Systems and Methods for Cell Collection and Protection of Harvested Cells
Methods and systems for cell collection. Methods and systems include a collection mechanism being transformable between a collection state having an expanded diameter and a retrieval state where the diameter is less than that of the collection state and a conveyance mechanism having a distal end to which the collection mechanism is attached and designed to place the collection mechanism at a site of interest for cell collection. The Methods and systems also include an activation mechanism to transform the collection mechanism between the collection state and the retrieval state.
1 . A system for cell collection, the system comprising:
a collection mechanism being transformable between a collection state having an expanded diameter and a retrieval state where the diameter is less than that of the collection state;
a conveyance mechanism having a distal end to which the collection mechanism is attached, and designed to place the collection mechanism at a site of interest for cell collection; and
an activation mechanism to transform the collection mechanism between the collection state and the retrieval state, and to permit the collection mechanism to move independent of the conveyance mechanism.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism is designed to control transformation of the cell collection mechanism between at least two of the collection state, the retrieval state and a navigation state.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cell collection mechanism includes:
an expandable material having a cell collection surface; and
a plurality of rings spaced along the expandable material and situated circumferentially around the expandable material,
wherein the expandable material is designed to expand from a first circumference less than a circumference of the plurality of rings to a second circumference greater than the circumference of the plurality of rings.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cell collection mechanism is a tubular construction with a plurality of struts to allow the cell collection mechanism to bow.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the cell collection mechanism is designed to bow upon application of a axial force applied linearly along a central axis.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the cell collection mechanism is designed to bow upon application of an internal force applied radial outward.
7 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the tubular construction is designed to bow upon application of heat energy.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cell collection mechanism is designed to expand upon application of heat energy.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cell collection mechanism is constructed with a plurality of creases and bends that are expandable into a shape for cell collection in the collection state and retracted for the retrieval state.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cell collection mechanism is a rigid tubular construction with a plurality slots to allow an internal expandable material to push through and expand out when in the collection state.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the internal expandable material retracts into the plurality slots and within the rigid tubular construction when in the retrieval state.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cell collection mechanism is constructed from a plurality of tines that fan out from a central axis when in the collection state.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the fan out of the plurality of tines is controlled by at least one of an expandable material, a slidable sheath, heat energy, or a combination thereof
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein distal ends of the plurality of tines can retract to a smaller diameter than a remainder of the plurality of tines in the retrieval state.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cell collection mechanism includes a mandrel rod, and a plurality of arms for sampling.
16 . The system of claim 1 , further includes an imaging device proximate to the collection mechanism to assist in the localization and positioning of the collection mechanism at a targeted site.
17 . The system of claim 1 , further including an anchoring device adjacent to the collection mechanism to minimize movement of the collection mechanism.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the anchoring device includes an expandable body.
19 . A cell collection device, the device comprising:
a cell collection mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end, the cell collection mechanism being transformable between at least one of a navigation state, a collection state, and a retrieval state; and
a conveyance mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the conveyance mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the cell collection mechanism.
20 . A method for cell collection, the method comprising:
inserting a cell collection mechanism within a body in a navigation state, the cell collection mechanism being transformable between at least one of a navigation state, a collection state, and a retrieval state;
navigating the cell collection mechanism to a target site for cell collection;
activating an activation mechanism to transform of the cell collection mechanism between navigation state to the collection state;
moving the cell collection mechanism at the cell collection site to gather cells on at least one surface of the cell collection mechanism;
activating the activation mechanism to transform of the cell collection mechanism between the collection state and the retrieval state to protect the collected cells; and
removing the cell collection mechanism.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein, while the cell collection mechanism is in the retrieval state, the cell collection mechanism provides protection of the collected cells from dilution and contamination during retrieval.
22 . A method for cell collection, the method comprising:
inserting, into an esophagus, an expandable cell collection mechanism coupled to a conveyance mechanism;
expanding the collection mechanism at a targeted site to permit contact between the collection mechanism and surrounding esophageal walls;
moving the collection mechanism while maintaining contact with the esophageal walls to collect cells at the targeted site; and
collapsing the collection mechanism.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein in the step of inserting, the collection mechanism is a balloon.
24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein in the step of inserting, the collection mechanism includes a metallic material.
25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the step of moving includes translating the collection mechanism, rotating the collection mechanism, vibrating the collection mechanism, or a combination thereof
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the step of moving further includes translating the collection mechanism along the esophageal walls for at least 1 centimeter (cm).
27 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the step of moving further includes translating the collection mechanism along the esophageal walls for between at least about 2 cm to about 5 cm.
28 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the step of moving includes moving the conveyance mechanism to move the collection mechanism.
29 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the step of moving includes moving the collection mechanism independent of the conveyance mechanism.