Conformable Plate Staining for Rapid Pathology Without Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pathology and cytology methods require multiple steps, including washing, which are time-consuming and costly, and lack efficient methods for rapid intracellular analyte detection.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using conformable plates with uniform spacers to sandwich a tissue sample and stain solution, allowing for one-step staining and imaging without washing, achieving rapid analyte detection within minutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional pathology and cytology methods are used with multiple washing steps, then staining quality is maintained, but processing time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate operations (staining, washing, and imaging) into a single integrated microfluidic device that performs all functions in one continuous process, eliminating the need for separate washing steps and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it can stain, wash, and image samples within a single device platform, making the system universally applicable for various pathology and cytology applications without requiring separate equipment for each function
2Productivity
If rapid staining without washing is implemented, then processing time is reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio and detection sensitivity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses controlled fluid flow through microfluidic channels to deliver precise amounts of staining reagents and to remove excess stain through pressure-driven flow, enabling rapid processing while maintaining optimal staining conditions and signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flow rate, pressure, and reagent concentration parameters during the staining process to optimize both speed and quality, transitioning from high-flow rapid staining to controlled low-flow imaging conditions within the same device
3Manufacturing precision
If tissue samples are compressed to thin layers for imaging, then imaging quality improves, but sample integrity and cellular structure may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible microfluidic chambers with controlled thickness that gently compress tissue samples to uniform thin layers suitable for imaging while maintaining cellular structure integrity through controlled, distributed pressure rather than point compression
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic device acts as an intermediary between the sample and imaging system, creating a controlled thin layer environment that optimizes imaging conditions while preserving sample integrity through standardized, gentle compression protocols
4Measurement precision
If intracellular assay is performed to detect analytes inside cells, then detection sensitivity increases, but assay complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cell permeabilization, intracellular analyte detection, and imaging into a single integrated microfluidic assay that eliminates multiple separate steps, achieving high detection sensitivity through intracellular access without proportionally increasing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, the disclosure of the present invention is related to make pathology and cytology faster, better and lower cost. The present invention also related to rapid intracellular assay.