Flexible Tissue Tray with Arcuate-to-Flat Transition for Biopsy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy systems lack an efficient method for marking and managing tissue samples post-collection, particularly in terms of storing and imaging these samples effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tissue management system comprising a flexible tissue tray with arcuate and flat configurations, designed to collect and store tissue samples, and a tray container with a protrusion to maintain the tray's position, facilitating easy insertion and imaging of samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid tissue tray is used to store biopsy samples, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of insertion and handling during imaging is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue tray is designed with flexible strips that can dynamically change shape between arcuate (curved) and flat configurations. This dynamic flexibility allows the tray to be easily inserted into the container and handled during imaging, while still providing stable support for tissue samples when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue tray incorporates flexible strips instead of rigid structures. These flexible elements allow the tray to conform to different shapes and positions, facilitating easy insertion into the container and proper positioning for imaging while maintaining adequate structural support
2Ease of operation
If a flexible tissue tray is used to facilitate handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maintain precise tray position during imaging is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue tray is nested within a container that provides positional guidance and stabilization. The container receives and holds the flexible tray, ensuring it maintains the correct position during imaging procedures while still allowing the tray to be flexible for easy handling
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as an intermediary between the flexible tray and the imaging system. It provides the necessary positional stability and support for the flexible tray during imaging, while allowing the tray to remain flexible for easy insertion and handling
3Ease of operation
If the tissue tray remains in arcuate configuration, then the ease of insertion into container is improved, but the effectiveness of tissue sample collection and imaging is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue tray is designed to dynamically transition between arcuate and flat configurations. It starts in an arcuate shape for easy insertion into the container, then transitions to a flat configuration when received by the container to provide effective support for tissue sample collection and imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is pre-formed in an arcuate configuration to facilitate easy insertion into the container. Once inserted and received by the container, it transitions to the flat configuration needed for effective tissue sample collection and imaging, performing the shape change at the optimal moment
Data Source
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AI summary
A tissue management system comprises a tissue tray (1330) configured to collect tissue samples and including a grip (1332) defining an opening (1333), wherein the tissue tray includes a plurality of strips, wherein the tissue tray (1330) is configured to flex to thereby transition the plurality of strips between an arcuate configuration and a flat configuration, and a tray container (2400) having a protrusion (2416). The tray container (2400) is configured to receive the tissue tray (1330) when the plurality of strips arc in the fiat configuration, the protrusion (2416) being configured for receipt into the opening (1333) of the tissue tray to maintain the position of the tissue tray within the tray container.