Histological Specimen Treatment Using Azeotropic Solvent Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing histological preservation methods face challenges in efficiently removing cellular solutes and preserving genetic material without damaging specimens, particularly due to the use of formalin and volatile solvents that interfere with genetic material preservation.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing a dissolving compound that forms azeotropes at various temperatures and pressures to extract cellular solutes and replace them with a support medium like paraffin, allowing for sequential vaporization and removal of solutes without damaging the specimen, thereby preserving genetic material without formalin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If formalin and volatile solvents are used to extract cellular solutes, then extraction efficiency is improved, but genetic material preservation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction medium by using non-volatile solvents (such as alcohols, ketones, esters, or their mixtures) instead of traditional formalin and volatile solvents. This parameter change allows efficient extraction of cellular solutes while preventing damage to genetic material, as the non-volatile nature of these solvents eliminates the harmful effects associated with formalin and volatile compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a single-use extraction medium composed of non-volatile solvents that can be easily removed after extraction. These solvents perform their extraction function and then are discarded through evaporation or other removal methods, replacing the need for prolonged exposure to harmful formalin and complex multi-step processing required by traditional methods.
2Reliability
If traditional histoprocessing methods are used, then tissue preservation is achieved, but interference with genetic material analysis occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical composition parameters of the processing medium by eliminating formalin and replacing it with non-volatile solvents. This parameter change maintains the tissue preservation function (fixation and structural integrity) while removing the harmful effects that interfere with genetic material analysis, thereby preserving both tissue morphology and genetic information simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-volatile solvents act as intermediary substances that perform the necessary tissue preservation functions without the harmful side effects of formalin. These intermediaries (alcohols, ketones, esters) provide the fixation and preservation effects needed for histology while being compatible with subsequent genetic material analysis, thus mediating between tissue preservation requirements and genetic material integrity.
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 method enables efficient and formalin-free preservation of specimens by forming azeotropes to remove solutes and replace them with a support medium, ensuring effective tissue preservation for pathological and genetic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A single dissolving compound forms plural azeotropes, which can be azeotropically vaporized off at various stages of the treatment process
Implementation Method 2
The azeotropes can be successively vaporized off by raising the temperature and/or reducing the pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A single dissolving compound forms plural azeotropes, which can be azeotropically vaporized off at various stages of the treatment process, thus maintaining predictable concentrations of the chemicals present. The treatment process can be performed in the absence of formalin or related compounds which can interfere with the preservation of genetic material. A process for preserving a specimen includes using a dissolving compound that can form a plural number of azeotropes, at least one azeotrope being formed between one or more components of the dissolving compound and specimen-supplied water, and at least one azeotrope being formed between different components of the dissolving compound; successively and azeotropically vaporizing off formed azeotropes; and impregnating the specimen with a support medium.