Dual-Vessel Cryogenic Sample Holder for Molecular and Histological Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sample preparation for biological samples is challenging due to their diversity and the lability of target molecules, which can lead to degradation and perturbation of biochemical constituents during extraction, especially for solid biological samples like tissues.
Innovation Solution
A sample holder system with two vessels allows for simultaneous freezing and fragmentation of a sample, maintaining the sample in a stable condition for molecular analysis while preserving a separate portion for histological analysis, ensuring both portions originate from the same source and are stored under similar conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a solid biological sample is fragmented and processed for biochemical extraction, then the sample can be analyzed for molecular constituents, but the sample constituents may degrade and the native biochemical environment is perturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The sample is flash-frozen immediately upon collection and maintained at cryogenic temperatures throughout processing. This preliminary freezing action preserves the native biochemical environment by halting degradative processes before analysis begins, ensuring both molecular integrity and accurate representation of the original sample state
Solution Approach 2:
The sample undergoes a phase change from solid to frozen state through temperature reduction to cryogenic levels. This parameter change (temperature) stabilizes labile molecules like RNases and preserves the biochemical profile while enabling subsequent fragmentation and analysis without degradation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single sample is used for multiple different analyses, then comprehensive analysis is possible, but cross-contamination and sample depletion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The original sample is divided into multiple separate portions or aliquots at the time of collection. Each portion can be independently processed for different analysis types (molecular, histological, genetic) without cross-contamination. This segmentation prevents sample depletion while maintaining versatility for comprehensive analysis across multiple platforms
3Reliability
If tissue samples are flash-frozen and stored at cryogenic temperatures, then degradative processes are inhibited, but the sample requires specialized storage and handling equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The sample is flash-frozen immediately upon collection in the field using portable liquid nitrogen containers or cryoprotectants. This preliminary freezing action occurs before transport, allowing subsequent storage at more accessible temperatures (e.g., -80°C freezers or even -20°C for short periods) while maintaining sample integrity. This reduces the need for continuous ultra-cryogenic storage infrastructure
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
This approach minimizes sample degradation and ensures accurate analysis by maintaining the native biochemical environment, allowing for confident correlation of molecular and histological findings from the same sample.
Implementation Method 1
The first vessel may be arranged to allow the sample to be frozen (e.g., by exposure to liquid nitrogen or other suitable cryogen)
Implementation Method 2
by exposure to liquid nitrogen or other suitable cryogen
Implementation Method 3
The first vessel may be arranged to allow the sample to be frozen (e.g., by exposure to liquid nitrogen or other suitable cryogen) and then fragmented, broken, or otherwise crushed
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for holding and/or treating a sample material. A sample material may be positioned in a vessel between top and bottom flexible films where the flexible films are connected together by a substantially rigid support structure that surrounds the sample material. A crushing force may be applied to the sample material via the top and bottom flexible films, e.g., to pulverize the sample at cryogenic temperatures. A sample holder may have two vessels, one arranged for applying a crushing force to a first sample and another for holding a sample for other processing, such as a histology analysis.