Segmented Cell Collection Device with Expansion Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for collecting cells from the gastrointestinal tract face challenges such as inadequate accuracy and reliability due to the inability to handle varying body lumen sizes and the adverse effects of compression on cell collection materials, leading to suboptimal expansion and pressure distribution.
Innovation Solution
A cell collection device with multiple distinct regions of varying material properties, including abrasive and non-absorbent materials, designed to expand within the body lumen, featuring geometric shapes and expansion elements like springs or stents to ensure effective cell collection across varying anatomical sizes, and a dissolvable capsule with controlled release mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cell collection material is compressed within a capsule for long periods of time, then the device can be swallowed and delivered to the gastrointestinal tract, but the expansion properties of the material are adversely affected and it may not expand to a suitable size or shape
Solution Approach 1:
The cell collection device is divided into multiple segments or lobes that can independently expand. This segmentation allows the device to maintain compression for swallowability while each segment retains its expansion capability through separate expansion mechanisms such as balloons or expandable frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-compressed within the capsule before delivery, preparing it for swallowing. The expansion mechanisms are pre-positioned and pre-loaded within the compressed structure, ready to activate after delivery to restore the device to its functional expanded state.
2Device complexity
If the cell collection material is designed to collect cells from a body lumen with a relatively uniform size, then the device structure can be simplified, but it becomes incapable of adequately collecting cells from a body lumen with portions of varying size
Solution Approach 1:
The cell collection device incorporates dynamic elements such as expandable balloons, adjustable frames, or flexible lobes that can change size and shape. These dynamic components allow the device to adapt to varying lumen diameters by expanding or contracting as needed, while the basic structural framework remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the device have different material properties or structural characteristics tailored to specific functions. For example, certain lobes or sections may be made of softer, more compliant material to adapt to narrower sections, while other portions use stiffer material for structural support, allowing the device to handle varying lumen sizes effectively.
3Reliability
If the cell collection device expands to a larger size within the body lumen, then comprehensive cell collection is improved, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple segments or lobes that can expand independently to different degrees. This allows the device to achieve comprehensive cell collection coverage by distributing expansion across multiple segments, while each segment exerts less individual pressure on the tissue, reducing overall patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable expansion parameters, allowing the expansion degree to be optimized. By controlling the expansion pressure and volume parameters, the device can achieve sufficient cell collection coverage while maintaining patient comfort through controlled, gradual expansion rather than abrupt full expansion.
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
Enhances the accuracy and reliability of cell collection by adapting to different body lumen sizes, ensuring comprehensive cell collection and minimizing patient discomfort through controlled expansion and pressure distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The cell collection device may be made from a sponge-like material that is compressed and encased within a swallowable capsule... allowing it to expand within the body lumen
Implementation Method 2
an abrasive material configured to collect cells from the body lumen by scraping a surface of the body lumen
Implementation Method 3
The capsule may be swallowed or otherwise placed in the body lumen where it releases the cell collection device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and systems for collecting cells from a body lumen are described. The system may include a swallowable cell collection device comprising an abrasive and substantially non-absorbent material in a compressed configuration and configured to collect cells from the body lumen by scraping a surface of the body lumen. The system may further include one or more expansion elements coupled with the cell collection device configured to expand the cell collection device from the compressed configuration.