Biopsy device for improved tissue yield and selectivity

Unmet Need: High efficiency Biopsy Devices

Biopsy procedures are widely used for cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Out of currently available biopsy techniques, surgical biopsy is most accurate but it is highly invasive and expensive. The other techniques like fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology and core needle biopsy (CNB) are less invasive but have their own limitations. There is a need to find a Biopsy technique which is efficient and yet less invasive.

The Technology: Biopsy Needle

Researchers at Washington State University’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering have developed a novel biopsy needle that overcomes the limitations of current biopsy needles on the market. It includes several internal features, which increases biopsy yield and selectivity and can be readily implemented with existing biopsy instrument as well as in image-guided biopsy procedures. It enables the retention of tissue for increased yield as well as enabling selective sampling at a given length.

Applications:

Biopsy procedures for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.

Advantages:

• Improved selectivity.

• Increased efficiency in tissue sampling.

• Less invasive as compared to the standard biopsy devices.

Patent Information:

Provisional patent application has been filed.