Automated Tissue Staining Carousel for Rapid Intraoperative Diagnostics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tissue staining techniques, such as immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, are time-consuming and often cannot meet the rapid reporting requirements needed for intraoperative medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A tissue staining device comprising a reagent assembly with a rotating reagent carousel and a microscope slide carousel, allowing for efficient and automated dispensing and distribution of reagents onto microscope slides, thereby facilitating rapid tissue staining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional IHC staining techniques are used, then staining reliability is maintained, but processing time is excessive (60-120 minutes)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidstaining speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The staining protocol is divided into discrete, automated steps performed in sequential chambers within the carousel system. Each chamber contains specific reagents or performs specific functions (staining, washing, drying), allowing the tissue sample to be processed through multiple operations without manual intervention and significantly reducing total processing time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device pre-loads multiple reagents and prepares the staining protocol in advance within the sealed carousel system. All necessary components are positioned and ready before the staining process begins, eliminating setup time and ensuring that the staining procedure can proceed immediately at optimized speed without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If manual tissue processing is performed, then flexibility in protocol adjustment is maintained, but processing speed is limited by technician speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to autonomously execute the staining protocol once initiated. The carousel automatically rotates to position different chambers, reagents are dispensed automatically, and the tissue sample is processed through each step without requiring continuous manual intervention. This self-service capability dramatically increases processing speed while the system maintains ease of operation through simple load-and-run functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations by the technician are replaced with an automated mechanical carousel system. The rotation mechanism, reagent dispensing, and chamber positioning are all performed automatically by the device's mechanical system, eliminating the speed limitation imposed by human operators while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If multiple target antigens are assessed, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but total processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidtotal staining time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple staining protocols for different target antigens are merged into a single integrated carousel system. The device can hold multiple reagent sets and perform sequential staining operations on the same tissue sample without requiring separate manual processing for each antigen. This consolidation allows multiple assessments to be performed in a coordinated manner, improving diagnostic accuracy while reducing the cumulative time that would be required for separate manual procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device significantly reduces the time required for tissue staining, enabling faster processing and reporting of pathology data, which is critical for intraoperative decision-making.

Implementation Method 1

the directionality of the flow of the reagent is based on gravitational force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250130143A1Devices and components for automated tissue processing and staining and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 WU JIN V

AI summary

A tissue staining device (100) comprises: (a) a microscope slide carousel (105), wherein the microscope slide carousel (105) is configured to rotate on a first axis of rotation (230), and wherein the microscope slide carousel (105) comprises at least one microscope slide cartridge stall (106), and (b) a reagent assembly (110) comprising: (i) a reagent carousel (113), wherein the reagent carousel (113) is configured to rotate on a second axis of rotation (310), and wherein the reagent carousel (113) comprises at least one reagent holder, (ii) a dispensing actuator (115), and wherein the reagent carousel (113) is positioned above the microscope slide carousel (105), and wherein the reagent carousel (113) and the microscope slide carousel (105) are positioned such that when a reagent is placed in the reagent carousel (113) the reagent can flow from the reagent carousel (113) to the microscope slide carousel (105).