Method and apparatus for in vivo surveillance of circulating biological components

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.

1 . A biological surveillance probe for detecting disease, comprising 
 an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end;    a binding surface attached to the elongate body, wherein the binding surface has a microconfiguration for an increased surface area; and    at least one binding partner attached to the binding surface to bind at least one complementary target.    
     
     
         2 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the binding surface is a microporous surface.  
     
     
         3 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the binding surface has at least one laser-drilled hole.  
     
     
         4 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the binding surface has been configured by vapor deposition.  
     
     
         5 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the binding surface has been configured by physical vapor deposition.  
     
     
         6 . The probe of  claim 19 , wherein the binding surface has been configured by chemical vapor deposition.  
     
     
         7 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the binding surface has been configured by sputtering.  
     
     
         8 . The probe of  claim 7 , wherein the binding surface has been configured by reactive sputtering.  
     
     
         9 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the binding surface has been configured by sintering.  
     
     
         10 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the binding surface has been configured by vacuum deposition.  
     
     
         11 . The probe of  claim 2 , wherein the binding surface comprises a material selected from a group comprising a microporous polymer, nanotube, metal, non-metal, ceramic or combination thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is a catheter body.  
     
     
         13 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is a stent support.  
     
     
         14 . The probe of  claim 13 , wherein the binding surface is polymeric jacket.  
     
     
         15 . The probe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one optically sensitive dye engaged to the binding surface.  
     
     
         16 . The probe of  claim 1 , further comprising a fibrin-deposition resistant component.  
     
     
         17 . The probe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one anti-thrombotic agent engaged to the binding surface.  
     
     
         18 . The probe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one antimicrobial agent engaged to the binding surface.  
     
     
         19 . The probe of  claim 1 , further comprising an atraumatic tip attached to the distal end of the elongate body.  
     
     
         20 . A method for collecting biological markers, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a collecting probe comprising a microconfigured binding surface and at least one binding agent affixed to the binding surface for binding a marker;    positioning at least a portion of the probe in an anatomical structure of a living organism;    maintaining the probe in a general position for a specified period of time; and    removing the probe from the living organism.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 binding at least one marker at a first point in time; and    binding at least one marker at a second point in time.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 binding at least one marker at about a first peak in marker concentration; and    binding at least the biological marker at about a second peak in marker concentration.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising analyzing the probe for markers bound to the binding agent.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the analyzing step is performed ex vivo.