IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS LOW COST MODULAR TISSUE MICROARRAY INSTRUMENT

Historically, tissue sample analysis was limited due to lack of practical high throughput techniques. An advance in tissue analysis came with the invention of the multitumor tissue block. This technology was improved upon, refined and eventually evolvedinto the Tissue Microarray (TMA), currently a key tool in clinical analysis of tissue samples. TMA use involves placement of multiple tissue samples into defined positions within a recipient paraffin block, such that samples can be systematically analyzed. While the TMA represents an improvement, issues of poor sample alignment and quality plague it. Hewitt addressed these limitations with development of templates and methods for preparing TMAs (U.S. patent 7,854,899). In this Phase I project Micatu will implement and improve upon the teachings of U.S. patent 7,854,899 to create a high quality, low cost, Modular TMA. Micatu has developed a TMA design and technical plan that includes alpha deSign and optimization, construction alpha prototypes, pre-pilot design release and manufacture analysis, and pre-pilot prototype construction.