Automated Tissue Section Transfer for High-Throughput Microtomy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional microtomy for producing micron-thin tissue sections is a time-consuming manual process, which is undesirable in clinical settings where time efficiency is critical for intra-operative applications like examining lung cancer margins.

Innovation Solution

An automated system with multiple microtomes and a hydration system, controlled by a processor, facilitates parallel and tandem processing of tissue blocks, including facing, hydrating, and sectioning, with integrated transfer mechanisms to slides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional manual microtomy is used to produce tissue sections, then the process allows for precise control and quality sections, but the process is time-consuming and has low throughput

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput of tissue sectioningVSAvoidpreparation time for tissue samples

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the tissue block processing into multiple independent stages (facing, hydrating, sectioning) that can be performed simultaneously on different blocks by multiple microtomes. This segmentation enables parallel processing, increasing overall throughput while maintaining quality control at each stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary facing and hydration of tissue blocks before sectioning. By pre-processing blocks and having them ready in advance, the system eliminates waiting time during sectioning operations and enables continuous high-speed processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 3:

Multiple microtomes operate continuously in parallel, with each microtome processing different tissue blocks through different stages. This continuous operation eliminates idle time and maintains constant productivity throughout the sectioning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If multiple microtomes are used to process tissue blocks in parallel, then throughput is increased, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch processing capabilityVSAvoidnumber of microtomes and coordination systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each microtome in the system is multi-functional, capable of performing facing, sectioning, and handling different tissue blocks at various stages. This universality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each function and simplifies the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The processor monitors and coordinates the operation of multiple microtomes, adjusting their operations based on the state of tissue blocks and processing progress. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal coordination and prevents bottlenecks while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If tissue blocks are hydrated for extended periods to improve sectioning quality, then sectioning precision improves, but the overall processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of tissue sectionsVSAvoidhydration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Tissue blocks are hydrated in advance during the facing stage or in parallel processing stages before sectioning. This preliminary hydration ensures optimal tissue condition for high-quality sectioning without extending the critical sectioning time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

While one tissue block is being hydrated, other blocks undergo sectioning or facing. This continuous parallel processing ensures that hydration time does not add to the overall throughput time while still achieving optimal sectioning quality when the block is ready.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12560513B2Automated tissue section transfer system with high throughput

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 CLARAPATH INC

AI summary

There is provided an automated system for preparing tissue samples that comprises one or more microtomes, a hydration system, and a processor, the processor being programmed to initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a first tissue block comprising a first tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the first tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a first predetermined time, and initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a second tissue block while the first tissue block is being hydrated, the second tissue block comprising a second tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the second tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a second predetermined time, and to initiate the one or more microtomes to begin sectioning of the first tissue block while the second tissue block is being hydrated.