Static system for automatic reading of histology cassette codes

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of histology, in particular to the sector related to histology cassettes and more specifically to a static system for reading codes located on the oblique fronts of said histology cassettes.

Description

Static system for automatic reading of histology cassette codes Technology sector The present invention relates to the field of histology, in particular to the sector related to histology cassettes and, more specifically, to a static code reading system located on the oblique fronts of said histology cassettes. State of the art According to the current state of the art of histology cassettes, it is known that such cassettes are marked on their oblique side at 45°, rarely at 30° and 90° (perpendicular side instead of inclined) with 1D-2D or alphanumeric codes. The cassettes are labeled for identification, tracking during the job process, and, in the final stage, for organized filing in designated cabinets. Various technologies can be used to label the cassettes, such as inkjet printers, thermal transfer, laser, or indelible ink tape. It is known that, to read the cassette codes, the cassettes are placed inside trays, usually marked with coordinates using letters and numbers to facilitate the identification of each individual cassette. The cassettes are housed in slots along the entire length of the tray, forming "n" columns side by side. Each column is as wide as the histology cassettes and contains tabs that separate the cassettes, placed one after the other, ensuring that each cassette stays in its position, usually vertical, with the front containing the code facing upwards. In the present state of the art, document WO2015040320 discloses a method for reading cassette codes, consisting of positioning a reader on the Cartesian axes, which, by moving along the X and Y coordinates, with a fixed Z coordinate, determines the reading coordinates of each position and, therefore, a matrix of reading points (heights) that identify the position of the cassettes inside the container. This known system has the drawback of being dynamic, meaning it is equipped with a reader that moves along Cartesian axes, which results in long data acquisition times. Frequently, this system fails to identify cassettes that do not have perfectly written labels, and significant errors can occur. In the state of the art, in the sector related to histology cassettes, the following documents are known: - Document US 2017 / 293719 A1 disclosing a device and method that can be used in sample processing processes and that simultaneously and rapidly identify, read and transcribe several one-dimensional or two-dimensional computer codes; - Document US 2014 / 330427 A1 disclosing a computerized and automated system for ordering biological sampling blocks; - Nowakowski SE et al. disclosing a device for capturing the location of sample vials that captures, with a single scan, the box identifier, the vial identifier, and the location of each vial within a storage box; - Document US 2013 / 306729 A1 disclosing a device for capturing an image of a test tube rack comprising a plurality of test tubes, each having an individual barcode thereon, said device comprising: - an enclosure comprising a transparent window which, during use, is adjacent to the test tube rack from which images are to be taken; - at least one camera; - a plurality of light sources; - at least one light-blocking element, positioned to block light at least partially. None of the known systems provide simultaneous reading of the identification code of the cassettes contained in a tray, nor of the identification code of the tray itself. Therefore, none of the known systems allows for a high level of traceability of histological cassettes, nor a reduced possibility of acquisition errors. With the known systems it is not possible to achieve a one-to-one association of cassette / tray data and therefore obtain the data necessary for the correct storage of a histological sample. Object of the invention The object of the present invention is to create a static system for reading identification codes on histology cassettes, i.e., with a fixed reader and fixed trays. Another object of the present invention is to create a system for reading identification codes on histology cassettes that is easier to create and use than the existing prior art. Another object of the present invention is to create a system that allows data acquisition in a much faster way by simultaneously reading all the cassettes contained in a specific tray, in addition to the code of the same tray, allowing an unambiguous association. Another object of the present invention is to create a system that allows the acquisition of data with a very small possibility of errors. Finally, the object of the present invention is to create a system that allows a high level of traceability of the cassette. These and other objectives are achieved with the present invention, which is defined in the claims. Description of the figures Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, form of implementation of the system that is the subject of this patent application, illustrated by way of indication, although not in a limiting manner, the drawing units are represented by: • Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a tray (1) housing cassettes (2) tilted at an angle; • Figure 1 bis shows a three-dimensional view of a tray (1bis) that houses the cassettes (2) vertically; • Figure 2 shows the tray (1) from above; • Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the tray (1); • Figure 4 shows a side view of the tray (1); • Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the tray (1bis) in which the cassettes (2) are housed vertically; • Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the tray (1bis) in which the cassettes (2) are housed vertically; • Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of a reading sensor (4) positioned with the horizontal reading beam centering the vertically positioned tray (1); • Figure 8 shows a three-dimensional view of a reading sensor (4) positioned with the vertical reading beam centering the horizontally positioned tray (1); • Figure 9 represents a three-dimensional view of a reading sensor (4) that reads indirectly by means of angled mirrors or prisms (5); • Figure 10 shows a three-dimensional view of a single-row container (3) that allows reading of the identification code on three sides, equipped with springs (7) that contain the cassette (2). • Figure 11 shows from above three containers (3) in a row joined by a drive belt (6) and shows the cassettes (2) turned 90° clockwise; • Figure 12 shows from above three containers (3) showing the cassettes (2) rotated 90° counterclockwise; • Figure 13 shows a side view of the three containers (3) in Figure 12; • Figure 14 shows a side view of the three containers (3) in Figure 11; • Figure 15 shows a three-dimensional view of the reading sensor (4) reading the container (3) of a row with the cassettes (2) rotated 90° counterclockwise; • Figure 16 shows a three-dimensional view of the reading sensor (4) reading the container (3) of a row with the cassettes (2) rotated 90° clockwise; • Figure 17 shows a three-dimensional view of the reading sensor (4) reading the container (3) of a row with the cassettes (2) placed vertically. Detailed description of the invention According to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, the present invention relates to a static system for reading codes from histology cassettes (2) located on the oblique front of the cassettes. A static reading system is a system that does not require any electrical or mechanical moving parts. The reading system includes: - fixed trays (1) ; - cassettes (2) housed in tray compartments (1) or, alternatively, in containers (3); - a fixed reading sensor (4) . This reading system is capable of statically reading one or more rows of cassettes (2) arranged in an orderly fashion in tray compartments (1), i.e., without a reading sensor (4) moving along one or more axes. Said sensor (4) will be placed in a fixed position on top of the tray (1) that contains the cassettes (2) to be read and, by centering the complete image of the tray (1), defines, by means of software, the reading points and positions of the different cassettes (2). The reading sensor (4), also understood as a scanner or multi-image capture element, captures, without movement, the image of the entire area of ​​the tray (1) and its contents and generates, by means of software, small areas containing individual cassettes and a grid of cassette positions (2) in the tray (1) based on alphanumeric coordinates. Each square in the grid containing a cassette (2) is assigned a position, to which the data of the cassette (2) being read is associated. As a result, the reading grid is defined by software processing without the sensor or row of cassettes (2) or the tray (1) moving. In the present invention, the tray identification code (1) is read by the same sensor (4) at the same time as the cassettes (2) are placed in the tray, whereas in known systems, the tray identification code is read by a portable scanning device connected to a computer before the tray is placed in the reading compartment, and then read again when the tray is placed in the compartment and the cassette data is read. It follows that, with regard to traceability, the system that is the subject of this patent application is much more secure and immediate. In the known system, the presence of a cassette is detected by reading each compartment of the tray, each time it moves an optical model, step by step or continuously, following a variety of paths, acquiring images according to the X and Y coordinate values ​​previously assigned by software; for each assigned position value, the optical model emits a beam of light to capture the image and position. The development software connected to the system to which the present invention refers in a static manner: - creates and identifies the reading grid; - identifies the position of a cassette (2); - identifies if a cassette (2) is present in a square; - provides information on whether the code has been read or not; - memorizes the identification by taking a photograph of the image. The software, according to the image read (cassette read correctly, unrecognized cassette present or cassette not present), unambiguously displays on the screen whether the cassette read is placed in the compartment using different colors in the tray grid (1) generated by the software. The software is able to recreate and display various reading anomalies on the screen, in the tray grid (1) generated by the software, presenting each anomaly with a different color. This software recreates a database on screen and provides all the information contained in the cassette code (2) read for each position. In the system that is the subject of this patent application, the cassettes (2) are placed in the tray (1) at an inclined angle, i.e., at an angle equal to the angle of the inclined side of the cassette on which the identification codes are written, to form a reading plane of the codes printed on the cassettes (2) perfectly horizontal and parallel to the bottom of the tray (1) and perpendicular to the reader of the tray area (1) (Figure 4). Therefore, the cassettes (2) can be placed vertically in the tray and the sensor (4) will read the inclined front; alternatively, the cassettes can be placed at an angle corresponding to the tilt angle of the cassette front (2). The number of cassettes (2) that can be read depends on the height of the sensor (4), as the higher it is positioned, the larger the centering area. Another determining factor is the pixel resolution of the reader, which ensures accurate reading of the entire tray (1). Multiple trays (1) can be easily assembled (joined) to obtain larger cassette capacities (2), and multi-tray loading and unloading systems (1) can be provided for. In comparison with known systems, both the tray (1) and the sensor (4) remain fixed. The individual trays (1) are manually placed inside the reading compartment and centered using guides and frames. The scanner can be positioned with the reading beam in a horizontal position, centering the tray placed vertically (Figure 7), or with the reading beam vertical, centering the tray placed horizontally (Figure 8), or it can read directly using angled mirrors or prisms (5) (Figure 9). The static reading system that is the subject of this patent application can also read cassettes (2) printed on three sides using specific containers (3), which, by means of springs (7), each hold a row of cassettes (Figure 10); several containers (3) can be placed side by side and, if necessary, placed in a tray. These containers (3) in a row are placed side by side at a distance that allows them to be rotated 90° clockwise or counterclockwise to allow reading of both sides of the histology cassettes (2); likewise, the different containers (3) are held together by a belt or other transmission element (6) that ensures their synchronous movement during rotation. This static reading system is also capable of automatically reading alphanumeric codes with previously stored character fonts using the same sensor. The materials and dimensions of the invention, as described above, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and claimed below, may vary according to requirements. Furthermore, all details may be replaced with other technically equivalent details without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. An automatic code reading system on the angled front of cassettes comprising: - a tray (1); - cassettes (2) housed in compartments of the tray (1) or in containers (3) placed in the tray (1); - a reading sensor (4); the tray (1) being fixed with respect to the reading sensor (4) and the reading sensor (4) being fixedly positioned with respect to the tray (1); wherein said reading sensor (4) - reads the entire area of ​​the tray (1) and its contents; - simultaneously reads the identification code of the tray (1) and the identification codes of the cassettes (2) in the tray (1); - defines, by means of reading software, small areas containing individual cassettes (2) and a grid of positions of the cassettes (2) in the tray (1) based on alphanumeric coordinates. 2.The reading system according to claim 1, characterized in that the cassettes (2) are placed in the tray (1) at an inclined angle, i.e., at an angle equal to the angle of the inclined side of the cassette on which the identification codes are written, to form a reading plane for the codes printed on the cassettes (2) that is horizontal and parallel to the bottom of the tray (1) and perpendicular to the reader area of ​​the tray (1).

3. The reading system according to claim 1, characterized in that the cassettes (2) can be placed completely vertically and the sensor (4) will read the inclined front; alternatively, the cassettes can be placed inclined at an angle corresponding to the angle of inclination of the front of the cassettes (2).

4. The reading system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (4) can read the entire tray (1) by means of angled prisms or mirrors (5). 5.The reading system according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the containers (3) is a single-row container (3), the single-row container (3) being able to rotate 90° clockwise and counterclockwise, allowing the reading sensor (4) to see and read three sides of the cassettes (2).

6. The reading system according to claim 5, characterized in that several single-row containers (3) are placed side by side at a distance that allows rotation of 90° clockwise or counterclockwise and are held together by a belt or other transmission member (6) that ensures their synchronous movement during rotation.

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