Automated Tissue Cutting System with Laser and Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for cutting tissues into thin sections are limited by speed and require manual steps, leading to mechanical damage and reduced tissue viability, which is a challenge for high-speed, precise, and automated cutting suitable for tissue culture and drug testing applications.
Innovation Solution
A tissue cutting system comprising a tissue holder, a cutting component, a camera, and a translation assembly that allows for precise imaging and cutting of tissue samples, with a light source and filter wheel for optimal illumination and focus adjustment, enabling automated cutting with minimal mechanical damage and maintaining tissue viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional manual cutting methods are used, then tissue sections can be obtained, but the cutting speed is slow and mechanical damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical cutting systems with a laser-based cutting system. The laser cutting component uses optical energy to cut tissue samples, eliminating the need for physical contact between cutting tools and tissue, thereby increasing cutting speed while reducing mechanical damage to tissue viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the cutting mechanism from mechanical force to thermal energy via laser. By adjusting laser parameters such as power, pulse duration, and wavelength, the system achieves high-speed cutting with minimal mechanical stress on the tissue, resolving the contradiction between cutting speed and tissue damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated cutting is implemented, then cutting precision and speed improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single automated platform: the translation assembly provides both positioning and cutting functions, the camera system performs both imaging and alignment, and the laser system handles both cutting and sealing. This multi-functionality achieves high cutting precision while managing system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-alignment and self-positioning capabilities through the camera system that automatically captures tissue images and guides the cutting process. The automated feedback loop between imaging and cutting eliminates the need for complex manual positioning mechanisms, achieving precision while keeping the control system manageable.
3Productivity
If high-speed cutting is performed, then productivity increases, but tissue viability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser cutting system uses pulsed laser action rather than continuous irradiation. The periodic on-off cycling of the laser allows rapid heating and cutting while providing cooling intervals that prevent excessive thermal damage to surrounding tissue, thereby maintaining tissue viability during high-speed cutting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam rapidly traverses through the tissue sample at high speed, completing cuts before significant heat diffusion can occur. This 'rushing through' approach minimizes the total thermal exposure time to tissue, enabling high-speed cutting while preserving tissue viability for downstream applications.
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
The system enables high-speed, precise cutting of tissue samples into fragments with minimal mechanical damage, maintaining tissue viability for downstream applications such as drug testing and precision oncology, by using a combination of automated cutting and imaging technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to illuminate the opening of the tissue holder
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for cutting tissues. In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the invention relate to cutting tissues into fragments that find use in tissue culture and drug testing applications.