Tissue Mounting Card Maintaining Cutting Plane Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue processing methods fail to maintain the selected cutting plane and orientation of tissue specimens during fixation, processing, and embedding, particularly for small samples, leading to inaccuracies in histological examination.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a mounting card with a non-adhesive surface and a porous underlayment, used in conjunction with a base mold, to securely position the tissue specimen throughout processing, ensuring the selected cutting plane is maintained from collection to microtome sectioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If tissue samples are processed using conventional methods in cassettes, then the processing can be completed, but the selected cutting plane and orientation of the tissue specimen cannot be maintained throughout processing and embedding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance of cutting plane orientationVSAvoidhandling during processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue processing system is divided into distinct functional components: a positioning member for maintaining orientation, a base mold for receiving the tissue, and a processing cassette. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining the overall orientation of the tissue specimen throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A positioning member acts as an intermediary between the tissue specimen and the base mold, maintaining the selected cutting plane orientation during transfer and processing. This intermediary component prevents direct contact that would cause orientation loss while still allowing proper processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If minute tissue fragments (less than 1.0 mm) are processed, then biopsy can be performed on small samples, but the specimen may shift position in the cassette during processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to process minute specimensVSAvoidposition stability of specimen

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The base mold and positioning member are designed with specific local features such as recesses, protrusions, and adhesive surfaces that provide localized stabilization for minute tissue fragments. These local quality enhancements ensure that even tiny specimens less than 1.0 mm remain securely positioned during processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue specimen is positioned and secured to the positioning member before processing begins. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the cutting plane orientation is established and maintained from the start of processing, preventing any subsequent shifting or movement of the specimen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the tissue specimen is moved from cassette to embedding mold, then embedding can be performed, but the pre-selected position of the specimen may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembedding process completionVSAvoidposition accuracy during transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning member is integrated with both the base mold and the processing cassette, creating a continuous reference framework that maintains specimen orientation during transfer. This merging of components ensures that the pre-selected position is preserved from the cassette through the embedding mold without loss of orientation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 method allows precise maintenance of the tissue specimen's orientation and position, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of histological examination by preventing shifts during processing and embedding, even for small samples.

Implementation Method 1

a card or positioning member for mounting the tissue specimen in the desired position that is maintained throughout processing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS7521021B2System for in situ processing of a tissue specimen

Publication Date: 2009.04.21 LEICA BIOSYSTEMS RICHMOND INC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a system for use in the preparation in situ of tissue specimens for histological examination. The system includes a cassette, a specimen mounting card and a base mold. The invention also is directed to a method of processing a tissue sample for histological examination which does not require re-orienting the selected cutting plane in the specimen transfer step. Instead, the tissue sample remains oriented in a desired position throughout processing.