Conductive Tape Imaging Stage for Charge-Free EM Sample Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges in electron microscopy include sample charging artifacts, inadequate conductive samples, and the lack of automated systems for tape-collecting ultramicrotomy that can be directly transferred into an electron microscope chamber for imaging.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically flexible and bendable conductive tape is developed to hold tissue for nanoscale cellular imaging, eliminating charging artifacts, and an imaging system with a stage and coupler is designed to facilitate correlative light and electron microscopy, allowing for sample preparation and imaging in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional non-conductive samples are used in electron microscopy, then sample preparation is simpler, but charging artifacts occur during imaging
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive tape substrate is introduced as an intermediary between the non-conductive biological sample and the electron beam. The tape provides a conductive pathway that dissipates accumulated charge, eliminating charging artifacts while maintaining sample integrity and simplifying preparation procedures.
2Device complexity
If manual sample transfer from ultramicrotome to electron microscope chamber is used, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The sample collection tape is designed to be directly compatible with both the ultramicrotome and electron microscope chamber, creating a unified workflow. The tape serves as a common interface that eliminates the need for manual sample transfer and intermediate handling steps, thereby increasing productivity without significantly increasing system complexity.
3Productivity
If automated tape-collecting ultramicrotomy system is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive tape substrate serves multiple functions: it collects samples during ultramicrotomy, provides electrical conductivity to prevent charging artifacts, and interfaces directly with the electron microscope chamber. This multi-functionality allows automated systems to achieve high productivity without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same tape performs multiple critical roles.
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional rigid substrates are used for sample mounting, then sample stability is improved, but adaptability to different imaging modalities decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive tape substrate uses a flexible thin film structure that provides sufficient mechanical stability for sample mounting while enabling adaptation to different imaging modalities including electron microscopy and light microscopy. The flexibility allows the tape to conform to different chamber geometries and imaging configurations, enhancing versatility without sacrificing sample stability.
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 enables high-resolution imaging with reduced charging artifacts and automated sample transfer, enhancing sample preparation workflows and imaging capabilities in electron microscopes.
Implementation Method 1
the optical element, reflected and beam path are aligned so as to crease a path for light to travel from the optical element to the reflector through the beam path and the imaging aperture
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes imaging systems adapted for use with a plurality of detectors and configured for use in a variety of electron microscopes. Also, methods of using such systems are disclosed.