Sample container for stabilizing and aligning excised biological tissue samples for ex vivo analysis
Inventors
Fan, Chao • MUNRO, Elizabeth A. • Rempel, David • Jackson, James
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10894939-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position using a sample bag coupled to an airtight sealing member and an imaging window configured to remain in contact with a portion of the tissue. The tissue is received into an inner volume of the sample bag, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window to form a sample container such that the tissue is substantially sealed within the sample container.
The sample container is removably locked to a receiving member and air is withdrawn from the inner volume to hold the tissue in a substantially fixed position. A sample holder construction is also described in which the imaging window is disposed across an opening of the sample bag such that the inner volume is substantially airtight.
The sample bag is coupled to a locking mechanism by disposing the bag through an aperture of the locking mechanism, where the imaging window is disposed against a surface of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism defines a channel that includes a first plurality of vacuum ports, and the locking mechanism is rotatably coupled to a receiving member to align vacuum ports by using a ridge configured to be slidably disposed within the channel.
The receiving member includes a second plurality of vacuum ports configured to be substantially aligned with the first plurality of vacuum ports when the locking mechanism is rotatably coupled to the receiving member. The arrangement maintains the imaging window positioned relative to the tissue and maintains vacuum-port alignment for evacuating the sample bag.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims, directed to holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position and forming a sample holder. The inventive features center on sealed containment with an imaging window, removably locking the container to a receiving member, and channel-based alignment of vacuum-port pluralities by a rotatable locking mechanism and ridge.
Sealed sample bag with imaging window in contact with tissue
Receiving the biological tissue sample into an inner volume of a sample bag, the sample bag coupled to a sealing member; disposing an imaging window across an opening of the sample bag such that the imaging window is configured to remain in contact with a portion of the biological tissue sample; and coupling a positioning member to the imaging window to form a sample container such that the biological tissue sample is substantially sealed within the sample container.
Removably locked container and withdrawing air from the inner volume
Removably locking the sample container to a receiving member; and withdrawing air from the inner volume of the sample bag.
Channel-based vacuum-port alignment using rotatable locking mechanism and ridge
Coupling a sample bag to a sealing member; disposing an imaging window across an opening of the sample bag such that an inner volume of the sample bag is substantially airtight; coupling the sample bag to a locking mechanism by disposing the sample bag through an aperture of the locking mechanism such that the imaging window is disposed against a surface of the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism defining a channel and including a first plurality of vacuum ports; and rotatably coupling the locking mechanism to a receiving member, the receiving member including a ridge configured to be slidably disposed within the channel and a second plurality of vacuum ports, the second plurality of vacuum ports configured to be substantially aligned with the first plurality of vacuum ports when the locking mechanism is rotatably coupled to the receiving member.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on maintaining a substantially fixed position of a biological tissue sample by sealing the tissue in a sample bag with a sealing member and an imaging window in contact with the tissue, and forming a container that is removably locked to a receiving member. The vacuum system is structurally supported by a locking mechanism with a channel and first plurality of vacuum ports, and a receiving member with a ridge and second plurality of vacuum ports, where rotatable coupling causes the vacuum-port pluralities to be substantially aligned.
Stated Advantages
Holds a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position.
Documented Applications
Ex vivo imaging/analysis of excised biological tissue using the imaging window while maintaining orientation/positioning and facilitating co-registration mentioned in the partial content summary (e.g., OCT and X-ray/MRI).
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