Hollow Cylindrical Tissue Sampling Tool with Plunger Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting full-thickness tissue biopsies, such as from the placenta, are inefficient and pose safety risks due to the use of scalpels, leading to irregular samples and exposure to infectious blood, with a lack of standardization and operator safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A sampling tool with a hollow cylindrical design featuring a sharpened cutting edge and a plunger system for suction, allowing for standardized, cylindrical core biopsies with enhanced operator safety and reproducibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scalpel is used to collect tissue biopsies, then the operator can perform full-thickness sections, but the operator is exposed to laceration and infectious blood
Solution Approach 1:
The sharp cutting edge is extracted from a traditional scalpel blade and integrated into a hollow cylindrical probe. This allows the cutting function to be separated from the harmful exposed blade, as the sharp edge is now contained within the cylinder and cannot protrude outward to cause laceration or blood exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow cylindrical probe contains the sharp cutting edge within its structure, nesting the cutting function inside a protective housing. The plunger is then inserted into this hollow cylinder, creating a nested arrangement where the plunger fits inside the probe, allowing controlled tissue sampling without exposing the operator to sharp edges.
2Manufacturing precision
If a scalpel is used to collect tissue biopsies, then full-thickness sections can be obtained, but the samples are irregular and non-standardized
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue sampling process is segmented into distinct functional components: the hollow cylindrical probe defines the sample geometry, the sharp cutting edge performs the incision, and the plunger retrieves the sample. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, ensuring consistent cylindrical sample shapes while simplifying the overall procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow cylindrical probe is designed with pre-defined dimensions and geometry before use. By inserting this pre-fabricated tool into the tissue, the sample shape and size are predetermined, eliminating the need for manual shaping or measurement during the procedure and ensuring standardization.
3Productivity
If a scalpel is used to collect tissue biopsies, then the procedure can be performed, but the process is tedious and bloody
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated tool: the hollow cylindrical probe provides both the cutting guide and sample containment, while the plunger combines tissue retrieval with sample ejection capability. This merging eliminates the need for separate cutting, retrieval, and handling steps, reducing procedural complexity and blood loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical scalpel cutting action is replaced by a controlled insertion and rotation mechanism. The hollow cylinder with integrated sharp edge cuts through tissue as it is rotated and advanced, allowing more controlled sampling with less manual manipulation and reduced blood loss compared to traditional scalpel use.
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 tool enables consistent and safe collection of full-thickness tissue samples, reducing the risk of laceration and infection while ensuring sample integrity for downstream analyses.
Implementation Method 1
The plunger carries an air evacuation channel made of a central hollow bore of about 0.3 cm of diameter (1/8'') running from the first to the second end in order to allow for the plunger to be inserted in the sampling cylinder to reach the surface of the biopsied tissue. By obliterating the second end of the air evacuation channel with a finger the user can create a close chamber that allows for generating the suction power needed for the retrieval of the excised tissue by simply pulling the plunger toward the second end of the sampling cylinder.
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling tool for isolating and collecting a tissue biopsy includes a hollow sampling cylinder that includes a first end and an opposing second end. The first end being a sharpened, annular cutting edge and a central bore extending completely from the first end to the second end. The sampling tool also includes a plunger having a first end and a second end. The plunger includes an air evacuation feature in the form of an air evacuation channel that extends from one end of the plunger to the other end and is open at both ends. The sampling tool has particular utility in isolating and collecting cylindrical core placental biopsies of a standardized size that can be used for multiple downstream applications, including the sampling of other harvested solid, soft-tissue organs such as brain, liver, kidney, and spleen.