Fluidic Handling Unit for Automated Biological Specimen Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The processing of biological specimens is low throughput due to procedural complexity and significant human intervention, especially when handling high volumes of samples, which leads to time delays and tissue impairment.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic handling unit with a baseplate, fluidic inlet and outlet blocks, pumps, and a carrier control board, integrated with a microfluidic flow cell carrier, enabling automated processing and reagent application without removing the flow cell from the system, allowing for automated execution of workflow steps across multiple workstations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual processing and human intervention are used for biological specimens, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but throughput and processing speed significantly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the biological specimen processing system automatically performs multiple processing steps including sectioning, staining, coverslipping, and imaging without requiring human intervention between workstations. The automated slide processor handles the entire workflow autonomously, eliminating manual transport and processing steps while maintaining processing quality and flexibility.
2Reliability
If multiple iterations of processing and re-testing are performed, then examination thoroughness is improved, but time delays and tissue impairment worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous automated processing where multiple examination iterations are performed without interruption. The automated slide processor continuously sections, stains, and images specimens through multiple cycles, eliminating the time delays associated with manual re-testing and re-processing while maintaining thorough examination through automated quality control checks at each iteration.
3Speed
If automated instruments are used, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity and human intervention requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple automated processing functions (sectioning, staining, coverslipping, imaging, and re-processing) into a single integrated automated slide processor. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate automated instruments and their associated coordination systems, while maintaining high processing speed through unified automated operation.
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 solution significantly improves biological specimen processing throughput by enabling fully automated and parallelized execution of workflow steps, reducing human intervention and minimizing tissue impairment, while allowing for efficient application and removal of reagents like staining, washing, and bleaching.
Implementation Method 1
a pump in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet block and the fluidic outlet block
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic handling unit includes a baseplate, a fluidic inlet block, a fluidic outlet block, a pump in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet block and the fluidic outlet block, a carrier control board in electrical communication with the pump, and a flow cell carrier comprising a microfluidic flow cell receiving area, wherein the flow cell carrier is configured to receive and retain the fluidic handling unit. A bottom surface of the fluidic handling unit is configured to complementary mate with a top surface of the flow cell carrier, or wherein a bottom surface of the flow cell carrier is configured to complementarily mate with a top surface of the fluidic handling unit.