Surface Reconstruction Pattern for 3D Histological Specimen Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for three-dimensional histological reconstruction, such as using fiducial marks like needles, are invasive and damage the tissue, limiting their precision and applicability, especially for thin or mucosal tissue specimens.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that apply a reconstruction pattern to the surface of a histological specimen along predefined slice contours, allowing for precise reconstruction with minimal tissue damage, using techniques like laser cutting or coagulation to create edge marks that can be reassembled for spatial relation analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If fiducial marks like needles are inserted into the specimen to facilitate three-dimensional histological reconstruction, then the spatial relation information can be recovered, but the tissue is seriously damaged and the marking precision is reduced due to the safety margin required from anatomical points of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The reconstruction pattern is divided into multiple line elements that are applied to the specimen surface. These line elements are segmented such that they intersect the slice contours at specific points, allowing for precise spatial information recovery without requiring invasive markers. The pattern consists of multiple lines with different orientations, each providing spatial information for different slice sets.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting physical fiducial marks into the tissue, the patent applies a visual reconstruction pattern (lines) to the specimen surface that copies the spatial relationship information in a non-invasive manner. The pattern is applied using techniques like inking or laser marking, creating a two-dimensional representation that encodes three-dimensional spatial relationships without physically penetrating the tissue.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fiducial marks are applied with a safety margin from anatomical points of interest to avoid tissue damage, then the tissue is protected from damage, but the marking precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-based fiducial marks (zero-dimensional) to line-based reconstruction patterns (one-dimensional). The lines are applied to intersect the slice contours, creating a dimensional expansion that allows precise spatial information to be encoded along the line length rather than at a single point, thereby achieving both precision and tissue protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The reconstruction pattern is applied to the specimen surface before the histological slicing process. This preliminary application ensures that the spatial information is established in advance, allowing the pattern to serve as a reference for reconstructing the three-dimensional arrangement of slices without requiring post-slicing modifications or invasive markings.
3Loss of information
If needles are inserted into the specimen to create internal marks, then three-dimensional reconstruction can be facilitated, but the approach is restricted to tissue samples that are mechanically stable enough to be punctured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion method (needles puncturing tissue) with a surface application method (inking or laser marking). This substitution eliminates the mechanical penetration step entirely, making the reconstruction pattern applicable to all tissue types regardless of their mechanical stability, including thin and mucosal tissues that cannot withstand needle insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of how spatial information is encoded: from three-dimensional point markers inserted into the tissue volume to two-dimensional line patterns applied to the surface. This parameter change allows the method to work with thin and soft tissues that cannot accommodate volumetric markers, significantly expanding tissue type adaptability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the reconstruction pattern is applied to the surface of the specimen, then tissue damage is minimized, but the pattern must be decomposed along slice contours which requires precise definition of the slicing geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The reconstruction pattern serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides spatial information for reconstruction, defines the slice contours through its intersection with them, and establishes the geometric relationship between different slices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex definition mechanisms, as the pattern itself encodes the slicing geometry information.
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 approach enables a less invasive and more accurate three-dimensional histological reconstruction, even for thin or mucosal tissues, by applying a reconstruction pattern that intersects slice contours and is restored upon reconstruction, facilitating precise spatial relation analysis with minimal specimen damage.
Implementation Method 1
using techniques like laser cutting or coagulation to create edge marks
Implementation Method 2
using techniques like laser cutting or coagulation to create edge marks
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus 100 for facilitating a three-dimensional histological reconstruction. The apparatus 100 comprises a reconstruction pattern application device 109-115 configured to apply a reconstruction pattern to a surface of a histological specimen 10, wherein the surface will be decomposed along slice contours arising from a predefined histological slicing to be carried out on the specimen 10. The applied reconstruction pattern intersects the slice contours so as to be decomposed by the histological slicing and restored upon three-dimensional histological reconstruction.