Minimally invasive collection probe and methods for the use thereof

Abstract

Method and devices are provided for assessing tissue samples from a plurality of tissue sites in a subject using molecular analysis. In certain aspects, devices of the embodiments allow for minimally invasive collection of liquid tissue samples and delivery of the samples for mass spectrometry analysis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a chamber comprising a solvent;   a mass spectrometer;   a probe comprising a reservoir, a first conduit, a second conduit and a third conduit, wherein:
 the probe is, or is comprised in, the cannula of a surgical instrument; 
 the first conduit is in fluid communication with the chamber; 
 the second conduit is in fluid communication with gas supply; and 
 the third conduit is in fluid communication with the mass spectrometer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument is a laparoscope. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument is a trocar needle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument is a biopsy guide. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument is a multiple-lumen catheter. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument is robotic. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is a space formed in said first, second or third conduits. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the reservoir is a space formed in said first conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises from 0.01 to 1.0 ml of fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises a fin that can be gripped. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth conduit, wherein:
 the first conduit, the second conduit and the third conduit are each in fluid communication with the fourth conduit.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first valve configured to control flow between the first conduit and the fourth conduit; and   a second valve configured to control flow between the second conduit and the fourth conduit.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a third first valve configured to control flow between the third conduit and the fourth conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas supply provides air from an atmosphere of the probe, nitrogen or carbon dioxide to the probe. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises a tracking device or dye to track a location of the probe. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a control system configured to control:
 a solvent flow from the chamber through the first conduit; and   a sample flow through the third conduit to the mass spectrometer.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mass spectrometer is in electronic communication with a computer that can provide sample analysis, and the computer provides a visual or auditory read-out of the sample analysis. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a waste container in fluid communication with the third conduit. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the third conduit. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the pump is configured to increase the velocity of the contents within the third conduit. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element coupled to the third conduit. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the heating element is a heating wire. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an ionization device in fluid communication with the third conduit. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the ionization device is an electrospray ionization (ESI) device. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the ionization device is an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) device. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the ionization device is to form a spray proximal to an inlet for mass spectrometer. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the third conduit is not directly coupled to the mass spectrometer. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a venturi device in fluid communication with the third conduit. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus does not include device for application of ultrasonic or vibrational energy. 
     
     
         30 . A method for assessing tissue samples from a subject comprising:
 (a) applying a fixed or discrete volume of a solvent to a tissue site in the subject through the cannula of a surgical instrument;   (b) collecting the applied solvent to obtain a liquid sample; and   (c) subjecting the sample to mass spectrometry analysis.