Biopsy preparation for flow analysis using microfabricated disaggregation blades

Abstract

An epithelial tissue biopsy processor that produces stained cell nuclei as its output using microfabricated disaggregation structures is presented. Stained cell nuclei produced by the processor can be used for a variety of diagnostic tests to assess the presence of cancer or the risk of developing cancer in the future. To better understand the biopsy disaggregation process, biopsies prepared by a highly skilled technician were examined using fluorescence microscopy at various stages of the disaggregation process. Quantitative analysis of nuclei preparations were performed using flow cytometry of the end product. General device architecture, microfabricated glass blade tissue mincing structures, manual disaggregation microscopy evaluation results, DNA content flow cytometry results, and plans for further device development are presented.