significant time is lost between sampling and diagnosis due to processing steps (smearing, staining, reading)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime between sampling and diagnosisVSAvoiddiagnostic accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the diagnostic function from the traditional laboratory setting and brings it to the procedural site through a specialized sensor device. The sensor directly detects tissue properties at the biopsy location, eliminating the need to transport samples to a lab for staining and analysis, thus dramatically reducing diagnostic time while maintaining accuracy through real-time detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary device between the tissue sample and the diagnostic analysis. This sensor acts as a mediator that directly interfaces with the tissue to detect pathological properties in real-time, replacing the traditional intermediary steps of sample preparation, staining, and manual examination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If open surgical biopsy procedure is used, then comprehensive tissue samples can be obtained, but significant trauma is caused to the breast tissue with disfiguring results and increased recovery time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepathological assessment completenessVSAvoidtissue trauma and disfigurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tissue removal and processing system with a sensor-based detection system. Instead of physically extracting and transporting tissue samples through invasive procedures, the sensor electronically detects tissue properties in situ, substituting mechanical intervention with field-based measurement to minimize physical trauma

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fine needle aspiration is used, then less invasive sampling is achieved, but only a small amount of cells are available for analysis and pathological assessment is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinvasiveness of procedureVSAvoidamount of tissue available for analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device performs self-service by directly detecting tissue properties at the procedural site without requiring physical removal or transport of tissue samples. The device autonomously analyzes tissue characteristics in situ, providing comprehensive pathological assessment while maintaining the minimally invasive nature of the original sampling procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3005950B1Real-time pathology device
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 NICO CORP
  • EP3005950B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3005950B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B
  • EP3005950B1 patent drawingFigure 4C~4E

AI summary

A system (470) for detecting tissue in a patient comprises a surgical instrument configured for selective insertion into a patient. The surgical instrument further comprises a handpiece (482) to which an outer cannula (460) and an inner cannula (350) are mounted. The surgical instrument further includes a sampling aperture (410), a collector filter (480) and a real-time pathology module (490) disposed between the handpiece and the collector filter. The real-time pathology module further includes at least one sensor (110) configured to detect at least one property of the tissue of said patient. The sensor is positioned within the real-time pathology module so as to contact tissue when the surgical instrument is inserted within a patient and tissue is resected.