Cell Collection Device from Mucosal Tissue Using Cavitation Caused by Ultrasound Irradiation

Abstract

Examination of human intracellular processes is an exponentially exploding frontier in medical science that is currently studied in static cell populations at specific time points. Acquiring detailed information about dynamic changes in RNA transcription and protein expression in living cells has the potential to impact patient and animal care profoundly. We fabricated an ultrasonic device for collecting cells from the mucosal tissue of living organisms. Detailed cell activity could be ascertained by collecting and analyzing cells intermittently throughout the day using this device.

A Langevin-type oscillator generated ultrasonic sound waves that are propagated to the mucosal tissue via a metal rod. The bonds between the cells are weakened or broken by cavitation, and the cells are collected by circulating physiological saline. During the initial testing of this device, we collected over 1000 cells repeatedly from the same site of excised porcine esophageal mucosa with a sampling time of 1 minute and an ultrasonic intensity slightly exceeding the cavitation threshold. This confirms that this device can be used to collect cells multiple times per day.

It is expected that live cells can be collected for analysis during daily life. Cells can also be collected using this minimally invasive device from the mucosa of the digestive tract by attaching this device to the tip of an endoscopic tool. Cells can be collected from various organs during surgery for the analysis of pathological conditions and for analysis that could help delineate more precise surgical procedures.