Automatic slide loading device and method for microscope

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic slide loading device and method for a microscope, comprising a base plate, wherein a clamp telescopic component and a slide rack lifting component are provided on the base plate, and a stage component is also provided on the side of the base plate, wherein the clamp telescopic component comprises a clamp assembly and a first driving component for driving the clamp assembly to move left and right, and the slide rack lifting component comprises a support seat for placing the slide rack and located on the side of the first driving component, and a second driving component for driving the support seat to move up and down; the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the present invention drives the clamp assembly to move left and right by using a flexible sheet, thereby solving the problem of an increase in the overall volume of the system due to a long loading stroke, and also sets the end shape of the first clamp and the second clamp to be V-shaped, which not only has a simple design structure, but also facilitates the first clamp and the second clamp to clamp the sample, thereby solving the problem of complex component design of the sample entry and exit method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of optical microscopic imaging, and in particular to an automatic slide loading device and method for a microscope. Background Art

[0002] The microscope slide device is a key component in the microscope system, responsible for automatically loading and unloading observation samples. At present, the sample loading and unloading of traditional microscopes mainly rely on manual operation, which is not only inefficient but also increases the workload of the operator. In recent years, with the development of technology, automatic slide devices have gradually been introduced to improve the efficiency and ease of operation of microscope systems. However, although the application of automatic slide devices in microscope technology has made certain progress, the existing automatic slide devices still face some challenges, such as the increase in the overall volume of the system due to the long loading stroke, and the complex design of the components for the sample entry and exit method. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic microscope slide loading device and method for solving the problems in the prior art of increased overall system volume due to a long loading stroke and complex component design of the sample entry and exit method.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives and other related objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] An automatic slide loading device for a microscope comprises a bottom plate, on which a clip telescopic component and a slide rack lifting component are arranged, and a stage component is also arranged on the side of the bottom plate;

[0006] Among them, the clip telescopic member includes a clip assembly and a first driving assembly for driving the clip assembly to move left and right, the slide rack lifting member includes a support base for placing the slide rack and located on the side of the first driving assembly and a second driving assembly for driving the support base to move up and down, the clip assembly includes a first clip and a second clip located directly below the first clip, the end shapes of the first clip and the second clip correspond to each other and are V-shaped, and the gap distance between the first clip and the second clip is smaller than the thickness of the sample, and the first driving assembly includes a flexible sheet for driving the clip assembly to move left and right; this technical solution makes it easier for the first clip and the second clip to clamp the sample by setting the end shapes of the first clip and the second clip to be V-shaped, and also makes the clamping effect better by setting the gap distance between the first clip and the second clip to be smaller than the thickness of the sample.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the clip assembly further includes a connecting piece located between the first clip and the second clip and a fixing tube wrapping surfaces of the first clip and the second clip.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first support frame located on the side of the support seat is provided on the bottom plate, and the first driving assembly also includes a first motor installed on the first support frame, a driving wheel located in the first support frame, and a driven wheel in contact with the driving wheel, the output shaft of the first motor passes through the support plate on the rear side of the first support frame and is connected to the driving wheel, the junction of the driving wheel and the driven wheel is slidably connected to the surface of the flexible sheet, and the side of the flexible sheet facing the clamping assembly is connected to the connecting sheet, and a limit rod for limiting the moving position of the flexible sheet is also provided in the first support frame; this technical solution can drive the driving wheel to rotate by rotating the output shaft of the first motor, and the driven wheel can be driven to rotate under the rotation of the driving wheel, so that the flexible sheet can move left and right, and the clamping assembly can be driven left and right, so as to facilitate automatic loading of the sample on the stage.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a horizontal adjustment assembly that can move up and down on the first support frame is provided between the clip assembly and the first drive assembly, and the horizontal adjustment assembly includes a second support frame installed on the first support frame, a pressure rod installed in the second support frame and in contact with the connecting piece, and a limit frame installed on the second support frame and used for the connecting piece to pass through.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first support plate located behind the first drive assembly is further provided on the base plate, and the second drive assembly includes a second motor, a screw connected to the output shaft of the second motor, and a lifting block threadedly connected to the screw, the lifting block is connected to the support base through a connecting plate, and a travel switch that can contact the glass slide rack is provided in the support base.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail is installed on the side of the first support plate, the second motor is installed on the top side of the slide rail, and a slider connected to the lifting block is slidably connected to the slide rail.

[0012] The above technical solution can drive the screw to rotate by rotating the output shaft of the second motor, and with the cooperation of the slider sliding on the slide rail, it can drive the lifting block to move up and down, thereby driving the glass slide rack on the support seat to move up and down, making it convenient to automatically load the sample on the glass slide rack onto the stage.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a second support plate located behind the support seat is provided on the side of the second driving assembly, and a reflective photoelectric sensor for identifying whether there is a sample on the slide rack is connected to the second support plate via a fixing plate.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a third support plate installed on the bottom plate is provided between the support seat and the stage component, and a through opening for the sample to pass through is provided on the third support plate. The stage component includes a support table and a stage that can move back and forth on the support table, a placement groove for placing the sample is provided on the stage, and a fixing component for fixing the sample is provided on the support table.

[0015] A microscope automatic slide loading method comprises the following steps: a travel switch below a slide rack is used to identify that there is a slide rack in a support seat; a slide rack lifting component lifts the slide rack to a specified position; a reflective photoelectric sensor identifies that there is a sample on the slide rack; a first driving component drives a clamping component to push the sample to move, and loads the sample onto a stage; after the microscope observes the sample image, the clamping component clamps the sample, and the clamping component is driven by the first driving component to move, and the sample is returned to the slide rack, and the sample is unloaded; according to this process, the automatic slide loading of all samples on the slide rack is completed.

[0016] As described above, the automatic microscope slide loading device and method of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The present invention can drive the driving wheel to rotate by rotating the output shaft of the first motor, and the rotation of the driving wheel can drive the driven wheel to rotate, so that the flexible sheet can move left and right, and can drive the clamping assembly to move left and right, which is convenient for automatically loading the sample on the stage, and by using the flexible sheet to drive the clamping assembly to move left and right, the problem of increased overall volume of the system due to the long loading stroke can be solved. In addition, by setting the end shape of the first clamp and the second clamp to be V-shaped, not only the design structure is simple, but also the first clamp and the second clamp can clamp the sample, thereby solving the problem of complex component design of the sample entry and exit method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a right front view stereoscopic schematic diagram of the automatic slide loading device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a right front view schematic diagram of a slide clamp telescopic component and a slide rack lifting component in an automatic slide loading device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a front perspective schematic diagram of a clip telescopic member in an automatic slide mounting device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 Schematic diagrams of a front view stereoscopic (upper) and a front view cross-section (lower) of a clip assembly in an automatic slide mounting device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 It is a right-side stereoscopic schematic diagram of a first driving component in the automatic slide loading device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 It is a left-side stereoscopic schematic diagram of a horizontal adjustment component in an automatic slide loading device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 It is a right front view stereoscopic schematic diagram of a slide rack lifting component in an automatic slide loading device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 It is a top view stereoscopic schematic diagram of a slide rack lifting component in an automatic slide loading device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 9 It is a front view stereoscopic schematic diagram of a slide rack in an automatic slide loading device for a microscope disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the overall process of the automatic microscope loading method disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Component number description

[0029] 1. Bottom plate; 2. Clip telescopic member; 201. Clip assembly; 2011. First clip; 2012. Second clip; 2013. Connecting piece; 2014. Fixing tube; 202. First driving assembly; 2021. First motor; 2022. Driving wheel; 2023. Driven wheel; 2024. Flexible sheet; 203. Horizontal adjustment assembly; 2031. Second supporting frame; 2032. Press rod; 2033. Limiting frame; 3. Slide rack lifting member; 301. Support seat; 302. Second driving assembly; 302 1. Second motor; 3022. Screw rod; 3023. Lifting block; 4. Stage component; 401. Support platform; 402. Stage; 403. Fixing assembly; 5. Slide rack; 6. Sample; 7. Second support plate; 8. Fixing plate; 9. Reflective photoelectric sensor; 10. Third support plate; 11. Through port; 12. Placement slot; 13. Waist-shaped slot; 14. First support frame; 15. Limit rod; 16. Mounting plate; 17. First support plate; 18. Slider; 19. Connecting plate; 20. Slide rail; 21. Travel switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention, and those familiar with the technology can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0031] See also Figures 1 to 5 The present invention relates to an automatic slide loading device and method for a microscope, comprising a bottom plate 1, on which a clip telescopic member 2 and a slide rack lifting member 3 are arranged, and a stage member 4 is also arranged on the side of the bottom plate 1; wherein the clip telescopic member 2 comprises a clip assembly 201 and a first driving assembly 202 for driving the clip assembly 201 to move left and right, the clip assembly 201 comprises a first clip 2011 and a second clip 2012 located directly below the first clip 2011, the clip assembly 201 also comprises a connecting piece 2013 located between the first clip 2011 and the second clip 2012 and a fixing cylinder 2014 wrapping the surfaces of the first clip 2011 and the second clip 2012, the end shapes of the first clip 2011 and the second clip 2012 correspond to each other and are V-shaped, and the gap distance between the first clip 2011 and the second clip 2012 is less than the thickness of the sample 6, and the first clip 2011 and the second clip 2012 are both elastic clips;

[0032] By setting the end shapes of the first clamp 2011 and the second clamp 2012 to be V-shaped, it is convenient for the first clamp 2011 and the second clamp 2012 to clamp the sample 6, and by setting the gap distance between the first clamp 2011 and the second clamp 2012 to be smaller than the thickness of the sample 6, the clamping effect can be better; and when the V-shaped elastic clamp pushes the sample 6 onto the stage 402, the V-shaped elastic clamp contacts the edge of the sample 6 and pushes the sample 6 to move; when the V-shaped elastic clamp returns the sample 6 to the slide rack 5, the front end of the placement groove 12 on the stage 402 blocks the sample 6, and the V-shaped elastic clamp moves forward a certain distance, and then clamps the upper and lower surfaces of the sample 6, moves the sample 6 away from the stage 402, and returns it to the slide rack 5;

[0033] The bottom plate 1 is provided with a first support frame 14 located on the side of the support seat 301, the first driving assembly 202 includes a flexible sheet 2024 for driving the clip assembly 201 to move left and right, the first driving assembly 202 also includes a first motor 2021 installed on the first support frame 14, a driving wheel 2022 located in the first support frame 14 and a driven wheel 2023 in contact with the driving wheel 2022, the output shaft of the first motor 2021 passes through the support plate on the rear side of the first support frame 14 and is connected to the driving wheel 2022, the junction of the driving wheel 2022 and the driven wheel 2023 is slidably connected to the surface of the flexible sheet 2024, and the flexible sheet 2024 is slidably connected to the side of the clip assembly 201. The side is connected to the connecting piece 2013, and a limit rod 15 is also provided in the first support frame 14 for limiting the moving position of the flexible sheet 2024; wherein, in actual application, the flexible sheet 2024 can also be rolled up on the driving wheel 2022, or an additional winding wheel for rolling up the flexible sheet 2024 can be provided on the automatic slide loading device of the microscope; the driving wheel 2022 can be driven to rotate by the rotation of the output shaft of the first motor 2021, and the driven wheel 2023 can be driven to rotate under the rotation of the driving wheel 2022, so that the flexible sheet 2024 can be moved left and right, and the clamping assembly 201 can be driven to move left and right, so as to facilitate the automatic loading of the sample 6 on the stage 402.

[0034] exist Figure 3 and Figure 6 In the embodiment, a horizontal adjustment component 203 that can be moved up and down on the first support frame 14 is provided between the clip component 201 and the first drive component 202, and the horizontal adjustment component 203 includes a second support frame 2031 installed on the first support frame 14, a pressure rod 2032 installed in the second support frame 2031 and in contact with the connecting piece 2013, and a limit frame 2033 installed on the second support frame 2031 and used for the connecting piece 2013 to pass through; wherein, a mounting plate 16 integrally formed with the second support frame 2031 is provided on the second support frame 2031, a waist-shaped groove 13 is opened in the first support frame 14, and the mounting plate 16 is installed on the waist-shaped groove 13 by a pin, and the position of the connecting piece 2013 can be adjusted along the up and down direction by installing the pin at different positions in the waist-shaped groove 13, so that the clip component 201 and the sample 6 on the glass slide rack 5 and the opening 11 on the third support plate 10 described below are at the same height, which is convenient for loading the sample 6 on the stage.

[0035] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 8In the embodiment, the slide rack lifting component 3 includes a support seat 301 for placing the slide rack 5 and located on the side of the first driving component 202, and a second driving component 302 for driving the support seat 301 to move up and down; the bottom plate 1 is also provided with a first supporting plate 17 located behind the first driving component 202, the second driving component 302 includes a second motor 3021, a screw rod 3022 connected to the output shaft of the second motor 3021, and a lifting block 3023 threadedly connected to the screw rod 3022, the lifting block 3023 is connected to the support seat 301 through a connecting plate 19, and the support seat 301 is provided with a A travel switch 21 that can contact the glass slide rack 5; a slide rail 20 is installed on the side of the first support plate 17, and the second motor 3021 is installed on the top side of the slide rail 20, and a slider 18 connected to the lifting block 3023 is slidably connected to the slide rail 20; the output shaft of the second motor 3021 can drive the screw rod 3022 to rotate, and with the cooperation of the slider 18 sliding on the slide rail 20, the lifting block 3023 can be driven to move up and down, thereby driving the glass slide rack 5 on the support seat 301 to move up and down, so as to facilitate the automatic loading of the sample 6 on the glass slide rack 5 on the stage 402.

[0036] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment, a second support plate 7 located behind the support seat 301 is provided on the side of the second driving component 302, and a reflective photoelectric sensor 9 for identifying whether there is a sample 6 on the slide rack 5 is connected to the second support plate 7 through a fixing plate 8; a third support plate 10 installed on the bottom plate 1 is provided between the support seat 301 and the stage component 4, and a through hole 11 for the sample 6 to pass through is provided on the third support plate 10; the stage component 4 includes a support table 401 and a stage 402 that can move back and forth on the support table 401, a placement groove 12 for placing the sample 6 is provided on the stage 402, and a fixing component 403 for fixing the sample 6 is provided on the support table 401; wherein, in this embodiment, a main control system can be set on the automatic slide loading device of the microscope, and the control system includes a controller, and the controller is electrically connected to the first motor 2021, the second motor 3021, the travel switch 21 and the reflective photoelectric sensor 9 through wires, that is, the first motor 2021, the second motor 3021, the travel switch 21 and the reflective photoelectric sensor 9 are controlled by the controller.

[0037] More specifically, the specific steps of using the automatic slide loading device for the microscope are as follows: the travel switch 21 below the slide rack 5 recognizes that there is a slide rack 5 in the support seat 301; after the slide rack lifting component 3 lifts the slide rack 5 to the specified position; the reflective photoelectric sensor 9 recognizes that there is a sample 6 on the slide rack 5; the first driving component 202 drives the clamping component 201 to push the sample 6 to move, and loads the sample 6 onto the stage 402; after the microscope observes the sample image, the clamping component 201 clamps the sample 6, and drives the clamping component 201 to move under the drive of the first driving component 202, and returns the sample 6 to the slide rack 5, completing the unloading of the sample 6; according to this process, the automatic loading of all samples 6 on the entire slide rack 5 is completed. For details, please refer to Fig.10 .

[0038] In summary, the present invention can drive the driving wheel 2022 to rotate by rotating the output shaft of the first motor 2021, and the rotation of the driving wheel 2022 can drive the driven wheel 2023 to rotate, so that the flexible sheet 2024 can move left and right, and can drive the clamping assembly 201 to move left and right, so as to facilitate automatic loading of the sample 6 on the stage 402, and use the flexible sheet 2024 to drive the clamping assembly 201 to move left and right, thereby solving the problem of increased overall volume of the system due to a long loading stroke, and by setting the end shape of the first clamp 2011 and the second clamp 2012 to a V-shape, not only the design structure is simple, but also the first clamp 2011 and the second clamp 2012 can clamp the sample 6, thereby solving the problem of complex component design of the sample entry and exit method.

[0039] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. All equivalent modifications or changes made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical ideas disclosed by the present invention shall still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic slide loading device for a microscope, comprising a bottom plate (1), characterized in that: The bottom plate (1) is provided with a clip telescopic component (2) and a glass slide rack lifting component (3), and a stage component (4) is also provided on the side of the bottom plate (1); The clip telescopic member (2) comprises a clip assembly (201) and a first driving assembly (202) for driving the clip assembly (201) to move left and right; the slide rack lifting member (3) comprises a support seat (301) for placing the slide rack (5) and located on the side of the first driving assembly (202) and a second driving assembly (302) for driving the support seat (301) to move up and down; the clip assembly (201) comprises a first clip (2011) and a second driving assembly (302) located directly below the first clip (2011). The first clamp (2011) and the second clamp (2012) are respectively provided on the upper surface of the sample (6), wherein the end shapes of the first clamp (2011) and the second clamp (2012) correspond to each other and are V-shaped, and the gap distance between the first clamp (2011) and the second clamp (2012) is smaller than the thickness of the sample (6), and the clamp assembly (201) further comprises a connecting piece (2013) located between the first clamp (2011) and the second clamp (2012) and a fixing tube (2014) wrapping the surfaces of the first clamp (2011) and the second clamp (2012); The first driving assembly (202) comprises a flexible sheet (2024) for driving the clip assembly (201) to move left and right, the bottom plate (1) is provided with a first support frame (14) located on the side of the support seat (301), the first driving assembly (202) further comprises a first motor (2021) mounted on the first support frame (14), a driving wheel (2022) located in the first support frame (14) and a driven wheel (2023) in contact with the driving wheel (2022), the first The output shaft of the motor (2021) passes through the support plate on the rear side of the first support frame (14) and is connected to the driving wheel (2022); the junction between the driving wheel (2022) and the driven wheel (2023) is slidably connected to the surface of the flexible sheet (2024); and the side of the flexible sheet (2024) facing the clip assembly (201) is connected to the connecting sheet (2013); and a limit rod (15) for limiting the moving position of the flexible sheet (2024) is also provided in the first support frame (14).

2. The automatic slide loading device for microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: A horizontal adjustment component (203) that can move up and down on the first support frame (14) is provided between the clip component (201) and the first drive component (202), and the horizontal adjustment component (203) comprises a second support frame (2031) installed on the first support frame (14), a pressure rod (2032) installed in the second support frame (2031) and in contact with the connecting piece (2013), and a limit frame (2033) installed on the second support frame (2031) and used for the connecting piece (2013) to pass through.

3. The automatic slide loading device for microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom plate (1) is also provided with a first support plate (17) located behind the first drive assembly (202); the second drive assembly (302) comprises a second motor (3021), a screw rod (3022) connected to the output shaft of the second motor (3021), and a lifting block (3023) threadedly connected to the screw rod (3022); the lifting block (3023) is connected to the support seat (301) via a connecting plate (19); and a travel switch (21) capable of contacting the glass slide rack (5) is provided in the support seat (301).

4. The automatic slide loading device for microscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: A slide rail (20) is installed on the side of the first support plate (17), the second motor (3021) is installed on the top side of the slide rail (20), and a slider (18) connected to the lifting block (3023) is slidably connected to the slide rail (20).

5. The automatic slide loading device for microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second support plate (7) located behind the support seat (301) is provided on the side of the second driving assembly (302), and a reflective photoelectric sensor (9) for identifying whether there is a sample (6) on the slide rack (5) is connected to the second support plate (7) via a fixing plate (8).

6. The automatic slide loading device for microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third support plate (10) mounted on the bottom plate (1) is provided between the support seat (301) and the stage component (4); a through opening (11) is provided on the third support plate (10) for the sample (6) to pass through; the stage component (4) comprises a support platform (401) and a stage (402) that can move forward and backward on the support platform (401); a placement groove (12) is provided on the stage (402) for placing the sample (6); and a fixing component (403) is provided on the support platform (401) for fixing the sample (6).

7. A method for automatically loading slides on a microscope, characterized in that: The automatic slide loading device for a microscope as claimed in claim 1 is used to automatically load slides, comprising the following steps: The travel switch (21) below the slide rack (5) identifies that there is a slide rack (5) in the support seat (301); the slide rack lifting component (3) lifts the slide rack (5) to a specified position; the reflective photoelectric sensor (9) identifies that there is a sample (6) on the slide rack (5); the first drive component (202) drives the clamping component (201) to push the sample (6) to move, and loads the sample (6) onto the stage (402); after the microscope observes the sample image, the clamping component (201) clamps the sample (6), and drives the clamping component (201) to move under the drive of the first drive component (202), returns the sample (6) to the slide rack (5), and completes the unloading of the sample (6); according to this process, the automatic loading of all samples (6) on the slide rack (5) is completed.

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