Dr. Luca Lambertini, co-Director of the Mount Sinai Pregnancy BioBank, and Dr. Men-Jean Lee, Director of Perinatal Research in the Department of 
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, have developed a disposable, cylindrically-shaped soft tissue sampling tool that is 1-2 cm in diameter and >3 cm in height, specifically designed to perform standardized biopsies of soft, spongy and inconsistent tissues that are difficult to sample by using scalpels (placenta, brain, etc.). Although there are other biopsy tools on the market, none are designed for use on spongy and gelatin-like tissues such as the placenta or soft, high fat containing tissues like the brain.
This tool protects tissue integrity, reduces the inherent safety risk in handling scalpels and allows for the isolation of cylindrical core biopsies of a replicated size that can be used for multiple downstream applications. This device is patented and has already undergone one limited production run which has been used to sample scores of placentas for the Mount Sinai Pregnancy BioBank with an urgent request for more tools. With the number of BioBanks increasing worldwide, as well as its use in other ex vivo organ sampling, there is an immediate need for a partner to manufacture and sell this device.
Current Development Status
- We have a fully functional design; tested and validated >200 tissue sampling tools
Applications
- Standardized collection of placental samples
Advantages
- Easy to use design
- Decreased incidence of scalpel-related accidents
- Standardized tissue sample size for downstream applications
Patent Status
- US Utility Application 13/101,797 filed May 5, 2011
- Status: Published. US Publication No. US-2011 0275955
- International Application PCT/US2011/035388 filed May 5, 2011
- Status: Published. International Publication No. WO 2011/140363
Contact Information
Christopher Frenz, PhD
Business Analyst
Mount Sinai Innovation Partners | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Phone: 646.605.7316