Cell-Holding Substrate Holder for Microscopy Specimen Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preparing cell observation specimens face challenges with cell detachment, drying, and loss of three-dimensional properties during the staining and observation processes, particularly when using slide glasses, which affect the quality and stability of microscopic analysis.
Innovation Solution
A cell-holding substrate holder with a support plate and removable sandwiching plate, featuring through-holes and claws, is designed to securely hold and detach a cell-holding substrate, allowing for stable mounting and easy transfer of cells, while using an inorganic fiber sheet with high porosity to maintain cell integrity and prevent drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cells are smeared on a slide glass for observation, then the specimen can be prepared for microscopic examination, but cell detachment occurs during staining and observation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cell-holding substrate (filter) as an intermediary between the cell sample and the slide glass. Cells are collected on the filter surface, which provides a stable base that prevents detachment during staining and observation, while still allowing for simple microscopic examination through the filter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a porous filter as the cell-holding substrate. The porous structure allows staining solutions to penetrate through to the cells while the filter matrix securely holds the cells in place, preventing detachment during the staining process and subsequent observation
2Reliability
If conventional slide glass methods are used, then specimen preparation is simple, but cell drying occurs affecting specimen quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the cell-holding substrate (filter) is placed within a specimen holder that has a recessed portion. The filter fits into the recess, and a cover plate is placed over it, creating a nested arrangement that protects cells from drying while maintaining a compact structure suitable for microscopic examination
3Reliability
If cells are collected and smeared conventionally, then the preparation process is straightforward, but three-dimensional properties of cells are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cell collection and fixation on the filter substrate before mounting on the slide. This preliminary action on the filter preserves the three-dimensional structure of cells by preventing them from spreading out during the preparation process, while the subsequent mounting steps remain straightforward
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a cell-holding substrate holder for preparing an observation specimen, and a cell-holding substrate kit, wherein the cell-holding substrate can be easily attached and detached. Also provided is a method of preparing an observation specimen, wherein cell organelles can be satisfactorily observed using an optical microscope, while three problems of cell detachment, drying, and loss of the three-dimensional properties can be simultaneously solved. The cell-holding substrate holder comprises (1) a support plate 1 having a cell-holding substrate arrangement portion 12 having a window portion through which water can pass; and (2) a removable sandwiching plate 2, 3 which has a window portion through which water can pass, and is capable of working in conjunction with the support plate 1 to sandwich and fix a cell-holding substrate 9 in the cell-holding substrate arrangement portion 12. The cell-holding substrate kit 10 comprises the cell-holding substrate holder and a cell-holding substrate 9. In the preparation method, cells are collected with an inorganic fiber aggregate, wet-fixed as they are, stained, and mounted with a mounting medium having a refractive index equivalent to that of the inorganic fiber.