Unitary Reservoir for Microscopy Sample Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing microscopy specimens, such as TEM, SEM, and LM samples, face challenges including high costs, inefficiencies in fluid handling, and risks of sample loss or damage due to large dead spaces in existing devices, which hinder high-throughput processing and long-term storage.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a unitary reservoir with a pipette attachment for efficient filling and emptying of reagents, allowing for parallel fixation and storage of multiple samples, along with features like a screen for fluid exchange and a design that minimizes sample handling, enabling secure and efficient processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional cassettes with large dead space are used for specimen preparation, then fluid exchange capacity is sufficient, but sample loss and damage increase due to large dead space volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a specimen holding chamber with minimal dead space, a screen component for fluid exchange, and connection interfaces. This segmentation allows the specimen to be held in a small volume while still enabling adequate fluid exchange through the screen, thereby reducing sample loss without compromising processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen is positioned at a specific location within the device to provide localized fluid exchange functionality. This allows the majority of the device volume to be minimized for specimen holding, while the screen area provides sufficient surface for fluid exchange, achieving local optimization of both sample retention and fluid access.
2Productivity
If multiple fluid exchanges are performed manually for specimen preparation, then sample processing is thorough, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables continuous fluid exchange through the screen without requiring removal or manipulation of the specimen. Fluids can be introduced and removed sequentially through the same interface, maintaining continuous processing action and reducing the time lost to repeated manual handling and repositioning of specimens.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen serves multiple functions: it acts as a barrier to retain the specimen, provides a surface for fluid exchange, and enables both introduction and removal of fluids through the same interface. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple operations into a single component, improving processing efficiency.
3Reliability
If specimens are handled frequently during preparation, then processing steps can be performed, but risk of sample damage and loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The specimen holding chamber, screen, and connection interfaces are merged into a single integrated device. This allows all fluid exchange operations to be performed on the assembled device without disassembly or specimen removal, minimizing handling steps and reducing the risk of sample damage or loss while maintaining operational capability.
4Loss of substance
If large volumes of fixation media and reagents are used in traditional cassettes, then adequate fluid exchange is achieved, but cost and chemical waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the fluid exchange function from bulk specimen holding, using a small-volume chamber with a screen that provides adequate surface area for fluid exchange. This allows effective reagent delivery with minimal volumes, reducing both reagent consumption and chemical waste while maintaining processing efficacy.
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 reduces sample loss and damage, enhances processing efficiency, and facilitates high-throughput and long-term storage of microscopy specimens, improving the handling and preparation of TEM, SEM, and LM samples.
Implementation Method 1
a screen positioned adjacent the second open end
Implementation Method 2
filling or emptying of the reservoir through the second open end with at least one reagent may be accomplished by displacement of a pipette
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3
AI summary
A device, method and system for preparing and storing samples for microscopic analysis is disclosed. The device provides a reservoir that can be attached to a displacement pipette thereby filling the reservoir with reagents desired for preparing the samples for microscopic analysis. In some embodiments, the specimen may be contained on a transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid. In other embodiments, the sample may be a light microscope (LM) specimen or a scanning electron microscope (SEM) specimen. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of preparing samples for microscopic examination including a device for preparing TEM grids with, a device for preparing TEM, SEM or LM specimens with and a device for storing both grids and specimens in. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a system for tracking the preparation, analysis and histological evaluation of multiple samples while also providing for their long term storage.