Frozen Tissue Coring Drill With Fluid Core Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for obtaining tissue samples, such as scalpel, microtome, and laser capture microdissection, are slow and tedious, hindering the utilization of high-throughput sample preparation and analytical technologies for studying intra-tissue heterogeneity in diseases like cancer and organ injury.
Innovation Solution
A tissue sample coring system with a motor-driven coring drill bit and a dual-stage trigger mechanism for extracting cylindrical tissue cores from cryogenically frozen samples, using buffered fluid or gas to eject the cores efficiently for molecular and histology testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional sampling methods (scalpel, microtome, laser capture microdissection, or crushing frozen samples with hammer-like tools) are used, then tissue samples can be obtained, but the process is slow and tedious, limiting high-throughput analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling tools (scalpel, microtome, hammer-like tools) with an automated impact corer device that uses controlled mechanical impact to extract tissue cores. The device features a driver assembly that delivers controlled impact forces to the coring bit, enabling rapid core extraction from frozen tissues without manual manipulation, thus significantly increasing sampling throughput while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of tissue sampling by working with cryogenically frozen tissues rather than fresh or formalin-fixed tissues. The impact coring method is specifically optimized for frozen tissues, using controlled impact forces that preserve cellular integrity while enabling rapid sampling. This parameter change (using frozen tissues) allows for high-throughput processing that is not feasible with traditional methods on fresh or FFPE tissues.
2Productivity
If high-throughput analytical platforms are utilized to study intra-tissue heterogeneity, then molecular biomarkers can be discovered, but the sampling process remains slow and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by extracting tissue cores in a frozen state before any processing or analysis. The impact coring method allows rapid extraction of frozen cores, which can then be directly loaded into high-throughput analytical platforms for molecular analysis. This preliminary extraction in frozen state eliminates the need for time-consuming thawing and processing steps, enabling seamless transition from sampling to high-throughput analysis and significantly reducing overall preparation time.
3Reliability
If frozen tissues are sampled using traditional methods, then cellular integrity is preserved, but the sampling process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gradual mechanical cutting methods (scalpel, microtome) with controlled impact loading. The driver assembly delivers controlled impact forces that fracture the frozen tissue matrix and extract cores rapidly while preserving cellular integrity. This impact-based mechanism is specifically optimized for frozen tissues, maintaining cell structure during extraction without the time-consuming gradual cutting process, thus simultaneously improving both reliability of cellular integrity and sampling efficiency.
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
Enables rapid and efficient extraction of tissue cores for high-throughput analytical applications, preserving cellular integrity for personalized medicine by maintaining samples in a frozen state during preparation and storage.
Implementation Method 1
A motor of the tissue sample core extractor is energized to rotate a miniature coring drill bit configured to separate the core from the frozen tissue block
Implementation Method 2
a jet of PBF flows through the holes to apply pressure to eject the extracted core from the coring drill bit
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology generally relates to a tissue sample coring system. Select embodiments of a tissue sample core extractor include a drill head, a drill bit, a tube, and a pump. The drill bit may have a hollow coring head configured to separate a core from a tissue sample and retain the core therein. The drill bit may include a central passageway fluidly coupling the hollow coring head to a port extending radially from the central passageway through the drill bit, where the tube is aligned with the port and movable to selectively abut the drill bit to create a fluid seal between the tube and the port such that the pump can cause a fluid to flow through the tube, pressurize the central passageway, and eject the core. The tissue sample core extractor may further include a trigger configured to move the tube and/or cycle the pump.