Quantifying Non-Fluorescent Substance Penetration in Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing the penetration of non-fluorescent or weakly fluorescent substances into tissue samples are inefficient and costly, particularly in early developmental stages, as they often require invasive in vivo testing, expensive analysis methods, and lack informative value in vitro/in vivo correlation.
Innovation Solution
A device and system utilizing light microscopy images of treated and untreated tissue sections to determine penetration depth and quantity, with a background subtraction method to quantify the penetration of non-fluorescent substances, enabling efficient and cost-effective screening of formulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If in vivo testing methods are used to assess substance penetration, then reliable penetration data can be obtained, but the cost and complexity of analysis increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified in vitro model that copies the essential characteristics of in vivo tissue penetration. By using tissue equivalents with controlled structure and composition, the system reproduces penetration behavior without requiring complex in vivo procedures, thus maintaining reliability while reducing analysis complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tissue equivalents as an intermediary between in vivo and simple in vitro tests. These equivalents serve as a mediator that provides reliable penetration data without requiring direct in vivo testing, bridging the gap between simplicity and reliability
2Productivity
If simple in vitro methods are used for penetration assessment, then cost and time are reduced, but informative value and in vitro/in vivo correlation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies key parameters of the tissue equivalents (composition, structure, thickness) to optimize the in vitro/in vivo correlation. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains high screening efficiency while preserving informative value through parameter optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates dynamic tissue equivalent models that can adapt their properties to match different in vivo conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high productivity across multiple formulations while preserving correlation through adaptable model characteristics
3Measurement precision
If expensive analysis methods are used to determine active ingredient amounts, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary concentration of active ingredients during the tissue equivalent preparation and extraction process. This preliminary action ensures that subsequent analysis requires smaller sample amounts and simpler methods, maintaining measurement precision while increasing screening throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs efficient extraction methods that selectively isolate active ingredients from tissue equivalents. This extraction approach concentrates the analytes of interest, enabling precise measurement with simpler, higher-throughput analytical methods rather than requiring complex expensive instrumentation
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 allows for simple and efficient quantification of penetration depth and quantity of non-fluorescent substances into tissue samples, reducing development costs and enabling rapid holistic assessment of pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations without high analytical effort.
Implementation Method 1
a first light microscopy image of a first tissue section of a portion of the tissue sample treated with a formulation of the non- or low-fluorescent substance and a second light microscopy image of a second tissue section of an untreated portion of the tissue sample
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (14) for quantifying the penetration of a non- or weakly fluorescent substance (36) into a tissue sample (30), comprising: an input interface (22) for receiving a first light microscope image of a first tissue section (38) of a section (32) of the tissue sample treated with a formulation of the non- or weakly fluorescent substance and a second light microscope image of a second tissue section (40) of an untreated section (34) of the tissue sample; a background unit (24) for determining a background value based on the second light microscope image; a subtraction unit (26) for determining a penetration image based on the first light microscope image and the background value; and an evaluation unit (28) for determining a penetration value based on the penetration image.The present invention also relates to a method and a system (10) for quantifying the penetration of a non- or weakly fluorescent substance (36) into a tissue sample (30).