This company develops systems to improve the capture and utilization of biopsy material during tissue sampling procedures. They offer the Crow’s Nest Biopsy Catchment System to maximize the amount of viable tissue collected per procedure. This approach supports comprehensive downstream molecular and genomic testing for patient care and research.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Core needle biopsies often result in the loss of dislodged tumor cells (DTCs) that adhere to the biopsy needle, which are typically discarded as medical waste. The loss of these cells can limit the amount of tissue available for comprehensive genomic sequencing, potentially hindering the ability to identify targeted oncology therapies. In some instances, this can lead to patients undergoing chemotherapy when more precise, targeted treatments could be available if sufficient tissue was available for analysis.
Solution
The Crow's Nest Biopsy Catchment System is a novel device designed to capture and preserve DTCs that would otherwise be lost during a core needle biopsy. This multi-container system allows interventional radiologists to collect the dislodged cells from the biopsy needle, creating a secondary specimen in addition to the solid tissue core. By capturing these cells, the system enables comprehensive molecular testing from small biopsy samples without depleting the primary tissue specimen. The captured DTCs can then be used for genomic screening, potentially qualifying patients for precision medicine clinical trials and targeted therapies. This approach maximizes the value of each biopsy, providing more comprehensive information for treatment decisions and potentially avoiding the need for a second biopsy procedure.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes interventional radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, clinical lab directors, and clinical research organizations involved in solid tumor biopsies and precision medicine initiatives.
Features
- Multi-container device designed for use immediately after a core needle biopsy
- Captures dislodged tumor cells (DTCs) from the biopsy needle in a sterile phosphate buffer (PBS) solution
- Separates the solid tissue core from the liquid containing the dislodged cells
- Creates two specimens from a single biopsy: one solid tissue sample for FFPE processing and one liquid sample containing DTCs for molecular testing
- Preserves a valuable biologic resource that is normally lost to medical waste
- Simple to use with minimal additional steps for the interventional radiologist