Optical Fixation Monitor for Biopsy Tissue Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Core needle biopsy tissue samples face inconsistencies in processing due to variations in formalin fixation, affecting subsequent analysis.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system comprising a light source, light detector, and processor that illuminates the biological sample during fixation and determines optical transmittance to cease the fixation process when a predetermined threshold is reached, ensuring consistent preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual fixation process is used, then simplicity of operation is maintained, but fixation consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual monitoring and control of the fixation process with an optical detection system. A light source illuminates the biological sample, and a light detector measures optical transmittance changes, automatically determining when fixation is complete based on predetermined thresholds, eliminating manual intervention while ensuring consistent results
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors optical transmittance of the biological sample during fixation and compares it against predetermined thresholds. When the transmittance reaches the threshold indicating complete fixation, the system automatically stops the process, providing real-time feedback control to ensure consistent fixation quality
2Reliability
If extended fixation time is used, then fixation completeness is improved, but tissue quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by continuously measuring optical transmittance during fixation. When the predetermined threshold is reached, indicating complete fixation, the system automatically stops the process, preventing both under-fixation and over-fixation to maintain optimal tissue quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes predetermined optical transmittance thresholds before the fixation process begins, based on the specific biological sample type and fixation conditions. This preliminary setup enables automatic termination at the precise moment fixation is complete, eliminating the need for extended fixation times
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 ensures consistent formalin fixation by automatically controlling the fixation process based on optical transmittance, reducing errors in tissue analysis and improving diagnostic reliability.
Implementation Method 1
determining that an optical transmittance of the biological sample satisfies a condition
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring system includes a light source, a light detector, a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the monitoring system to perform functions. The functions include illuminating, via the light source, a biological sample that is within a container while a fixation process is performed on the biological sample. The functions also include determining, via the light detector, that an optical transmittance of the biological sample satisfies a condition. The functions also include ceasing the fixation process in response to determining that the optical transmittance of the biological sample satisfies the condition.