Pipette Member with Dynamic Filter for Automated Cell Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cell isolation from tissues require manual mincing and filtration steps, which are time-consuming and prone to variability in technique, and lack automation of procedures like section preparation and staining, hindering efficient pathological analysis.
Innovation Solution
A cell isolation instrument comprising a pipette member with a hollow cylindrical body, a filter, and a lid member, where the filter is positioned to allow liquid with isolated cells to pass through during filtration but not during stirring, enabling automated cell isolation and recovery with reduced stirring resistance and contamination risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual mincing and filtration steps are used for cell isolation, then cells can be isolated from tissues, but the process is time-consuming and prone to variability in technique
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mincing blade and filter into a single integrated pipette member structure. The blade is positioned above the filter within the same component, allowing simultaneous mincing and filtration operations without requiring separate manual steps or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipette member is designed to automatically perform both mincing and filtration functions through its integrated structure. When liquid is drawn through the pipette, the blade automatically minces tissue and the filter simultaneously captures cells, eliminating the need for separate manual operations.
2Ease of operation
If a filter is always in contact with liquid during stirring, then filtration can occur, but stirring resistance increases and contamination risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The filter's position relative to the liquid level is made dynamic rather than static. During stirring, the filter remains above the liquid surface to minimize resistance. During recovery, the filter is lowered into the liquid to enable filtration. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between filtration capability and stirring resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipette member is segmented into distinct functional zones: an upper stirring region where the blade operates above the liquid, and a lower filtration region where the filter can be selectively positioned. This spatial segmentation allows independent optimization of stirring and filtration functions.
3Reliability
If multiple procedures (section preparation, staining) are performed manually before diagnosis, then comprehensive pathological analysis can be achieved, but the cytotechnologist is restrained for a predetermined time period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (mincing, filtration, cell recovery) with an automated pipette member system. The automated system performs these mechanical functions without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby reducing the time cytotechnologists are restrained while maintaining analysis quality.
4Productivity
If manual handling is used for cell recovery, then cells can be collected, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipette member automatically performs cell recovery by drawing liquid through the filter and collecting cells in the reservoir. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual transfer operations that could introduce contamination, while maintaining efficient cell recovery.
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 instrument efficiently recovers isolated cells by automating the filtration process, reducing manual handling and contamination risks, and allowing for simultaneous nuclei isolation and staining, facilitating rapid and accurate pathological analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a filter (12) which is disposed in the passage (14, 16) at a predetermined position, and allows the liquid with the isolated cells to pass through
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal separation process is performed on the cylinder member, whereby the tissue is minced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A pipette member to be attachable to a container capable of accommodating a tissue and a liquid, is used for isolating cells from the tissue by stirring, and includes: a cylinder member which includes a first opening that is to be accommodated in the container, and a second opening that is to be connected to a cell isolation apparatus, and in which a passage for communicating the first opening with the second opening is defined; and a filter member which is disposed inside the cylinder member, and which separates the passage into a first part that includes the first opening, and a second part that includes the second opening.