Opposable Elements for Automated Specimen Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for processing biological specimens on microscope slides are labor-intensive, prone to contamination, and inefficient due to excessive liquid use, evaporation losses, and non-uniform processing, leading to inconsistent results and high waste generation.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses opposable elements to manipulate and deliver small volumes of liquid across the slide via capillary action, controlling temperature and liquid volume to minimize waste and ensure consistent processing, while maintaining a desired reagent concentration and uniform temperature profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If open baths are used to immerse specimens in liquids, then batch processing is enabled, but liquid carryover causes contamination and reagent degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch processing capabilityVSAvoidreagent purity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the liquid application process into discrete, controlled steps using individual liquid delivery devices for each reagent, replacing the single open bath approach. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination between different liquids while maintaining efficient batch processing of multiple slides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components such as disposable caps, covers, and individual liquid delivery devices that mediate between the reagent reservoirs and the slides. These intermediaries prevent direct contact between different liquids and slides, eliminating carryover contamination while enabling automated batch processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If excessive volumes of liquids are used in open containers, then sufficient reagent availability is ensured, but processing costs increase and waste generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent availabilityVSAvoidliquid waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-regulating liquid delivery mechanisms that automatically dispense precise volumes of reagents based on the actual needs of each slide. The disposable caps and delivery devices self-regulate liquid flow, eliminating the need for excessive reagent volumes while ensuring sufficient supply for complete processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent fundamentally changes the volume parameter from excessive bulk storage to precise controlled dispensing. By using individual liquid delivery devices with controlled dispensing mechanisms, the system reduces liquid volumes by orders of magnitude while maintaining adequate reagent availability for complete slide processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If open containers are used for liquid storage, then reagent accessibility is improved, but evaporative losses and oxidative degradation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent accessibilityVSAvoidevaporative loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Disposable caps and covers serve as intermediary protective barriers between the reagents and the environment. These intermediaries maintain reagent accessibility during processing while preventing evaporative losses and oxidative degradation, effectively decoupling the contradiction between accessibility and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses flexible sealing components such as disposable caps, covers, and seal membranes that enclose reagent reservoirs. These flexible barriers provide effective protection against evaporation and oxidation while allowing easy access during the processing sequence through controlled opening and closing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual application of dyes or reagents is used, then processing flexibility is maintained, but labor intensity increases and processing consistency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated liquid delivery system performs the reagent application function autonomously without manual intervention. The system self-regulates liquid dispensing, timing, and positioning, eliminating variability introduced by manual operations while maintaining processing flexibility through programmable control sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical application with automated liquid delivery mechanisms. Electronic control systems substitute for human hands in controlling reagent application, providing precise, repeatable, and consistent processing while maintaining the flexibility to handle various slide types and processing protocols through software programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Speed

If conjugate concentration is increased to compensate for slow diffusion, then staining speed increases, but non-specific background staining increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaining speedVSAvoidstaining specificity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the physical parameters of the staining environment by controlling liquid flow rates, contact times, and temperature to optimize diffusion conditions. By precisely controlling these parameters, the system achieves fast staining speeds without requiring excessive conjugate concentrations, thereby preventing non-specific background staining.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves consistent and efficient processing of biological specimens with reduced liquid waste, controlled reagent concentration, and uniform temperature, addressing the inefficiencies and inconsistencies of existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

manipulate and direct a series of liquids to the specimen using capillary action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

heat the slide to a target temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

cool the slide to a target temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

compensating for evaporative losses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS9498791B2Opposables and automated specimen processing systems with opposables

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

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.