Tissue Sample Cassette Processing with Sponge Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing pathology specimens, such as tissue samples, often result in tissue damage, altered orientation, and sample mixing due to the use of formalin and manual handling, which compromises tissue integrity and orientation during transportation and processing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving tissue sample cassettes with compartments and a lid, where each sample is fixed in place using a sponge, scanned for identification, and processed through digital imaging and dehydration, followed by embedding in paraffin blocks with orientation indicators, ensuring intact and oriented samples throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tissue samples are transferred to glass jars containing formalin, then tissue samples can be preserved during transportation, but tissue integrity is damaged and orientation is altered due to movement and formalin immersion
Solution Approach 1:
The shipping board is divided into multiple compartments, with each compartment designed to hold a single tissue sample. This segmentation prevents samples from moving around and mixing, while each compartment's individual design allows for stable fixation of the tissue sample in a specific orientation using a sponge, thereby maintaining tissue integrity during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
A sponge is introduced as an intermediary element between the tissue sample and the formalin solution. The sponge absorbs excess formalin and provides a stable matrix that fixes the tissue sample in place, preventing direct immersion damage and orientation changes while still allowing preservation.
2Ease of operation
If multiple tissue samples are placed in one trench with a sponge soaked in formalin, then transportation is simplified, but samples can get mixed up and alter their orientation due to insufficient fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The shipping board is divided into multiple compartments, with each compartment designed to hold a single tissue sample. This segmentation prevents samples from moving around and mixing, while each compartment's individual design allows for stable fixation of the tissue sample in a specific orientation using a sponge, thereby maintaining tissue integrity during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponge in each compartment is assigned a unique color code that corresponds to specific tissue samples or patients. This color-coding system allows for quick visual identification and tracking of samples throughout the transportation and processing workflow, preventing mix-ups while maintaining the convenience of consolidated transportation.
3Ease of operation
If tissue samples are handled with tweezers for transfer and insertion, then samples can be moved between containers, but tissue samples may be broken, dropped, or contaminated due to direct handling
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue sample is fixed to the sponge within the compartment, which itself is secured in the shipping board. This self-service mechanism allows the sample to be transferred and positioned without requiring direct manual handling with tweezers, thereby preventing breakage, drops, and contamination while maintaining transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A sponge is introduced as an intermediary element between the tissue sample and the formalin solution. The sponge absorbs excess formalin and provides a stable matrix that fixes the tissue sample in place, preventing direct immersion damage and orientation changes while still allowing preservation.
4Reliability
If tissue samples are soaked in formalin for fixation, then tissue preservation is achieved, but tissue damage and degradation occur due to excessive formalin exposure
Solution Approach 1:
A sponge is introduced as an intermediary element between the tissue sample and the formalin solution. The sponge absorbs excess formalin and provides a stable matrix that fixes the tissue sample in place, preventing direct immersion damage and orientation changes while still allowing preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentration and exposure time of formalin to tissue samples are controlled by using a sponge that absorbs and releases formalin gradually. This parameter change approach ensures adequate preservation while minimizing tissue damage from excessive formalin exposure.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for processing tissue samples are provided. Tissue samples are obtained and disposed into individual compartments of a cassette with an embedded barcode identifier, which is scanned to generate a display screen of digital images and a reference table. Cassettes with tissue samples are stored and shipped in one formalin filled jar to a pathology facility, where the cassettes are removed and wiped of formalin. Digital images of lidless cassettes are generated and measured by a pathology information system. The ends of each tissue sample are color coded and the tissue samples dehydrated. The tissue samples and an orientation dot are embedded in a paraffin block, which is trimmed and mounted to a slide. Digital images of the tissue samples on the slide are generated and stored by the pathology information system. The digital images may be analyzed by a doctor and/or artificial intelligence programs for abnormal pathology.