Segmented Cell Collection Device for Varying Lumen Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for collecting cells from the gastrointestinal tract are inefficient due to their inability to handle body lumens of varying sizes, leading to reduced accuracy and increased patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A cell collection device with multiple distinct regions, each having different material properties, is designed to expand within the body lumen, featuring abrasive and non-absorbent materials, and is configured to adapt to varying diameters, using expansion elements and a dissolvable capsule for controlled release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cell collection material is designed with uniform size to collect cells from body lumens, then it can collect cells from lumens of relatively uniform size, but it becomes incapable of adequately collecting cells from body lumens with portions of varying size
Solution Approach 1:
The cell collection device is divided into multiple distinct regions along its length, with each region having different material properties (compressibility, elasticity, porosity). This segmentation allows different portions of the device to adapt to varying lumen diameters while maintaining reliable cell collection throughout the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cell collection device are assigned different material properties tailored to their specific functions. For example, regions with higher compressibility can adapt to narrower lumens while regions with lower compressibility maintain contact with wider lumens, ensuring reliable cell collection across varying anatomical structures.
2Ease of operation
If the cell collection device is compressed and encased within a swallowable capsule, then it can be easily swallowed and naturally dissolves within the gastrointestinal tract, but the device must expand within the body lumen to function effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-compressed and encased in a dissolvable capsule before administration, preparing it for easy swallowing. The capsule is designed to dissolve naturally within the gastrointestinal tract, automatically triggering the device's expansion mechanism without requiring additional complexity or user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes changes in physical parameters (compression ratio, material elasticity, porosity) to transition from a compressed capsule state to an expanded functional state. The material properties are specifically selected to enable automatic expansion when the capsule dissolves, balancing ease of administration with effective device function.
3Productivity
If the cell collection device is made from abrasive material to collect cells by scraping, then it can effectively collect cells from the body lumen surface, but it may increase discomfort to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates multiple regions with varying material properties, including abrasive regions for effective cell collection and softer regions that reduce patient discomfort. This local differentiation allows the device to maintain high cell collection efficiency while minimizing harmful effects on the patient's mucosal tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell collection device is constructed from composite materials that combine abrasive properties for effective cell scraping with softer, more comfortable materials. This composite structure enables the device to achieve both high productivity in cell collection and reduced patient discomfort simultaneously.
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
The device effectively collects cells from body lumens of varying sizes with improved accuracy and reliability, reducing patient discomfort by adapting to different anatomical features and ensuring efficient cell collection.
Implementation Method 1
a sponge-like material that is compressed and encased within a swallowable capsule and attached to a retrieval string. The capsule may be swallowed or otherwise placed in the body lumen where it releases the cell collection device, 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
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and systems for collecting cells from a body lumen are described. The system may include a cell collection device and a capsule configured to releasably retain the cell collection device. The cell collection device may comprise a plurality of distinct regions, each region comprising one or more material properties. In some instances, at least one material property of at least one distinct region differs from at least one material property of at least one other distinct region. The distinct regions may comprise different materials or may comprise the same material where at least one of the distinct regions is mechanically or chemically altered to yield the at least one differing material property.