Microscope Tissue Mounting Stage Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting body tissue samples in microscopes using dental gum are inconsistent and reduce scanning resolution, while mounting in agarose preserves the sample but makes it difficult to study small structures, and there is a need for a more reliable and consistent method to secure and position tissue samples for analysis.
Innovation Solution
A stage apparatus with a base mount and a removable tissue mount that securely positions and seals the sample, using a tissue well with a mount stem that attaches to the base mount, allowing for consistent placement and preservation of the sample without dehydrating it, and can be fabricated using materials like polycarbonate for high scanning resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dental gum is used to secure the sample to the support stage, then the sample can be mounted, but the mounting process becomes troublesome and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a custom mounting medium as an intermediary substance between the tissue sample and the support stage. This specialized medium provides consistent adhesion and support, replacing the unreliable dental gum while simplifying the mounting process through standardized application protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the mounting medium to optimize sample attachment. By adjusting viscosity, composition, and application conditions, the system achieves consistent and reliable mounting that is both easy to perform and reproducible across different samples.
2Reliability
If agarose is used to mount tissue samples, then the sample is preserved during scanning, but scanning resolution is reduced and small structures become difficult to study
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the mounting medium by using a custom formulation with optimized viscosity and composition. This allows the tissue sample to be preserved without the resolution-degrading effects of traditional agarose, enabling clear visualization of small structures like capillaries while maintaining sample integrity during scanning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If agarose is used to preserve the tissue sample, then the sample remains preserved, but it becomes difficult to study capillaries and other small structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the mounting medium's physical properties to achieve a balance between preservation and visualization. The custom medium maintains tissue stability and composition while providing optical clarity that allows detailed observation of small structures such as capillaries, eliminating the trade-off present in agarose mounting.
4Reliability
If a custom mounting medium is used, then consistent and reliable mounting is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable mounting cartridges that contain the custom mounting medium. This approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex reusable mounting mechanisms, while still providing reliable and consistent sample mounting through the pre-prepared disposable cartridges.
Data Source
AI summary
A stage apparatus is disclosed for supporting and positioning a body tissue sample in a microscope. The stage apparatus has (a) an elongated base mount having a longitudinal body extending between a first end and a second end, (b) means for attaching the first end of the base to a mount or platform associated with the microscope, (c) a tissue mount having a tissue well attached to an elongated mount stem, the tissue well of sufficient size and shape to store the body tissue sample, and (d) means for attaching the second end of the base mount and the tissue mount, the tissue mount being removable and separable from the base mount.