Automated Fluidic Tissue Section Capture for Conformation-Preserving Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for automated tissue sectioning and storage are inefficient, costly, and prone to human error, particularly when handling soft samples, and lack the capability to produce molecularly-annotated 3D maps of thick tissues and whole organs, which is crucial for understanding diseases and disorders.
Innovation Solution
An automated system for capturing, indexing, and storing histological tissue sections using a vibrating blade microtome technology, employing a capstan inlet manifold to attract sections onto a transfer material, maintaining conformation, and integrating with imaging modalities like STPT for 3D tissue imaging, enabling robust adhesion and transfer of sections for further analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of tissue sections is performed by technicians, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor cost increases and human error occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service handling where the tissue section is captured by fluid forces and automatically transported through the entire process from sectioning to storage without human intervention. The capstan inlet manifold with porous substrate and fluid flow system creates a self-contained automated handling mechanism that eliminates the need for technician manipulation while maintaining consistent operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with a fluid-based automated system. Instead of technicians physically manipulating sections, a fluid flow system through the porous substrate captures and transports sections automatically. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with fluid-driven automation resolves the contradiction between operational flexibility and productivity
2Extent of automation
If six-axis robotic arm with suction is used to capture sections, then automation is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to poor conformational control
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic/fluid flow through the porous substrate to capture and control tissue sections. The fluid flow provides gentle, distributed forces that maintain section conformation and enable reliable automated handling. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach replaces the mechanical suction of robotic arms with a more reliable fluid-based control mechanism that better preserves tissue integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a porous substrate in the capstan inlet manifold that allows fluid flow through it to interact with tissue sections. The porous structure provides large surface area for fluid-tissue interaction, enabling gentle capture and conformational control. This porous material-based approach improves reliability by distributing forces evenly across the section rather than concentrating suction forces at discrete points
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual section collection and storage is performed, then adaptability to different protocols is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes continuous automated action from sectioning through capture, transport, and storage. The tissue section flows continuously through the system via fluid forces without interruption or manual intervention. This continuous automated process eliminates the time-consuming manual steps while maintaining adaptability through programmable control of the fluid flow system and transport parameters
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides consistent, automated handling and storage of tissue sections, maintaining their orientation and integrity, facilitating 3D molecular mapping and integration with various imaging technologies, thereby enhancing throughput and reducing human error in histology assays.
Implementation Method 1
An intake manifold applies an attractive fluidic force to the tissue section during sectioning
Implementation Method 2
The section adheres to the substrate by surface tension after emerging from the water bath
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods for transport and processing of sectioned biological samples. Preferred embodiments provide for use of a plurality of imaging and processing modalities to characterize sectioned tissue samples. Automated operation of the system provides for multimodal imaging and multistage processing to provide three-dimensional (3D) datasets for each sample.