Method and apparatus for in vivo collection 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. In some embodiments of the invention, active attraction of biological markers are provided. A partial or complete analytic/detection assembly may also be integrated with the probe.

1 . A biological surveillance probe for detecting disease, comprising
 an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end;   an attraction structure attached to the elongate body, wherein the attraction structure is capable of attracting a binding agent.   
     
     
         2 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the attraction structure is a magnetizable structure. 
     
     
         3 . The probe of  claim 2 , wherein the attraction structure comprises a microstructure. 
     
     
         4 . The probe of  claim 5 , wherein the attraction structure comprises a nanotube microstructure. 
     
     
         5 . The probe of  claim 2 , wherein the attraction structure is a metallic microporous structure. 
     
     
         6 . The probe of  claim 2 , wherein the attraction structure is a cavity containing a mixture of a polymer gel and magnetizable particles. 
     
     
         7 . The probe of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The probe of  claim 7 , further comprising an electrical detection assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The probe of  claim 8 , wherein the detection assembly is an impedance-based detection assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The probe of  claim 8 , wherein the detection assembly is an ion-exchange membrane detection assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The probe of  claim 7 , wherein the detection assembly is a fiberoptic-based assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The probe of  claim 1 , further comprising a binding agent. 
     
     
         13 . The probe of  claim 12 , wherein the binding agent comprises an antibody. 
     
     
         14 . The probe of  claim 12 , further comprising a fluorescent dye component linked to the binding agent 
     
     
         15 . The probe of  claim 12 , further comprising a quantum dot component linked to the binding agent. 
     
     
         16 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a stent-like structure. 
     
     
         17 . The probe of  claim 16 , wherein the attraction structure comprises a magnetizable coating on the elongate body. 
     
     
         18 . A method for detecting disease, comprising the steps of:
 providing a binding agent attraction device;   inserting the device into a body;   introducing a binding agent into the body;   attracting at least a portion of the binding agent to the attraction device; and   assessing the binding agent attracted to the attraction device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the introducing step is performed by injecting the binding agent into the bloodstream. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the introducing step is performed by an eluting the binding agent from an implant within the body. 
     
     
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