Radiolucent Tissue Specimen Positioning Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
During tissue specimen analysis, maintaining the excised tissue in a stable orientation is challenging, leading to difficulties in accurate detection of tissue margins and diagnosis due to potential deformation or movement relative to imaging devices, which can result in inaccurate diagnoses.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising first and second positioning members with elastically deformable portions, constructed from radiolucent materials like polymeric foam, that securely retain the tissue specimen in a fixed orientation, allowing for multi-axis imaging and transport without significant deformation, thereby reducing signal attenuation and enhancing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the tissue specimen is manually positioned and transported between imaging devices, then the specimen can be examined from multiple views, but the specimen may deform or move relative to the imaging devices, leading to inaccurate tissue margin detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning device with radiopaque markers as an intermediary between the tissue specimen and the imaging device. The radiopaque markers serve as reference points that remain visible across multiple imaging views, allowing accurate spatial relationship maintenance without requiring the specimen itself to remain perfectly stable. This mediator enables precise tissue margin detection even when the specimen undergoes minor movements or deformations during manual positioning and transport.
2Reliability
If the specimen is imaged from multiple axes to confirm tissue margins, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but the time required for imaging and transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device with radiopaque markers is prepared and attached to the specimen before imaging begins. This preliminary setup establishes a stable reference framework that remains valid across all subsequent imaging operations. By pre-establishing the spatial reference system, the device enables rapid multi-axis imaging without requiring time-consuming repositioning or re-alignment between views, thus reducing total imaging time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If radiopaque materials are used in the positioning device, then image quality improves by reducing signal attenuation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device applies radiopaque materials selectively only at critical locations where reference markers are needed, rather than making the entire device radiopaque. This localized application of radiopaque properties minimizes signal attenuation in the imaging path while keeping the overall device structure simple and easy to manufacture. The radiopaque markers are concentrated only where they provide maximum imaging benefit.
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
The solution ensures accurate and efficient imaging and transport of tissue specimens, maintaining specimen integrity and improving diagnostic accuracy by minimizing movement and deformation, leading to higher quality images and more precise tissue margin analysis.
Implementation Method 1
reducing signal attenuation and enhancing image quality
Implementation Method 2
positioning members with elastically deformable portions, constructed from radiolucent materials like polymeric foam, that securely retain the tissue specimen in a fixed orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen holding and positioning apparatus operable to substantially non-movably maintain a specimen (e.g., an excised tissue specimen) in a fixed or stable orientation with respect to the apparatus during imaging operations (e.g., x-ray imaging), transport (e.g., from a surgery room to a pathologist's laboratory), and the like for use in facilitating accurate detection and diagnosis of cancers and/or other abnormalities of the specimen.