Stackable Tissue-Processing Containers for Automated Multistep Workflows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue processing methods, particularly for surgical implantation, are time-consuming and labor-intensive, often causing tissue damage and compromising surgical outcomes due to the use of multiple solutions and harsh treatments.
Innovation Solution
The development of tissue-processing containers designed for automation and multistep processing, featuring stackable, air-tight and liquid-tight designs with mesh screens and gaskets to minimize abrasion, along with systems incorporating these containers for controlled exposure to processing media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manual tissue processing methods are used with multiple solutions and harsh treatments, then processing can be completed, but tissue damage occurs and integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is divided into multiple separate containers, each dedicated to a specific processing step or solution. This segmentation allows controlled exposure to each processing medium without cross-contamination and enables gentle, stepwise processing that preserves tissue integrity while achieving the desired processing outcomes.
2Productivity
If manual processing methods are used with multiple handling steps, then processing can be completed, but processing time increases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing containers are combined into a single stackable assembly that can be processed together as one unit. The stackable design with aligned holes allows simultaneous processing of multiple tissue specimens through a single automated protocol, significantly reducing processing time and labor while maintaining tissue integrity through controlled, gentle processing.
3Extent of automation
If traditional processing containers are used without stackable design, then individual processing is possible, but automation capability is limited and parallel processing is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing containers are designed to nest within each other in a vertical stack, with each container fitting into the space of the others. This nested arrangement, combined with aligned holes through each container wall, enables automated parallel processing where a single robotic arm or processing mechanism can access all containers simultaneously, achieving high automation without excessive design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue-processing containers are disclosed for facilitating multistep processing of tissue. Also disclosed are systems incorporating the tissue-processing containers that include shakers, incubators, controllers, and pumps. Multistep methods are disclosed for processing tissues using the tissue-processing containers. The tissue-processing containers are specially designed to achieve efficiencies in automated tissue processing, exposure of tissues to processing media, and multistep tissue processing protocols. The described tissue-processing containers comprise a cup-like cavity comprising a middle hole covered by a mesh screen, troughs for separate processing steps, and are stackable in a substantially airtight and substantially watertight manner. Tissues for processing using the described tissue-processing containers include nerve tissue. Also described herein is a transport housing for the transport of stacks of tissue-processing containers, and which may directly incubate those containers, or which may be placed inside a separate incubator for incubating the containers.