A tissue section electrostatic collection device and a tissue section collection system

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of tissue slice electrostatic collection device and tissue slice collection system, including section transmission component, the section transmission component includes the polymer film transmission belt for electrostatically adsorbing tissue slice and transporting tissue slice;Charging device, the charging device is close to the polymer film transmission belt arrangement, for making the polymer film transmission belt on static electricity.Based on the tissue slice electrostatic collection device and tissue slice collection system of the present application, using the nature of electrostatically adsorbing small object, electrostatic generation technology is combined with the polymer film transmission belt that can be stably charged and applied to the field of biological tissue slice collection, the collection of tissue slice is realized, and the secondary transfer of biological tissue slice is facilitated, and the damage to sample is small, and pollution is less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of biomedicine, specifically relating to an electrostatic collection device and a tissue section collection system for tissue sections. Background Technology

[0002] In the biomedical field, biological tissues are often processed into thin sections for microscopic observation, which has wide applications in bioimaging and pathological research. Furthermore, whole-organ imaging techniques based on mechanical cutting also require tissue to be sliced ​​into thin sections. In large-scale or systematic studies, these thin sections need to be collected for subsequent biochemical manipulations. In related technologies, tissue section collection is performed manually because the sections are extremely thin and fragile, and may be curled, wrinkled, broken, or otherwise damaged. There are also automated methods for collecting tissue sections, such as tape collection, conveyor belt collection, and robotic arm collection. The roll-to-roll method based on tape involves the cooperation of take-up and unroll rollers, combined with the adhesiveness of the tape, to collect samples while simultaneously cutting. This method has the following advantages: firstly, during the cutting process, the taut tape provides support and protection for the tissue sections, improving the quality of section collection to some extent; secondly, due to the universality of tape adhesion, it is compatible with various embedding techniques for tissue sectioning, such as paraffin embedding and cryopreservation. However, because the adhesive tape adheres too tightly to the biological tissue sections, it is difficult to achieve a secondary transfer of the tissue sections from the adhesive tape to the glass slide. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem solved by this invention is to provide an electrostatic collection device and system for tissue slides, which facilitates the secondary transfer of biological tissue slides with minimal damage and contamination to the samples.

[0004] The specific solution provided by this invention is as follows:

[0005] The present invention provides a tissue section electrostatic collection device, including a section transport assembly, the section transport assembly including a polymer film transport belt for electrostatically adsorbing and transporting tissue sections; and a charging device disposed near the polymer film transport belt for charging the polymer film transport belt with static electricity.

[0006] Based on the technical solution of the present invention, the following beneficial effects are achieved:

[0007] Based on the electrostatic collection device for tissue sections of the present invention, the property of electrostatic adsorption of small, light objects is utilized. The stable charging of a polymer film transport belt is combined with electrostatic generation technology (high voltage charging, triboelectric charging, separation charging, etc.) and applied to the field of biological tissue section collection, realizing the collection and transportation of tissue sections. The transport via the charged polymer film transport belt facilitates the secondary transfer of biological tissue sections, with minimal damage and contamination to the tissue sections. Furthermore, the polymer film transport belt, which adsorbs samples through electrostatic forces, does not easily adhere to tissue residues, making it easy to reuse.

[0008] Based on the above solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows:

[0009] Furthermore, the charging device includes a high-voltage charging device, which includes a high-voltage generator and a grounding electrode disposed opposite to the high-voltage generator. The polymer film conveyor belt passes between the high-voltage generator and the grounding electrode along its transport direction. The charging device also includes a first translation stage for adjusting the distance between the high-voltage generator and the polymer film conveyor belt, and a second translation stage for adjusting the distance between the grounding electrode and the polymer film conveyor belt.

[0010] Alternatively, the charging device may be a triboelectric charging device, which includes a plurality of triboelectric rods arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film conveyor belt.

[0011] Furthermore, the polymer film transport belt is a transparent polymer film transport belt, and the material of the transparent polymer film transport belt is selected from one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester or polyvinyl chloride.

[0012] Furthermore, the slicing conveying device also includes a first unwinding roller, a magnetic powder brake, a first winding roller, and a stepper motor. The first unwinding roller is electrically connected to the magnetic powder brake, and the first winding roller is electrically connected to the stepper motor. The two ends of the polymer film conveyor belt are respectively wound around the first unwinding roller and the first winding roller, and the charging device is located between the first unwinding roller and the first winding roller.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes an electrostatic measuring instrument, which is used to measure the electrostatic voltage of the charged polymer film transport belt. The charging device and the electrostatic measuring instrument are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt.

[0014] The present invention also provides a tissue slide collection system, comprising: a tissue slide electrostatic collection device as described above and a cutting device for cutting a sample into tissue slides, wherein the charging device and the cutting device are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt.

[0015] Furthermore, the cutting device includes a cutting tool, and the tissue section collection system further includes a pressing roller for controlling the distance between the polymer film conveyor belt and the upper surface of the cutting tool. The pressing roller includes a roller body for supporting the polymer film conveyor belt. The distance L between the upper surface of the cutting tool and the outer periphery of the roller body is ≥ h, and the distance di between the tip of the cutting tool and the outer periphery of the roller body ranges from (H+h) to (H+3h). The polymer film conveyor belt passes between the upper surface of the cutting tool and the roller body, and the radius of the roller body satisfies:

[0016]

[0017] Where R is the radius of the roller body;

[0018] h represents the thickness of the tissue section;

[0019] H represents the thickness of the polymer film transport band;

[0020] θ is the angle between the upper surface of the tool and the cutting plane.

[0021] Furthermore, the pressing roller also includes an assembly and a support for supporting the polymer film conveyor belt. The roller body is rotatably mounted on the assembly, and the support is fixed on the assembly and disposed near the upper surface of the cutter. The roller body and the support are arranged sequentially along the conveying direction of the polymer film conveyor belt, and the polymer film conveyor belt passes between the upper surface of the cutter and the support.

[0022] Furthermore, the support member is provided with an observation window.

[0023] Furthermore, the tissue section collection system also includes a section imaging device, which is used to image the tissue sections adsorbed on the polymer film transport belt. The cutting device and the section imaging device are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt.

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a tissue section electrostatic collection device based on an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a tissue section electrostatic collection device based on another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the high-voltage charging device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the triboelectric charging device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a tissue slide collection system based on an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the sample when it collides with the roller before cutting.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the sample, the cutting tool, and the roller in a tissue section collection system based on an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the relationship between the roller radius, the distance between the blade tip and the outer perimeter of the roller, and the thickness of the tissue section.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a graph showing the relationship between the roller radius, the angle between the upper surface of the cutter and the cutting plane, and the thickness of the tissue section.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tableting roller in a tissue section collection system based on an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the tableting roller, the support member, and the cutting tool in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the tableting roller, the support member, and the cutting tool according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Appendix Figure 1-12 The component names represented by each part are as follows:

[0038] 1. Polymer film conveyor belt;

[0039] 2. Charging device; 21. High-voltage generator; 22. Grounding electrode; 23. First translation stage; 24. Second translation stage; 25. Triboelectric generator;

[0040] 3. Steering rollers;

[0041] 4. Electrostatic measuring instrument;

[0042] 5. Sterilization tank;

[0043] 6. Tableting roller; 61. Roller body; 62. Assembly parts; 63. Support parts; 631. Guide roller;

[0044] 7. Cutting tools; 71. Samples; 72. Tissue sections;

[0045] 8. Observation window;

[0046] 9. Slice imaging device;

[0047] 10. First unwinding roll;

[0048] 11. First take-up roller. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0050] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrostatic collection device for tissue slides based on the present invention includes: a slide transport assembly, the slide transport assembly including a polymer film transport belt 1 for electrostatically adsorbing and transporting tissue slides; and a charging device 2, the charging device 2 being disposed close to the polymer film transport belt 1 for charging the polymer film transport belt with static electricity. The electrostatic collection device for tissue slides based on the present invention utilizes the property of electrostatic adsorption of small, light objects, combining electrostatic generation technology (high-voltage charging, triboelectric charging, separation charging, etc.) with a polymer film transport belt capable of achieving stable charging in the field of biological tissue slide collection, realizing the collection and transport of tissue slides; transporting via a charged polymer film transport belt facilitates secondary transfer of biological tissue slides with minimal damage and contamination, and the polymer film transport belt, which adsorbs samples through electrostatic forces, does not easily adhere to tissue residues, facilitating recycling.

[0051] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, an electrostatic collection device for tissue sections according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a charging device comprising a high-voltage charging device, which includes a high-voltage generator 21 and a grounding electrode 22 disposed opposite to the high-voltage generator. A polymer film conveyor belt 1 is disposed between the high-voltage generator 21 and the grounding electrode 22 along its transport direction. The charging device further includes a first translation stage 23 for adjusting the distance between the high-voltage generator 21 and the polymer film conveyor belt 1, and a second translation stage 24 for adjusting the distance between the grounding electrode 22 and the polymer film conveyor belt 1; or, the charging device is a triboelectric charging device, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the triboelectric charging device includes a plurality of triboelectric rods 25, which are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film conveyor belt 1.

[0052] Optionally, the charging device is a separation charging device. Separation charging refers to the phenomenon that a strong charge occurs when contacting objects are separated, such as by tearing off tape or removing the protective film on an LCD glass substrate. The amount of charge is determined by the separation speed; when the separation speed is fast, the charge increases.

[0053] Preferably, the high-voltage charging device is an electrostatic high-voltage generator. The high-voltage generating head of the electrostatic high-voltage generator is used to generate a high voltage of tens of kilovolts. A copper block with good conductivity serves as a grounding electrode, opposite to the high-voltage electrode, so that a strong electric field is generated between the high-voltage generating head and the grounding electrode. The distance between the polymer film conveyor belt and the high-voltage generating head, the distance between the polymer film conveyor belt and the grounding electrode, the movement speed of the polymer film conveyor belt, and the material of the polymer film conveyor belt all affect the charging effect of the polymer film conveyor belt. Two translation stages hold the high-voltage generating head and the grounding electrode respectively. Through precise adjustment of the translation stages, precise control can be achieved over the distance between the polymer film conveyor belt and the high-voltage generating head, and the distance between the polymer film conveyor belt and the grounding electrode. In a triboelectric charging device, triboelectric rods generate friction between the triboelectric rods and the polymer film transport belt to be charged, thus imbuing the transport belt with a charge. The charge on the transport belt can be controlled by adjusting the arrangement and number of the triboelectric rods. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, and mechanical factors, such as contact, friction, rotation, torsion, frictional force, frictional direction, frictional speed, contact area, and contact time, also affect the charge on the transport belt. Due to the limitations of electrostatic research and the complexity of transport belt materials, there is currently no method to achieve a suitable and stable charge on the transport belt. We combine two main electrostatic generation methods and, through adjustments to the polymer film transport belt, the charging device, and charging conditions (such as the movement of the translation stage, the speed of the polymer film transport belt, temperature, humidity, and the number and arrangement of the triboelectric rods), we can achieve a uniform and stable charge on the polymer film transport belt. Specifically, we can determine the charge parameters suitable for the automatic collection of tissue sections based on polymer film transport belts of different materials and sections of different thicknesses. After the polymer film transport belt has accumulated a stable static charge, it can then be used for tissue section collection, thus completing the automatic collection of biological tissue sections.

[0054] Preferably, in a tissue section electrostatic collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the polymer film transport belt is a transparent polymer film transport belt, and the material of the transparent polymer film transport belt is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester, or polyvinyl chloride. Currently, there are many different films with different polymer compositions on the market. The aforementioned polymer film materials have high resistivity, high strength (because the circuit has a large tension during winding, the film should produce as little deformation as possible), and transparency, enabling stable charging, stable transport of tissue sections, convenient observation, and no sample contamination.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the tissue section electrostatic collection device further includes a first unwinding roller 10, a magnetic powder brake, a first winding roller 11, and a stepper motor. The first unwinding roller 10 is electrically connected to the magnetic powder brake, and the first winding roller 11 is electrically connected to the stepper motor. The polymer film conveyor belt 1 is wound around the first unwinding roller 10 and the first winding roller 11 at both ends, and the charging device 2 is located between the first unwinding roller 10 and the first winding roller 11. This invention employs a roll-to-roll take-up method. The first unwind roller 10 is used to clamp the conveyor belt roll located at the unwinding end of the polymer film conveyor belt. The first unwind roller 10 is connected to a magnetic powder brake. By controlling the input current of the magnetic powder brake, the tension of the entire polymer film conveyor belt loop can be controlled. The first take-up roller 11 is used to clamp the conveyor belt roll located at the take-up end of the polymer film conveyor belt. The first take-up roller 11 is connected to a DC stepper motor. By controlling the pulse frequency of the input pulse motor, the speed of the stepper motor is controlled, thereby controlling the speed of the entire polymer film conveyor belt. To achieve automated collection of tissue sections using electrostatics, we need to charge the polymer film transport belt with an appropriate and stable amount of static electricity. However, theoretical research on electrostatics is very limited. Currently, there is no unified and clear theoretical guidance on the electrostatic generation process. The electrostatic generation process also involves complex interactions with materials. The electrostatic generation effect varies significantly for different materials and electrostatic generation parameters. The tissue section electrostatic collection device based on the embodiments of this invention uses a polymer film transport belt as the transport belt material and adjusts through a series of experimental conditions, such as adjusting the movement speed of the polymer film transport belt, changing the polymer film transport belt material, and adjusting the high voltage charging conditions or triboelectric charging conditions, so that the polymer film transport belt carries a stable and appropriate amount of charge, which can realize the electrostatic adsorption and secondary transfer of tissue sections.

[0056] like Figure 1As shown, an electrostatic collection device for tissue sections according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes an electrostatic measuring instrument 4. The electrostatic measuring instrument 4 is used to measure the electrostatic voltage of the charged polymer film transport belt. The charging device 2 and the electrostatic measuring instrument 4 are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt. The electrostatic measuring instrument 4 is used to measure the voltage of the charged polymer film transport belt. Based on the measurement value of the electrostatic measuring instrument, the charging parameters can be further optimized and adjusted. Specifically, for high-voltage charging, when the measured value of the electrostatic measuring instrument is lower than the charge required for electrostatic collection, we can increase the generating voltage of the electrostatic high-voltage generator, reduce the running speed of the motor, reduce the distance between the electrostatic generator head and the polymer film transport belt, or reduce the distance between the polymer film transport belt and the grounding electrode. For triboelectric charging, the friction between the polymer film transport belt and the triboelectric rod can be increased by reducing the input current of the magnetic powder brake, increasing the number of triboelectric rods, and changing the speed of the stepper motor to increase the charge. In practical use, based on the actual slide collection effect and the measurement results of the electrostatic meter, and in conjunction with the electrostatic meter, the amount of electrostatic charge required for the polymer film transport belt to successfully collect slides of a certain thickness is determined, thereby determining the charging parameters required for the high-voltage charging device and the triboelectric charging device.

[0057] Preferably, in the electrostatic collection device for tissue sections according to an embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the tissue sections is 10 μm to 50 μm, and when measured with an electrostatic meter at a distance of 5 mm from the transparent polymer film, the charging voltage of the transparent polymer film is 5 kV to 8 kV. Under these conditions, stable and continuous collection of tissue sections can be achieved.

[0058] The following describes the electrostatic collection device for tissue sections. Taking 30μm thick tissue sections as samples, a polyethylene transparent film strip was used as the polymer film transport belt. At a distance of 5mm from the polymer transparent film transport belt, an electrostatic measuring instrument was used to determine that the required charging voltage for the polymer transparent film to collect tissue sections was 6kV. Then, using a high-voltage charging device and a triboelectric charging device as charging devices, several parameters that have a significant impact on the charging effect of the polymer film transport belt were determined and adjusted. The measurement of the electrostatic charge of the polymer film transport belt and the adjustment of the charge amount form a closed-loop control. The specific charging parameters that enable the collection of 30μm thick tissue sections are shown in Table 1 below.

[0059] Table 1. Empirical parameters for collecting tissue sections with a thickness of 30 μm.

[0060]

[0061]

[0062] like Figure 1As shown, a tissue section electrostatic collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a plurality of guide rollers 3 for controlling the direction of the entire polymer film transport belt, and each of the guide rollers 3 is disposed between the first unwinding roller 10 and the first winding roller 11.

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, an electrostatic collection device for tissue sections according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a sterilization tank 5, wherein the sterilization tank and the charging device 2 are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt. Since the transport belt is used for collecting biological sample tissue sections, its surface must be kept clean to avoid unnecessary contamination of the samples. Depending on the different cleanliness requirements of the tissue sections, different reagents can be added to the sterilization tank, and the aseptic treatment of the polymer film transport belt can be completed before electrostatic charging.

[0064] The tissue slide collection system based on the present invention includes a tissue slide electrostatic collection device as described above and a cutting device for cutting the sample into tissue slides. The charging device 2 and the cutting device are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt.

[0065] like Figure 5 As shown, a tissue section collection system based on an embodiment of the present invention includes a cutting device comprising a cutting tool 7. The tissue section collection system further includes a pressing roller for controlling the distance between the polymer film conveyor belt 1 and the upper surface of the cutting tool 7. The pressing roller includes a roller body 61 for supporting the polymer film conveyor belt 1. The distance L ≥ h between the upper surface of the cutting tool 7 and the outer periphery of the roller body is provided. The polymer film conveyor belt 1 passes between the upper surface of the cutting tool 7 and the roller body 61. The cutting tool is used to cut biological tissue samples, and the pressing roller is used to control the distance between the polymer film conveyor belt 1 and the cutting tool 7 (or sample 71). Before collecting tissue sections, the positions of the cutter and roller are fixed, ensuring a constant distance from the tangent of the polymer conveyor belt in contact with the roller to the upper surface of the cutter, and a constant distance di between the tip of the cutter 7 and the outer periphery of the roller. When tissue section collection is required, the sample moves in the transport direction of the polymer film belt, is cut by the cutter to form tissue sections, and simultaneously, the tissue sections are electrostatically adsorbed and collected by the polymer film conveyor belt moving in the same direction as the sample, thus achieving adsorption and collection of sections during cutting. To avoid situations such as... Figure 6 The sample 71 shown collides with the roller before cutting and effectively prevents tissue sections from sticking and being squeezed. The radius R of the roller satisfies equations (I)-(III), where the positional relationships of each structure are shown in [reference]. Figure 7 As shown:

[0066] (R+H+h+dtandθ)cosθ≥R+H+h (I)

[0067] (di+R+H) 2 = (R + H + h) 2 +d 2 (II)

[0068] h<di-H≤3h (III)

[0069] Where R is the radius of the roller body;

[0070] di is the distance between the blade tip and the center axis of the roller body minus the radius of the roller body, and is defined as the distance between the blade tip and the outer perimeter of the roller body.

[0071] d is the distance between the blade tip and the tableting point;

[0072] h represents the thickness of the tissue section;

[0073] H represents the thickness of the polymer film transport band;

[0074] di-H is the distance between the blade tip and the adsorption surface of the polymer film transport belt;

[0075] θ is the angle between the upper surface of the tool and the cutting plane.

[0076] Simplifying equation (I), we get:

[0077] From equation (II), it can be seen that di increases with the increase of d, when When, di takes its minimum value, that is:

[0078]

[0079] From equation (IV), it can be seen that the minimum distance di between the blade tip and the outer periphery of the roller is:

[0080]

[0081] At this time, the roller presses the sample onto the blade (i.e., the roller, the polymer film conveyor belt, the sample slice, and the blade surface of the cutter press against each other in sequence).

[0082] When collecting biological tissue sections, the thinness of these sections, typically ranging from several micrometers to tens of micrometers, makes them prone to adhesion and compression in roll-to-roll automated collection techniques. This compression and deformation of the tissue section surface, along with uneven thickness, significantly impacts collection efficiency. Based on practical experience, the inventors discovered that the di parameter is directly related to collection effectiveness. This parameter is crucial because, in actual collection, sections at the tens-micrometer level are very prone to curling. Specifically, at the blade tip, the tissue section continuously curls as cutting progresses until the thickness of the curl (increasing with each curl—one curl equals 2h, two curls equal 3h) is comparable to the (ddi-H) value (the distance between the blade tip and the adsorption surface of the polymer film transport belt). Only then can the tissue section approach or contact the polymer film transport belt and be electrostatically adsorbed and collected. Therefore, controlling the di-H value is extremely important. In our practical experience with sample collection, we found that when the distance between the blade tip and the adsorption surface of the polymer film transport belt (i.e., di-H) satisfies the condition h < di-H ≤ 3h, tissue samples are less prone to compression and adhesion. Optimally, di-H should be controlled between h and 2h for good sample collection results. Furthermore, for slices of different thicknesses, we can calculate, using the above formula, how to optimally select the roller radius R and the blade installation angle θ while keeping di-H within the aforementioned range. Additionally, we can calculate the optimal tableting position of the roller when selecting different roller radii R and blade installation angles θ, thus providing a basis for adjusting the tableting roller.

[0083] Specifically, assuming the thickness H of the polymer film transport belt is 0 (i.e., the thickness H of the polymer film can be ignored):

[0084] When the angle between the upper surface of the cutter and the horizontal plane is θ = 45°, the relationship between the distance di between the cutter tip and the roller, the roller radius R, and the tissue section thickness h is as follows: Figure 8 As shown. At this point, if it is desired to control the distance di-H between the blade tip and the adsorption surface of the polymer film transport belt to be h < di-H ≤ 2h, the selected roller radius must not exceed 11h. Specifically, for example, when the slice thickness h = 50 μm, the selection of different roller radii R is as follows (H = 0):

[0085] When it is desired to control h < di ≤ 2h, the maximum radius of the roller is 0.56 mm.

[0086] When it is desired to control 2h < di ≤ 3h, the maximum radius of the roller is 1.16 mm.

[0087] When it is desired to control 3h < di ≤ 4h, the maximum radius of the roller is 1.77 mm.

[0088] When the distance di-H between the blade tip and the adsorption surface of the polymer film conveyor belt is 2h (H=0), the relationship between the maximum radius R of the required roller and the angle between the upper surface of the blade and the cutting plane (i.e., the blade angle) is as follows:

[0089]

[0090] At this point, the relationship between the roller radius R, the cutter angle (degree, θ), and the tissue section thickness h is shown in the graph below. Figure 9 As shown, when the slice thickness h = 50 μm, the selection of different roller radii R is as follows (H = 0):

[0091] When the cutter angle is 10°, the maximum radius of the roller is 13.00 mm.

[0092] When the cutter angle is 20°, the maximum radius of the roller is 3.20 mm.

[0093] When the cutter angle is 30°, the maximum radius of the roller is 1.35 mm.

[0094] When the cutter angle is 40°, the maximum radius of the roller is 0.70 mm.

[0095] The aforementioned analysis focuses on the maximum roller radius that can be selected to prevent the front end of the tissue slice from curling and sticking, and to achieve electrostatic adsorption for collecting the tissue slices, under specific cutter angles and tissue slice thicknesses. For example, when the slice thickness h = 50 μm and the cutter angle is 10°, the maximum roller radius is 13.00 mm.

[0096] Specifically, in the tissue section collection system based on this invention, the roller radius is determined according to the required tissue section thickness, the blade angle, and the thickness of the polymer film conveyor belt. A specific roller radius is selected within this range. Then, the distance L between the upper surface of the blade 7 and the outer periphery of the roller is determined, as is the distance di between the blade tip and the outer periphery of the roller. Electrostatic adsorption collection is performed under these conditions. Specifically, when L = H + h, the roller presses the sample on the blade surface (i.e., the roller, polymer film conveyor belt, sample section, and blade surface are in sequential contact). However, when using electrostatic pressing, the roller does not necessarily need to press the sample on the blade surface (for example, the distance L between the upper surface of the blade and the outer periphery of the roller is greater than H + h). The sample is adsorbed onto the polymer film conveyor belt under electrostatic force.

[0097] Preferably, during cutting, the movement speed of the polymer film transport belt is the same as the movement speed of the sample to be cut, thereby ensuring that the tissue slices are not misaligned or deformed after being adsorbed onto the polymer film transport belt.

[0098] Preferably, the angle θ between the upper surface of the cutter and the cutting plane (i.e., the installation angle of the cutter) is in the range of 30° < θ < 50°. Under this condition, a higher roller radius is obtained, resulting in better electrostatic sample collection. The larger the roller radius, the smoother the transition when the polymer film conveyor belt turns, and the greater the contact area and contact time with the sample, which improves the collection effect. However, in actual use, the installation angle of the cutter is limited. Cutter manufacturers usually make the cutter angle (the angle between the upper face and the back of the cutter) around 30°. While ensuring the feasibility of tool installation, the installation angle should be minimized as much as possible to increase the roller radius. Based on the present invention, when the installation angle of the cutter is between 30° and 50°, a larger roller radius can be obtained, meeting the needs of electrostatic adsorption and transport of sample slices.

[0099] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, in a tissue section collection system based on an embodiment of the present invention, the roller 6 further includes an assembly 62 and a support member 63 for supporting the polymer film conveyor belt. The roller 61 is rotatably mounted on the assembly 62, and the support member 63 is fixed to the assembly and disposed near the upper surface of the cutter. The roller 61 and the support member are arranged sequentially along the conveying direction of the polymer film conveyor belt, and the polymer film conveyor belt 1 passes between the upper surface of the cutter 7 and the support member 63. For electrostatic adsorption-based tissue slide collection, the magnitude of the electrostatic adsorption force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance. Therefore, we need to minimize the distance between the charged polymer film transport belt and the tissue slide to facilitate electrostatic adsorption. The addition of a support can extend the close-range interaction time between the polymer film transport belt and the tissue slide (because after cutting, the tissue slide may move a distance along the cutter surface; without a support, the polymer film transport belt will immediately change direction after passing the roller, leaving insufficient time for close-range electrostatic adsorption, making it difficult to collect the tissue slide through electrostatic adsorption). Furthermore, based on the above calculations, we know that for tissue slides with a thickness at the micrometer level, the optimal radius of the roller is only a few millimeters, or even at the micrometer level. Therefore, the close-range electrostatic adsorption time between the charged polymer film transport belt and the tissue slide on the roller surface is very short. Adding a support will significantly increase the electrostatic interaction time between the polymer film transport belt and the tissue slide, ensuring precise and effective coordination between the polymer film transport belt and the cutter, and improving the tissue slide collection effect.

[0100] Specifically, tissue slide collection systems also include racks, such as Figure 10 As shown, the tablet compression roller 6 includes a roller body 61 and an assembly 62. The assembly is disposed on the frame, and the roller body is rotatably mounted on the assembly 62. Thus, the roller body 61 can be mounted on the frame via the assembly 62.

[0101] Preferably, the frame can adjust the position of the tablet compression roller. Specifically, the frame includes an offset adjustment device connected to the assembly 62 in the tablet compression roller to adjust the spatial orientation of the roller, thereby ensuring a constant distance from the tangent of the polymer film conveyor belt in contact with the roller to the upper surface of the cutter. The offset adjustment device can be an existing offset adjustment device used in tissue section collection systems for adjusting tablet compression rollers or pressure bars. This device, connected to the tablet compression roller, can adjust the spatial orientation of the roller in four degrees of freedom, eliminating offsets in these four degrees of freedom and thus ensuring a constant distance from the tangent of the polymer film conveyor belt in contact with the roller to the upper surface of the cutter.

[0102] like Figure 12 As shown, optionally, the support member is a plate-shaped structure, and the contact area between the support member and the polymer film conveyor belt is set as a curved surface structure.

[0103] Preferably, such as Figure 10 and Figure 12 As shown, the support member 63 is integrally formed with the assembly 62, and the support member 63 is a portion extending from the assembly 62. By extending a portion vertically from the assembly 62 of the tablet press roller, the distance between the subsequent charged polymer film transport belt and the sample is reduced, and the close-range electrostatic interaction time between the charged polymer film transport belt and the sample slice 72 on the cutting tool is extended. The integral formation of the support member and the assembly reduces the assembly work of the tablet press roller.

[0104] Optionally, such as Figure 11 As shown, the support includes a plate 632 and a guide roller 631 for supporting the polymer film conveyor belt. The guide roller 631 is rotatably mounted on the plate 632 and is positioned close to the upper surface of the cutter. Besides using a curved surface structure at the contact point, the guide roller 631 can also be selected as the support point for the polymer film conveyor belt in the support. Through the cooperation between the guide roller and the roller body in the tableting roller, the close-range electrostatic interaction time between the polymer film conveyor belt and the tissue section can be increased.

[0105] like Figure 10As shown, in a tissue slide collection system based on an embodiment of the present invention, the support member 63 is provided with an observation window 8 for observing the adhesion state of the slides. The observation window facilitates observation of the adhesion effect of the tissue slides, and is convenient for parameter adjustment in the early stage and observation of the electrostatic slide collection effect in the later stage.

[0106] like Figure 5 As shown, in a tissue slide collection system based on an embodiment of the present invention, the slide imaging device 9 is used to image the tissue slides adsorbed on the polymer film transport belt. The cutting device and the slide imaging device are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt. Therefore, online imaging of tissue slides can be performed directly using the imaging device.

[0107] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a tissue section collection system further includes a section transfer device for transferring the tissue sections onto a glass slide for observation and imaging. The cutting device and the section transfer device are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt. The section transfer device is selected from robotic arm transfer devices, temperature difference transfer devices, UV adhesive transfer devices, droplet-eliminating electrostatic transfer devices, and low-adhesion tape transfer devices. Existing section transfer devices are used to transfer tissue sections onto a glass slide for observation and imaging. For example, for the transfer of frozen sections, robotic arm transfer devices, direct transfer with low-adhesion tape, temperature difference transfer, and UV adhesive transfer devices can be used; for the transfer of paraffin sections, robotic arm transfer devices, low-adhesion tape, and droplet-eliminating transfer devices can be used.

[0108] Preferably, the slice imaging device 9 and the slice transfer device are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film transport belt.

[0109] like Figure 5 As shown, preferably, in a tissue section collection system based on an embodiment of the present invention, one end of a polymer film conveyor belt is wound around the first take-up roller 12, and the other end of the polymer film conveyor belt is wound around the first unwind roller 10. The charging device 2, the pressing roller 6, and the section imaging device 9 are disposed between the first unwind roller 10 and the first take-up roller 11, and the charging device 2, the pressing roller 6, and the section imaging device 9 are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the polymer film conveyor belt. During operation, the positions of the cutter 7 and the roller body 61 are fixed, and the first unwind roller 10 and the first take-up roller 11 are turned on to make the polymer film conveyor belt 1 move at a speed v. After the polymer film conveyor belt 1 enters the charging device 2 and becomes electrostatically charged, the sample moves along the transport direction of the polymer film conveyor belt 1 at a speed v, and sectioning begins. The polymer film conveyor belt 1, which is in motion and wound around the roller body 61, is subjected to electrostatic action and the cooperation of the cutter 7 and the roller body 61 (e.g., ...). Figure 12As shown), the polymer film conveyor belt adsorbs the cut tissue slices 72 and drives the tissue slices to continue moving along the transport direction, thereby collecting and transporting the tissue slices 72. Then, it is transported to the location of the slice imaging device for subsequent direct imaging or to the location of the slice transfer device for tissue slice transfer. Finally, the first winding roller 11 winds up the polymer film conveyor belt.

[0110] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tissue slide collection system is used, wherein the sample is an embedding block containing a living sample. In the prior art, the process of preparing tissue slides from an embedding block is as follows: a living sample is embedded in an embedding medium, and then cut into extremely thin slices with a thickness of several micrometers using an existing cutting device. Then, the tissue slices are further removed and transported to subsequent extension steps (such as imaging observation).

[0111] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tissue section collection system, characterized by, The tissue slice electrostatic collection device comprises a cutting device for cutting a sample into tissue slices and a tissue slice electrostatic collection device, and the tissue slice electrostatic collection device comprises: A slice transmission assembly, which comprises a polymer film transmission belt (1) for electrostatically adsorbing and conveying tissue slices; A charging device (2) is arranged close to the polymer film transmission belt (1) and is used to electrostatically charge the polymer film transmission belt (1); The charging device (2) and the cutting device are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the polymer film transmission belt (1); The cutting device comprises a cutter (7), and the tissue slice collection system further comprises a slice pressing roller (6) for controlling the distance between the polymer film transmission belt and the upper surface of the cutter (7), the slice pressing roller (6) comprises a roller body (61) for supporting the polymer film transmission belt (1), the distance L between the upper surface of the cutter (7) and the outer periphery of the roller body (61) is greater than or equal to h, the distance di between the cutting edge of the cutter (7) and the outer periphery of the roller body is in the range of (H+h) to (H+3h), the polymer film transmission belt (1) is arranged between the upper surface of the cutter (7) and the roller body (61), and the radius of the roller body satisfies: ； wherein R is the radius of the roller body; h is the thickness of the tissue slice; H is the thickness of the polymer film transmission belt; θ is the angle between the upper surface of the cutter and the cutting plane.

2. The tissue slice collection system according to claim 1, wherein The charging device (2) comprises a high-voltage charging device, the high-voltage charging device comprises a high-voltage generating head (21) and a grounding electrode (22) arranged opposite to the high-voltage generating head (21), the polymer film transmission belt (1) is arranged between the high-voltage generating head (21) and the grounding electrode (22) along the conveying direction thereof, and the charging device (2) further comprises a first translation stage (23) for adjusting the distance between the high-voltage generating head and the polymer film transmission belt and a second translation stage (24) for adjusting the distance between the grounding electrode (22) and the polymer film transmission belt (1); Alternatively, the charging device is a friction charging device, and the friction charging device comprises a plurality of friction charging rods (25), and each friction charging rod is sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the polymer film transmission belt.

3. The tissue section collection system of claim 1, wherein, The polymer film transmission belt is a polymer transparent film transmission belt, and the material of the polymer transparent film transmission belt is selected from one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride.

4. The tissue section collection system of claim 1, wherein, The slice transmission assembly further comprises a first unwinding roller (10), a magnetic powder brake, a first winding roller (11), and a stepping motor, the first unwinding roller (10) is electrically connected to the magnetic powder brake, the first winding roller (11) is electrically connected to the stepping motor, the polymer film transmission belt (1) is wound around the first unwinding roller (10) and the first winding roller (11) at both ends, and the charging device (2) is arranged between the first unwinding roller (10) and the first winding roller (11).

5. The tissue section collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The electrostatic measuring instrument (4) is arranged along the conveying direction of the polymer film conveying belt (1) and is used to measure the electrostatic voltage of the charged polymer film conveying belt.

6. The tissue section collection system of claim 1, wherein, The tabletting roller (6) further comprises a mounting part (62) and a supporting part (63) for supporting the polymer film conveying belt, the roller body (61) is rotatably mounted on the mounting part (62), the supporting part (63) is fixed on the mounting part (62) and is arranged close to the upper surface of the cutter (7), the roller body (61) and the supporting part (63) are arranged along the conveying direction of the polymer film conveying belt (1) in sequence, and the polymer film conveying belt (1) is arranged between the upper surface of the cutter (7) and the supporting part (63).

7. The tissue section collection system of claim 6, wherein, An observation window (8) is arranged on the supporting part (63).

8. The tissue section collection system of claim 1, wherein, The tissue slice collecting system further comprises a slice imaging device (9) for imaging the tissue slice adsorbed on the polymer film conveying belt, and the cutting device and the slice imaging device (9) are arranged along the conveying direction of the polymer film conveying belt (1) in sequence.

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