Tissue Mounting Device for Confocal Microscopy Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mounting surgically excised or biopsied tissue for imaging with confocal microscopy is challenging due to sagging, instability, non-uniform flatness, hydration issues, and orthogonality problems, which hinder accurate and rapid imaging of large tissue areas.

Innovation Solution

A tissue-mounting device that applies force using inflatable arrangements, pistons, cassette lids, pins, flexible tissue holding, and vacuum systems to flatten and secure the tissue surface, ensuring it is parallel to the microscope's object plane, facilitating stable and uniform imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional pathology processing methods are used, then tissue can be examined for residual cancer margins, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming (hours to days)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer margin detection accuracyVSAvoidtissue processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical pathology processing (sectioning, staining, mounting) with optical imaging methods. Confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography enable direct imaging of fresh tissue sections without mechanical preparation, reducing processing time from hours/days to minutes while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for cancer margin detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the time-consuming intermediate steps of traditional pathology (tissue fixation, sectioning, staining, mounting) by using optical imaging techniques that can directly image fresh tissue. This extraction of unnecessary processing steps reduces both time loss and potential tissue degradation while preserving the essential function of cancer margin detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If fresh tissue is imaged without processing, then imaging time is reduced to minutes, but tissue mounting is challenging due to sagging, instability, and non-uniform flatness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging speedVSAvoidtissue stability during imaging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible membranes and thin film structures to support and flatten fresh tissue during optical imaging. These flexible supports conform to the tissue surface while applying gentle pressure to eliminate sagging and non-uniform flatness, maintaining tissue stability without the need for rigid mounting that could damage fresh tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary mounting structures (specialized holders, supports, and flattening devices) that mediate between the fresh tissue and the imaging system. These intermediaries provide the necessary mechanical support and flatness for high-speed optical imaging while minimizing direct contact and potential damage to the delicate fresh tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If tissue is flattened for imaging, then uniform surface is achieved, but tissue hydration may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue surface flatnessVSAvoidtissue dehydration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible, permeable membranes that allow water vapor transmission while providing mechanical support for tissue flattening. These membranes maintain tissue hydration by permitting moisture exchange while still achieving the uniform surface flatness required for high-resolution optical imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses controlled atmospheric environments (humidified chambers, sealed mounting systems) during tissue flattening and imaging. These inert or controlled atmospheres prevent tissue dehydration by maintaining appropriate humidity levels while the tissue is being flattened and imaged, thus achieving both surface uniformity and hydration preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 rapid and accurate imaging of large tissue areas, maintaining tissue stability and flatness, allowing for effective detection of residual cancer margins and guiding surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum arrangement(s) can be used

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The second arrangement(s) can include an inflatable arrangements)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP2883031B1Devices applicable to tissue(s) which facilitates confocal microscopy, optical microscopy, spectroscopy and/or imaging

Publication Date: 2020.04.22 MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENT

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AI summary

Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for facilitating an analysis of a sample(s) can be provided. For example, using a first arrangement(s), it can be possible to receive the sample(s) thereon. Further, for example, using a second arrangement(s), it can be possible to cause a force to be applied on a portion(s) of the sample(s) such that a surface(s) of the sample(s) can be flattened against a section(s) of the first arrangement(s).