Laser Microdissection Well Alignment for Reliable Dissectate Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser microdissection systems face challenges in ensuring precise and reliable collection of dissectates into collection wells, as they often result in the dissectates sticking to the well walls or not being collected at all.
Innovation Solution
A laser microdissection system that includes a well positioning unit to align the center of a collection well below the dissectate based on outline data, using a controller to move the collection arrangement, and employs a manipulation light beam for cutting and catapulting the dissectate into the well, ensuring precise alignment and capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dissectate is separated using laser microdissection, then the dissectate can be isolated from the sample, but the dissectate may become stuck to the well wall or not be collected properly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the collection well based on outline data before the actual dissection occurs. The controller calculates the target position of the dissectate based on the outlined region and pre-positions the well accordingly, ensuring the dissectate will fall into the well rather than sticking to walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses outline data from the dissectate region to provide feedback for positioning the collection well. The controller continuously adjusts the well position based on the spatial relationship between the outlined dissectate area and the well location, ensuring accurate capture.
2Manufacturing precision
If the collection arrangement is stationary, then the system structure is simpler, but the dissectate cannot be reliably positioned into the well
Solution Approach 1:
The collection arrangement is made dynamically movable rather than stationary. The well positioning unit enables the collection well to move in response to control signals from the controller, allowing the system to adapt the well position to match the dissectate location while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 high-precision and reliable collection of dissectates into collection wells, minimizing adherence to well walls and ensuring complete capture.
Implementation Method 1
a laser light source for generating a manipulation light beam
Implementation Method 2
separate a dissectate from a sample arranged in the sample space by directing the manipulation light beam onto the sample
Implementation Method 3
employ a manipulation light beam for cutting and catapulting the dissectate into the well
Implementation Method 4
the well captures the dissectate
Data Source
AI summary
A laser microdissection system includes a microscope having an objective directed at a sample space, and a laser light source for generating a manipulation light beam. The laser microdissection system includes a dissection unit for coupling the manipulation light beam into the microscope, and separating a dissectate from a sample arranged in the sample space by directing the manipulation light beam onto the sample using outline data relating to an outline on the sample surrounding the dissectate. The laser microdissection system includes a well positioning unit for moving a collection arrangement including one well arranged below the sample relative to an optical axis of the objective, where the well captures the dissectate. The laser microdissection system includes a controller for controlling the well positioning unit to move the collection arrangement based on the outline data such that a center of an opening of the well is arranged below the dissectate.