Microscopic Sample Extraction After Liquid Cover Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The removal of liquid covers from microscopic samples is difficult and time-consuming, especially for small parts, which can hinder subsequent processing and handling.

Innovation Solution

The method involves applying a liquid cover such as polystyrene and xylene to improve visualization, generating markers for extraction, and then removing the liquid cover using xylene as a removing agent before extracting the sample, which can be done manually or automatically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a liquid cover is applied to improve visualization of the microscopic sample, then the visualization quality is improved, but the subsequent removal of the liquid cover becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisualization qualityVSAvoidtime for removing liquid cover
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid cover is removed from the entire slide before the actual extraction of small sample parts is performed. This preliminary removal action avoids the difficult and time-consuming task of removing liquid cover from tiny extracted parts later, while still allowing the liquid cover to serve its visualization function during marker generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The process is divided into distinct phases: first using the liquid cover for visualization and marker generation, then removing the liquid cover from the slide, and finally performing the extraction. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If a liquid cover is applied to improve visualization for marker generation, then the marker generation accuracy is improved, but the handling and processing of extracted parts becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarker generation accuracyVSAvoidhandling of extracted parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid cover is removed from the slide before extraction, ensuring that when small sample parts are extracted, they do not have liquid cover adhering to them. This preliminary removal action simplifies subsequent handling and processing of the extracted parts while maintaining the visualization benefits during the marker generation phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 facilitates easier and more efficient extraction of small sample parts by improving visualization and simplifying the removal of the liquid cover, ensuring accurate and reliable downstream analysis.

Implementation Method 1

said liquid cover is removed from said processed microscopic sample by means of xylene (as a removing agent)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvent dissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The liquid of the liquid cover, in particular, has a positive effect on light reflected or emitted by the sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4246119B1Method and system for extracting a part of a microscopic sample
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
  • EP4246119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246119B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4246119B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention essentially relates to method comprising: Applying (204) a liquid cover (272) to a microscopic sample (252.1, 252.2) to obtain a processed microscopic sample (252.3); Generating (210) at least one marker (282) for a part (258.2) of said processed microscopic sample (252.3) using an imaging system; Removing (212) at least a part of said liquid cover (272) from the processed microscopic sample (252.3) to obtain an uncovered microscopic sample (252.4); and Extracting (216) a part (258.2) of the uncovered microscopic sample (25.42), based on the at least one marker, to obtain an extracted part (258.3). The invention also relates to a system.