Pneumatic Cell Collecting Device for Microdissection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for microdissecting biological samples are labor-intensive, expensive, and often result in contamination or low DNA yield, particularly for small samples, due to the need for precise and expensive equipment like lasers, which require specialized training and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically operated cell collecting device that uses a microscope for identification and aspiration of desired cells, allowing for simultaneous collection and transfer of cell samples without the need for lasers, featuring a cell collecting element with a pneumatic connector and control unit for adjusting aspiration and expelling forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser light is used to detach the desired area from the underlying immobilizing matrix, then the cell sample can be collected, but the tissue section deforms due to pressure from evaporation or stress, making it difficult to correctly cut the desired area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful evaporation process from the system by replacing laser ablation with mechanical microdissection. The tissue section remains intact without thermal damage, and cells are collected by carefully dissecting and transferring them with forceps to a collection well, eliminating the deformation problem caused by laser-induced evaporation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical dissection process between the tissue section and cell collection. Instead of directly using laser to detach cells, the method uses fine forceps to mechanically separate and transfer cells, serving as an intermediary that avoids thermal stress and evaporation pressure on the tissue section
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used to extract cell samples, then the process can be completed, but the methods are expensive, labor intensive, and create risk of contamination with operator cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using a mouth-freee microdissection system where the operator uses foot pedals to control vacuum and pressure. This eliminates the need for mouth pipetting, allowing the operator to maintain sterile technique while avoiding contamination of the sample with operator cells or respiratory droplets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of mouth pipetting with a pneumatic system controlled by foot pedals. The vacuum and pressure are generated mechanically rather than by oral suction, eliminating the direct connection between the operator's mouth and the sample, thus preventing contamination while maintaining ease of operation
3Manufacturing precision
If laser equipment is used for cell collection, then precise cutting can be achieved, but the equipment is expensive and requires specialized training and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sterile forceps and slides instead of expensive laser equipment. The microdissection is performed using simple, inexpensive tools that can be sterilized and discarded, eliminating the need for costly laser systems while maintaining sufficient precision for the task
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the laser capture microdissection function using conventional microdissection techniques. Instead of replicating the complex laser system, the method uses analogous mechanical dissection under microscopic visualization, achieving similar results with much simpler equipment
4Quantity of substance
If multiple sections are dissected to maximize DNA yield, then more cells can be collected, but the process becomes more time consuming and difficult to achieve with conventional methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous dissection of multiple tissue sections by using a standardized protocol that can be repeatedly applied. The foot-pedal controlled vacuum system allows rapid cell collection from multiple sections without the need to switch between different collection methods, maintaining continuous productive action and maximizing DNA yield efficiently
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 method provides a cost-effective and efficient means to collect tumor cells with reduced contamination and increased DNA yield, simplifying the process and reducing the need for complex and expensive equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic device operatively connected to said second orifice of said pneumatic connector; wherein said pneumatic device provides means for aspirating or expelling the cell sample into or from said cell collecting element
Implementation Method 2
said pneumatic device provides means for aspirating or expelling the cell sample into or from said cell collecting element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for microdissecting a biological sample. In particular, apparatuses of the invention include a cell collecting device 100 that is operated by a pneumatic device 200. In one particular embodiment, apparatuses of the invention are used for collecting and transferring cell sample to and from cell collecting device 100.