Ultrasonic actuation of a fine-needle improves biopsy yield

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 15;11(1):8234. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87303-x.

Abstract

Despite the ubiquitous use over the past 150 years, the functions of the current medical needle are facilitated only by mechanical shear and cutting by the needle tip, i.e. the lancet. In this study, we demonstrate how nonlinear ultrasonics (NLU) extends the functionality of the medical needle far beyond its present capability. The NLU actions were found to be localized to the proximity of the needle tip, the SonoLancet, but the effects extend to several millimeters from the physical needle boundary. The observed nonlinear phenomena, transient cavitation, fluid streams, translation of micro- and nanoparticles and atomization, were quantitatively characterized. In the fine-needle biopsy application, the SonoLancet contributed to obtaining tissue cores with an increase in tissue yield by 3-6× in different tissue types compared to conventional needle biopsy technique using the same 21G needle. In conclusion, the SonoLancet could be of interest to several other medical applications, including drug or gene delivery, cell modulation, and minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle / instrumentation
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle / methods
  • Cattle
  • Drug Delivery Systems / instrumentation
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Gene Transfer Techniques / instrumentation
  • Humans
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / instrumentation
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Needles*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Ultrasonics / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonics / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional* / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional* / methods