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-11713438-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-01
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 disclosed invention relates to an apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position using a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample, with a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag is configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample. A positioning member coupled to the imaging window is configured to be disposed against the sealing member so the tissue sample is held in a fixed positional relationship relative to the imaging window.
A vacuum port disposed in the positioning member is configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag. Withdrawing air moves the sample bag from a first configuration to a second configuration, including reducing the inner volume in the second configuration. This vacuum action draws the bag tightly around the tissue against the imaging window while maintaining a sealed inner volume condition, including embodiments in which the vacuum port is sealable to maintain a partial vacuum after the vacuum source is disconnected.
The apparatus also includes locking/alignment and positioning-control features to ensure repeatable placement of the positioning member and vacuum-port alignment. In particular, a receiving member with a channel cooperates with the positioning member, and registration points are configured to arrest movement once a portion of the positioning member is disposed within the channel, with embodiments specifying a channel having a substantially open first end and a substantially closed second end. Alignment elements and alignment markings/fiducials indicate proper alignment of the vacuum port with the vacuum system during connection with an imaging device, and an electronic sensor with an indicator light and/or audible alarm may confirm proper alignment.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims include four main inventive claim sets (clm-00001, clm-00021, clm-00041, clm-00045) that share a common apparatus architecture (sample bag, sealing member, imaging window, positioning member) and differ in how they define bag configuration change and how they lock and indicate positioning/alignment. Across the independent claims, the inventive features focus on vacuum-port alignment for withdrawing air, maintaining a substantially fixed tissue position against an imaging window, and using structured receiving/channel/registration and sealing behaviors to arrest movement and maintain vacuum conditions.
Vacuum-pressing sample bag with imaging window contact
An apparatus including a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample, a sealing member coupled to the sample bag, an imaging window substantially spanning the opening and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and disposed against the sealing member.
Aligned vacuum port for withdrawing air from 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.
Vacuum-driven bag configuration change between first and second configurations
A sample bag configured to have a first inner volume in a first configuration and a second inner volume less than the first inner volume in a second configuration, where withdrawing air from the inner volume moves the sample bag from the first configuration to the second configuration.
Locking channel with substantially open first end and substantially closed second end
A locking mechanism including a channel having a first end that is substantially open and a second end that is substantially closed.
Receiving member channel with registration points to arrest positioning-member movement
A receiving member having a channel to which a portion of the positioning member is configured to be disposed, and a plurality of registration points disposed about the receiving member and configured to arrest movement of the positioning member once a portion of the positioning member is disposed within the channel.
Collectively, the independent claim coverage centers on holding excised biological tissue in a substantially fixed position by combining an imaging window contacting the tissue with a sample-bag/sealing-member arrangement. The vacuum port in a positioning member aligned to a vacuum source withdraws air from the bag to tighten/compress the bag against the imaging window, including bag configuration reduction in embodiments, while receiving-member channel structures and registration/locking mechanisms arrest movement and support repeatable alignment.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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