Curved Fluidic Channels for 3D Tissue Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing 3D biological tissue samples for pathology are hindered by the difficulty in handling and processing due to tissue viscoelasticity, leading to time-intensive fixing, staining, and optical clearing, which limits rapid diagnosis and throughput.
Innovation Solution
The development of fluidic devices with curved channels and integrated systems for processing biological tissue samples, including the use of aqueous liquids, fixatives, dyes, and optical clearing agents, along with shear wave generation and optical coherence tomography for determining tissue fixation, enables efficient handling and imaging of 3D tissue samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual handling of bulk biological tissue samples is used for 3D imaging, then complete tissue architectural information is preserved, but processing time increases significantly due to tissue viscoelasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling of tissue samples with an automated fluidic system. The fluidic device uses controlled fluid flow through curved channels to transport, fix, stain, and clear tissue samples automatically, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and significantly reducing processing time while preserving tissue architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic principles by using fluid flow through curved channels to manipulate tissue samples. The fluidic device utilizes pressure-driven fluid dynamics to transport tissue through various processing stages (fixation, staining, clearing) without manual intervention, enabling rapid automated processing while maintaining tissue integrity.
2Reliability
If fixing, staining, and optical clearing of biological tissue samples are performed manually, then thorough processing is achieved, but the process becomes inherently time intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic device enables continuous automated processing of tissue samples through integrated curved channels that sequentially deliver fixative, stain, and clearing agents without interruption. This continuous flow system eliminates the downtime between processing steps required in manual methods, achieving thorough processing while dramatically reducing total processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluid as an intermediary medium to deliver processing chemicals (fixative, stain, clearing agents) to the tissue sample. The curved channels act as conduits that mediate the interaction between processing agents and tissue, enabling controlled, automated, and thorough processing without direct manual manipulation.
3Measurement precision
If 3D imaging of intact biological tissue samples is performed, then diagnostic accuracy is enhanced, but manual handling difficulty increases due to tissue viscoelasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces difficult manual mechanical handling with an automated fluidic transport system. The curved channels guide tissue samples through processing and positioning for 3D imaging without requiring manual manipulation, making the operation of handling intact tissue samples for 3D imaging straightforward and accessible.
4Productivity
If rapid processing of biological tissue samples is implemented, then throughput increases, but processing thoroughness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic device implements continuous automated processing where fixative, stain, and clearing agents flow sequentially through curved channels without interruption. This eliminates idle time between steps while ensuring each processing stage receives adequate exposure time, achieving both rapid throughput and thorough processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls processing parameters such as fluid flow rate, exposure time, and chemical concentration dynamically. By optimizing these parameters, the device achieves rapid processing throughput while maintaining thorough fixation, staining, and clearing of tissue samples through precise parameter management.
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
These fluidic devices facilitate faster and more accurate processing and imaging of 3D biological tissue samples, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing processing time by allowing for efficient transport and fixation of tissue samples while enabling 3D imaging.
Implementation Method 1
an optical coherence tomography device positioned adjacent to the transparent window, wherein the optical coherence tomography device is configured to measure a shear wave speed within the biological tissue sample
Implementation Method 2
an actuator configured to provide shear waves to the biological tissue sample positioned in the channel
Data Source
AI summary
An example fluidic device may include a plurality of channels including one or more curved channels having a channel input and a channel output. Each of the one or more curved channels may have a substantially circular cross-section. The fluidic device may also include an input interface between the channel input of the one or more curved channels and an exterior of the fluidic device. The input interface may be configured to receive a biological tissue sample. The fluidic device may also include an output interface between the channel output of the one or more curved channels and the exterior of the fluidic device.