Capillary Processing Module for Biological Slide Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide processing technologies face challenges such as requiring large volumes of reagents, inferior performance compared to manual processing, complexity, and inability to rapidly heat or cool slides, leading to temperature gradients and inconsistent treatment of biological samples.
Innovation Solution
A capillary processing module (CPM) that uses a crank to raise and lower a slide, creating a capillary gap with the chamber floor, allowing for efficient spreading and mixing of reagents while minimizing reagent volume, and incorporating features like heaters, cooling devices, and temperature sensors for precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a smaller volume of liquid reagent is used to reduce reagent consumption, then reagent cost is reduced, but the reagent may not completely cover the sample leading to inconsistent processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from conventional flat slide processing to processing within a three-dimensional capillary chamber. The chamber creates a confined space with controlled geometry where capillary forces dominate, allowing small reagent volumes to be effectively distributed across the sample surface through vertical and lateral capillary flow rather than relying on large horizontal spreading volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes capillary hydraulic principles where the chamber geometry and surface properties create controlled capillary forces that drive reagent distribution. The capillary chamber design ensures that small volumes of liquid reagent are automatically distributed evenly across the sample through capillary action, eliminating the need for large volumes while maintaining consistent coverage.
2Productivity
If prior apparatus are used for slide processing, then processing can be performed, but they require relatively large volumes of processing liquids and have inferior performance compared to manual processing
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary chamber design enables self-service reagent distribution where capillary forces automatically drive the liquid reagent across the sample surface without requiring external pumping or complex delivery mechanisms. This self-driven flow system eliminates the need for large reagent volumes while achieving effective sample coverage, outperforming both manual processing and prior automated apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the processing environment by using a confined capillary chamber with controlled dimensions and surface properties. This creates a regime where capillary forces dominate over gravity and inertia, allowing efficient reagent use with small volumes while maintaining processing effectiveness, thereby improving productivity compared to conventional approaches.
3Productivity
If prior apparatus are used for slide processing, then processing can be performed, but they are relatively complex or require a large number of moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates complex mechanical delivery systems, pumps, and multiple moving parts from prior apparatus by replacing them with a simple capillary chamber structure. The processing capability is maintained through the passive capillary-driven reagent distribution mechanism, significantly reducing device complexity while preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical reagent delivery systems with a passive capillary-based system. Instead of using pumps, valves, and mechanical actuators to control reagent flow, the design relies on capillary forces generated by the chamber geometry and surface properties, thereby eliminating numerous moving parts while maintaining effective sample processing capability.
4Temperature
If prior apparatus are used for slide processing, then processing can be performed, but they cannot rapidly heat or cool a slide and allow temperature gradients around the slide
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from conventional horizontal slide heating/cooling to a vertical configuration within the capillary chamber. This dimensional change allows rapid thermal equilibration from the chamber walls and floor to the slide and sample, enabling fast temperature changes while maintaining uniformity through the confined three-dimensional geometry and direct thermal contact surfaces.
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 CPM effectively reduces reagent consumption, enhances processing efficiency, and ensures consistent treatment of biological samples by maintaining precise temperature control and minimizing temperature gradients, thus improving the overall quality of sample processing.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid in such a capillary gap will tend to spread and fill the capillary space due to capillary forces, thereby covering the flat surface of the slide and a sample on the slide
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Method and apparatus are provided for processing a sample on a slide. A capillary processing module has a crank to raise and lower a slide, and/or a side inlet to apply a fluid to the slide. A capillary gap is formed between the slide and a chamber floor of the capillary processing module when the crank has lowered the slide. Capillary action causes the fluid to spread through the capillary space across a processing area and to contact the sample. When the crank raises the slide, the fluid is withdrawn from the processing area of the slide because the capillary gap is eliminated.