Elastomeric Biopsy Clamp for Uniform Fluid Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for holding biological specimens during biopsy procedures face challenges in maintaining specimen orientation and ensuring uniform fluid perfusion, which are essential for accurate histological examination and 3D structure evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic device with a layered structure comprising a bottom plate, a cover plate, and an elastomeric insert that includes a carrier portion and a frame portion, allowing for reversible stretching to clamp and fix biological specimens while enabling uniform fluid perfusion and maintaining orientation, thereby facilitating accurate microscopic analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tissue samples are placed on a surface of a flow chamber, then fluid supply is simplified, but the surface impairs perfusion of fluids and reduces transparency needed for microscope investigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film carrier made of flexible material that allows fluid to pass through while maintaining sample orientation. The thin film structure provides transparency for microscopy while enabling uniform fluid perfusion through its porous or permeable nature, resolving the contradiction between ease of fluid supply and reliable perfusion/transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier surface incorporates porous material that allows uniform fluid distribution and perfusion through the tissue sample. The porous structure maintains transparency for microscopic investigation while facilitating reliable fluid supply, thus resolving the technical contradiction between operational simplicity and perfusion quality.
2Ease of operation
If the biopsy is allowed to freely move in the flow chamber, then handling is simplified, but its orientation will be lost after some time obstructing accurate investigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ink marking to the tissue sample before placing it in the flow chamber. This preliminary action ensures that orientation information is preserved and can be identified during subsequent handling and investigation, resolving the contradiction between simplified handling and maintained orientation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin film carrier provides a supportive surface that maintains sample orientation while allowing easy placement and handling. The flexible nature of the carrier enables simple manipulation without compromising the fixed orientation of the tissue sample during the procedure.
3Loss of information
If ink is used to recognize biopsy orientation, then orientation tracking is improved, but an additional step is required in the biopsy process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the orientation marking function with the carrier surface itself. The carrier incorporates visual indicators or coded patterns that provide orientation information without requiring separate ink application steps, thus reducing procedural complexity while maintaining orientation tracking capability.
4Ease of operation
If a sponge is used to pick up the biopsy, then transfer is simplified, but the biopsy orientation may be altered during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film carrier provides a stable base that maintains biopsy orientation during transfer operations. The flexible carrier can be easily manipulated and transferred as a unit with the sample, simplifying the transfer process while preserving the fixed orientation established during sample placement.
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 device effectively maintains the orientation of biological specimens, allows for uniform fluid distribution, and provides a clear optical view for microscopy, enhancing the accuracy of histological examinations and 3D imaging.
Implementation Method 1
The insert is elastomeric so as to provide a clamping mechanism for a biological specimen. The insert may thus be modified or modifiable with an incision provided in the microporous carrier portion. The elastomeric properties enable the insert to be reversibly stretched so as to form an opening between adjacent cut ends defined by the incision, thereby allowing placement of the biological specimen in between, and ceasing the stretching so as to clamp the biological specimen between the adjacent cut ends.
Implementation Method 2
The insert comprises a microporous carrier portion and a frame portion surrounding the microporous carrier portion. The microporous structure allows uniform fluid distribution and perfusion through the specimen, facilitating accurate histological examination.
Implementation Method 3
The fluidic device comprises a flow chamber for accommodating a biological specimen on a microporous carrier portion and at least one flow channel fluidly connected to the flow chamber. The flow channels enable uniform fluid perfusion to the specimen.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic device (1) comprises a flow chamber (2) for accommodating a biological specimen on a carrier portion (3) and at least one flow channel (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) fluidly connected to the flow chamber (2), the fluidic device (1) having a layered structure comprising a bottom plate (5), a cover plate (6) and an insert (7) in between, the insert (7) comprising the carrier portion (3) and a frame portion surrounding the carrier portion (3), and being elastomeric in order to be able to clamp a biological specimen between an incision in the carrier portion (3).