Tissue Embedding Cassette with Removable Bottom Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue cassettes made of sliceable materials increase blade consumption, leading to customer complaints and inefficiencies in the histopathological processing of tissue samples.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for embedding tissue samples that do not require the tissue cassette to be made of a sliceable material, utilizing a tissue cassette with a frame, top and bottom covers that move from a first to a second position, allowing the bottom cover to be separated from the frame and received in a mold, and a paraffin block to be detached without the bottom cover, using features like projections, grooves, and a gripper for automated detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tissue cassette is made of sliceable material, then the tissue sample can be held and processed, but blade consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue cassette is divided into three separable components: a frame, a top cover, and a bottom cover. This segmentation allows the bottom cover to be removed and discarded after use, while the frame and top cover can be reused. The bottom cover is the only part that contacts the tissue sample during embedding, so discarding it prevents blade contamination from cassette material while maintaining tissue holding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom cover is extracted as a separate, removable component from the tissue cassette assembly. This extracted bottom cover is designed to be discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for the entire cassette to be made of sliceable material. The frame and top cover can be made of more durable materials that do not consume blades.
2Loss of substance
If the bottom cover is separated from the frame and top cover, then blade consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom cover is designed with dynamic mobility relative to the frame and top cover. It can be easily removed and reattached during the embedding process, transitioning between attached and separated states. This dynamic design simplifies the separation process despite the additional component, as the bottom cover can move freely to be detached and discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame serves as an intermediary structure that holds both the top cover and bottom cover during assembly and embedding. This intermediary frame simplifies the overall structure by providing a central support that organizes the separable covers, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing three completely independent components.
3Ease of operation
If automated removal of bottom cover is implemented, then operator labor intensity decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom cover is designed to be easily removable by the operator without requiring complex automation. Its simple detachment mechanism allows the operator to perform the removal themselves with minimal effort, achieving self-service operation. This approach reduces labor intensity while avoiding the device complexity that would result from implementing automated removal mechanisms.
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
Reduces blade consumption, enhances stability and ease of paraffin block detachment, and decreases operator labor intensity by allowing automated removal of the bottom cover from the mold.
Implementation Method 1
obtained by dispensing and cooling molten paraffin in the mold
Data Source
AI summary
A device for embedding a tissue sample includes a tissue cassette (10) and a mold (20). The tissue cassette (10) includes a frame (120), a top cover (100) coupled to the frame (120), and a bottom cover (110) coupled to the frame (120). The mold (20) defines a recess (220). The top and bottom covers hold the tissue sample therebetween. The top and bottom covers are capable of moving from a first position to a second position with respect to the frame (120), and in the second position the bottom cover (110) extend beyond a bottom face (123) of the frame (120) and is separated from the frame (120) and the top cover (100); the tissue cassette (10) is mountable on the mold (20), and the recess (220) is configured to receive the bottom cover (110) in the second position, such that a paraffin block (90) obtained by dispensing and cooling molten paraffin in the mold (20) is detachable from the mold (20) while the bottom cover (110) is remained in the mold (20).