A slide clamping and unlocking device based on IHC and ISH staining systems

Abstract

This invention discloses a slide clamping and unlocking aspiration device based on IHC and ISH staining systems. The device includes a manual slide loading and unloading assembly, a constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly, an automatic locking unit, a self-locking assembly, and an unlocking aspiration assembly. The constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly provides a constant vertical pressure through a compression spring and spring pin, adaptively compensating for slide thickness deviations. The automatic locking unit uses a reset spring to drive the middle frame locking buckle to hook the pressure spring plate, achieving dead-point locking. The unlocking aspiration assembly actively unlocks by pressing the back of the locking buckle with an unlocking bevel plate. This invention achieves highly reliable constant pressure sealing, eliminating the risk of leakage. Active unlocking is achieved through the wedge-shaped linkage between the unlocking bevel plate and the middle frame locking buckle, combined with a vacuum suction cup for non-destructive automated recovery, improving high-throughput processing efficiency. The compact locking structure integrates a slide sealing plate to create a double-layer sealed microenvironment, significantly reducing reagent evaporation loss.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of staining apparatus technology, and more particularly to a slide clamping and unlocking aspiration device based on IHC and ISH staining systems. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of clinical pathology diagnosis, automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) staining systems are core equipment for improving diagnostic efficiency and standardization. These systems require the formation of a sealed reaction space in a specific area of ​​the glass slide to allow for the addition of expensive antibody or probe reagents. To ensure the reliability of experimental results, the airtightness between the reaction chamber (isolation frame) and the glass slide, as well as the efficiency of automated retrieval after the experiment, are crucial.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream automated staining equipment in the industry mainly uses the following technical approaches when handling the sealing and loading / unloading of glass slides, but all of them have significant bottlenecks in actual high-throughput applications:

[0004] Firstly, the "cover slip / liquid capping" solution, exemplified by Roche's Benchmark series, typically uses mineral oil to cover the reagent surface to prevent evaporation or employs cover slip technology. Its sealing logic relies more on chemical / physical coverage than mechanical hard seals. In scenarios involving high-frequency oscillation or rapid sample addition, droplet displacement or cross-contamination can easily occur; furthermore, for reaction stations requiring specific physical boundary constraints, this solution lacks sufficient mechanical support.

[0005] Secondly, the "pneumatic / integral compression" solution, represented by the Leica BOND series, typically uses a pneumatic device to drive an integrated mechanical structure to apply pressure to the slide array to achieve a seal. However, this solution lacks individual tolerance compensation. Due to the thickness tolerance of the slides themselves and the slight flatness error of the worktable, in the integrated compression mode, if one slide is too thick, it will cause insufficient pressure at other points in the same row, leading to serious leakage (seepage). Furthermore, the continuous operation of the air pump results in high energy consumption and laboratory noise pollution.

[0006] Thirdly, the "torsion spring pressure head" fixation scheme, exemplified by the Kehua Health Platelet Staining System, utilizes a mechanical clamping structure. This scheme uses the elastic restoring force of a torsion spring to press the reaction chamber onto a glass slide via a pressure rod. However, this approach suffers from unstable pressure vectors and difficulty in automation. The pressure provided by the torsion spring structure is a non-perpendicular oblique force, which can easily lead to displacement of the reaction chamber. More importantly, this structure is mostly semi-permanent, relying primarily on manual loading and unloading. It cannot be combined with a high-speed robotic arm to achieve one-click automatic unlocking and retrieval of the reaction chamber, severely limiting the system's high-throughput processing capacity.

[0007] Fourthly, the general-purpose robotic arm vertical gripping solution: Many domestic startup devices directly use the suction cups or grippers of the robotic arm to vertically extract the reaction chamber. This ignores the physical adhesion forces. After the staining reaction, the viscosity of the reagent and the surface tension of the liquid cause strong adhesion between the reaction chamber and the glass slide. Directly pulling it up without an active unlocking mechanism can easily lift the glass slide as well, causing sample damage or liquid splashing.

[0008] Therefore, none of the above solutions can achieve the synergistic technical effects of adaptive constant pressure vertical sealing, adaptive constant pressure vertical sealing, and constructing a fully enclosed micro-reaction environment to reduce volatilization. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This invention provides a slide clamping and unlocking device based on IHC and ISH staining systems to solve technical problems in existing automated staining equipment, such as unstable pressure vector, poor sealing consistency, low degree of automation, and inability to effectively control reagent evaporation.

[0010] In view of the above technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a slide clamping and unlocking aspiration device based on IHC and ISH staining systems, including a slide manual loading and unloading assembly, a constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly, an automatic clamping and locking unit, a self-locking locking assembly, and an unlocking aspiration assembly;

[0011] The slide loading and unloading assembly includes a slide base plate, and the slide base plate is provided with a slide placement station;

[0012] The constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly includes a plastic isolation frame, a glass slide isolation frame, an isolation frame spring plate, a spring pin, and a compression spring. A rubber sealing ring is embedded around the bottom periphery of the plastic isolation frame. The glass slide isolation frame is a metal-reinforced frame structure, fitted onto the outside of the plastic isolation frame. The spring pin passes vertically through the isolation frame spring plate and is fixed to the glass slide isolation frame. The compression spring is fitted onto the spring pin, with both ends of the spring pin abutting between the isolation frame spring plate and the glass slide isolation frame. The spring pin provides a constant downward pressure through axial compression.

[0013] The automatic snap-locking unit includes a snap-lock seat, a middle frame snap-lock, a cylindrical pin, a set screw, and a return spring. The snap-lock seat is fixedly mounted on the slide base plate. The middle frame snap-lock has a hook-shaped structure and is movably mounted on the snap-lock seat via the cylindrical pin. The return spring abuts between the snap-lock seat and the middle frame snap-lock, and provides a preload force for the middle frame snap-lock to rotate towards the center. The set screw is located below the snap-lock seat and is used to limit the initial return angle of the middle frame snap-lock.

[0014] The self-locking assembly includes a self-locking clamp, which is symmetrically installed on both sides of the glass slide base plate and is used to cooperate with the clamping pin of the clamp on the heating table of the equipment to achieve rapid positioning and rigid fixation.

[0015] The unlocking and suction assembly includes a robotic arm, an unlocking bevel plate mounted on the side of the robotic arm, a vacuum suction cup mounted at the center of the robotic arm, and a protective screw mounted next to the vacuum suction cup. The bottom end of the unlocking bevel plate is provided with a wedge-shaped slope, which is used to squeeze the back of the middle frame buckle during the descent of the robotic arm to achieve active unlocking. The vacuum suction cup is connected to an external air pump through an air pipe, which is used to suck up the bottom of the protective screw of the isolation middle frame pressure plate, which is lower than the deepest compression position of the robotic arm and higher than the suction cup, to form a physical limit to absorb the impact kinetic energy at the moment of release of the compression spring.

[0016] Optionally, the slide clamping and unlocking aspiration device based on the IHC and ISH staining system further includes an automatic capping assembly. The automatic capping assembly includes a slide sealing plate carried by a robotic arm and placed on top of the plastic isolation frame. When the slide sealing plate is in contact with the upper edge of the plastic isolation frame, a fully enclosed space is created to reduce reagent evaporation. The constant pressure sealing isolation assembly provides a constant vertical pressure to the plastic isolation frame in the direction of slide download through the pre-compression of the compression spring, and automatically compensates for the thickness deviation of the slide by utilizing the elasticity of the spring.

[0017] Optionally, after the middle frame buckle is pressed into place by the isolation middle frame spring plate, it instantly rebounds under the action of the reset spring, hooking the isolation middle frame spring plate to achieve dead point locking.

[0018] Optionally, during the descent of the robotic arm, the locking bevel plate uses its wedge-shaped inclined surface to press against the back of the middle frame buckle, causing the middle frame buckle to rotate outward and open until the hook of the middle frame buckle is completely disengaged from the isolation middle frame spring plate, thereby achieving non-contact active unlocking.

[0019] Optionally, the protective screw contacts the spring-loaded plate of the isolation frame first at the moment of release, absorbing the impact kinetic energy released by the compression spring and preventing the spring-loaded plate of the isolation frame from directly impacting the vacuum suction cup.

[0020] Optionally, the compression spring is one of a wave spring, a miniature gas spring, or a polyurethane elastic pad; the vacuum suction cup is one of a mechanical miniature gripper, an electromagnetic gripper, or a hook.

[0021] Optionally, the glass slide isolation frame is a ferromagnetic frame structure, and multiple mounting holes for mounting high remanent circular magnets are provided around the four edges of the glass slide base plate. The magnetic attraction and the gravity of the constant pressure sealing isolation component work together on the plastic isolation frame to achieve a seal between the rubber sealing ring and the glass slide.

[0022] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] Firstly, it achieves an adaptive, highly reliable vertical seal, completely eliminating the risk of leakage. This invention abandons the traditional torsion spring rotational clamping logic, replacing it with a vertical elastic actuator composed of a spring pin and a compression spring. In this structure, the spring pin passes vertically through the pressure plate of the isolation frame and is fixed to the glass slide isolation frame. The compression spring is sleeved around the spring pin, with its two ends abutting against the pressure plate of the isolation frame and the glass slide isolation frame, thus precisely limiting the pressure vector in a direction perpendicular to the glass slide. This avoids the displacement problem of the isolation assembly caused by the lateral force generated by the traditional torsion spring structure. Simultaneously, the adaptive characteristic of the compression spring can automatically adjust the axial compression amount according to the actual thickness of the glass slide, automatically compensating for thickness deviations in the glass slide during production. This ensures that each reaction station can obtain a constant and uniform sealing pressure under vibration and heating environments, achieving a long-term stable zero-leakage seal.

[0024] Secondly, the unique active unlocking mechanism enables lossless automated recycling under high throughput. Addressing the challenge of disassembly due to liquid tension and the viscosity of chemical reagents after the reaction, the mechanism utilizes a wedge-shaped linkage logic between the unlocking bevel plate and the middle frame latch to achieve active unlocking as the robotic arm descends. Specifically, the unlocking bevel plate, mounted on the side of the robotic arm, has a wedge-shaped bevel at its bottom. During the robotic arm's descent, it presses against the back of the middle frame latch, causing the latch to rotate outward around the cylindrical pin and open until the hook completely disengages from the insulating middle frame spring plate, achieving non-contact active unlocking. This non-forceful lifting method effectively prevents the slide from being lifted or broken, solving the problem of sample damage or liquid splashing caused by forced lifting of the robotic arm in existing technologies. This significantly improves the operational efficiency and safety of the automated production line, meeting the rapid cycle requirements of ultra-high throughput systems.

[0025] Thirdly, it significantly reduces the evaporation loss of expensive reagents and improves staining quality. Thanks to its compact snap-lock design, the mechanical space occupied above the slide is greatly reduced, enabling the integration of an automated slide sealing plate. This sealing plate is carried and placed on top of the plastic isolation frame by a robotic arm, fitting tightly against the upper edge of the frame. Combined with a rubber sealing ring at the bottom, which uses a compression spring for constant pressure sealing, this creates a double-layered sealed microenvironment: a bottom rubber sealing ring and a top slide sealing plate. During high-temperature incubation lasting several hours, this fully enclosed structure minimizes reagent evaporation, saving on expensive antibodies and probes, and ensuring a constant antibody concentration during staining, thus guaranteeing the consistency and reliability of the staining results.

[0026] Fourth, a robust mechanical protection mechanism effectively extends the service life of precision actuators. A protective screw is added to the robotic arm, mounted beside the vacuum suction cup. Its bottom is lower than the main body of the robotic arm but higher than the deepest compression point of the vacuum suction cup, forming a precise physical limiter. At the moment of unlocking, when the compressed spring releases its elastic potential energy, pushing the isolating frame pressure plate upwards, the protective screw contacts the pressure plate first, absorbing the impact kinetic energy and preventing the pressure plate from directly impacting the vacuum suction cup. This design cleverly solves the problem of kinetic energy impact generated at the moment of spring release, protecting the vacuum suction cup and related sensors from being struck by the popped-up pressure plate, effectively extending the service life of precision sensing and suction components. Simultaneously, by adjusting the set screw, the initial reset angle of the frame clamp can be precisely limited, compensating for long-term mechanical wear, reducing long-term maintenance costs, and improving the system's reliability and economy. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the slide clamping and unlocking aspiration device based on the IHC and ISH staining system in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the artificial slide loading and unloading assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a constant pressure sealing and isolation component in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the automatic snap-locking unit in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking and suction assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the unlocking and suction component in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0035] 1-Manual slide loading and unloading assembly, 101-Slide base plate, 2-Constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly, 201-Plastic isolation frame, 202-Slide isolation frame, 203-Isolation frame spring plate, 204-Spring pin, 205-Compression spring, 3-Automatic snap-lock unit, 301-Snap-lock seat, 302-Frame snap-lock, 303-Cylindrical pin, 304-Set screw, 305-Reset spring, 4-Self-locking assembly, 401-Self-locking device, 5-Unlocking and suction assembly, 501-Robotic arm, 502-Unlocking angle plate, 503-Vacuum suction cup, 504-Protective screw. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the technical problems solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal," "radial," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0038] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a slide clamping and unlocking aspiration device based on IHC and ISH staining systems, including a slide manual loading and unloading assembly 1, a constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly 2, an automatic clamping and locking unit 3, a self-locking locking assembly 4, and an unlocking aspiration assembly 5.

[0040] The slide loading and unloading assembly 1 includes a slide base plate 101, on which a slide placement station is provided.

[0041] The constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly 2 includes a plastic isolation frame 201, a glass slide isolation frame 202, an isolation frame spring plate 203, a spring pin 204, and a compression spring 205. A rubber sealing ring is embedded around the bottom periphery of the plastic isolation frame 201. The glass slide isolation frame 202 is a metal-reinforced frame structure, fitted onto the outside of the plastic isolation frame 201. The spring pin 204 is vertically inserted through the isolation frame spring plate 203 and fixed to the glass slide isolation frame 202. The compression spring 205 is fitted onto the spring pin 204, with both ends of the spring pin 204 abutting between the isolation frame spring plate 203 and the glass slide isolation frame 202. The spring pin 204 provides a constant downward pressure through axial compression.

[0042] The automatic snap-locking unit 3 includes a snap-lock seat 301, a middle frame snap-lock 302, a cylindrical pin 303, a set screw 304, and a return spring 305. The snap-lock seat 301 is fixedly installed on the slide base plate 101. The middle frame snap-lock 302 has a hook-shaped structure and is movably installed on the snap-lock seat 301 via the cylindrical pin 303. The return spring 305 abuts between the snap-lock seat 301 and the middle frame snap-lock 302 and provides a preload force for the middle frame snap-lock 302 to rotate towards the center. The set screw 304 is located below the snap-lock seat 301 and is used to limit the initial return angle of the middle frame snap-lock 302.

[0043] The self-locking locking assembly 4 includes a self-locking locking device 401, which is symmetrically installed on both sides of the slide base plate 101 and is used to cooperate with the locking device clamping pin on the heating table of the equipment to achieve rapid positioning and rigid fixation.

[0044] The unlocking suction assembly 5 includes a robotic arm 501, an unlocking bevel plate 502 mounted on the side of the robotic arm 501, a vacuum suction cup 503 mounted at the center of the robotic arm 501, and a protective screw 504 mounted next to the vacuum suction cup 503. The bottom end of the unlocking bevel plate 502 is provided with a wedge-shaped slope, which is used to squeeze the back of the middle frame buckle 302 during the descent of the robotic arm 501 to achieve active unlocking. The vacuum suction cup 503 is connected to an external air pump through an air pipe, which is used to suck up the bottom of the protective screw 504 of the isolation middle frame pressure plate 203, which is lower than the deepest compression position of the robotic arm 501 and higher than the suction cup, to form a physical limit to absorb the impact kinetic energy of the compression spring 205 at the moment of release.

[0045] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the slide clamping and unlocking aspiration device based on the IHC and ISH staining system also includes an automatic capping assembly. The automatic capping assembly includes a slide sealing plate carried by a robotic arm 501 and placed on top of the plastic isolation frame 201. When the slide sealing plate is in contact with the upper edge of the plastic isolation frame 201, a fully enclosed space is created to reduce reagent evaporation. The constant pressure sealing isolation assembly 2 provides a vertical constant pressure to the plastic isolation frame 201 in the direction of slide download through the pre-compression of the compression spring 205, and automatically compensates for the thickness deviation of the slide by utilizing the elasticity of the spring. Understandably, the pre-compression of the compression spring 205 provides a constant vertical pressure to the plastic isolation frame 201 in the direction of the glass slide. The elasticity automatically compensates for thickness deviations in the glass slide, ensuring constant and uniform sealing pressure at each reaction station under vibration and heating conditions. This achieves highly reliable adaptive vertical sealing, completely eliminating the risk of leakage. Simultaneously, the glass slide sealing plate, carried by the robotic arm 501 and placed on top of the plastic isolation frame 201, tightly fits against the upper edge of the plastic isolation frame 201 to create a fully enclosed space. This significantly reduces the volatilization of expensive reagents during high-temperature incubation lasting several hours, saving on antibody and probe costs while ensuring consistent staining results. Thus, while maintaining sealing reliability, it effectively improves reagent utilization and experimental quality.

[0046] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, after the middle frame snap fastener 302 is pressed into place by the isolation middle frame spring plate 203, it instantly rebounds under the action of the return spring 305, hooking the isolation middle frame spring plate 203 to achieve dead-point locking. Understandably, by utilizing the preload of the return spring 305, a mechanical self-locking mechanism is formed between the middle frame snap fastener 302 and the isolation middle frame spring plate 203. This eliminates the need for continuous external force to resist upward forces generated by equipment vibration or accidental contact, fundamentally preventing seal loosening or mid-process detachment of the isolation assembly due to locking failure during the reaction process. Simultaneously, this structure simplifies the complex locking action into a single vertical pressing operation, automatically completing the closed loop of "press-avoidance-rebound-locking" using the physical characteristics of the mechanical structure. This not only eliminates the risk of human error but also provides a stable and reliable physical interface for the subsequent automated unlocking and retrieval of the robotic arm, significantly improving the continuity and safety of high-throughput assembly line operations.

[0047] In one embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, during the descent of the robotic arm 501, the locking bevel plate 502 utilizes its wedge-shaped inclined surface to press against the back of the middle frame buckle 302, causing the middle frame buckle 302 to rotate outward and open until the hook of the middle frame buckle 302 is completely disengaged from the isolation middle frame spring plate 203, thus achieving non-contact active unlocking. Understandably, the vertical downward potential energy of the robotic arm is cleverly converted into a horizontal avoidance torque. By pressing against the back of the middle frame buckle with the inclined surface of the locking bevel plate, the buckle is forced to rotate outward and open until it is completely disengaged from the isolation middle frame spring plate, achieving non-contact active unlocking without an additional driving source. This design completely eliminates the lateral stress on the slide caused by traditional rigid lifting or violent disassembly, effectively avoiding the risk of the slide being lifted, broken, or sample spilled due to reagent adhesion.

[0048] In one embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the protective screw 504 contacts the isolation frame spring plate 203 first upon release, absorbing the impact kinetic energy released by the compression spring 205 and preventing the isolation frame spring plate 203 from directly impacting the vacuum suction cup 503. Understandably, by ensuring the protective screw 504 contacts the isolation frame spring plate 203 first upon release, absorbing the impact kinetic energy released by the compression spring 205, and preventing the isolation frame spring plate 203 from directly impacting the vacuum suction cup 503, the instantaneous impact force generated by the release of the spring's elastic potential energy is converted into a controllable mechanical buffer using a physical limiting method. This effectively avoids deformation, cracking, or sealing failure of the precision vacuum suction cup 503 due to sudden mechanical hard impacts, significantly extending the service life of the negative pressure suction element. Simultaneously, as a rigid protective structure independent of the vacuum suction cup 503, the protective screw 504 achieves passive mechanical protection without the need for additional sensors or electronic control systems, resulting in a simple and reliable structure.

[0049] In one embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the compression spring 205 is one of a wave spring, a miniature gas spring, or a polyurethane elastic pad; the vacuum suction cup 503 is one of a mechanical miniature gripper, an electromagnetic gripper, or a hook. Understandably, by expanding the compression spring 205 to a wave spring, a miniature gas spring, or a polyurethane elastic pad, a pressure source with high fatigue life or high corrosion resistance can be flexibly selected according to different throughput requirements and budgets, ensuring a constant elastic modulus under long-term high-frequency oscillations. Simultaneously, replacing the vacuum suction cup 503 with a mechanical miniature gripper, an electromagnetic gripper, or a hook breaks the dependence of single negative pressure suction on cleanliness and airway stability, enabling the device to achieve stable recovery with a high fault tolerance rate even when facing slippery, electrified, or irregularly shaped isolation components.

[0050] In one embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the glass slide isolation frame 202 is a ferromagnetic frame structure. The glass slide base plate 101 has multiple (e.g., 8) mounting holes on its four sides for mounting high remanence circular magnets. The magnetic attraction and the gravity of the constant pressure sealing isolation component 2 work together to seal the plastic isolation frame 201, thereby achieving a seal between the rubber sealing ring and the glass slide. Understandably, by designing the glass slide isolation frame 202 as a ferromagnetic frame structure and setting multiple mounting holes for installing high-remanence circular magnets on the periphery of the glass slide base plate 101, the magnetic attraction and the gravity of the constant-pressure sealing isolation component 2 work together on the plastic isolation frame 201 to achieve a seal between the rubber sealing ring and the glass slide. This eliminates traditional moving parts such as buckles and spring pins, replacing the mechanical locking structure with a non-contact magnetic attraction. While achieving a constant vertical sealing pressure, this significantly simplifies the device structure and reduces the risk of component wear and mechanical failure. At the same time, the magnetic coupling method eliminates the need for a complex active unlocking mechanism. The robotic arm 501 can directly overcome the magnetic attraction to achieve stable absorption and retrieval of the isolation assembly, further improving automation compatibility and system reliability. Moreover, the magnetic attraction is evenly distributed with no mechanical stress concentration, and can adaptively compensate for glass slide thickness deviations to ensure consistent sealing at each station.

[0051] In this invention, the coordinated operation of the manual slide loading and unloading assembly 1, the constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly 2, the automatic locking unit 3, the self-locking locking assembly 4, and the unlocking and suction assembly 5 achieves a fully automated closed-loop staining process. The specific workflow includes steps S1 to S5:

[0052] S1. Offline assembly and sealing of glass slides.

[0053] S101 Initial placement: The operator places four (or more) glass slides to be inspected at the preset workstation center of the glass slide base plate 101 to ensure that the glass slides are accurately positioned in the horizontal direction.

[0054] S102, Isolation assembly snapping in: The operator holds the constant pressure sealing isolation assembly 2 and aligns the entire isolation assembly, including the plastic isolation middle frame 201, the isolation middle frame pressure plate 203 and the spring pin 204, with the glass slide and snaps it in downwards; at this time, the edge of the isolation middle frame pressure plate 203 contacts the hook slope of the middle frame buckle 302.

[0055] S103, buckle avoidance: As the constant pressure sealing isolation assembly 2 continues to descend, the isolation middle frame pressure plate 203 squeezes the hook slope of the middle frame buckle 302, so that the middle frame buckle 302 overcomes the tension of the return spring 305 and rotates outward around the cylindrical pin 303 to avoid displacement, allowing the constant pressure sealing isolation assembly 2 to pass smoothly.

[0056] S104, Sealing ring contact: When the rubber sealing ring at the bottom of the plastic isolation frame 201 descends to contact the surface of the glass slide, a preliminary sealing surface is formed.

[0057] S105, Spring Compression: The operator continues to press down on the isolation frame pressure plate 203, causing the compression spring 205 to be further compressed, and the elastic potential energy continues to accumulate.

[0058] S106, Dead Point Locking: When the isolation middle frame spring plate 203 descends to the critical position below the hook of the middle frame buckle 302, the middle frame buckle 302 rebounds instantly under the action of the return spring 305, and the hook precisely hooks the top surface of the isolation middle frame spring plate 203, forming a mechanical dead point locking state.

[0059] S107, Constant pressure seal formation: At this time, the restoring force of the compression spring 205 is converted into a constant pressure that is vertically downward. The rubber sealing ring is evenly pressed onto the glass slide through the plastic isolation frame 201, forming four independent anti-leakage reaction pools, thus completing the offline assembly.

[0060] S2. Loading and self-locking of the entire machine.

[0061] S201, Module in place: The operator places the pre-installed slide manual loading and unloading assembly 1 into the designated station of the staining machine.

[0062] S202, Self-locking fixation: By pressing down on the slide base plate 101, the self-locking locking devices 401 on both sides cooperate with the locking device clamping pins on the equipment's vibrating base plate to automatically grab and lock, thereby achieving rapid positioning and rigid fixation of the slide manual loading and unloading assembly 1 inside the equipment.

[0063] S203, Anti-displacement confirmation: The self-locking structure of the self-locking locking device 401 ensures that the entire slide manual up and down assembly 1 will not be displaced or loosened during the subsequent high-frequency oscillation cleaning process.

[0064] S3. Automatic liquid dispensing and anti-evaporation sealing.

[0065] S301. Reagent addition: The robotic arm precisely adds antibody reagents to each reaction cell according to system instructions.

[0066] S302, Sealing Plate Suction: After the dripping is completed, the auxiliary robotic arm moves to the glass slide sealing plate storage area and suctions the glass slide sealing plate by negative pressure.

[0067] S303, Covering Placement: The auxiliary robotic arm accurately covers the top of the glass slide sealing plate with the plastic isolation frame 201, and the lower edge of the glass slide sealing plate is tightly attached to the upper edge of the plastic isolation frame 201.

[0068] S304, Fully Enclosed Construction: The glass slide sealing plate and the plastic isolation frame 201 form a small physical sealing space, constructing a double-layer sealed microenvironment of rubber sealing ring at the bottom of the isolation frame and glass slide sealing plate at the top.

[0069] S305, Synchronous Motion Adaptation: The glass slide sealing plate can move synchronously with the shaking platform, effectively inhibiting reagent evaporation during the subsequent high-temperature incubation stage and ensuring a constant antibody concentration.

[0070] S4, Automated unlocking and stripping.

[0071] S401, Robotic Arm Positioning: After the dyeing and cleaning process is completed, the system enters the recycling stage; the robotic arm 501 of the unlocking and suction assembly 5 moves to directly above the target station.

[0072] S402, Vertical descent: The robotic arm 501 moves vertically downwards, precisely aligning with the center position of the constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly 2.

[0073] S403, Inclined contact: During the descent of the unlocking angle plates 502 on both sides of the robotic arm 501, the wedge-shaped inclined surfaces at their bottom ends first contact the back of the middle frame buckle 302.

[0074] S404, Wedge-shaped compression unlocking: As the robotic arm 501 continues to descend, the unlocking angle plate 502 uses the wedge-shaped inclined surface to forcibly compress the back of the middle frame buckle 302, causing the middle frame buckle 302 to rotate outward around the cylindrical pin 303 and open.

[0075] S405, Hook disengagement: The middle frame buckle 302 continues to rotate until its hook completely disengages from the top surface of the isolation middle frame spring plate 203, achieving active unlocking, and the constant pressure sealing isolation component 2 loses its mechanical locking constraint.

[0076] S5, buffer absorption and lossless recycling.

[0077] S501, Spring Energy Release: The moment the hook of the middle frame buckle 302 disengages, the compression spring 205, which was originally in a compressed state, instantly releases its elastic potential energy, generating an upward thrust that pushes the isolation middle frame spring plate 203 to pop upward at high speed.

[0078] S502, Physical Limiting Buffer: At the moment the isolation frame spring plate 203 pops up, the protective screw 504 on the robotic arm 501 first contacts the upper surface of the isolation frame spring plate 203, absorbing the impact kinetic energy released by the compression spring 205 through rigid collision.

[0079] S503, suction cup protection: The physical limiting effect of the protective screw 504 effectively prevents the isolation frame pressure plate 203 from continuing to move upward and directly impacting the vacuum suction cup 503 located in the center of the robotic arm 501, thus avoiding damage to the precision suction components from mechanical hard impact.

[0080] S504, Negative Pressure Suction: When the isolation frame pressure plate 203 is blocked by the protective screw 504 and stabilized in the suction position, the air pump is turned on to generate negative pressure. The vacuum suction cup 503 is attached to the upper surface of the isolation frame pressure plate 203, firmly adsorbing the entire constant pressure sealing isolation assembly 2.

[0081] S505, Smooth Lifting: The robotic arm 501 lifts smoothly upwards, vertically carrying the entire constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly 2 away from the surface of the glass slide.

[0082] S506, Non-destructive separation: Since the unlocking process achieves smooth release through the wedge-shaped inclined surface and there is no lateral pulling force, the slide is completely retained on the slide base plate 101, with no surface damage, no adsorption displacement, and no liquid splashing.

[0083] S507, Isolation Group Transfer: The robotic arm 501 transports the constant pressure sealing isolation component 2 to the recycling area to complete the automated recycling.

[0084] S508, Buckle Reset: At this time, the middle frame buckle 302, having lost the support of the unlocking angle plate 502, automatically rebounds under the drive of the reset spring 305, returning to its initial state and pressing against the set screw 304, waiting for the next assembly cycle.

[0085] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should all be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A slide clamping and unlocking device based on IHC and ISH staining systems, characterized in that, It includes a slide manual loading and unloading assembly (1), a constant pressure sealing and isolation assembly (2), an automatic snap-locking unit (3), a self-locking locking assembly (4), and an unlocking and suction assembly (5). The slide loading and unloading assembly (1) includes a slide base plate (101), on which a slide placement station is provided; The constant pressure sealing isolation assembly (2) includes a plastic isolation frame (201), a glass slide isolation frame (202), an isolation frame spring plate (203), a spring pin (204), and a compression spring (205); a rubber sealing ring is embedded around the bottom periphery of the plastic isolation frame (201); the glass slide isolation frame (202) is a metal reinforced frame structure, sleeved on the outside of the plastic isolation frame (201); the spring pin (204) is vertically inserted through the isolation frame spring plate (203) and fixed on the glass slide isolation frame (202); the compression spring (205) is sleeved on the spring pin (204), and the two ends of the spring pin (204) abut against the isolation frame spring plate (203) and the glass slide isolation frame (202), and the spring pin (204) provides a constant downward pressure through axial compression; The automatic snap-locking unit (3) includes a snap-lock seat (301), a middle frame snap-lock (302), a cylindrical pin (303), a set screw (304), and a return spring (305); the snap-lock seat (301) is fixedly installed on the slide base plate (101); the middle frame snap-lock (302) has a hook-shaped structure and is movably installed on the snap-lock seat (301) through the cylindrical pin (303); the return spring (305) abuts between the snap-lock seat (301) and the middle frame snap-lock (302) and provides a pre-tightening force for the middle frame snap-lock (302) to rotate towards the center; the set screw (304) is located below the snap-lock seat (301) and is used to limit the initial return angle of the middle frame snap-lock (302); The self-locking locking assembly (4) includes a self-locking locking device (401), which is symmetrically installed on both sides of the slide base plate (101) and is used to cooperate with the locking device clamping pin on the heating table of the equipment to achieve rapid positioning and rigid fixation. The unlocking suction assembly (5) includes a robotic arm (501), an unlocking bevel plate (502) installed on the side of the robotic arm (501), a vacuum suction cup (503) installed at the center of the robotic arm (501), and a protective screw (504) installed next to the vacuum suction cup (503). The bottom end of the unlocking bevel plate (502) is provided with a wedge-shaped slope, which is used to squeeze the back of the middle frame buckle (302) during the descent of the robotic arm (501) to achieve active unlocking. The vacuum suction cup (503) is connected to an external air pump through an air pipe, which is used to suck up the bottom of the protective screw (504) of the isolation middle frame pressure plate (203) from below the deepest compression position of the mechanical arm (501) above the suction cup, forming a physical limit to absorb the impact kinetic energy of the compression spring (205) at the moment of release.

2. The slide clamping and unlocking device based on the IHC and ISH staining system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an automatic capping assembly comprising a slide sealing plate carried by a robotic arm (501) and placed on top of the plastic isolation frame (201) to create a fully enclosed space to reduce reagent evaporation when the slide sealing plate is in contact with the upper edge of the plastic isolation frame (201).

3. The slide clamping and unlocking device based on the IHC and ISH staining system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The constant pressure sealing isolation component (2) provides a vertical constant pressure to the plastic isolation frame (201) in the direction of the glass slide by the pre-compression of the compression spring (205), and automatically compensates for the thickness deviation of the glass slide by utilizing the elasticity of the self-adaptive property.

4. The slide clamping and unlocking device based on the IHC and ISH staining system according to claim 3, characterized in that, After the middle frame buckle (302) is pressed into place by the isolation middle frame spring plate (203), it instantly rebounds under the action of the reset spring (305) and hooks the isolation middle frame spring plate (203) to achieve dead point locking.

5. The slide clamping and unlocking device based on the IHC and ISH staining system according to claim 3, characterized in that, During the descent of the robotic arm (501), the locking bevel plate (502) presses the back of the middle frame buckle (302) with its wedge-shaped inclined surface, causing the middle frame buckle (302) to rotate outward and open until the hook of the middle frame buckle (302) is completely disengaged from the isolation middle frame spring plate (203), thereby achieving non-contact active unlocking.

6. The slide clamping and unlocking device based on the IHC and ISH staining system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The protective screw (504) contacts the isolation frame spring plate (203) first when the isolation frame spring plate (203) is released, absorbing the impact kinetic energy released by the compression spring (205) and preventing the isolation frame spring plate (203) from directly impacting the vacuum suction cup (503).

7. The slide clamping and unlocking device based on the IHC and ISH staining system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The compression spring (205) is one of a wave spring, a miniature gas spring, or a polyurethane elastic pad; the vacuum suction cup (503) is one of a mechanical miniature gripper, an electromagnetic gripper, or a hook.

8. The slide clamping and unlocking device based on the IHC and ISH staining system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The glass slide isolation frame (202) is a ferromagnetic frame structure. The glass slide base plate (101) has multiple mounting holes on its four sides for mounting high remanence round magnets. The magnetic attraction and the gravity of the constant pressure sealing isolation component (2) work together on the plastic isolation frame (201) to achieve a seal between the rubber sealing ring and the glass slide.

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