Method and apparatus for in vivo surveillance of circulating biological components
First Claim
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1. A method for collecting biological markers, comprising the steps of:
- providing a collecting probe comprising a binding surface, wherein the binding surface comprises an outer porous zone and an inner non-porous zone, wherein the porous zone has affixed thereto at least one binding agent for binding a marker, and wherein the porous zone is configured to immobilize a marker to the binding surface upon binding of the marker to the binding agent, thereby increasing the surface area of the binding surface;
positioning at least a portion of the probe in an anatomical structure of a living organism;
maintaining the probe in a generally fixed position for greater than 1 hour; and
removing the probe from the living organism.
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Abstract
The invention relates generally to in vivo collection of circulating molecules, tumor cells and other biological markers using a collecting probe. The probe is configured for placement within a living organism for an extended period of time to provide sufficient yield of biological marker for analysis.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for collecting biological markers, comprising the steps of:
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providing a collecting probe comprising a binding surface, wherein the binding surface comprises an outer porous zone and an inner non-porous zone, wherein the porous zone has affixed thereto at least one binding agent for binding a marker, and wherein the porous zone is configured to immobilize a marker to the binding surface upon binding of the marker to the binding agent, thereby increasing the surface area of the binding surface; positioning at least a portion of the probe in an anatomical structure of a living organism; maintaining the probe in a generally fixed position for greater than 1 hour; and removing the probe from the living organism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for collecting biological markers, comprising the steps of:
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providing a collecting probe comprising a microconfigured binding surface and at least one binding agent affixed to the binding surface for binding a marker, wherein the microconfigured binding surface is directly bonded onto a solid surface of the probe, and wherein the microconfigured binding surface is configured to immobilize the marker to the binding surface upon binding of the marker to the binding agent; delivering the probe to an anatomical structure of a living organism using a delivery tool, thereby placing the microconfigured binding surface into direct contact with a circulating body fluid in the living organism; detaching the probe from the delivery tool; removing the delivery tool from the anatomical structure of the living organism; maintaining the probe in a general position for a specified period of time; and removing the probe from the living organism. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification