Urinary Cell Preservation via pH Buffering and Formaldehyde Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow cytometry analysis of urinary cells requires fresh urine samples within six hours, making it logistically challenging and expensive, and excludes smaller clinics and medical practices from sample submission.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a buffer substance to maintain pH between 6 and 8 and a formaldehyde releasing compound in urine samples, allowing for the preservation of urinary cells for analysis by flow cytometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fresh urine samples are used for flow cytometry analysis, then analysis accuracy is maintained, but logistical complexity and cost increase due to time constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The urine sample is treated with a formaldehyde releasing compound and buffer substance immediately after collection to preserve cellular morphology and markers before analysis. This preliminary preservation action allows the sample to be stored and transported without degradation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining analysis accuracy and reducing logistical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical state of the urine sample is changed by adding a formaldehyde releasing compound that releases formaldehyde to fix cells, and a buffer substance that adjusts pH to neutral or slightly alkaline levels. These parameter changes stabilize the sample for long-term storage while maintaining cellular integrity for flow cytometry analysis.
2Stability of the object's composition
If urine samples are preserved using formaldehyde, then cell stability is improved, but staining quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A formaldehyde releasing compound is used as an intermediary that slowly releases formaldehyde to fix cells. This controlled release mechanism provides sufficient fixation for stability while avoiding excessive formaldehyde concentration that would compromise staining quality. The buffer substance also acts as an intermediary to control the chemical environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pH of the urine sample is adjusted to neutral or slightly alkaline levels using a buffer substance, which optimizes the fixation process. This parameter change allows effective cell stabilization while maintaining antibody staining quality, as the buffered conditions prevent excessive cross-linking and preserve epitope accessibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If pH is not adjusted in urine samples, then sample processing is simplified, but formaldehyde precipitation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pH of the urine sample is adjusted to neutral or slightly alkaline levels using a buffer substance. This parameter change prevents formaldehyde precipitation by creating optimal conditions for formaldehyde release and cell fixation, while the buffering capacity maintains pH stability throughout the preservation process.
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 method enables the stable preservation of urinary cells for more than 4 to 6 hours, allowing for delayed analysis without compromising staining quality, and facilitates the storage and transport of urine samples.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a urine sample obtained from a patient with a buffer substance suitable to create and/or maintain a pH value in the range of 6 to 8
Implementation Method 2
contacting a urine sample obtained from a patient with a formaldehyde releasing compound yielding a preserved urine sample
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preserving urinary cells, the method comprising the step of contacting a urine sample obtained from a patient with a buffer substance suitable to create and/or maintain a pH value in the range of 6 to 8, particularly approx. 7, within said urine sample, and a formaldehyde releasing compound.