Self-aligning Fluid Delivery System for High-Resolution Tissue Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for extracting materials from regions of interest in biological samples, such as pathology slides, often damage surrounding tissue, are complex, expensive, or difficult to automate, and provide limited spatial resolution.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning fluid delivery system with magnetic components that positions a fluid delivery base directly on the sample, using channels for precise extraction and collection of materials from defined regions of interest, minimizing disruption and allowing for high-resolution extraction without complex equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser capture micro-dissection is used to define a region of interest, then the region can be precisely identified, but the surrounding material is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealed chamber as an intermediary structure between the laser ablation process and the surrounding material. The chamber confines the ablation zone and prevents damage propagation to adjacent areas, allowing precise region definition without compromising surrounding tissue integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the sample processing into distinct isolated zones using multiple sealed chambers. Each chamber can independently process a specific region of interest without affecting other areas, enabling precise spatial resolution while protecting surrounding materials through physical separation
2Productivity
If tissue encapsulation is used to extract material from a region of interest, then the extraction can be performed, but an additional material is introduced to the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary extraction fluid through dedicated outlet channels, separating the extraction function from the chamber structure. This allows efficient material removal without requiring encapsulation materials, as the fluid is channeled directly out of the sealed chamber through controlled pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed chamber structure serves multiple functions: it defines the region of interest, contains the extraction fluid, and facilitates material removal through integrated channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate encapsulation materials while maintaining extraction efficiency
3Productivity
If conventional extraction techniques are used, then material can be extracted from the sample, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the chamber structure with integrated inlet and outlet channels into a single unified component. This combination provides complete extraction functionality (fluid delivery, region confinement, and material collection) without requiring separate encapsulation devices or complex multi-component systems
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed chamber with integrated channels performs extraction operations autonomously once positioned on the sample. The structure self-confines the extraction fluid and automatically channels materials through predefined pathways, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms or additional device components
Data Source
AI summary
A system for extracting material from a region of interest includes a fluid delivery base comprising an inlet channel and an outlet channel formed within the fluid delivery base, a gasket affixed to the fluid delivery base, wherein the gasket comprises at least one opening exposing an open end of the inlet channel and an open end of the outlet channel; a support comprising a sample-supporting surface facing the gasket and an opposing surface; and an alignment member coupled to the opposing surface in a fixed position and such that the support is positioned between the fluid delivery base and the alignment member, wherein one or both of the alignment member or the fluid delivery base are biased towards one another by a force (e.g., a magnet or spring force) and wherein the fluid delivery base is separable from the support and configured to move along a plane of the sample-supporting surface to align with the alignment member.