Epoxy-Siloxane Coatings for Anti-Adhesive Automated Microtomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional microtomy and epoxy-based coatings for pathology systems are time-consuming and lack easy-to-use anti-adhesive and anti-bacterial properties necessary for automated tissue sectioning processes.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous epoxy resin compositions with anti-adhesive and anti-microbial agents, including epoxy-siloxane hybrids and silver-ion dispersions, are applied to prevent adhesion of paraffin wax and pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, while providing anti-microbial protection in automated tissue sectioning systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional epoxy coating materials are used for protective and decorative coatings, then coating performance is improved, but ease of use in pathology systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the epoxy coating formulation by incorporating specific additives and adjusting compositional parameters to achieve both high performance and ease of use in automated pathology systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite coating material combining epoxy resin with specialized additives to achieve multiple functions including anti-adhesive properties and ease of application in automated systems
2Productivity
If automated tissue sectioning is implemented, then productivity is improved, but adhesion problems between microtome components and materials worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anti-adhesive coatings to microtome components before the tissue sectioning process to prevent adhesion problems from occurring during automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces anti-adhesive agents as intermediary substances between the microtome components and the materials being processed to eliminate harmful adhesion
3Loss of time
If traditional manual microtomy is used, then adhesion control is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares anti-adhesive coatings and treatments in advance to enable seamless automated operation without time-consuming manual intervention during the tissue sectioning process
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 compositions ensure smooth operation of automated tissue sectioning by preventing adhesion to microtome components and adhesive tapes, while maintaining a controlled environment with anti-microbial properties.
Implementation Method 1
the compositions also include one or more anti-adhesive components... selected to prevent adhesion between a microtome holder assembly including a microtome and an embedding material embedding a tissue sample
Implementation Method 2
the compositions also include one or more anti-bacterial components... the one or more anti-microbial agents include a silver-ion (Ag+) imbued aqueous epoxy dispersion
Implementation Method 3
A crosslinked epoxy-siloxane copolymer composition, generated in-situ, wherein the copolymerization of the ring-opened secondary hydroxyls of any epoxy ingredient occurs with any of the included alkoxy silanes
Implementation Method 4
A crosslinked epoxy-siloxane copolymer composition, wherein silane moieties undergo hydrolytic polycondensation, generated from silanol groups that derive from the intrinsic hydrolysis of the alkoxy silane groups
Data Source
AI summary
A composition of the present disclosure includes an aqueous dispersion of epoxy resin particles. The epoxy resin particles include at least two 1,2-epoxide groups. The composition further includes one or more anti-adhesive agents, one or more anti-microbial agents, or a combination of one or more anti-adhesive agents and one or more anti-microbial agents.