Ex Vivo Tissue Impedance Characterization Without Sectioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing cancer and other diseases in tissue samples are time-consuming and require extensive preparation, often involving chemical preservation and sectioning, which limits the analysis to small sections and provides lower resolution images.
Innovation Solution
A system that rapidly assesses the electrical impedance spectrum of large area tissue samples without sectioning or preparation, using a first electrode array with multiple voltage measurement and application points, and an electronic computer to control voltage and measure impedance across the sample, allowing for accurate characterization of tissue samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If chemical preservation and sectioning are used to prepare tissue samples, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex preparation process. By using electrical impedance spectroscopy directly on fresh tissue sections without chemical preservation or staining, the system obtains diagnostic information without requiring the time-consuming conventional preparation steps while maintaining measurement precision through sophisticated electrical characterization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical and chemical preparation methods (sectioning, staining, freezing) with an electrical measurement system. The electrical impedance spectroscopy technique substitutes for the mechanical sectioning and chemical preservation processes, enabling rapid non-invasive characterization of tissue samples while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
2Measurement precision
If conventional sectioning methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but area of stationary object decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tissue sample into multiple measurement zones using a grid of electrodes. By dividing the tissue area into discrete measurement points that can be independently characterized through electrical impedance spectroscopy, the system maintains diagnostic precision while enabling comprehensive analysis of larger tissue areas through systematic sampling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement platform where the same electrical impedance spectroscopy system can characterize different tissue areas without requiring physical sectioning or preparation. The multi-functional electrode array can measure impedance at multiple locations simultaneously, providing comprehensive tissue characterization across the entire sample area
3Productivity
If frozen section method is used to reduce preparation time, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical freezing and sectioning process with direct electrical impedance measurement on fresh tissue. This substitution eliminates the need for frozen section preparation while maintaining the speed advantage, as the electrical measurements can be performed immediately on the fresh tissue sample without requiring freezing or sectioning steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from optical (light-based imaging) to electrical (impedance spectroscopy). This parameter change enables rapid measurement on fresh tissue without the artifacts introduced by freezing or sectioning, achieving both speed and precision through electrical characterization of tissue properties
4Measurement precision
If multiple adjacent sections are studied to definitively diagnose disease, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous measurement across the entire tissue sample without interruption. The electrical impedance spectroscopy system can continuously characterize different regions of the tissue in a systematic manner, providing comprehensive diagnostic information in a single continuous process rather than requiring separate analysis of multiple discrete sections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the analysis of multiple tissue regions into a single integrated measurement process. By using a grid of electrodes that can measure impedance at multiple locations simultaneously or in rapid succession, the system combines what would traditionally require separate section analyses into one unified electrical characterization, reducing time while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic precision
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
Enables quick and accurate characterization of large tissue samples, reducing errors from field fringing and electrode polarization, and providing comprehensive analysis of larger tissue samples without freezing or sectioning, with the potential to distinguish benign from cancerous tumors.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode array providing a surface for receiving an ex vivo tissue sample in abutment with the surface, the surface providing a plurality of electrically independent voltage measurement points and voltage application points. An electronic computer communicates with the first electrode array to control voltage applied to the voltage application points and to read voltages obtained at the voltage measurement points
Implementation Method 2
establish a voltage gradient among the voltage application points defining a boundary across the first electrode array
Data Source
AI summary
A device for characterizing ex vivo tissue employs a set of independent electrodes that may be used to scan the tissue by moving a voltage gradient across the tissue surface acquiring impedance spectrographs that may be mapped to an image.