Microtomy Tissue Block Facing With Imaging-Based Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional microtomy is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, and current quality control methods for tissue sections are inadequate, leading to inaccurate assessments and potential mismatches between slide labels and tissue sections, which can affect pathology results.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an automated system that uses imaging and structured light to determine the depth profile of a tissue block, ensuring accurate removal of embedding material, and includes a vision system for quality control analysis to confirm tissue exposure and integrity, as well as a tracking and printing system for precise slide labeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated microtomy is implemented to increase sectioning speed, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated system that uses imaging technology and computer-controlled mechanisms. The microtome is integrated with an imaging system that captures images of the tissue block, and a computer automatically controls the sectioning process based on image analysis, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses imaging to create a digital representation (copy) of the tissue block structure before sectioning. This image copy is analyzed by computer software to determine the depth profile and plan the sectioning path, allowing the automated system to navigate the complex tissue architecture without direct human manipulation.
2Measurement precision
If imaging and vision systems are added for quality control, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system serves multiple functions: it documents the tissue block structure for quality control, guides the automated sectioning process by providing depth profile information, and verifies section quality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, making the added complexity more justifiable by the multiple benefits gained.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system provides real-time feedback during the sectioning process by capturing images and analyzing tissue depth. This feedback loop allows the computer-controlled microtome to adjust its cutting depth and path dynamically, ensuring high measurement precision while automating the quality control that would otherwise require separate manual inspection steps.
3Reliability
If manual quality control is performed to assess tissue sections, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated vision system performs quality control continuously during the sectioning process rather than as a separate manual step. Images are captured and analyzed in real-time, allowing the system to verify tissue depth and section quality without interrupting the workflow, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with manual inspection while maintaining reliability through automated image analysis.
4Manufacturing precision
If structured light imaging is used to determine depth profile, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical depth measurement devices with optical structured light imaging. Instead of using physical probes or complex mechanical gauges to measure tissue depth, the system projects structured light patterns onto the tissue block and uses image analysis to calculate depth profiles, achieving high precision through optical methods rather than mechanical means.
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 significantly reduces quality control issues, ensuring accurate transfer and assessment of tissue sections by automating the cutting and transfer process, enhancing precision and reducing human error in pathology analysis.
Implementation Method 1
imaging a tissue block to generate imaging data of the tissue block
Implementation Method 2
this can be achieved using an automated system with structured light
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for facing a tissue block. In some embodiments, a method is provided for facing a tissue block that includes imaging a tissue block to generate imaging data of the tissue block, the tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, estimating, based on the imaging data, a depth profile of the tissue block, wherein the depth profile comprises a thickness of the embedding material to be removed to expose the tissue sample to a pre-determined criteria, and removing the thickness of the embedding material to expose the tissue to the pre-determined criteria.