Microtome Optical Interrogation for Rapid Unstained Tissue Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional microtomy processes for producing thin tissue sections are time-consuming and require manual handling, leading to delays in identifying tissue abnormalities, such as cancer cells, which can take days due to the need for chemical staining and subsequent imaging.

Innovation Solution

An optical interrogation system integrated with a microtome for automated histology, utilizing structured light illumination and imaging to analyze tissue sections without staining, enabling real-time detection of abnormalities and quality control issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional chemical staining and imaging processes are used to diagnose tissue abnormalities, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but processing time increases significantly (taking one to two days)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs optical imaging of tissue sections immediately after cutting, before chemical staining is applied. This preliminary action captures intrinsic optical properties (autofluorescence, absorption, scattering) that provide diagnostic information about tissue abnormalities, enabling early detection without waiting for the time-consuming staining process to complete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical staining process with optical interrogation methods. Instead of using chemical dyes to visualize tissue structures, the system uses illumination sources to excite intrinsic fluorophores and detect optical signals that reveal tissue composition and pathology, thereby eliminating the time required for chemical processing while maintaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual handling of tissue sections is used in traditional microtomy, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming manual tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the microtomy sectioning process with optical imaging into an integrated system. The tissue sectioning and optical interrogation occur in a unified workflow where sections are automatically transferred from the microtome to imaging chambers, eliminating separate manual handling steps and enabling continuous processing that increases throughput while maintaining operational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automated transfer and positioning of tissue sections through the imaging system without requiring manual intervention. The integrated apparatus performs self-service functions where cut sections are automatically conveyed, oriented, and imaged, freeing operators from repetitive manual tasks while maintaining flexibility through programmable control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If tissue sections are stained with H&E and evaluated in the pathology lab, then comprehensive diagnostic information is obtained, but the time delay between initial assessment and additional testing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic information completenessVSAvoidtime delay for additional testing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements immediate feedback by performing optical imaging and analysis right after tissue sectioning, providing real-time diagnostic information about tissue abnormalities. This early feedback mechanism allows clinicians to make informed decisions about additional testing or treatment protocols without waiting one to two days for traditional staining and lab evaluation, thereby reducing time delays while maintaining diagnostic information quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Facilitates rapid preliminary diagnosis of tissue abnormalities, reducing processing time and enhancing diagnostic efficiency by providing immediate feedback for additional sectioning or staining, thus accelerating the overall diagnostic process.

Implementation Method 1

the illumination system is configured to illuminate the one or more tissue sections with structured light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructured light:

Implementation Method 2

the imaging system is configured to perform the imaging analysis with light microscopic resolution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight microscopy:

Data Source

PatentUS20250341447A1Preliminary Diagnoses of Cut Tissue Sections

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 CLARAPATH INC

AI summary

A system for optical interrogation of tissue samples, the system including: a microtome configured to section one or more tissue sections from a tissue block, the one or more tissue sections including one or more tissue samples; a transfer medium configured to gather the one or more tissue sections and to transfer the one or more tissue sections to one or more slides; and an optical interrogation system including an illumination system configured to illuminate the one or more tissue sections and an imaging system configured to perform an imaging analysis on the one or more tissue sections illuminated with the illumination system.