Invention Description
Endoscopic tissue tattooing marks lesions for future follow-up, relocation and surgical resection. However, conventional tattoo inks bleed through surrounding tissue, producing poorly defined markings that make later localization difficult and inaccurate. While new inks, such as Tissue-Adhesive Tattoo 2 (TAT2) have been developed to improve spot containment and enable multi-site marking, standard syringes offer poor control and minor changes in hand pressure may lead to markings that are faint, diffuse, or inconsistent. These limitations may reduce marking precision and make lesion localization more difficult.
Researchers at Arizona State University, and collaborators at Mayo, have developed novel specialized syringe attachments that enhances tactile feedback, provide controlled volume delivery, and maintain compatibility with standard 10 mL syringes to improve precision and reliability in endoscopic tattooing. These syringe attachments enable precise injection volumes, even under blinded circumstances (e.g., when viewing a monitor of an endoscope or in low light settings) to reduce variability in the amount of ink delivered. Testing in ex vivo porcine tissue demonstrated that the designs provides improved precision, ease of use, and clearly defined tissue markings compared with conventional syringes.
These novel syringe attachments, especially when combined with new inks, dramatically improve precision and consistency in endoscopic tissue marking and lesion localization.
Potential Applications
- Endoscopic tattooing for precise marking of gastrointestinal lesions during colonoscopy
- Pre-surgical lesion localization to aid targeted surgical resections
- Administration of subcutaneous pharmaceuticals requiring controlled dosing (e.g., Botox)
- General endoscopic procedures benefiting from improved ink delivery accuracy
- Medical device markets seeking improved syringe attachments with tactile feedback
- Research and training tools for more consistent endos
Benefits and Advantages
- Tactile feedback-enabled syringe attachments for precise volume control
- Offers consistent, incremental 0.5 mL dose delivery
- Compatibility with standard 10 mL syringes and existing clinical equipment
- Simple, power-free mechanical design suitable for one-handed operation
- Biocompatible and rapidly 3D-printable parts using polylactic acid (PLA)
- Enhanced operator confidence and reduced variability in ink deposition
- More controlled, confined, and clearer tissue markings in physiological models
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