Anatomical Tissue Preservation via Alcohol Dehydration and Limonene Clarification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preserving anatomical samples, such as those using formalin and paraffin, face issues like exposure hazards, structural alterations, and limited long-term preservation capabilities, while alternative methods like Spalteholz's suffer from loss of tissue architecture and antigenicity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving dehydration with ethyl alcohol and clarification using D-Limonene, followed by drying with a non-toxic terpene derivative and isoparaffinic acrylic polymer, allowing for reversible rehydration and storage of anatomical samples in cellophane bags without formalin or paraffin, maintaining micro and macro-features for extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If formalin and paraffin preservation methods are used, then tissue samples can be preserved for long term, but personnel are exposed to hazardous chemicals and tissue structure alterations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hazardous, long-term preservation chemicals (formalin, paraffin) with a benign alternative system using alcohol dehydration and limonene clarification. The dehydrated tissue samples can be stored indefinitely in a stable, non-toxic state and only require activation when needed for study, eliminating continuous chemical exposure risks while maintaining preservation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert preservation environment by replacing water in tissue with alcohol and then with limonene, which forms a stable, non-reactive state. This inert environment prevents chemical degradation and structural alteration that occurs with traditional formalin preservation, while eliminating hazardous chemical exposure for personnel handling the samples.
2Shape
If Spalteholz methodology is used for preservation, then tridimensional macroscopic samples are obtained, but tissue architecture and antigenic makeup are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the dehydration and clarification process to preserve tissue architecture at the microscopic level while achieving macroscopic visualization. The specific sequence of alcohol concentrations and limonene treatment parameters is optimized to maintain both tridimensional structure and tissue composition integrity, unlike the Spalteholz method which uses parameters that compromise antigenicity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional dehydration and clearing methods are used, then samples can be preserved, but precipitates form that interfere with microscope observation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses limonene as an intermediary clearing agent that effectively replaces water and alcohol in tissue without forming precipitates. Limonene's chemical properties allow it to penetrate tissue and dissolve cellular components that would otherwise precipitate, maintaining optical clarity for microscope observation while providing long-term preservation stability.
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 preservation of anatomical samples for unlimited time intervals with maintained structural and antigenic integrity, facilitating long-term anatomical pathology research and storage without the need for hazardous materials, and allows for effective rehydration and reuse of samples for diagnostic and educational purposes.
Implementation Method 1
dehydration of the tissues after a variable drying time with water substitution for an inert substance
Implementation Method 2
clarification using D-Limonene
Implementation Method 3
drying with a non-toxic terpene derivative and isoparaffinic acrylic polymer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a new method for long term preservation of particularly interesting anatomical or surgical pieces to be re-used for didactic-training purposes or for subsequent researches and/or in view of new antibodies put on the market for revealing characterizing antigenic structures, above all in oncology field.