Non-destructive Biochemical Extraction Preserving Tissue Morphology

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current metabolomics methods for extracting biochemicals from biological samples are destructive, preventing simultaneous histological analysis of the same specimen, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and understanding tissue heterogeneity, particularly in cancer diagnosis where inter-observer variability is significant.

Innovation Solution

A method involving immersion of biological samples in an organic solvent, such as an aqueous solution of methanol or ethanol, to extract biochemicals while preserving the tissue for subsequent histological analysis, allowing for both metabolomics and histological examination on the same specimen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If destructive biochemical extraction methods are used, then biochemical analysis is achieved, but histological analysis of the same specimen becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiochemical analysis accuracyVSAvoiddual analysis capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction process is segmented into two distinct phases: a rapid freezing step that preserves tissue morphology, followed by a separate biochemical extraction step. This segmentation allows both histological and biochemical analyses to be performed on the same specimen without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue is rapidly frozen immediately upon biopsy acquisition, performing a preliminary preservation action before any biochemical extraction occurs. This preliminary freezing step locks in the tissue morphology and cellular architecture, enabling subsequent histological analysis while also allowing biochemical extraction to proceed without degradation of the structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate specimens are used for different analyses, then both biochemical and histological analysis can be performed, but tissue heterogeneity and diagnostic accuracy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive analysis capabilityVSAvoiddiagnostic accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The method merges the preservation and extraction processes into a unified workflow where the same biopsy specimen undergoes rapid freezing followed by biochemical extraction, rather than dividing the specimen into separate portions. This merging ensures that both histological and biochemical analyses examine the identical tissue sample, eliminating the confounding effects of tissue heterogeneity and improving diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If rapid freezing is applied, then tissue morphology is preserved for histological analysis, but biochemical extraction efficiency may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue morphology preservationVSAvoidbiochemical extraction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The method establishes continuity of useful action by implementing rapid freezing immediately upon biopsy acquisition, then proceeding directly to biochemical extraction without interruption or delay. This continuous processing ensures that the tissue morphology is preserved while the biochemical extraction is performed on the freshly frozen tissue, maintaining high extraction efficiency through uninterrupted processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables non-destructive extraction and analysis of biochemicals, retaining tissue morphology for histological evaluation, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing variability in cancer assessment by providing quantitative biochemical measures alongside morphological analysis.

Implementation Method 1

contacting a tissue specimen with an organic solvent that preserves the tissue in a manner compatible with histologic procedures and pathologic analysis, and assaying the solvent extract for biochemicals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8980548B2Methods and reagents for metabolomics and histology in a biological sample and a kit for the same

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 METABOLON INC

AI summary

A method of extracting and measuring one or more biochemicals from a biological sample, comprises immersing the biological sample in an organic solvent, whereby one or more biochemicals present in the biological sample are extracted into the organic solvent; separating the biological sample from the free organic solvent; and measuring the level(s) of the one or more biochemicals extracted into the organic solvent, wherein the biological sample remains analyzable by histological analysis.