Capillary-Based Cell Acquisition System for Tissue Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell and tissue isolation technologies, such as laser-capture microdissection (LCM) and fluorescence-assisted cell sorting (FACS), are costly and have limitations, including tissue fixation requirements and cell damage during dissociation, making them unsuitable for precise and cost-effective cell-specific studies, especially in adult tissues.
Innovation Solution
A capillary-based cell and tissue acquisition system (CTAS) that is non-invasive, automated, and cost-effective, allowing for cell and tissue-specific separation without fixation or dissociation, using a glass capillary tube, fiberoptic cable, vacuum pump, and micromanipulator, enabling collection of live tissues and integration with GFP recognition units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser-capture microdissection (LCM) is used for cell and tissue collection, then cell and tissue collection can be performed, but tissue fixation is required which affects the quality of biological material such as RNA
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful element (tissue fixation step) from the cell collection process by using a capillary-based system that can collect cells and tissues directly without requiring fixation, thereby preserving biological material quality while simplifying the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex LCM mechanical system with a simpler capillary-based aspiration system that uses vacuum pressure to collect cells and tissues, eliminating the need for laser activation and fixation steps while maintaining collection effectiveness
2Measurement precision
If fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACS) is used for cell isolation, then specific cell types can be sorted, but fluorescent labels are required and cell dissociation causes significant cell damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses GFP recognition units as an intermediary detection method that does not require invasive fluorescent labeling of cells, allowing specific cell type identification through natural GFP expression while avoiding the harmful dissociation process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the harmful dissociation step from the cell sorting process by using intact tissue sections and collecting cells in their native state through capillary aspiration, thereby preserving cell integrity while maintaining sorting capability
3Reliability
If LCM or FACS devices are used for cell and tissue isolation, then cell-specific studies can be performed, but the cost is very high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the complex LCM or FACS system into simple, inexpensive components (capillary, vacuum pump, GFP recognition unit) that can be assembled into a functional cell collection system, dramatically reducing manufacturing cost while preserving cell-specific analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses disposable capillaries and simple optical components instead of expensive, complex instruments, making the system affordable for widespread use in cell-specific studies while maintaining reliability
4Ease of operation
If adult tissues are dissociated for FACS analysis, then cells can be sorted, but significant cell damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by not dissociating tissues before analysis,而是 collecting intact cells and tissues directly from tissue sections, thereby maintaining cell integrity while still enabling cell-specific sorting and analysis capabilities
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 CTAS provides a reliable, flexible, and affordable method for cell and tissue collection, reducing experimental costs and tissue usage, and enabling precise cell-type analysis, suitable for various biomedical applications, including drug discovery and biomarker identification.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump with pneumatic controller for suction of cells and tissue
Implementation Method 2
a fiberoptic cable with laser source for illuminating the tip of capillary
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a capillary-based cell and tissue acquisition system that integrates the capillary approach with a microscope manipulator to collect and sort cells of interest. Cells of interest are determined by using a laser beam focus to identify the initial contact between the capillary and the cells.