Cryo-EM Sample Preparation Ultrasonic Vibration System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques face challenges in preparing cryo-SEM samples due to the need for a high vacuum environment, which limits the observation of water or oil-containing samples, and existing cryo-SEM sample preparation methods result in poor cross-section quality and low position accuracy, making targeted analysis difficult.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent system for preparing cryo-electron microscopy samples, comprising a control center, ultra-low temperature liquid tank, sample holding mechanism, position adjustment mechanism, and sample transfer mechanism, which provides a precise and controlled environment for cutting or polishing samples, ensuring accurate positioning and maintaining sample integrity during processing and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If freeze-brittle fracture method is used to prepare cryo-SEM samples, then samples can be obtained in frozen state, but the section position is random and surface is rough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical freeze-brittle fracture method with an ultrasonic vibration-based cutting and polishing system. The ultrasonic vibration blade performs precise cutting and polishing of frozen samples, enabling controlled section positioning and achieving smooth surfaces suitable for automatic analysis while maintaining the frozen state through cryogenic environment control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic ultrasonic vibration to the cutting and polishing process. The ultrasonic vibration blade operates at high frequency vibrations during cutting and polishing operations, enabling precise material removal and surface finishing of frozen samples without causing thermal damage or loss of frozen state, thereby achieving both position accuracy and surface quality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cutting and polishing devices are used in vacuum environment, then sample contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the ultrasonic vibration blade system to perform multiple functions within a single integrated structure. The same ultrasonic vibration blade is used for both cutting and polishing operations, eliminating the need for separate cutting and polishing devices in the vacuum environment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cutting and polishing functions from complex vacuum-compatible mechanical devices and implements them through a simplified ultrasonic vibration-based system. This extraction allows the use of a less complex ultrasonic generator and transducer assembly instead of complex vacuum-compatible motors and mechanical drive systems
3Productivity
If freeze-brittle fracture is used for sample preparation, then quick freezing is achieved, but automatic analysis is prevented due to rough surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous process where the ultrasonic vibration blade performs cutting followed immediately by polishing in sequence without removing the sample from the cryogenic environment. This continuous action within the frozen state ensures both rapid preparation and production of smooth surfaces suitable for automatic analysis
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 achieves precise positioning and polishing of cryo-electron microscopy samples, reducing sample loss and contamination, providing high-quality samples with fixed positions and flat surfaces, facilitating automatic analysis and maintaining the structural integrity of the samples throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra-low temperature liquid tank, comprising a liquid tank body for holding liquid nitrogen to provide an ultra-low temperature environment required by samples
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant is required to quickly freeze the samples and help them remain in a frozen state throughout the process
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent system and method for preparing cryo-electron microscopy samples is provided. The system includes a control center, an ultra-low temperature liquid tank, a sample holding mechanism configured to limit a position of a to-be-processed sample, a sample processing mechanism configured to cut or polish the sample, a position adjustment mechanism, and a sample transfer mechanism configured to transfer a processed sample. In a working process, the control center controls the ultra-low temperature liquid tank to provide a preset temperature environment based on a target sample type, activates the position adjustment mechanism based on position information of the sample holding mechanism in the first chamber to drive the sample processing mechanism to perform processing according to a preset processing route, and activates, based on information about the processed sample to be transferred into the second chamber, the sample transfer mechanism to transfer the processed sample in a preset environment.