U-Shaped Folding Frame Skin Chamber for Intravital Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skin chamber systems for intravital microscopy suffer from rapid wear and tear, leading to leakages and infections, as well as issues like skin damage, tumor outgrowth, and unnatural growth conditions due to their design, which limits the duration of observation to about two weeks.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped folding frame skin chamber system with a joint connection allowing 180° pivoting, minimizing direct contact between skin edges and preventing re-growth, made from biocompatible materials with a coating to promote tissue integration and reduce immunological rejection, and using sutures and tissue adhesive for fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional frame device with through-holes and fastening elements is used to secure the skin chamber, then the chamber can be firmly fixed to the animal, but the skin experiences abrasion stresses and damage at the mounting holes, and the device has relatively high weight
Solution Approach 1:
The frame device is divided into a headpiece and a body portion that are separable. The headpiece contains the mounting holes and fastening elements, while the body portion contacts the skin. This segmentation allows the harmful fastening elements to be isolated from direct skin contact areas, reducing skin damage while maintaining fixation stability through the headpiece-to-body connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame device acts as an intermediary between the skin chamber and the animal's skin. By designing the frame with a specific structure where the headpiece connects to the body portion, it mediates the fixation forces away from direct skin penetration, using the frame itself as the securing mechanism rather than direct screw-to-skin attachment.
2Strength
If a steel or titanium chamber is used to provide structural support, then the chamber has sufficient strength and durability, but the total weight of the system becomes relatively large, burdening the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The material composition of the frame device is changed from traditional steel or titanium to a lighter material that maintains sufficient mechanical strength. This parameter change in material density and strength-to-weight ratio reduces the overall weight of the chamber system while preserving the structural integrity needed to support the skin chamber and withstand physiological conditions.
3Strength
If a steel chamber is used for the skin chamber system, then the chamber has adequate mechanical properties, but temperature loss occurs due to the steel chamber's thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conductivity parameter of the chamber material is changed by selecting a material with lower thermal conductivity than steel. This material substitution reduces heat transfer between the chamber and the external environment, minimizing temperature loss and reducing the metabolic burden on the animal to maintain body temperature, while the material still provides adequate mechanical strength.
4Measurement precision
If the observation window is made with glass fixed by snap ring, then optical observation is enabled, but the window chamber becomes leaky after a few days and infections can develop
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a traditional glass window fixed by snap ring, the patent employs an alternative window structure that replicates the optical function without the sealing problems. The new design uses a different construction approach for the observation window that maintains optical clarity while eliminating the leak pathway that develops with traditional snap ring fixation over time.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a skinfold chamber system comprising a U-shaped folding frame having an outer U-shaped frame part and an inner U-shaped frame part. The two frame parts are coupled to one another at the open ends of the U legs thereof by means of an articulated connection in such a way that the inner frame part can be folded against the outer frame part such that, in the folded-in state, the inner frame part can be or is positioned within the U opening of the outer frame part and, in the folded-out state, the inner frame part and the outer frame part lie mirror-symmetrical to one another and surround an opening. The outer frame part and the inner frame part each have an L-shaped profile in cross-section, and therefore each frame part has a frame wall which is horizontal with respect to the plane of the folding frame and extends in a U shape and a frame wall which is vertical with respect to the plane of the folding frame and extends in a U shape. The two frame parts are oriented relative to one another in such a way that, in the closed position of the folding frame, the vertical frame walls of the two frame parts run approximately parallel to one another and the horizontal frame walls of the two frame parts are oriented substantially in the same plane and in opposite directions with respect to one another.