Opposable Elements for Capillary Reagent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing biological specimens on microscope slides are inefficient due to contamination, excessive reagent use, and inconsistent processing, particularly in immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization staining, where slow diffusion of reagents limits staining rate and leads to high costs and non-specific background staining.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses opposable elements to manipulate and deliver reagents across the slide surface via capillary action, controlling temperature and reagent volume to manage evaporation and reduce waste, while maintaining consistent processing protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If open baths are used to immerse specimens in liquids, then batch processing is enabled, but liquid carryover between containers causes contamination and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid receptacle that serves as an intermediary container between the open bath and the specimen. The receptacle receives liquid from the open bath and transfers it to the specimen, preventing direct carryover contamination while enabling batch processing. The receptacle acts as a buffer that isolates the contamination source from the specimen.
2Ease of operation
If excessive volumes of liquids are used in open baths, then specimen processing can be performed, but reagent costs increase and waste disposal becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid from the large open bath into a smaller liquid receptacle that is just sufficient for processing the specimen. This eliminates the need to use excessive volumes of liquid in the open bath, reducing reagent consumption and waste while maintaining the ability to process specimens effectively.
3Ease of operation
If open containers are used for reagent storage, then accessibility is improved, but evaporative losses and oxidative degradation alter reagent concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a liquid receptacle with a cover that can be opened or closed. When not in use, the cover closes the receptacle to prevent evaporative losses and oxidative degradation, maintaining reagent concentration. When processing is needed, the cover can be easily opened for accessibility. This flexible covering system resolves the contradiction between accessibility and stability.
4Productivity
If high concentrations of conjugate are used to increase staining rate, then processing time is reduced, but non-specific background staining increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous circulation of the liquid reagent through the specimen using a pump. This continuous flow ensures that the reagent is constantly renewed and maintains optimal concentration at the specimen surface, allowing use of lower conjugate concentrations while maintaining staining rate. The continuous action prevents accumulation of excess reagent that would cause background staining.
5Adaptability or versatility
If manual techniques are used to apply dyes or reagents, then flexibility is maintained, but processing consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pump system that automatically circulates the liquid reagent through the specimen without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the flow rate and duration of reagent application, ensuring consistent processing. The programmable controller enables different processing protocols to be automatically executed, maintaining both flexibility and consistency.
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 minimizes reagent usage, reduces contamination, and achieves uniform staining by controlling the movement and concentration of reagents, thereby improving processing efficiency and reducing costs associated with reagent waste and non-specific staining.
Implementation Method 1
manipulate and deliver reagents across the slide surface via capillary action
Implementation Method 2
controlling temperature and reagent volume to manage evaporation
Implementation Method 3
The rate of immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization staining of sectioned fixed tissue on a microscope slide is limited by the speed at which molecules (e.g., conjugating biomolecules) can diffuse into the fixed tissue from an aqueous solution
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures. The applied liquid can be in a fluid-carrying gap. The opposable can contact the slide to vary a cross section of the fluid-carrying gap.