Biological Tissue Mounting Composition for Microscopy Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for obtaining three-dimensional images of biological tissues at the micro level are limited by the thickness of tissue sections that can be imaged, requiring multiple sections and reconstruction, which can damage tissues and are costly, especially for vitrified giant tissues, and lack a solution to adjust tissue size for microscopy.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a compound represented by formula 1, an optical isomer, hydrate, or salt, combined with an alkali metal halide, which adjusts tissue size by controlling concentration and osmotic pressure, allowing for vitrified tissue imaging without damage or excessive cost, and can be used as a mounting solution for various tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional tissue sectioning and reconstruction methods are used to obtain three-dimensional images of thick tissues, then imaging depth is improved, but tissue damage and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a solution with specific osmotic pressure (controlled through alkali metal halide concentration) to induce tissue shrinkage. This physical-chemical parameter adjustment allows the tissue to maintain structural integrity while reducing size, eliminating the need for sectioning and reconstruction that would cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a mounting solution containing alkali metal halide as an intermediary substance that mediates between the tissue and the imaging system. This solution enables size adjustment and improves optical penetration without direct mechanical intervention that would damage the tissue, serving as a chemical intermediary to achieve the desired imaging conditions.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple continuous sections are prepared and reconstructed to image thick tissues, then imaging depth is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for complex sectioning and reconstruction procedures by directly treating the intact tissue with the mounting solution. This eliminates the requirement for multiple sectioning steps, adhering procedures, and computational reconstruction, significantly simplifying the overall process while maintaining the ability to image thick tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a shrunk version of the original tissue that preserves the three-dimensional structural information. By using the mounting solution to uniformly shrink the tissue, a simplified copy is obtained that contains all necessary imaging information without requiring the complex multi-step sectioning and digital reconstruction process.
3Measurement precision
If commercial mounting solutions are used for vitrified tissue imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive commercial mounting solutions with a cost-effective composition based on common alkali metal halides. This substitution maintains the necessary imaging quality while dramatically reducing material costs, making the technique accessible and scalable for routine research applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves effective tissue mounting and size adjustment by optimizing the concentration of alkali metal halide in the solution. By carefully controlling this parameter, the solution provides sufficient osmotic pressure for tissue shrinkage and mounting stability without requiring expensive additives or complex formulations, thereby reducing overall cost while maintaining imaging quality.
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 the adjustment of tissue size according to microscope specifications, facilitating clear imaging of complex tissue structures without protein damage or denaturation, and is cost-effective for observing various biological tissues, including brain and other vertebrate tissues.
Implementation Method 1
A composition comprising a compound represented by formula 1, an optical isomer, hydrate, or salt, combined with an alkali metal halide, which adjusts tissue size by controlling concentration and osmotic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a composition for adjusting biological tissue size and a method for adjusting the size of biological tissue using the said composition. The composition for adjusting the size of biological tissue according to the present invention can adjust the size of biological tissue according to the specifications of a microscope and the needs of a researcher, and can be used as a mounting solution to easily acquire an image of the biological tissue. Therefore, the composition can be usefully used to reveal the causes of and find treatment methods for various disorders.