Pathology Slide with Separation Marks for Multiplexed Tissue Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional histopathology techniques face challenges in efficiently processing multiple tissue samples simultaneously due to mislabeling and handling errors, leading to increased costs and potential diagnostic inaccuracies, as they typically require separate processing and staining for each sample.
Innovation Solution
The use of pathology slides with visibly perceptible separation marks allows for the simultaneous processing and staining of multiple tissue samples on the same slide, including the integration of RFID chips or printing media for tracking, enabling multiplexing and reducing processing costs by sharing specialized stains across samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple tissue samples are processed separately on individual slides, then each sample can be properly identified and tracked, but the processing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tissue sample sections on a single pathology slide, allowing simultaneous processing and staining of multiple samples. This merging approach maintains proper identification through separation marks while improving processing efficiency and reducing per-sample costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the slide into distinct regions using visibly perceptible separation marks (such as inked lines or physical barriers) to segment different sample areas. This segmentation allows multiple samples to be processed together while maintaining clear identification and preventing mix-up, thus preserving reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized stains are applied to each tissue sample individually, then each sample receives appropriate staining, but the cost of specialized stains increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multiple tissue samples to be stained simultaneously using the same specialized stain solution applied to the entire slide. This merging approach maintains staining quality across all samples while dramatically reducing the per-sample cost of expensive specialized stains.
3Reliability
If separate processing is used for each tissue sample, then sample integrity is maintained, but the overall processing time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tissue samples on a single slide, allowing simultaneous processing through all histopathology steps (dehydration, clearing, infiltration, sectioning, and staining). This approach maintains sample integrity through proper separation marks while reducing overall processing time and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed pathology slides may include a substantially transparent substrate that includes a top major surface, at least two regions on the top major surface of the substantially transparent substrate having a size sufficient for receiving at least two respective biopsy tissue sample sections on the substantially transparent substrate, and at least one visibly perceptible separation mark on or in the substantially transparent substrate separating the at least two regions from each other. Various other related methods and systems are also disclosed.