Automated Tissue Imaging System for 3D Reconstruction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tissue sample processing methods are time-consuming, user-intensive, and require glass slides and staining, which can lead to tissue section damage and inefficient analysis.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that cuts tissue samples into sections using a rotating blade while the sample remains stationary, captures images at different angles and spectral bands without staining, and generates a three-dimensional representation for diagnostic purposes, using image capturing devices capable of capturing electromagnetic energy across various spectral bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional tissue sample processing methods are used (glass slides, staining), then tissue sections can be examined under microscope, but the process is time-consuming and user-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical staining and slide-preparation processes with an optical imaging system that captures images directly from the tissue sample. The imaging system uses light sources and sensors to obtain tissue images without requiring physical sectioning, staining, or slide mounting, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual operations and accelerating the diagnostic workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of the tissue sample that can be analyzed digitally. Instead of physically processing and examining stained sections, the system captures multiple images from different angles and positions, then synthesizes them into a comprehensive digital representation. This copying approach eliminates the need for time-intensive physical preparation while preserving all necessary diagnostic information.
2Reliability
If traditional staining and glass slides are used, then tissue abnormalities can be identified, but sample damage occurs and sections are fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of the tissue sample that can be analyzed digitally. Instead of physically processing and examining stained sections, the system captures multiple images from different angles and positions, then synthesizes them into a comprehensive digital representation. This copying approach eliminates the need for time-intensive physical preparation while preserving all necessary diagnostic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical staining and slide-preparation processes with an optical imaging system that captures images directly from the tissue sample. The imaging system uses light sources and sensors to obtain tissue images without requiring physical sectioning, staining, or slide mounting, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual operations and accelerating the diagnostic workflow.
3Loss of information
If multiple images are captured at different angles and spectral bands, then comprehensive tissue analysis is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an imaging system capable of capturing images across multiple spectral bands (visible, ultraviolet, infrared) and from various angles. This multi-functional imaging device consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate instruments into a single system, reducing overall device complexity while achieving comprehensive tissue information capture through spectral and angular diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent captures images not only from multiple spatial angles but also across the spectral dimension (different wavelengths of light). By adding spectral band detection to the traditional spatial imaging approach, the system obtains comprehensive tissue information without requiring proportionally more complex hardware, as the same imaging sensors can detect multiple spectral ranges.
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 reduces the need for physical tissue sections, minimizes sample damage, and provides a more efficient and cost-effective diagnostic process by enabling the identification of abnormalities through a three-dimensional representation without the need for staining or glass slides.
Implementation Method 1
the image capturing devices are configured to capture electromagnetic energy within various spectral bands, which allows for abnormalities to be detected when cells react with electromagnetic energy at different wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for performing automated digital processing of a tissue sample. A tissue sample that is to be processed to produce a three-dimensional representation of the tissue sample is received, and is aligned with a cutting mechanism that comprises a blade. A plurality of sections of the tissue sample are produced by way of a rotating blade. The sections are moved from a first location to a second location on a surface of a transporting mechanism. During this move, electronic images of the each of the sections are captured using image capturing devices. The images for the each of the sections are compiled to generate a composite image for the each of the plurality of sections. The composite images are used to generate the three-dimensional representation of the tissue sample.