Tissue Array Carrier Medium for Alignment and Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-tissue blocks face challenges in maintaining proper orientation and alignment of small tissue samples during the embedding process, leading to inefficiencies in sectioning and increased tissue wastage, as the small size of tissue punches makes it difficult to keep them upright and aligned, and manual methods are tedious and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an accepter block with embedded accepter tissue, where portions of both the accepter and donor blocks are removed and inserted to create a multi-tissue array, allowing for the accepter tissue to serve as a structural support, ensuring all tissues are on the same level during re-embedding and sectioning, using a punch tool to create uniform spaces for donor tissues, and heating the block to maintain alignment and polymerization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If small tissue punches are used to increase the number of samples in a multi-tissue block, then the quantity of tissue samples increases, but the ability to maintain proper orientation and alignment during embedding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (support matrix or carrier block) that mediates between the small tissue punches and the embedding process. This intermediary provides a stable base that holds multiple small tissue samples in predetermined positions, allowing them to maintain proper orientation during heating and embedding without requiring manual manipulation of each individual small punch
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging multiple tissue samples on a support matrix before the embedding process. The tissue samples are positioned and secured on the matrix in advance, creating a stable configuration that maintains orientation and alignment throughout the subsequent heating and embedding steps, eliminating the need for manual realignment during the process
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual methods are used to arrange tissue samples in a multi-tissue block, then flexibility in positioning is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to tedious and unsafe manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The support matrix performs self-service by automatically maintaining the positions and orientations of tissue samples through its structural design. The matrix incorporates features such as recesses, wells, or adhesive surfaces that naturally hold tissue samples in predetermined positions, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment and positioning during the embedding process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tissue arrangement system into distinct functional components: the support matrix and the tissue samples. This segmentation allows the matrix to handle the complex task of positioning and orientation maintenance, while the tissue samples simply need to be placed on the matrix, significantly simplifying the overall operation
3Ease of manufacture
If tissue samples are placed in plain paraffin block without structural support, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of maintaining tissue alignment during sectioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining the support matrix with the paraffin embedding medium. The support matrix provides a rigid, alignment-maintaining framework, while the paraffin serves as the embedding and sectioning medium. This composite approach allows the block to be manufactured easily like conventional paraffin blocks while the embedded matrix ensures reliable tissue alignment during sectioning
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 approach ensures that all tissues are evenly cut and maintained on the same level, reducing wastage and enabling more efficient use of tissue samples, allowing for the creation of larger arrays with multiple samples in a smaller space, and facilitating the use of smaller tissue samples as controls, while maintaining structural integrity during sectioning.
Implementation Method 1
heating to melt the paraffin and manually arranged into the desired position
Implementation Method 2
the paraffin melts and the tissues can be arranged in a way to ensure their proper orientation within the block
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary tissue array, and a method for producing the same, can be provided which can include providing an accepter biological structure(s), providing a donor tissue(s), removing a portion(s) of the donor tissue(s), and removing a portion(s) of the accepter biological structure(s). The removed portion(s) of the accepter biological structure(s) can have a size that is substantially similar to a size of the removed portion(s) of the donor tissue(s). The removed portion(s) of the donor tissue(s) can be inserted into the accepter biological structure(s) at a location substantially corresponding to the removed portion(s) of the accepter biological structure(s).