Portable Slide Staining System for Microscopy
Health Medicine and Biotechnology
Portable Slide Staining System for Microscopy (MSC-TOPS-132)
Reagent dispenser and staining device preps slides in field
Overview
Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed a handheld slide staining system designed to support medical, research or environ-mental monitoring. Although deployed aboard the International Space Station to work in conjunction with NASA’s high-powered handheld microscope in the absence of gravity, the system may be applicable to all known staining procedures for terrestrial field and lab microscopes.
This novel system is comprised of two primary components which are entirely self-contained when assembled. One component, the dispenser, is designed with an adjustable reagent sponge delivery system that not only serves as a containment unit for fluids, but whose volume allows for multiple uses until the reagents from the dispenser are depleted. The sponges can be replenished with commercial off-the-shelf reagents. The second component, the slide staining device, traps and seals the speci-men slide which then receives the titrated reagent from the dispenser.
This technology was derived for space-based missions where a speci-men’s return to Earth for rapid microscopic analysis would not be viable. A situation could exist within a spacecraft necessitating a rapid in situ medical diagnosis on a crewmember in determining whether an infection is present, conducting a white blood cell count, determining blood platelet concentration, and monitoring the effects of solar particle events as it applies to hematological disturbances.
The Technology
To stain a specimen slide, one or more liquid reagents are injected via the dispenser into the slide staining device via a syringe port. The volume of a given reagent is determined by adjustable settings on the dispenser, so that when connected to the staining device, initiates a thin film over the slide. The dispensing device uses only a fraction of the reagents typically used in non-sealed environments. Medical grade polyvinyl alcohol sponges have been incorporated into the dispenser to provide additional fluid containment and retention during the staining procedure. Furthermore, the dispenser can recall excess reagent, minimizing reagent use until refill.
The slide staining device is composed of an upper and lower section held together and aligned by use of Nd magnets. With the device open, a specimen slide is positioned upon a silicone gasket that sits within a recess in the lower section. When the device is closed, the silicone gasket in the upper section applies a seal to the slide forming a cavity that allows the slide to be exposed to reagents injected from the connected dispenser creating a stain through the use of capillary forces. Although originally designed for use in microgravity, the slide staining system also works in gravity environments.
Numerous applications may exist for this technology, particularly in hematology and cellular biology. Other applications could be considered for academic research, veterinary field use, military, disaster stricken and remote environments or where fine control of fluid delivery, removal, and management is desired.
The slide staining system is at technology readiness level (TRL) 8 (actual system completed and "flight qualified" through test and demonstration), and are now available to license. Please note that NASA does not manufacture products itself for commercial sale.
Benefits
- Adaptable: applicable to all known staining procedures
- Compact: handheld and lightweight design facilitates ease of use
- Efficient: self-contained design speeds slide staining process
- Flexible: uses commercial off the shelf reagents
- Inexpensive: constructed of durable 3D-printed polycarbonate
- Portable: compact and self-contained design facilitates ease of travel
- Precise: adjustable fluid dispenser carefully titrates reagents
- Spill Resistant: dispenser and slide staining device feature sealed internals
- Versatile: system designed to perform in space or gravity
Applications
- Academic research
- Disaster areas
- Healthcare
- Military
- Natural sciences
- Other remote research and field work
Technology Details
Health Medicine and Biotechnology
MSC-TOPS-132
MSC-27481-1
MSC-27483-1
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