Laser-heated needle for biopsy tract ablation: In vivo study of rabbit liver biopsy

Validation of spectrophotometric and colorimetric method for the specific quantification of sofosbuvir From luminar capsule microneedle in liver tissue through ex vivo and in vivo applications

An antiviral prodrug that has received regulatory approval and primarily employed in the treatment of hepatitis C is sofosbuvir (SOF). It is therefore imperative to develop advanced delivery methods for SOF in order to address existing absor ption issue and maximize the efficacy. In this study, we developed microneedle-integrated SOF (MN-SOF) which were elongated with branches and coated capsules to form luminar capsule microneedles (LUCAMs). To facilitate the formulation of LUCAMs, analytical methods for SOF in ethanol, artificial intestinal fluid (AIF), and artificial gastric fluid (AGF) were developed using a UV-vis spectrophotometer and colorimetric techniques in liver tissue. These methods were validated by combi ning the samples with ammonium metavanadate reagent. The validation process was conducted in order to ensure the accuracy, precision, linearity, specificity, and sensitivity of the methods. These methods exhibited a correlation coefficient of 0.9999, with a coefficient of variation below 25%. The methods demonstrate high accuracy and precision, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values ranging from 0.67% to 9.42% across different medium. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values of SOF on each calibration curve of ethanol, artificial gastric fluid (AGF), artificial intestinal fluid (AIF), and rabbit liver tissue are 0.54μg/mL and 1.65μg/mL; 0.54μg/mL and 1.64μg/mL; 0.39μg/mL and 1.21μg/mL; 0.27μg/mL and 0.83μg/mL. As a significant outcome, the analytical method was validated and demonstrated suitability for determining the amount of SOF in the LUCAMs formulation through in vitro solubility, ex vivo permeation profiles, and in vivo drug delivery studies.

A Novel Biopsy Method Based on Bipolar Radiofrequency Biopsy Needles

Modern oncology increasingly relies on pathological, molecular, and genomic assessments of biopsied tumor tissue. However, the concern for bleeding complication and malignant seeding severely hinders the application of the biopsy tumor. Here, we developed a 16 G biopsy needle to contain two electrodes insulated from each other and connect to an radiofrequency generator. For evaluating hemostatic efficacy, 50 rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: warfarinization and non-warfarinization group. Two liver biopsies and two splenic biopsies per animal were performed using a 16 G biopsy needle. Each group was further equally divided into five groups according to different hemostatic measures, including non-intervention, embolization using an absorbable gelatin sponge, and ablation by RF with three different needle temperatures (50°C, 70°C, and 90°C). Than, we used VX2 rabbit models (n = 25) and applied the five analogous biopsies to the tumor. The flush fluid from the biopsy needle underwent cytomorphological analysis. Our results that the groups using ablation by RF showed significantly less blood loss than the control group for liver and spleen in both groups (P < 0.001). After RF ablation, thermal coagulation of the tissue surrounding the needle tract was observed on both the macroscopic and histological level. Cytological smears showed that tumor cells were degenerated after RF at 70°C and 90°C. Our findings showed that bipolar RF biopsy needle is a promising tool for reducing hemorrhage after biopsy and avoiding implanting tumor cells in the tract.

Clinical Efficacy of Liver Tumor Biopsy With Radiofrequency Ablation of the Puncture Route Using a Co-access Needle

BACKGROUND/AIM

Tumor biopsy are needed frequency for accurate diagnosis. However, percutaneous liver tumor biopsy presents a risk of complications such as bleeding and tumor seeding. We investigated the feasibility of liver tumor biopsy, followed by cauterization with expandable radiofrequency ablation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Tumor biopsies using a co-access needle were performed in 102 patients. Expandable radiofrequency ablation was used to ensure cauterization and hemostasis of the puncture route. We evaluated the clinical background and complications.

RESULTS

The average (±standard deviation) tumor diameter was 56.87±39.45 mm. Pathological diagnosis was possible in all cases. In 20 patients, the postoperative pathological diagnosis differed from the preoperative diagnosis. No significant anemia progression was observed in any patients after biopsy, and no peritoneal seeding was observed during a mean follow-up observation period of 18.5 months.

CONCLUSION

Liver tumor biopsy, followed by cauterization with expandable radiofrequency ablation via a co-access needle, is safe and useful for obtaining reliable diagnoses.