Transfer of microscopy slides between sample preparation device and imaging device

Abstract

The slide transfer apparatus is configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container, which may improve compatibility between the slide preparation apparatus and the microscope. The first container is configured to receive a slide from a slide preparation apparatus, and the second container is configured to provide the slide to a slide loader of a microscope. The first container may be incompatible with a slide loader of the microscope. The first container and the second container may differ by one or more of the following: maximum span distance, slide capacity, number of slide receptacles, distance between slide receptacles, or size of slide receptacles. The plurality of slides includes a first orientation and a first order in the first container, and the slide transfer apparatus is configured to provide the plurality of slides to the second container in a second orientation or a second order.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 369,278, filed on July 25, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. background

[0002] Microscopy plays an important role in the analysis of samples, such as blood samples. Analysis of samples, such as blood samples, can play an important role in the screening, diagnosis, and prognosis of patients, and delays in returning results can be problematic, such that patients may not receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

[0003] Existing methods for preparing and analyzing samples may be somewhat time-consuming and more complicated than ideal. Although efforts have been made to automate at least some aspects of sample preparation and microscopy processes, existing methods may be somewhat less than ideal in at least some aspects. For example, there may be compatibility issues between the slide preparation system and the microscopy system, which may lead to less than ideal automation. Some existing slide preparation systems may, for example, automatically prepare samples and dye samples using a slide maker / staining device, and load slides into containers such as boxes (cassettes) or magazines (magazine), and some microscopy systems automatically load slides from containers into microscopes. However, the slide container used with the sample preparation system may be incompatible with the slide container used with the microscopy system, which may lead to automation reduction, and manual tasks will be performed to move slides from the slide preparation box to the box used with the microscope. In addition, the slides in the box from the slide preparation system may not be in the proper order used with the microscopy system. Although some existing approaches have suggested using the same container for both the slide preparation system and the microscopy system, this approach may be somewhat less than ideal because it limits compatibility between different systems and may result in increased complexity in the design or execution of integration between systems, which may increase cost, time, engineering effort, or management effort and may affect the motivation or ability to participate in such projects and reduce the chances of project success. Additionally, in at least some cases, there is a slightly greater risk that materials such as dyes may transfer from the container to the microscope, or where oils or glues may transfer to the slide preparation system or microscope.

[0004] Furthermore, in some cases, slides can be transferred between containers faster than the microscope's sample acquisition speed. Therefore, in some cases, existing methods such as transferring slides one by one or in certain container types can result in increased time spent on loading or slide transfer, which can reduce system throughput.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, improved methods and apparatus are needed to ameliorate at least some of the above-mentioned limitations of existing methods. Overview

[0006] In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to transfer a plurality of slides from a first container to a second container, which can improve compatibility between the slide preparation device and the microscope. In some embodiments, the first container is configured to receive slides from a slide preparation device (e.g., a slide stainer), and the second container is configured to provide the slides to a slide loader of the microscope. In some embodiments, the first container is incompatible with the slide loader of the microscope. In some embodiments, the first container differs from the second container in one or more of the maximum distance across, the slide capacity, the number of slide receptacles, the distance between the slide receptacles, or the size of the slide receptacles. In some embodiments, the plurality of slides includes one or more of a first orientation or a first order in the first container, and the slide transfer device is configured to provide the plurality of slides to the second container in one or more of a second orientation or a second order, which can improve the workflow and automation of the preparation and imaging of the plurality of slides.

[0007] In a first aspect, an apparatus includes: a microscope, a first container, a second container, a slide loader, and a transfer device, the microscope being configured to generate a magnified digital image of a sample, the first container being configured to hold a plurality of slides, the second container being configured to receive the plurality of slides from the first container, wherein the second container is different from the first container, the slide loader being configured to load the plurality of slides from the second container to the microscope, and the transfer device comprising a support configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container. In some embodiments, the slide transfer device and the slide loader for the microscope may differ in that the slide transfer device is compatible with the first container and the second container, while the slide loader for the microscope is compatible with the second container and the microscope.

[0008] In another aspect, a method of transferring slides includes transferring a plurality of slides from a first container to a second container using a support configured to move the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container. Incorporated by Reference

[0009] All patents, applications, and publications mentioned and identified herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, and should be deemed to be fully incorporated by reference even if mentioned elsewhere in this application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A better understanding of the features, advantages and principles of the present disclosure will be obtained by referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary microscope according to some embodiments; Figure 2A and Figure 2B A system for processing slides having a slide preparation apparatus, a slide transfer apparatus, and a microscope is shown according to some embodiments; Figure 3 A slide transfer apparatus for transferring a slide between a first container and a second container is shown according to some embodiments; FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C shows transferring a slide from a first container to a second container using a slide transfer device according to some embodiments; Figure 5A and Figure 5B shows access to a slide in a first container and a slide in a second container and transfer of a slide from the first container to the second container according to some embodiments; FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C shows a guide configured to allow a plurality of slides to slide between a first container and a second container according to some embodiments; and Figure 7 A method of transferring a slide from a first container to a second container is shown according to some embodiments. Detailed Description

[0011] The following detailed description provides a better understanding of the features and advantages of the invention described in this disclosure according to the embodiments disclosed herein. Although the detailed description includes many specific embodiments, these are provided by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention disclosed herein.

[0012] The systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein are well suited for integration with existing methods for analyzing samples, such as blood samples and blood smears. For example, the optical scanning device may include one or more components of a conventional microscope or a computational microscope having a sufficient numerical aperture, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 775,389, entitled “Computational microscopes and methods for generating an image under different illumination conditions”, filed on November 10, 2016, and published as US20190235224. The system may include, for example, one or more components of an autofocus system as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,705,326, entitled “Autofocus system for a computational microscope”. Although the system may include any suitable user interface and data storage device, in some embodiments, the system includes one or more components for data storage and user interaction as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,935,779, entitled “Digital microscope which operates as a server”. The system may include one or more components of an automatic loader for loading slides, such as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 875,665, filed on May 15, 2020, entitled “Multi / parallel scanner”. The system may include one or more components for selectively scanning areas of a sample, such as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 875,721, filed on May 15, 2020, entitled “Accelerating digital microscopy scans using empty / dirty area detection”, published as US20200278530. The system may include a grid with a known pattern to facilitate image reconstruction, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,558,029, entitled “System for image reconstruction using a known pattern”.The system may include one or more classifiers as described in US 17 / 755,356, entitled “Method and apparatus for visualization of bone marrowcell populations,” published as US20220415480 on December 29, 2022, which may be modified by a person of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. Each of the above patents and applications is incorporated herein by reference.

[0013] The systems and methods disclosed herein are well suited for use with automated methods and classifiers for analyzing cell morphology, for example as described in PCT / IL2021 / 051329, filed on November 9, 2021, and entitled “FULLFIELD MORPHOLOGY - PRECISE QUANTIFICATION OF CELLULAR AND SUB-CELLULARMORPHOLOGICAL EVENTS IN RED / WHITE BLOOD CELLS” (published as WO / 2022 / 097155 on December 1, 2022).

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a microscope 100 consistent with an exemplary disclosed embodiment. The term "microscope," as used herein, generally refers to any device or instrument used to magnify objects that are smaller than can be easily observed by the naked eye (e.g., capable of creating an image of an object for a user where the image is larger than the object). One type of microscope may be an "optical microscope," which uses light in conjunction with an optical system for magnifying an object. For example, an optical microscope may be a simple microscope with one or more magnifying lenses, or an optical microscope that constructs an image from a hologram using a digital holographic microscope. Another type of microscope may be a "computational microscope," which includes an image sensor and image processing algorithms to enhance or magnify the size or other properties of an object. A computational microscope may be a dedicated device, or one created by combining software and / or hardware with an existing optical microscope to produce high-resolution digital images. As Figure 1As shown in , microscope 100 includes an image capture device 102, a focus actuator 104, a controller 106 connected to a memory 108, an illumination assembly 110, and a user interface 112. An example use of microscope 100 may be to capture an image of a sample 114 mounted on a stage 116 located within a field of view (FOV) of image capture device 102, process the captured image, and present a magnified image of sample 114 on user interface 112. Although reference is made to presenting the magnified image on the user interface, in some embodiments, the processor is configured to, for example, automatically acquire image data without displaying the magnified image of sample 114 on the user interface. Alternatively or in combination, the magnified image may be viewed by a user to perform a morphological examination of the sample, for example, when the sample has been marked for morphological examination by an expert such as a pathologist as described herein.

[0015] The image capture device 102 can be used to capture an image of the sample 114. In this specification, the term "image capture device" as used herein generally refers to a device that records an optical signal entering a lens as an image or a sequence of images. The optical signal can be in the near infrared spectrum, infrared spectrum, visible spectrum, and ultraviolet spectrum. Examples of image capture devices include CCD cameras, CMOS cameras, color cameras, light sensor arrays, video cameras, mobile phones equipped with cameras, webcams, preview cameras, microscope objectives and detectors, etc. Some embodiments may include only a single image capture device 102, while other embodiments may include two, three, or even four or more image capture devices 102. In some embodiments, the image capture device 102 may be configured to capture images in a defined field of view (FOV). In addition, when the microscope 100 includes several image capture devices 102, the image capture devices 102 may have overlapping areas in their respective FOVs. The image capture device 102 may have one or more image sensors ( Figure 1 ), for capturing image data of the sample 114. In other embodiments, the image capture device 102 may be configured to capture images at an image resolution greater than VGA, greater than 1 megapixel, greater than 2 megapixels, greater than 5 megapixels, 10 megapixels, greater than 12 megapixels, greater than 15 megapixels, or greater than 20 megapixels. Additionally, the image capture device 102 may also be configured to have a pixel size less than 15 microns, less than 10 microns, less than 5 microns, less than 3 microns, or less than 1.6 microns.

[0016] In some embodiments, the microscope 100 includes a focus actuator 104. The term "focus actuator" as used herein generally refers to any device capable of converting an input signal into a physical movement for adjusting the relative distance between the sample 114 and the image capture device 102. A variety of focus actuators may be used, including, for example, linear motors, electrostrictive actuators, electrostatic motors, capacitive motors, voice coil actuators, magnetostrictive actuators, and the like. In some embodiments, the focus actuator 104 may include an analog position feedback sensor and / or a digital position feedback element. The focus actuator 104 is configured to receive instructions from the controller 106 in order to converge the light beam to form a clear and well-defined image of the sample 114. In Figure 1 In the example shown in , the focus actuator 104 may be configured to adjust the distance by moving the image capture device 102 .

[0017] However, in other embodiments, the focus actuator 104 may be configured to adjust the distance by moving the stage 116 or by moving the image capture device 102 and the stage 116. The microscope 100 may also include a controller 106 for controlling the operation of the microscope 100 according to the disclosed embodiments. The controller 106 may include various types of devices for performing logical operations on one or more inputs of image data and other data according to stored or accessible software instructions that provide the desired functionality. For example, the controller 106 may include a central processing unit (CPU), support circuits, a digital signal processor, an integrated circuit, a cache memory, or any other type of device for image processing and analysis (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU)). The CPU may include any number of microcontrollers or microprocessors configured to process images from an image sensor. For example, the CPU may include any type of single-core or multi-core processor, a mobile device microcontroller, etc. Various processors may be used, including, for example, processors available from manufacturers such as Intel®, AMD®, etc., and the various processors may include various architectures (e.g., x86 processors, ARM®, etc.). The support circuits may be any number of circuits known in the art, including caches, power supplies, clocks, and input-output circuits. The controller 106 may be at a remote location, such as a computing device communicatively coupled to the microscope 100 .

[0018] In some embodiments, the controller 106 can be associated with a memory 108 for storing software that, when executed by the controller 106, controls the operation of the microscope 100. In addition, the memory 108 can also store electronic data associated with the operation of the microscope 100, such as, for example, captured or generated images of the sample 114. In one case, the memory 108 can be integrated into the controller 106. In another case, the memory 108 can be separate from the controller 106.

[0019] Specifically, the memory 108 may refer to a plurality of structures or computer-readable storage media located at the controller 106 or at a remote location, such as a cloud server. The memory 108 may include any number of random access memories, read-only memories, flash memories, disk drives, optical storage devices, tape storage devices, removable storage devices, and other types of storage devices.

[0020] Microscope 100 can include an illumination assembly 110 . As used herein, the term “illumination assembly” generally refers to any device or system capable of projecting light to illuminate sample 114 .

[0021] The lighting assembly 110 may include any number of light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), LED arrays, lasers, and lamps configured to emit light, such as halogen lamps, incandescent lamps, or sodium lamps. For example, the lighting assembly 110 may include a Kohler lighting source. The lighting assembly 110 may be configured to emit polychromatic light. For example, the polychromatic light may include white light.

[0022] In some embodiments, the lighting assembly 110 may include only a single light source. Alternatively, the lighting assembly 110 may include four, sixteen, or even more than one hundred light sources organized in an array or matrix. In some embodiments, the lighting assembly 110 may use one or more light sources located at a surface parallel to the illuminated sample 114. In other embodiments, the lighting assembly 110 may use one or more light sources located at a surface perpendicular to the sample 114 or at an angle to the sample 114.

[0023] Additionally, the lighting assembly 110 can be configured to illuminate the sample 114 under a range of different lighting conditions. In one example, the lighting assembly 110 can include multiple light sources arranged at different lighting angles, such as a two-dimensional arrangement of light sources. In this case, the different lighting conditions can include different lighting angles. For example, Figure 1A light beam 118 projected from a first illumination angle α1 and a light beam 120 projected from a second illumination angle α2 are depicted. In some embodiments, the first illumination angle α1 and the second illumination angle α2 may have the same value but opposite signs. In other embodiments, the first illumination angle α1 may be separated from the second illumination angle α2. However, both angles originate from a point within the acceptance angle of the optical device. In another example, the illumination assembly 110 may include a plurality of light sources configured to emit light of different wavelengths. In this case, different illumination conditions may include different wavelengths. For example, each light source may be configured to emit light having a half-maximum full width bandwidth of no more than 50 nm so as to emit substantially monochromatic light. In yet another example, the illumination assembly 110 may be configured to use a plurality of light sources at a predetermined time. In this case, different illumination conditions may include different illumination modes. For example, the light source may be arranged to sequentially illuminate the sample at different angles to provide one or more of digital refocusing, aberration correction, or resolution enhancement. Accordingly and consistent with the present disclosure, different illumination conditions may be selected from a group including: different durations, different intensities, different positions, different illumination angles, different illumination modes, different wavelengths, or any combination thereof.

[0024] Although computational microscopy is mentioned, the presently disclosed systems and methods are well suited for use with many types of single and multiple microscopes, such as one or more of a high-definition microscope, a digital microscope, a scanning digital microscope, a 3D microscope, a phase imaging microscope, a phase contrast microscope, a dark-field microscope, a differential interference contrast microscope, a light sheet microscope, a confocal microscope, a holographic microscope, a computational microscope, or a fluorescence-based microscope.

[0025] In some embodiments, the image capture device 102 can have an effective numerical aperture ("NA") of at least 0.8, but any effective NA can be used. In some embodiments, the effective NA corresponds to the resolving power of a microscope having the same resolving power under relevant lighting conditions as an objective having that NA. The image capture device 102 can also have an objective with an appropriate NA to provide an effective NA, but the NA of the objective may be less than the effective NA of the microscope. For example, as described herein, the imaging device can include a computational microscope to reconstruct an image from multiple images captured at different illumination angles, where the reconstructed image corresponds to an effective NA that is higher than the NA of the objective of the image capture device. In some embodiments with a conventional microscope, the NA of the microscope objective corresponds to the effective NA of the image. The lens can include any suitable lens, such as an oil immersion lens or a non-oil immersion lens.

[0026] Consistent with the disclosed embodiments, the microscope 100 can include, be connected to, or communicate (e.g., over a network or wirelessly, such as via Bluetooth) with a user interface 112. For example, the term "user interface" as used herein generally refers to any device suitable for presenting data (such as numerical results, microscope image data, or a magnified image of a sample 114), or any device suitable for receiving input from one or more users (such as remote users) of data related to the microscope 100. Figure 1 Two examples of user interface 112 are shown. The first example is a smart phone or tablet computer that wirelessly communicates with controller 106 via Bluetooth, cellular connection, or Wi-Fi connection, directly or through a remote server. The second example is a PC monitor that is physically connected to controller 106. In some embodiments, user interface 112 may include user output devices, including, for example, displays, tactile devices, speakers, etc. In other embodiments, user interface 112 may include user input devices, including, for example, touch screens, microphones, keyboards, pointer devices, cameras, knobs, buttons, etc. Using these input devices, a user may be able to provide information input or commands to microscope 100 by typing instructions or information, providing voice commands, selecting menu options on a screen using buttons, pointers, or eye tracking functions, or by any other suitable technology for transmitting information to microscope 100. User interface 112 may be connected (physically or wirelessly) to one or more processing devices (such as controller 106) to provide information to a user or receive information from a user and process the information. In some embodiments, such a processing device may execute instructions for responding to keyboard input or menu selections, recognizing and interpreting touches and / or gestures made on a touch screen, recognizing and tracking eye movements, receiving and interpreting voice commands, and the like.

[0027] The microscope 100 may also include a stage 116, or be connected to the stage 116. The stage 116 includes any horizontal rigid surface on which the sample 114 can be mounted for inspection. The stage 116 may include a mechanical connector for holding a slide containing the sample 114 in a fixed position. The mechanical connector may use one or more of the following: a mount, an attachment member, a retaining arm, a clamp, a clip, an adjustable frame, a locking mechanism, a spring, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the stage 116 may include a translucent portion or an opening for allowing light to illuminate the sample 114. For example, light transmitted from the illumination assembly 110 may pass through the sample 114 and toward the image capture device 102. In some embodiments, the stage 116 and / or the sample 114 may be moved in the XY plane using a motor or manual control to enable imaging of multiple areas of the sample.

[0028] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A system 200 for processing slides is shown having a slide preparation apparatus 210, a slide transfer apparatus 250, and a microscope 100 as described herein. The slide preparation apparatus, the slide transfer apparatus, and the microscope may include modular components that may be arranged in any suitable manner and may be placed, for example, on a bench 205. In some embodiments, another device is located upstream in the workflow, such as a complete blood count ("CBC") machine.

[0029] As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the slide preparation device 210 may include any suitable slide preparation device, such as a slide maker stainer. In some embodiments, the slide preparation device is configured to provide a plurality of smeared slides. In some embodiments, the slide preparation device includes an automated slide stainer.

[0030] In some embodiments, the slide preparation device 210 is configured to place a plurality of slides in a container 212, which may allow, for example, the slides to be generated and processed sequentially or in batches. Once the slides are prepared by the slide preparation device 210, the prepared slides are placed in a container 212, which may include, for example, a first container. The container 212 may include any suitable slide holder, and may include, for example, a box or magazine configured to hold a plurality of slides. The container 212 may include a plurality of receptacles to receive and hold a plurality of slides from the slide preparation device.

[0031] The slide transfer device 250 is configured to receive a plurality of slides from the container 212 and transfer the plurality of slides to the container 252. In some embodiments, the container 212 for the slide preparation device is different from the container 252 for the microscope. In some embodiments, the slide loader of the microscope is not configured to work with the first container. For example, the slide loader of the microscope may be incompatible with the first container. In some embodiments, the first container differs from the second container in one or more of the following: maximum span distance, slide capacity, number of slide receptacles, distance between slide receptacles, or size of slide receptacles. In some embodiments, when the first container has been placed at a position corresponding to the position of the second container for loading slides into the microscope, the slide loader cannot load slides from the first container.

[0032] In some embodiments, the slide transfer device includes a container transfer device configured to move the second container from the slide transfer position to the slide loader position. The container transfer device may include any suitable device, such as a linkage, conveyor, conveyor belt, or chain.

[0033] In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to remove slides from the first container 212 and place the removed slides in the second container 252 to transfer slides between two different containers, which in some embodiments can facilitate and automate the workflow.

[0034] In some embodiments, the slide transfer device 250 includes a reader 251 configured to read an identification code on each of the plurality of slides. In some embodiments, the reader 251 is configured to read an identification code of the container 212. The identification code of the slide or container may include any suitable identification code, such as one or more of an optical code, a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, or a radio frequency identification (RFID), and the reader 251 may include one or more of an optical code reader, a barcode reader, a QR code reader, or an RFID reader.

[0035] In some embodiments, the slide transfer apparatus is configured to position the plurality of slides so that the readable code in the second container is oriented within range of the reader.

[0036] The container 252 can be constructed in any suitable manner. For example, the container 252 can include any suitable slide holder, and can include a box or magazine configured to hold a plurality of slides. In some embodiments, the container 252 is configured to receive a plurality of slides received from the slide transfer device 250, and provide the plurality of slides to the slide loader 199 of the microscope 100.

[0037] In some embodiments, the microscope 100 includes a slide loader 199 configured to load one or more slides into the microscope 100. The slide loader can be coupled to the microscope in a variety of ways and can include a component of the microscope or a separate device external to the microscope for loading the microscope. The slide loader can include any suitable slide loader known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the microscope 100 includes a reader 101 configured to read an identification code from one or more of the plurality of slides or containers 252. In some embodiments, the reader 199 is configured to read an identification code of a container 222. The identification code of the slide and the identification code of the container can include any suitable identification code as described herein, and the reader 101 can include any suitable reader as described herein, such as one or more of an optical code reader, a barcode reader, a QR code reader, or an RFID reader.

[0038] While the slide transfer device can be configured in a variety of ways, in some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to transfer multiple slides from a first container to a second container sequentially. Alternatively, the slide transfer device can be configured to transfer multiple slides together, such as in batches. In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to transfer multiple slides from a first container to a second container simultaneously.

[0039] In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to maintain an order of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container. In some embodiments, the plurality of microscope slides are arranged in a sequential order at a first plurality of positions on the first container, and the slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides to the second container and maintain the sequential order at a second plurality of positions on the second container. In some embodiments, the first plurality of positions on the first container corresponds to one or more empty slots between two or more slides on the first container, and the second plurality of positions corresponds to no empty slots between the two or more slides on the second container.

[0040] In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to change the order of slides transferred from the first container to the second container. For example, the slide transfer device can be configured to change the order to prioritize one or more slides in the plurality of slides.

[0041] Figure 3A slide transfer device 250 for transferring slides between a first container 212 and a second container 252 is shown. In some embodiments, the slide transfer device 250 includes a support 260 configured to support one or more slides 310 to transfer the plurality of slides from the first container 212 to the second container 252. In some embodiments, a linkage 270 is coupled to the support 260 to move the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container. In some embodiments, the first container 212 includes a plurality of receptacles 214 configured to hold the plurality of slides, and the second container 252 includes a plurality of receptacles 254 configured to receive the plurality of slides from the slide transfer device 250. The plurality of receptacles 214 can be configured in any suitable manner and can include, for example, a plurality of slots. The plurality of receptacles 254 can be configured in any suitable manner and can include, for example, a plurality of slots.

[0042] In some embodiments, processor 280 is operably coupled to linkage 270 to transfer the slides from the first container to the second container in response to instructions from the processor.

[0043] The support 260 can be constructed in a variety of ways and can include, for example, one or more of the following: an extension, a finger, multiple fingers, a fork, a gripper, an adhesive element, a vacuum holder, a guide, a surface for supporting a slide, a sliding surface, a pushing mechanism, a pulling mechanism, a magnetic holder, an end effector, or a rotating stage.

[0044] The linkage 270 can be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the linkage is configured to move a support supporting a slide between a first receptacle of a first container and a second receptacle of a second container. In some embodiments, the linkage includes, for example, one or more motors coupled to one or more gears to move the support, and optionally two or more motors coupled to two or more gears, and further optionally three or more motors coupled to three or more gears. In some embodiments, the linkage includes, for example, one or more of a robotic arm, a robotic arm with 6 or more degrees of freedom, a translation stage, a two-dimensional translation stage or a three-dimensional translation stage, a rotating stage, a gantry, a delta robot, or a pulley.

[0045] The processor 280 can be configured in a variety of ways and can include any suitable processor as described herein. In some embodiments, the processor is configured with instructions to maintain the sequential order of the slides from a first sequential order on the first container to a second sequential order on the second container. In some embodiments, the processor 280 is configured with instructions to change the sequential order of the slides from a first sequential order on the first container to a second sequential order on the second container.

[0046] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C The slide transfer device is shown transferring a slide from a first container to a second container. In some embodiments, the support 260 moves with the linkage 270 to a position engaging with one or more slides 310. The support 260 translates with the linkage 270 to remove the one or more slides from the container 212, such as with Figure 4A The support 260 is translated together with the linkage 270 to move one or more slides 310 toward the second container 252, as shown by the arrow 410 in FIG. Figure 4B The support 260 is translated together with the linkage 270 to move one or more slides 310 into the second container 252, as shown by arrow 412. Figure 4B 414. Although reference is made to translational motion as shown by arrows 410, 412, 414, respectively, the motion may include any suitable motion, such as one or more of translational motion or rotational motion. In some embodiments, one or more slides 310 include a first orientation 550 in first container 212 and a second orientation 560 in second container 252.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first container 212 includes a first opening 216 on a first side of the container 212 for accessing the one or more slides 310, and the second container 252 includes a second opening 256 on a second side of the container 212 for accessing the one or more slides 310. In some embodiments, the orientation of the one or more slides 310 is maintained relative to the first opening 216 of the first container and the second opening 256 of the second container. Alternatively or in combination, the one or more slides 310 can be rotated using a linkage to provide different orientations of the one or more slides between the first container 212 and the second container 252.

[0048] In some embodiments, the plurality of slides comprises a first orientation in the first container and a second orientation in the second container. In some embodiments, the first orientation is substantially similar to the second orientation. In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to maintain the orientation of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container. In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to change the orientation of the plurality of slides from the first orientation in the first container to the second orientation in the second container.

[0049] The first orientation of the plurality of slides in the first container and the second orientation of the plurality of slides in the second container may include any suitable orientation. In some embodiments, the orientation is such that the loader is configured to remove the plurality of slides from the second container and place the plurality of slides in one or more of the microscope or the slide loader in a manner compatible with image acquisition of the microscope. In some embodiments, the first orientation includes a substantially vertical orientation and the second orientation includes a substantially vertical orientation, and wherein the first orientation differs from the second orientation in the rotation of the slide around an axis of rotation extending through the slide. In some embodiments, the first orientation includes a substantially horizontal orientation and the second orientation includes a substantially horizontal orientation, and wherein the first orientation differs from the second orientation in the rotation of the slide around an axis of rotation extending through the slide. In some embodiments, the first orientation includes a substantially horizontal orientation and the second orientation includes a substantially vertical orientation. In some embodiments, the first orientation includes a substantially vertical orientation and the second orientation includes a substantially horizontal orientation.

[0050] Although the first orientation 550 and the second orientation 560 can be referred to in a variety of ways, in some embodiments, the first orientation corresponds to a plane extending along the length and width of each of the plurality of slides, and the second orientation corresponds to a plane extending along the length and width of each of the plurality of slides. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of slides, for example, includes a thickness that is transverse to the length and width of the slide.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first orientation and the second orientation are referred to relative to a fixed reference frame (eg, the Earth).Alternately or in combination, the first orientation and the second orientation may be referred to relative to a first access opening of a first container and a second access opening of a second container as described herein.

[0052] The linkage can be configured to provide any suitable orientation of the plurality of slides as described herein.

[0053] In some embodiments, slide transfer device 250 is configured to transfer the plurality of slides to a third container, for example, after imaging the plurality of slides.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first container 212 and the second container 252 remain in a substantially fixed position during the transfer of a plurality of slides from the first container to the second container. In some embodiments, one or more of the first container or the second container moves during the slide transfer, for example to align the container to facilitate the transfer of the slides. Alternatively or in combination, the slide transfer device can include a container transfer device for transferring the second container from a first position for slide transfer to a second position to interact with a slide loader of a microscope. In some embodiments, the container transfer device is located between the slide transfer device and the slide loader. In some embodiments, the container transfer device is located between the position of the slide transfer device and the position of the slide loader.

[0055] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Access to a slide in a first container 212 and a slide in a second container 252 and transfer of a slide from the first container to the second container are shown. In some embodiments, the first container 212 includes a plurality of receptacles 214 accessible through one or more openings 216 of the first container 212, and the first container 252 includes a plurality of receptacles 254 accessible through one or more openings 256 of the second container 252. In some embodiments, the one or more openings 216 are sized to accommodate a portion of a support 260, and the support 260 engages one or more slides 310 as described herein. In some embodiments, the one or more openings 256 are sized to accommodate a portion of a support 260, and the support 260 releases the one or more slides 310 into one or more of the plurality of receptacles 254. In some embodiments, each of the one or more slides 310 in the first container 212 includes a first orientation 550, and each of the one or more slides 310 includes a second orientation 560 when placed in the second container 252.

[0056] In some embodiments, one or more of the slides 310, the first container 212, or the second container 252 include a readable identifier. In some embodiments, one or more slides include a readable identifier 312, and each of the plurality of slides may include a readable identifier 312. In some embodiments, the first container 212 includes a first readable identifier 330. In some embodiments, the second container 252 includes a readable identifier 340. In some embodiments, the readable identifier 312 of the one or more slides 310 is arranged relative to a reader as described herein. In some embodiments, the readable identifier 312 of each of the plurality of slides is oriented relative to one or more of the readable identifier 330 of the first container 212 or the readable identifier 340 of the second container 252.

[0057] The plurality of slides can be transferred from the first container to the second container in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, one or more slides are transferred sequentially between the first container and the second container. Alternatively or in combination, the plurality of slides can be transferred in parallel (e.g., simultaneously) between the first container and the second container.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first container 212 includes a first accessible side 217 for accessing the plurality of slides through one or more openings 216 on the first container, and the second container 252 includes a second accessible side 257 for accessing the plurality of slides 310 through a second one or more openings 256 on the second container 252. In some embodiments, the first accessible side 217 includes one or more openings 216 for accessing the plurality of slides on the plurality of wells 214 of the first container 212. In some embodiments, the second accessible side 257 includes one or more openings 256 for accessing the plurality of slides on the plurality of wells 254 of the second container 252.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second container can receive slides from a plurality of first containers.Alternatively or in combination, in some embodiments, the first container can contain slides that are loaded into a plurality of second containers by slide transfer.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first accessible side 217 and the second accessible side 257 include substantially similar orientations, such as facing in a similar direction.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first accessible side 217 and the second accessible side 257 include substantially different orientations. For example, a first opening on a first side of a first container can be oriented toward an opening on a side of the first container. In some embodiments, a first one or more entry openings of a first container face one or more entry openings of a second container.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first accessible side 217 comprises a substantially vertical orientation and the second accessible side 257 comprises a substantially vertical orientation, and the one or more slides 310 are oriented horizontally, e.g., as described in reference Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown.

[0063] In some embodiments, first plurality of slides 510 stored in first container 212 are arranged in a first order and second plurality of slides stored in second container 252 are arranged in a second order 520. The slide transfer device can be configured to maintain or change order in any suitable manner as described herein.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first accessible side comprises a substantially horizontal orientation and the second accessible side comprises a substantially vertical orientation.

[0065] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C A support 260 is shown that includes a guide 605 configured to allow a plurality of slides to slide between a first container and a second container. The guide may include a single guide for sequentially transferring slides, or a plurality of guides configured to simultaneously transfer a plurality of slides, for example in a parallel configuration. The guide 605 transfers the slides from the first container 212 to the second container 252 using a sliding support 260 that is configured to allow one or more slides 310 to slide along the guide 605 to a desired position. In some embodiments, one or more slides 310 may slide along the support 260 between the first container 212 and the second container 252 in response to gravity. In some embodiments, a motor may be used to generate additional motion (such as vibration) to help facilitate the movement of the slides, which may reduce the chances of the slides getting stuck along the way. While the support 260 may be configured in a variety of ways, in some embodiments, the sliding support 260 is configured to rotate around an axis 612, as shown by arrow 610.

[0066] In some embodiments, the support 260 includes a receptacle 620 for maintaining an orientation of the one or more slides 310 relative to an opening of the first container 212 and an opening of the second container 252. In a first orientation, the one or more slides 310 are located in the first container 212, such as Fig. 6A In the second orientation, the first container 212 is rotated to release one or more slides 310 and provide the one or more slides to the receiver 620, for example, by sliding the one or more slides 310 along the guide 605, as shown. Figure 6B In the third orientation, one or more slides 310 are slid along the guide 605 to the second container 252 .

[0067] In some embodiments, the linkage comprises a gear configured to rotate support 260 about axis 612, and the linkage is operably coupled to a processor as described herein.

[0068] In some embodiments, the orientation of the one or more slides 310 relative to the entry opening 256 of the second container 252 is substantially similar compared to the orientation of the one or more slides 310 relative to the entry opening 216 of the first container 212. In some embodiments, this is provided by the receptacle 620. Alternatively or in combination, the linkage 270 can be configured to maintain the orientation, e.g., as described herein.

[0069] although FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C Reference is made to the receptacle 620 for maintaining the orientation of the one or more slides 310 in the first container 212 and the second container 252, but in some embodiments, the guide 605 is configured to transfer the one or more slides 310 directly from the first container to the second container, for example, without the receptacle 620. In some embodiments, the orientation of the one or more slides 310 relative to the entry opening 256 of the second container 252 is reversed compared to the orientation of the one or more slides 310 relative to the entry opening 216 of the first container 212.

[0070] Although microscope 100 is mentioned herein, in some embodiments, microscope 100 comprises a plurality of microscopes. In some embodiments, system 200 comprises a plurality of microscopes. Alternatively or in combination, the slide transfer device can be configured to transfer a slide to a plurality of microscopes.

[0071] In some embodiments, after the transfer, the second container is manually loaded into the microscope. In some embodiments, the second container can also be manually placed so that the container transfer device moves the second container to the slide loader.

[0072] Figure 7 A method 700 of transferring slides from a first container to a second container is shown.

[0073] At step 710, a plurality of slides are transferred from a first container to a second container. In some embodiments, a support moves the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container. In some embodiments, the first container is different from the second container, for example as described herein.

[0074] At step 720, a slide transfer apparatus receives a plurality of slides from a first container in a first orientation or first order, eg, as described herein.

[0075] At step 730, the slide transfer device provides the plurality of slides to a second container in a second orientation and a second order.

[0076] At step 740, a reader reads an identification code of one or more of the plurality of slides, the first container, or the second container. The reader may include any suitable reader as described herein, and the reader may include, for example, a reader of one or more of the following devices: a slide transfer device, a slide loader for a microscope, or a microscope. In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to transfer a plurality of slides in response to the identification code. In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to maintain one or more of the order or orientation of a plurality of slides between the first container and the second container. In some embodiments, the slide transfer device is configured to change one or more of the order or orientation of a plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

[0077] At step 750, the support engages one or more slides of the plurality of slides. In some embodiments, the support includes a guide and the plurality of slides slide along the guide to transfer the slides between the first container and the second container.

[0078] At step 760, a linkage operably coupled to the handler and the support moves the slide between the first container and the second container.

[0079] At step 770, the slide transfer device positions the plurality of slides so that the readable code of each of the plurality of slides in the second container is oriented within range of a reader of the microscope.

[0080] although Figure 7 A method 700 of transferring a slide according to some embodiments is shown, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many adjustments and variations. For example, the steps may be performed in any order, some steps may be repeated, and some steps may not be performed. Some steps may include sub-steps of other steps. Additional steps may be added, for example, according to the embodiments disclosed herein. At least some steps of the method 700 may be performed using a processor as described herein.

[0081] As described herein, the computing devices and systems described and / or illustrated herein broadly represent any type or form of computing device or system capable of executing computer-readable instructions (such as those contained within the modules described herein). In their most basic configuration, these computing devices can each include at least one memory device and at least one physical processor.

[0082] The term "memory" or "memory device" as used herein generally refers to any type or form of volatile or non-volatile storage device or medium capable of storing data and / or computer-readable instructions. In one example, a memory device can store, load and / or maintain one or more modules described herein. Examples of memory devices include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), optical drive, cache, a variation or combination of one or more of them, or any other suitable storage memory.

[0083] In addition, the term "processor" or "physical processor" used herein generally refers to a processing unit of any type or form of hardware implementation that can interpret and / or execute computer-readable instructions. In one example, a physical processor can access and / or modify one or more modules stored in the above-mentioned memory device. Examples of physical processors include, but are not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a central processing unit (CPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) implementing a soft-core processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a portion of one or more of them, a variant or combination of one or more of them, or any other suitable physical processor. The processor may include a distributed processor system (e.g., running parallel processors) or a remote processor (e.g., a server), and combinations thereof.

[0084] Although shown as separate elements, the method steps described and / or illustrated herein may represent portions of a single application. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more of these steps may represent or correspond to one or more software applications or programs that, when executed by a computing device, may cause the computing device to perform one or more tasks, such as method steps.

[0085] Furthermore, one or more of the devices described herein may convert data, physical devices, and / or representations of physical devices from one form to another. Additionally or alternatively, one or more modules described herein may convert a processor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and / or any other portion of a physical computing device from one form of computing device to another form of computing device by executing on the computing device, storing data on the computing device, and / or otherwise interacting with the computing device.

[0086] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein generally refers to any form of device, carrier or medium capable of storing or carrying computer-readable instructions. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, transmission-type media (such as carrier waves) and non-transitory types of media, such as magnetic storage media (e.g., hard drives, tape drives, and floppy disks), optical storage media (e.g., compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and BLU-RAY disks), electronic storage media (e.g., solid-state drives and flash memory media), and other distribution systems.

[0087] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any process or method disclosed herein may be modified in a variety of ways. The process parameters and order of steps described and / or illustrated herein are given as examples only and may be changed as needed. For example, although the steps illustrated and / or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, the steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed.

[0088] The various exemplary methods described and / or shown herein may also omit one or more steps described or shown herein, or include additional steps in addition to these disclosed steps. In addition, the steps of any method as disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more steps of any other method as disclosed herein.

[0089] A processor as described herein may be configured to perform one or more steps of any method disclosed herein.Alternatively or in combination, a processor may be configured to combine one or more steps of one or more methods as disclosed herein.

[0090] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "connected to" and "coupled to" (and their derivatives) used in the specification and claims should be interpreted as allowing both direct and indirect (i.e., via other elements or components) connections. In addition, the terms "a" or "an" used in the specification and claims should be interpreted as meaning "at least one." Finally, for ease of use, the terms "including" and "having" (and their derivatives) used in the specification and claims may be interchangeable with the word "comprising" and shall have the same meaning.

[0091] A processor as disclosed herein may be configured with instructions to perform any one or more steps of any method as disclosed herein.

[0092] It is to be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various layers, elements, components, regions or portions, no particular order or sequence of events is involved. These terms are only used to distinguish a layer, an element, a component, a region or a portion from another layer, another element, another component, another region or another portion. Without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the first layer, first element, first component, first region or first portion described herein may be referred to as a second layer, second element, second component, second region or second portion.

[0093] As used herein, the term "or" is used to inclusively refer to alternatives and combinations.

[0094] As used herein, characters such as numbers refer to similar elements.

[0095] As used herein, the term "substantially" with respect to one or more of orientation, direction, horizontal or vertical means within 30 degrees.

[0096] This disclosure includes the following numbered clauses.

[0097] Item 1. An apparatus comprising: a microscope, a first container, a second container, a slide loader, and a transfer device, wherein the microscope is configured to generate a magnified digital image of a sample; the first container is configured to hold a plurality of slides; the second container is configured to receive the plurality of slides from the first container, wherein the second container is different from the first container; the slide loader is configured to load the plurality of slides from the second container to the microscope; and the transfer device includes a support configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container.

[0098] Clause 2. An apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the first container differs from the second container in one or more of the following: maximum span distance, slide capacity, number of slide receptacles, distance between slide receptacles, or size of slide receptacles.

[0099] Clause 3. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 2, further comprising a reader configured to read an identification code on the container, and optionally wherein the code comprises one or more of a barcode, a QR code, or an RFID.

[0100] Clause 4. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the container comprises an identification code, and optionally wherein the code comprises one or more of a barcode, a QR code or an RFID.

[0101] Clause 5. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 4, wherein each slide of the plurality of slides comprises an identification code, and optionally wherein the identification code comprises one or more of a barcode, a QR code, or an RFID.

[0102] Clause 6. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising a reader configured to read an identification code on each slide of the plurality of slides.

[0103] Clause 7. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising a container transfer device configured to move the second container from a slide transfer position to a slide loader position.

[0104] Clause 8. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the slide loader is not configured to work with the first container.

[0105] Clause 9. The device of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the first container is incompatible with the slide loader.

[0106] Clause 10. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 9, wherein the slide loader is unable to load slides from the first container when the first container has been placed at a position corresponding to a position of the second container for loading slides into the microscope.

[0107] Clause 11. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container in sequence.

[0108] Clause 12. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to maintain an order of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

[0109] Clause 13. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 12, wherein a plurality of microscope slides are arranged in a serial order at a first plurality of positions on the first container, and the slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides to the second container and maintain the serial order at a second plurality of positions on the second container.

[0110] Clause 14. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 13, wherein a first plurality of positions on the first container corresponds to one or more empty slots between two or more slides on the first container, and a second plurality of positions corresponds to no empty slots between the two or more slides on the second container.

[0111] Clause 15. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to change the order of slides transferred from the first container to the second container.

[0112] Clause 16. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to change the order to prioritize one or more slides of the plurality of slides.

[0113] Clause 17. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to move the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container simultaneously.

[0114] Clause 18. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container in batches.

[0115] Clause 19. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the support comprises a guide configured to allow the plurality of slides to slide between the first container and the second container.

[0116] Clause 20. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the second container to the first container.

[0117] Clause 21. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the second container to a third container.

[0118] Clause 22. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 21, wherein the second container is configured to hold the plurality of slides simultaneously.

[0119] Clause 23. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 22, further comprising a container transfer device between the slide transfer device and the slide loader, and optionally wherein the container transfer device is located between the position of the slide transfer device and the position of the slide loader.

[0120] Clause 24. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 23, wherein the first container is configured to receive a plurality of smeared slides from a slide preparation device, the slide preparation device being configured to prepare smeared slides, and optionally, wherein the slide preparation device comprises an automatic slide stainer.

[0121] Clause 25. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 24, wherein the first container comprises a cassette configured to hold the plurality of slides in a plurality of slide receptacles, and optionally wherein the plurality of receptacles comprises a plurality of slots.

[0122] Clause 26. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 25, wherein the second container comprises a cassette configured to hold the plurality of slides in a plurality of slide receptacles, and optionally wherein the second container comprises a plurality of slots.

[0123] Clause 27. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 26, wherein the slide transfer device comprises a support for moving the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

[0124] Clause 28. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 27, wherein the support member includes one or more of the following: an extension, a finger, multiple fingers, a fork, a gripper, an adhesive element, a vacuum holder, a guide, a surface for supporting a slide, a sliding surface, a pushing mechanism, a pulling mechanism, a magnetic holder, an end effector, or a rotating stage.

[0125] Clause 29. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 28, further comprising: a linkage and a processor, the linkage coupled to the support to move the support; and the processor operably coupled to the linkage to move the slide between the first container and the second container.

[0126] Clause 30. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 29, wherein the linkage is configured to move the support supporting the slide between the first receptacle of the first container and the second receptacle of the second container.

[0127] Clause 31. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 30, wherein the linkage device includes one or more motors coupled to one or more gears to move the support member, and two or more motors optionally coupled to two or more gears, and three or more motors further optionally coupled to three or more gears.

[0128] Clause 32. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 31, wherein the linkage device includes one or more of a robotic arm, a robotic arm with 6 or more degrees of freedom, a translation stage, a two-dimensional translation stage or a three-dimensional translation stage, a rotation stage, a gantry, a delta robot or a pulley.

[0129] Clause 33. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 32, wherein the support comprises a sliding surface for guiding the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container, and optionally wherein the linkage comprises a gear for rotating the sliding surface.

[0130] Clause 34. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 33, wherein the processor is configured with instructions to maintain a sequential order of slides from a first sequential order on the first container to a second sequential order on the second container.

[0131] Clause 35. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 34, wherein the processor is configured with instructions to change the sequential order of the slides from a first sequential order on the first container to a second sequential order on the second container.

[0132] Clause 36. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 35, wherein the first container, the slide transfer device, the slide and the slide loader are arranged in sequence to receive a plurality of slides from a slide preparation device in the first container, transfer the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container, and transfer the plurality of slides from the slide loader to the microscope in sequence.

[0133] Clause 37. An apparatus according to clauses 1 to 36, wherein the microscope comprises one or more of the following: a computational microscope, a high-definition microscope, a digital microscope, a scanning digital microscope, a 3D microscope, a phase imaging microscope, a phase contrast microscope, a dark field microscope, a differential interference contrast microscope, a light sheet microscope, a confocal microscope, a holographic microscope, or a fluorescence-based microscope.

[0134] Clause 38. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 37, wherein the plurality of slides comprises a first orientation in the first container and a second orientation in the second container.

[0135] Clause 39. The device of clauses 1 to 38, wherein the first orientation is substantially similar to the second orientation.

[0136] Clause 40. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 39, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to maintain an orientation of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

[0137] Clause 41. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 40, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to change an orientation of the plurality of slides from a first orientation in the first container to a second orientation in the second container.

[0138] Clause 42. An apparatus as described in clauses 1 to 41, wherein the first orientation comprises a substantially vertical orientation and the second orientation comprises a substantially vertical orientation, and wherein the first orientation differs from the second orientation by a rotation of the slide about a rotation axis extending through the slide.

[0139] Clause 43. An apparatus as described in clauses 1 to 42, wherein the first orientation comprises a substantially horizontal orientation and the second orientation comprises a substantially horizontal orientation, and wherein the first orientation differs from the second orientation by a rotation of the slide about a rotation axis extending through the slide.

[0140] Clause 44. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 43, wherein the first orientation comprises a substantially horizontal orientation and the second orientation comprises a substantially vertical orientation.

[0141] Clause 45. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 44, wherein the first orientation comprises a substantially vertical orientation and the second orientation comprises a substantially horizontal orientation.

[0142] Clause 46. An apparatus as described in clauses 1 to 45, wherein each of the plurality of slides includes a readable identification code, and wherein the slide transfer device is configured to orient the readable code in the second container for reading using a reader, and optionally, wherein the reader includes one or more of a barcode reader, a QR code reader, or an RFID reader.

[0143] Clause 47. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 46, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to position the plurality of slides so that the readable code in the second container is oriented within range of a reader.

[0144] Clause 48. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 47, wherein the first container comprises a first accessible side for accessing the plurality of slides on the first container, and the second container comprises a second accessible side for accessing the plurality of slides on the second container.

[0145] Clause 49. The device of clauses 1 to 48, wherein the first accessible side comprises one or more openings for accessing a plurality of slides on a plurality of wells of the first container.

[0146] Clause 50. The device of clauses 1 to 49, wherein the second accessible side comprises one or more openings for accessing a plurality of slides on a plurality of wells of the second container.

[0147] Clause 51. The device of clauses 1 to 50, wherein the first accessible side and the second accessible side comprise substantially similar orientations.

[0148] Clause 52. The device of clauses 1 to 51, wherein the first accessible side and the second accessible side comprise substantially different orientations.

[0149] Clause 53. The device of clauses 1 to 52, wherein the first accessible side comprises a substantially vertical orientation and the second accessible side comprises a substantially vertical orientation.

[0150] Clause 54. The device of clauses 1 to 53, wherein the first accessible side comprises a substantially horizontal orientation and the second accessible side comprises a substantially vertical orientation.

[0151] Clause 55. The apparatus of clauses 1 to 54, wherein, after the transfer, the second container is manually loaded into the microscope.

[0152] Clause 56. An apparatus as described in clauses 1 to 55, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of microscopes.

[0153] Clause 57. A method of transferring slides, the method comprising: transferring a plurality of slides from a first container to a second container using a support, the support configured to move the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container.

[0154] Clause 58. A method according to Clause 57, wherein the first container differs from the second container in one or more of the following: maximum span distance, slide capacity, number of slide sockets, distance between slide sockets, or size of slide sockets.

[0155] Clause 59. A method according to clauses 57 to 58, wherein the plurality of slides comprises one or more of a first orientation or a first order in the first container, and a slide transfer device provides the plurality of slides to the second container in one or more of a second orientation or a second order.

[0156] Clause 60. The method of clauses 57 to 59, wherein a reader of a slide transfer device reads an identification code of one or more of the plurality of slides, the first container, or the second container.

[0157] Clause 61. The method of clauses 57 to 60, wherein a slide transfer device is configured to maintain one or more of an order or an orientation of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

[0158] Clause 62. The method of clauses 57 to 61, wherein a slide transfer device is configured to change one or more of an order or an orientation of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

[0159] Clause 63. The method of clauses 57 to 62, wherein the support engages one or more slides of the plurality of slides.

[0160] Clause 64. The method of clauses 57 to 63, wherein the support comprises a guide and the plurality of slides slide along the guide to transfer the slides between the first container and the second container.

[0161] Clause 65. The method of clauses 57 to 64, wherein a linkage operably coupled to a handler and the support moves the slide between the first container and the second container.

[0162] Item 66. A method according to items 57 to 65, wherein the first container, the slide transfer device, the slide and the slide loader are arranged in sequence, and a plurality of slides from a slide stainer are received into the first container, the plurality of slides are transferred from the first container to the second container, and from the second container to the slide loader and transferred to the microscope.

[0163] Clause 67. The method of clauses 57 to 66, wherein the plurality of slides comprises a first orientation in the first container and a second orientation in the second container.

[0164] Clause 68. The method of clauses 57 to 67, wherein the slide transfer device is configured to position the plurality of slides so that the readable code of each of the plurality of slides in the second container is oriented within range of a reader of a microscope.

[0165] Clause 69. The method of clauses 57 to 68, wherein the support provides access to the plurality of slides through a first accessible side on a first container and through a second accessible side on a second container.

[0166] Clause 70. A method or apparatus as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein "substantially" with respect to one or more of orientation, direction, horizontal or vertical means within 30 degrees.

[0167] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described as set forth herein, and are provided as examples only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many adjustments, changes, variations, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Several substitutions and combinations of the embodiments disclosed herein may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, the scope of the presently disclosed invention should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a microscope configured to generate a magnified digital image of the sample; a first container configured to hold a plurality of slides; a second container configured to receive the plurality of slides from the first container, wherein the second container is different from the first container; a slide loader configured to load the plurality of slides from the second container to the microscope; and A transfer apparatus includes a support configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first container differs from the second container in one or more of the following: maximum span distance, slide capacity, number of slide receptacles, distance between slide receptacles, or size of slide receptacles.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reader configured to read an identification code on the container, and optionally wherein the code comprises one or more of a barcode, a QR code, or an RFID.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The container comprises an identification code, and optionally wherein the code comprises one or more of a barcode, a QR code or an RFID.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: Each slide of the plurality of slides comprises an identification code, and optionally wherein the identification code comprises one or more of a barcode, a QR code, or an RFID. 6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a reader configured to read an identification code on each of the plurality of slides.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a container transfer device configured to move the second container from a slide transfer position to a slide loader position.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The slide loader is not configured to work with the first container.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first container is incompatible with the slide loader.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The slide loader cannot load slides from the first container when the first container has been placed at a position corresponding to a position of the second container for loading slides into the microscope.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to sequentially transfer the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to maintain an order of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of microscope slides are arranged in a serial order at a first plurality of locations on the first container, and the slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides to the second container and maintain the serial order at a second plurality of locations on the second container.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein: The first plurality of positions on the first container corresponds to one or more empty slots between two or more slides on the first container, and the second plurality of positions corresponds to no empty slots between the two or more slides on the second container.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to change the order of slides transferred from the first container to the second container.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to change the order to prioritize one or more slides among the plurality of slides.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to simultaneously move the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides in batches between the first container and the second container.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The support includes a guide configured to allow the plurality of slides to slide between the first container and the second container.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein The slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the second container to the first container.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein The slide transfer device is configured to transfer the plurality of slides from the second container to a third container.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The second container is configured to hold the plurality of slides simultaneously.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a container transfer device between the slide transfer device and the slide loader, and optionally wherein the container transfer device is located between a position of the slide transfer device and a position of the slide loader.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first container is configured to receive a plurality of smeared slides from a slide preparation device configured to prepare smeared slides, and optionally, wherein the slide preparation device comprises an automated slide stainer.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein The first container comprises a cassette configured to hold the plurality of slides in a plurality of slide receptacles, and optionally wherein the plurality of receptacles comprises a plurality of slots.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein The second container comprises a cassette configured to hold the plurality of slides in a plurality of slide receptacles, and optionally wherein the second container comprises a plurality of slots.

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein The slide transfer apparatus includes a support for moving the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein The support comprises one or more of an extension, a finger, multiple fingers, a fork, a gripper, an adhesive element, a vacuum holder, a guide, a surface for supporting a slide, a sliding surface, a push mechanism, a pull mechanism, a magnetic holder, an end effector, or a rotating stage.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a linkage coupled to the support to move the support; and A processor is operably coupled to the linkage to move the slide between the first container and the second container.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein: The linkage is configured to move the support supporting the slide between a first receptacle of the first container and a second receptacle of the second container.

31. The device according to claim 29, wherein: The linkage includes one or more motors coupled to one or more gears to move the support, and optionally two or more motors coupled to two or more gears, and further optionally three or more motors coupled to three or more gears.

32. The device according to claim 29, wherein: The linkage device includes one or more of a robotic arm, a robotic arm with 6 or more degrees of freedom, a translation stage, a two-dimensional translation stage or a three-dimensional translation stage, a rotation stage, a gantry, a delta robot or a pulley.

33. The device according to claim 29, wherein: The support comprises a sliding surface for guiding the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container, and optionally wherein the linkage comprises a gear for rotating the sliding surface.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The processor is configured with instructions to maintain a sequential order of slides from a first sequential order on the first container to a second sequential order on the second container.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The processor is configured with instructions to change a sequential order of the slides from a first sequential order on the first container to a second sequential order on the second container.

36. The device according to claim 1, wherein The first container, the slide transfer device, the slides, and the slide loader are arranged in sequence to receive a plurality of slides from the slide preparation device in the first container, transfer the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container, and transfer the plurality of slides from the slide loader to the microscope in sequence.

37. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The microscope includes one or more of the following: a computational microscope, a high-definition microscope, a digital microscope, a scanning digital microscope, a 3D microscope, a phase imaging microscope, a phase contrast microscope, a dark field microscope, a differential interference contrast microscope, a light sheet microscope, a confocal microscope, a holographic microscope, or a fluorescence-based microscope.

38. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of slides comprises a first orientation in the first container and a second orientation in the second container.

39. The device of claim 38, the first orientation being substantially similar to the second orientation.

40. The device according to claim 39, wherein The slide transfer device is configured to maintain an orientation of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to change an orientation of the plurality of slides from a first orientation in the first container to a second orientation in the second container.

42. The device according to claim 41, wherein The first orientation comprises a substantially vertical orientation, and the second orientation comprises a substantially vertical orientation, and wherein the first orientation differs from the second orientation by a rotation of the slide about a rotation axis extending through the slide.

43. The device according to claim 41, wherein The first orientation comprises a substantially horizontal orientation, and the second orientation comprises a substantially horizontal orientation, and wherein the first orientation differs from the second orientation by a rotation of the slide about a rotation axis extending through the slide.

44. The device according to claim 41, wherein The first orientation comprises a substantially horizontal orientation, and the second orientation comprises a substantially vertical orientation.

45. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein: The first orientation comprises a substantially vertical orientation, and the second orientation comprises a substantially horizontal orientation.

46. ​​The device of claim 1, wherein: Each slide in the plurality of slides comprises a readable identification code, and wherein the slide transfer device is configured to orient the readable code in the second container for reading using a reader, and optionally wherein the reader comprises one or more of a barcode reader, a QR code reader, or an RFID reader.

47. The device according to claim 46, wherein The slide transfer device is configured to position the plurality of slides so that the readable code in the second container is oriented within range of a reader.

48. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The first container includes a first accessible side for accessing the plurality of slides on the first container, and the second container includes a second accessible side for accessing the plurality of slides on the second container.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein: The first accessible side includes one or more openings for accessing the plurality of slides on the plurality of receptacles of the first container.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein: The second accessible side includes one or more openings for accessing the plurality of slides on the plurality of receptacles of the second container.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein: The first accessible side and the second accessible side include a substantially similar orientation.

52. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein: The first accessible side and the second accessible side comprise substantially different orientations.

53. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein: The first accessible side includes a substantially vertical orientation and the second accessible side includes a substantially vertical orientation.

54. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein: The first accessible side includes a substantially horizontal orientation and the second accessible side includes a substantially vertical orientation.

55. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: After transfer, the second container is manually loaded into the microscope.

56. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The apparatus includes a plurality of microscopes.

57. A method of transferring a slide, the method comprising: A plurality of slides are transferred from a first container to a second container using a support configured to move the plurality of slides from the first container to the second container.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein: The first container differs from the second container in one or more of the following: maximum span distance, slide capacity, number of slide receptacles, distance between slide receptacles, or size of slide receptacles.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein: The plurality of slides includes one or more of a first orientation or a first order in the first container, and the slide transfer device provides the plurality of slides to the second container in one or more of a second orientation or a second order.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein: A reader of the slide transfer device reads an identification code of one or more of the plurality of slides, the first container, or the second container.

61. The method of claim 57, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to maintain one or more of an order or an orientation of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to change one or more of an order or an orientation of the plurality of slides between the first container and the second container.

63. The method of claim 57, wherein: The support engages one or more slides of the plurality of slides.

64. The method of claim 57, wherein: The support includes a guide, and the plurality of slides slide along the guide to transfer the slides between the first container and the second container.

65. The method of claim 57, wherein: A linkage operably coupled to the handler and the support moves the slide between the first container and the second container.

66. The method of claim 57, wherein: The first container, the slide transfer device, the slide, and the slide loader are arranged in sequence, and a plurality of slides from a slide stainer are received into the first container, transferred from the first container to the second container, and from the second container to the slide loader and transferred to the microscope.

67. The method of claim 57, wherein: The plurality of slides comprises a first orientation in the first container and a second orientation in the second container.

68. The method of claim 57, wherein: The slide transfer device is configured to position the plurality of slides such that the readable code of each of the plurality of slides in the second container is oriented within a range of a reader of the microscope.

69. The method of claim 57, wherein: The support provides access to the plurality of slides through a first accessible side on the first container and through a second accessible side of the second container.

70. A method or apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein: "Substantially" with respect to one or more of orientation, direction, horizontal or vertical means within 30 degrees.

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