Wax repairing device and automatic embedding machine

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of medical equipment, and relates to a wax repairing device and an automatic embedding machine, the wax repairing device comprises a conveying channel, a first pushing assembly, a first wax repairing assembly, an output channel and a second pushing assembly, and the conveying channel is provided with a first wax repairing area in the extending direction of the conveying channel; the first pushing assembly is located at the head end of the conveying channel and used for pushing the embedding assembly in the conveying channel to move to the tail end of the conveying channel along the conveying channel; the first wax repairing assemblies are arranged on the two opposite sides of the conveying channel in the first wax repairing area and are used for repairing residual wax on the two opposite sides of the embedding assembly passing through the first wax repairing area in the conveying channel; the output channel is located at the tail end of the conveying channel and communicated with the conveying channel, and the extending direction of the output channel is different from that of the conveying channel. The second pushing assembly is located at the communicating position of the conveying channel and the output channel and used for pushing the embedding assembly conveyed by the conveying channel into the output channel to move and output. The wax repairing device can automatically and sequentially repair wax, and is simple to operate and high in safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and in particular to a wax repair device and an automatic embedding machine. Background Art

[0002] Pathological diagnosis is the gold standard for clinical diagnosis, including disease diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and therapeutic target detection. The general process is as follows: During a clinical procedure, a physician obtains a tissue sample from the patient's location. After a series of processing steps, the sample is prepared into a tissue section. A pathologist observes the tissue structure and cell morphology on the section under a microscope to diagnose and classify the disease and further detect therapeutic targets and prognostic indicators. Tissue sample processing procedures include, at a minimum, dehydration, clearing, wax impregnation, embedding, sectioning, mounting, staining, and mounting.

[0003] For example, the embedding process of tissue samples generally includes at least hot stage treatment and cold stage treatment, wherein the hot stage treatment process refers to embedding the tissue sample in hot-melt paraffin or other embedding agents. For example, the heated and molten paraffin or other embedding agents can be first filled into the embedding bottom mold, and then the tissue sample is added to the embedding bottom mold, and then the embedding agent is further filled into the embedding bottom mold. Then, the bottom of the embedding box is pressed onto the embedding bottom mold, so that the embedding agent such as paraffin penetrates into the hollow embedding box, so that the tissue sample is embedded in the outer bottom wall of the embedding box.

[0004] The cold stage process refers to the freezing, solidification, sorting, demolding, and wax trimming of the wax blocks containing tissue samples after the hot stage process in preparation for the next sectioning process. For example, in the embedding process, the process from cold stage processing to microtome generally includes at least the following:

[0005] 1. After being treated on the hot plate, they are placed on the freezing plate for freezing;

[0006] 2. Transfer from the freezing table to the water bath cold zone for water cooling to accelerate the complete condensation of the wax block and facilitate demoulding;

[0007] 3. Manually separate the embedding bottom mold and wax block;

[0008] 4. Then scrape off the separated wax block and the remaining wax around the embedding box;

[0009] 5. Arrange the wax blocks in order and then move them to the microtome for slicing.

[0010] With the continuous advancement of science and technology, automated equipment such as dehydrators, stainers, and coverslip machines have emerged in clinical practice, significantly improving diagnostic efficiency. However, the cold stage processing used in the embedding process for pathological tissue samples is inefficient and difficult to standardize. For example, manual waxing is required, which can easily cause scratches on the hands, and errors are common in the ordering of wax blocks. Utility Model Content

[0011] The embodiment of the present application aims to solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art. The embodiment of the present application provides a wax repair device, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0012] The wax repair device is suitable for transferring and repairing the wax of an embedding component after demoulding, wherein the embedding component comprises an embedding box and a wax block located at the bottom of the embedding box.

[0013] The wax repair device comprises:

[0014] A conveying channel, wherein a first wax repairing area is provided along an extending direction of the conveying channel;

[0015] a first pushing component, located at the head end of the conveying channel, for pushing the embedding component in the conveying channel along the conveying channel to the end of the conveying channel;

[0016] a first wax trimming assembly, disposed on opposite sides of the conveying channel in the first wax trimming area, for trimming excess wax on opposite sides of the embedding assembly in the conveying channel passing through the first wax trimming area;

[0017] an output channel, located at an end of the transmission channel and communicating with the transmission channel, and extending in a direction different from that of the transmission channel;

[0018] The second pushing component is located at the connection point between the conveying channel and the output channel, and is used to push the embedded component conveyed by the conveying channel into the output channel for movement and output.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present application, an extension direction of the output channel is perpendicular to an extension direction of the transmission channel.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the transmission channel includes a main channel, the main channel is provided with the first wax repair area, and the end of the main channel is connected to the output channel;

[0021] The first wax trimming assembly includes a first heating element and a second heating element. In the first wax trimming area, the first heating element and the second heating element are respectively disposed on opposite side walls of the main channel, and are respectively used to heat opposite sides of the embedding assembly passing through the first wax trimming area.

[0022] And / or, two opposite side walls of the main channel are provided with limiting bosses protruding toward the center of the main channel; the limiting bosses are used to limit the embedded components in the main channel from leaving the main channel along its height direction.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present application, the wax repair device further includes a transfer channel, the transmission channel communicates with the output channel through the transfer channel, and the second pushing component is located in the transfer channel;

[0024] And / or, the first wax trimming assembly further includes a trimming portion, wherein in the first wax trimming area, the trimming portions are provided on opposite side walls of the main channel, and the trimming portions are arranged along the height direction of the conveying channel; the trimming portions are used to trim off excess wax on opposite sides of the embedding cassette when the embedding assembly passes through the conveying channel.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present application, the heating temperature of the first heating element and the second heating element is 50° C. to 65° C.;

[0026] And / or, in the extension direction of the conveying channel, the length of the first wax trimming area is 1 to 2.5 times the length of the embedding cassette in the embedding assembly;

[0027] And / or, a surface of the limiting boss facing the embedded component is higher than a top surface of the embedded component in the conveying channel.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present application, the transmission channel also includes an auxiliary channel, which is connected to the head end of the main channel, and the width of the auxiliary channel is greater than the width of the main channel and the embedding component, and the main channel is adapted to the embedding component.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present application, the output channel is provided with a second wax repairing area along the extension direction of the output channel;

[0030] The wax trimming device further includes a second wax trimming assembly, which is arranged on opposite sides of the output channel in the second wax trimming area and is used to trim the remaining wax on the other opposite sides of the embedding assembly in the output channel passing through the second wax trimming area.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present application, the second wax trimming assembly includes a third heating element and a fourth heating element. In the second wax trimming area, the third heating element and the fourth heating element are respectively disposed on two opposite side walls of the output channel, and are respectively used to heat the other opposite sides of the embedding assembly;

[0032] The third heating element and the fourth heating element are respectively adapted to the other two opposite sides of the embedded component in the output channel;

[0033] And / or, the second wax trimming area and the first wax trimming area are both located at the connection point between the transmission channel and the output channel.

[0034] In order to solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present application also provides an automatic embedding machine, which adopts the technical solution described below: the automatic embedding machine is suitable for cold stage processing of the embedding module, wherein the embedding module includes an embedding bottom mold and an embedding component located above the embedding bottom mold.

[0035] The automatic embedding machine comprises:

[0036] The machine is provided with a pre-cooling zone and a water bath cooling zone, wherein the pre-cooling zone is used to pre-cool the embedded module, and the water bath cooling zone is used to water-cool the embedded module after pre-cooling;

[0037] The wax trimming device is provided on the machine platform and is used to trim and transfer the embedded components separated after the completely condensed embedded module is demoulded;

[0038] The robot is provided on the machine platform and is used to sequentially transport the embedding modules in the pre-cooling zone to the water bath cooling zone, and sequentially transport the embedded components separated by demoulding from the water bath cooling zone to the transmission channel of the wax repair device.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present application, the pre-cooling zone is provided with a plurality of pre-cooling slots for placing the embedding modules;

[0040] The water bath cooling zone is provided with a plurality of water cooling tanks for placing the embedded modules, and the water cooling tanks are arranged in an array;

[0041] The pre-cooling zone, the water bath cooling zone and the transmission channel of the wax repair device are arranged in sequence along the first direction;

[0042] And / or, the output channel of the wax repair device is arranged in the opposite direction to the first direction;

[0043] And / or, the water cooling groove is a demoulding groove corresponding to the embedded module.

[0044] Compared with the prior art, the wax repair device and automatic embedding machine provided in the embodiment of the present application have the following main advantages:

[0045] Beneficial effects:

[0046] The wax repair device is provided with a conveying channel and an output channel extending in different directions but communicating with each other, and first wax repair components are provided on both sides of the first wax repair area of the conveying channel. In this way, when the first pushing component pushes the embedding component to move in the conveying channel, the first wax repair component can automatically remove the residual wax on the opposite sides of the embedding component, so as to realize automatic wax repair during the pushing process of the embedding component, which not only has high wax repair efficiency but also will not hurt the hands; and the embedding components are placed in the conveying channel one by one in sequence, so the order of the embedded components will not be confused, and the loss or omission of embedded components can be avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] In order to more clearly illustrate the solutions in this application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application or corresponding prior art. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort. Among them:

[0048] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embedding cassette in an example of the present application;

[0049] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embedded component in an example of the present application;

[0050] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a wax repair device in one state in an example of the present application; in this figure, the embedding component has not reached the end of the conveying channel;

[0051] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the mid-waxing device from another perspective;

[0052] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the wax repair device in another state in an example of the present application; in this figure, the embedding component reaches the end of the conveying channel;

[0053] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0054] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0055] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the mid-waxing device from another perspective;

[0056] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of point C in the middle;

[0057] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of point D in the middle;

[0058] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an automatic embedding machine in an example of the present application;

[0059] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the embedded module in an example of the present application.

[0060] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0061] 1000, automatic embedding machine; 100, machine platform; 110, pre-cooling zone; 111, pre-cooling tank; 120, water bath cooling zone; 121, water cooling tank / demolding tank; 200, wax repair device; 300, manipulator; 400, display screen; 500, switch; 600, pressing block; 700, embedding module; 710, embedding bottom mold; 711, support platform; 712, ejector pin; 720, embedding assembly; 721, embedding cassette; 7211, tilting portion; 722, embedded part;

[0062] 1. Transmission channel; 11. Main channel; 12. First wax repair area; 13. Auxiliary channel; 14. Limiting boss;

[0063] 2. The first push component;

[0064] 3. First wax trimming assembly; 31. First heating element; 32. Second heating element; 33. Trimming section / blade;

[0065] 4. Output channel; 41. Second waxing area;

[0066] 5. Second push component;

[0067] 6. Transfer channel;

[0068] 7. Second wax repair component; 71. Third heating element; 72. Fourth heating element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. For example, the directions or positions indicated by the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc. are based on the directions or positions shown in the accompanying drawings and are for ease of description only and should not be understood as limiting this technical solution.

[0070] The terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. The terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish between different items, not to describe a particular order. "Multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly specified.

[0071] In the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned description of the drawings, when an element is referred to as being “fixed to,” “mounted on,” “disposed on,” or “connected to” another element, it may be directly or indirectly located on the other element. For example, when an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0072] Furthermore, references to "embodiments" herein mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of such phrases in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor do they constitute independent or alternative embodiments that are mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0073] The embodiment of the present application provides a wax repair device 200, which is suitable for transporting and repairing the embedded component 720 after demolding. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the embedding assembly 720 includes an embedding box 721 and an embedding member 722 (specifically, a wax block 722) located at the bottom of the embedding box 721. The front side of the embedding box 721 is provided with an inclined portion 7211 (see FIG. Figure 1 ).

[0074] It should be noted that the embedding member 722 described herein is formed by solidifying an embedding agent such as paraffin wax, and the tissue sample to be tested is embedded in the embedding member 722. For ease of description, the embedding member 722 is specifically described as a wax block 722.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present application, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the wax trimming device 200 includes a conveying channel 1, a first pushing component 2, a first wax trimming component 3, an output channel 4 and a second pushing component 5, wherein the conveying channel 1 is provided with a first wax trimming area 12 along the extension direction of the conveying channel 1; the first pushing component 2 is located at the head end of the conveying channel 1, and is used to push the embedding component 720 in the conveying channel 1 to move along the conveying channel 1 to the end of the conveying channel 1; the first wax trimming component 3 is provided on opposite sides of the conveying channel 1 in the first wax trimming area 12, and the first wax trimming component 3 can be used to trim the residual wax on two opposite sides (specifically the left and right sides) of the embedding component 720 in the conveying channel 1 passing through the first wax trimming area 12.

[0076] For example, when the first pushing assembly 2 pushes the embedding assembly 720 to move in the conveying channel 1 , when the embedding assembly 720 passes through the first wax trimming area 12 , the remaining wax on the left and right sides of the embedding assembly 720 can be directly trimmed by the first wax trimming assembly 3 .

[0077] In the embodiments of the present application, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the output channel 4 is located at the end of the delivery channel 1 and communicates with the delivery channel 1. The output channel 4 extends in a direction different from that of the delivery channel 1, facilitating wax trimming on opposite sides of the embedding assembly 720 and ensuring the compactness of the wax trimming device 200. Furthermore, a second pushing assembly 5 is located at the junction of the delivery channel 1 and the output channel 4 and is used to push the embedding assembly 720, delivered from the delivery channel 1, into the output channel 4 for removal.

[0078] Illustratively, when the remaining wax on the left and right sides of the embedding component 720 is removed, and the embedding component 720 is moved to the end of the conveying channel 1 under the push of the first pushing component 2, and the embedding component 720 enters the connection between the conveying channel 1 and the output channel 4, the second pushing component 5 can push the embedding component 720 along the extension direction of the output channel 4, so that it moves in the output channel 4 along the extension direction of the output channel 4 until the embedding component 720 moves out of the output channel 4, or moves to the workstation corresponding to the next process.

[0079] It should be noted that, to shorten the extension length of the push rod (not shown) of the first pushing assembly 2, the length of the transfer channel 1 is N times the length of the embedding assembly 720, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Thus, when a row of embedding assemblies 720 is placed in the transfer channel 1, the first pushing assembly 2 pushes the embedding assembly 720 closest to the first pushing assembly 2, thereby moving all the embedding assemblies 720 in front of it. Similarly, to shorten the extension length of the push rod (not shown) of the second pushing assembly 5, the length of the transfer channel 1 is M times the length of the embedding assembly 720, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. N and M can be the same or different, depending on actual needs.

[0080] For example, in this embodiment, Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, the second pushing component 5 includes an electromagnetic push rod (not shown) and a sensor (not shown), wherein, in the initial state, the electromagnetic push rod is located at the connection between the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4. When the sensor senses that the embedded component 720 enters the end of the transmission channel 1, the electromagnetic push rod can retract according to the received signal to make room for the embedded component 720, and the first pushing component 2 continues to push the embedded component 720 to transfer the embedded component 720 from the end of the transmission channel 1 to the connection between the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4. Then the electromagnetic push rod can extend along the output channel 4 to push the embedded component 720 so that it enters the output channel 4 from the connection for transmission.

[0081] It should be noted that the electromagnetic push rod can be controlled to extend and retract by turning the power on and off. Of course, in other embodiments, the electromagnetic push rod can be directly retracted in its initial state, and then extended to push the embedding assembly 720 after the embedding assembly 720 enters the connection between the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4. Of course, in other embodiments, the second pushing assembly 5 can also be implemented using other existing or newly created structures, which will not be detailed here.

[0082] In summary, compared with the prior art, the wax repair device 200 has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0083] The wax trimming device 200 is provided with a conveying channel 1 and an output channel 4 extending in different directions but communicating with each other, and a first wax trimming component 3 is provided on both sides of the first wax trimming area 12 of the conveying channel 1. In this way, when the first pushing component 2 pushes the embedding component 720 to move in the conveying channel 1, the first wax trimming component 3 can automatically trim the remaining wax on the opposite sides of the embedding component 720, so as to realize automatic wax trimming during the pushing process of the embedding component 720, which not only has high wax trimming efficiency but also will not hurt the hands; and the embedding components 720 are placed one by one in sequence in the conveying channel 1, so the order of the embedding components 720 will not be confused, and the loss or omission of the embedding components 720 can be avoided.

[0084] In order to make the technical personnel in this field better understand the present application scheme, the following Figures 3 to 10 , clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application.

[0085] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, to make the overall structure of wax trimming device 200 more compact and improve wax trimming efficiency, the extension direction of output channel 4 is perpendicular to the extension direction of transfer channel 1. That is, the angle between the extension direction of output channel 4 and the extension direction of transfer channel 1 is 90°. Of course, in other embodiments, the angle between the two extension directions can also be other suitable angles, which are not particularly limited here, as long as the output channel 4 and transfer channel 1 extend in different directions.

[0086] In some embodiments of the present application, Figures 3 to 6 、 Figure 9 As shown, the transport channel 1 includes a main channel 11, which is provided with a first wax trimming area 12. The end of the main channel 11 is connected to the output channel 4. In addition, the first wax trimming assembly 3 includes a first heating element 31 and a second heating element 32. Within the first wax trimming area 12, the first heating element 31 and the second heating element 32 are respectively disposed on opposite side walls of the main channel 11 and are respectively used to heat opposite sides of the embedding assembly 720 passing through the first wax trimming area 12.

[0087] For example, the first heating element 31 and the second heating element 32 are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the main channel 11. When the embedding assembly 720 is in the main channel 11, the embedding assembly 720 is adapted to the main channel 11 to ensure the stability and smoothness of the transport of the embedding assembly 720. In addition, when the embedding assembly 720 passes through the first wax trimming area 12, the left and right sides of the embedding assembly 720 can respectively abut against the first heating element 31 and the second heating element 32. In this way, the first heating element 31 and the second heating element 32 can respectively heat the residual wax on the left and right sides of the embedding assembly 720, ensuring that the residual wax on the left and right sides of the embedding assembly 720 in the first wax trimming area 12 can be melted during the pushing process, and can be directly pushed away in the main channel 11 during the movement, thereby achieving the wax trimming effect on both sides of the embedding assembly 720.

[0088] Optionally, in order to ensure the wax repair effect of the embedding component 720 and prevent the embedding component 720 from being over-waxed, the heating temperature of the first heating element 31 and the second heating element 32 is 50° C. to 65° C.

[0089] Similarly, optionally, in order to ensure the wax trimming effect of the embedding component 720 and prevent the embedding component 720 from being over-waxed, the length of the first wax trimming area 12 in the extension direction of the conveying channel 1 is 1 to 2.5 times the length of the embedding box 721 in the embedding component 720.

[0090] And / or, in some embodiments of the present application, during the process of pushing the embedding component 720, to prevent the embedding component 720 from being squeezed out of the transfer channel 1 and thus being unable to be trimmed by the first trimming component 3, limiting bosses 14 are provided on opposite side walls of the main channel 11 toward the center of the main channel 11. The limiting bosses 14 can be used to limit the embedding component 720 in the main channel 11 from leaving the main channel 11 along its height direction. It is understood that the surface of the limiting bosses 14 facing the embedding component 720 is higher than the top surface of the embedding component 720 in the transfer channel 1.

[0091] For example, when the embedding component 720 is placed in the main channel 11, in the height direction of the conveying channel 1, the limiting boss 14 is located at the top of the embedding component 720, and there is a certain gap between it and the top surface of the embedding box 721 of the embedding component 720, so that the embedding components 720 of different heights can move smoothly in the conveying channel 1 without moving out of the conveying channel 1.

[0092] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 3As shown, the wax trimming device 200 further includes a transfer channel 6, through which the delivery channel 1 communicates with the output channel 4. It can be understood that the rotation channel is also the channel formed by the connection between the delivery channel 1 and the output channel 4. During the pushing process, the second pushing component 5 is located in the transfer channel 6.

[0093] and / or, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some specific embodiments of the present application, to improve the wax trimming effect of the first wax trimming assembly 3, the first wax trimming assembly 3 further includes a trimming portion 33. Within the first wax trimming area 12, the trimming portions 33 are provided on opposite side walls (specifically, the left and right side walls) of the main channel 11. The trimming portions 33 are arranged along the height direction of the conveying channel 1. The trimming portions 33 are primarily used to trim away excess wax on opposite sides of the embedding assembly 720 as it passes through the conveying channel 1.

[0094] Exemplarily, a plurality of trimming portions 33 are provided, and the plurality of trimming portions 33 are arranged parallel to the conveying channel 1 and in gaps near the first heating element 31 and the second heating element 32, and each trimming portion 33 is directed toward the embedding component 720 in the conveying channel 1. In this way, during the conveying process of the embedding component 720 in the first wax trimming area 12, when heating is achieved, the trimming portion 33 can be used to further trim the remaining wax on the left and right sides of the embedding component 720, thereby improving the wax trimming effect.

[0095] It should be noted that the trimming portion 33 can be an ordinary blade 33, a rotating blade, or a structure with a trimming function formed in other forms. In short, the trimming portion can adopt an existing or newly created structure, and its specific structural form will not be repeated here.

[0096] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 3 、 Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown, the transport channel 1 also includes an auxiliary channel 13, which communicates with the beginning of the main channel 11. Understandably, the auxiliary channel 13 serves as the initial placement area for the embedding assembly 720 within the transport channel 1. To facilitate placement of the embedding assembly 720 within the transport channel 1 by the robot 300, the width of the auxiliary channel 13 is greater than the width of both the main channel 11 and the embedding assembly 720. Furthermore, to ensure stable and smooth insertion of the embedding assembly 720 within the main channel 11 of the transport channel 1, the main channel 11 is adapted to accommodate the embedding assembly 720.

[0097] In some embodiments of the present application, in order to further improve the wax repair effect of the embedded component 720, as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown, the output channel 4 is provided with a second wax trimming area 41 along the extension direction of the output channel 4. Correspondingly, the wax trimming device 200 further includes a second wax trimming assembly 7, wherein the second wax trimming assembly 7 is disposed on opposite sides of the second wax trimming area 41 of the output channel 4 and can be used to trim excess wax on the other opposite sides (specifically, the front and rear sides) of the embedding assembly 720 in the output channel 4 that passes through the second wax trimming area 41.

[0098] For example, when the second pushing component 5 pushes the embedding component 720 after the residual wax on the left and right sides has been trimmed to the second wax trimming area 41 of the output channel 4, during the pushing process of the embedding component 720, the second wax trimming component 7 can simultaneously trim the residual wax on the front and back sides thereof, so that after the embedding component 720 is transmitted through the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4 in sequence, the residual wax around it can be trimmed.

[0099] Alternatively, as Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, the second wax trimming assembly 7 includes a third heating element 71 and a fourth heating element 72. Within the second wax trimming area 41, the third heating element 71 and the fourth heating element 72 are respectively disposed on opposite side walls of the output channel 4, respectively configured to heat the other opposite sides of the embedding assembly 720. Furthermore, the third heating element 71 and the fourth heating element 72 are respectively adapted to the other opposite sides of the embedding assembly 720 within the output channel 4.

[0100] Exemplarily, the third heating element 71 and the fourth heating element 72 are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the output channel 4. When the embedding component 720 passes through the second wax repairing area 41, the front and rear sides of the embedding component 720 can be respectively against the fourth heating element 72 and the third heating element 71. In this way, the third heating element 71 and the fourth heating element 72 can heat the residual wax on the rear and front sides of the embedding component 720 respectively to ensure that the residual wax on the front and rear sides of the embedding component 720 in the second wax repairing area 41 can be melted during the pushing process, and can be directly pushed away in the output channel 4 when moving, thereby achieving the wax repair effect on the front and rear sides of the embedding component 720.

[0101] In addition, the front side of the embedding box 721 in the embedding assembly 720 is provided with an inclined portion 7211 (see Figure 1 and Figure 7 ),like Figure 7 As shown, the fourth heating element 72 is tilted on a side facing the front side of the embedding cassette 721 to ensure that the fourth heating element 72 is compatible with the front side of the embedding assembly 720 .

[0102] And / or, in some specific embodiments of the present application, the second wax trimming area 41 and the first wax trimming area 12 are both located at the connection point between the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4. It should be noted that the connection point mentioned here may include the position corresponding to the end of the transmission channel 1, and the position corresponding to the beginning of the transfer channel 6 and the output channel 4.

[0103] For example, optionally, to achieve centralized wax trimming of the embedding assembly 720, the first wax trimming area 12 is located at a position corresponding to the end of the delivery channel 1, and the second wax trimming area 41 is located at a position corresponding to the beginning of the output channel 4. In addition, the transfer channel 6 may also be provided with the aforementioned second blade 34.

[0104] Based on the above-mentioned wax repair device 200, the embodiment of the present application further provides an automatic embedding machine 1000, which can be used to perform cold stage processing on the embedding module 700. Figure 12 ) includes an embedding bottom mold 710 and an embedding component 720 provided on the embedding bottom mold 710, wherein the embedding component 720 (see Figure 2 ) includes an embedding box 721 and an embedding member 722 provided on the outer bottom surface of the embedding box 721 and having a tissue sample (not shown).

[0105] It should be noted that the wax trimming device 200 can be used to trim excess wax from the embedded component 720 formed after demoulding from the embedding bottom mold 710 .

[0106] like Figure 11 As shown, the automatic embedding machine 1000 includes a machine 100, the above-mentioned wax repair device 200 and a manipulator 300. The above-mentioned wax repair device 200 and the manipulator 300 are both arranged on the machine 100. The machine 100 is provided with a pre-cooling zone 110 and a water bath cooling zone 120, wherein the pre-cooling zone 110 can be used to pre-cool the embedding module 700, and the water bath cooling zone 120 can be used to water-cool the pre-cooled embedding module 700; the wax repair device 200 can be used to repair wax and transport the embedding component 720 separated after demolding the completely condensed embedding module 700; the manipulator 300 can be used to sequentially transport the embedding module 700 in the pre-cooling zone 110 to the water bath cooling zone 120, and sequentially transport the embedding component 720 separated by demolding from the water bath cooling zone 120 to the conveying channel 1 of the wax repair device 200.

[0107] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, Figure 11 As shown, the automatic embedding machine 1000 may further include a display screen 400 and a switch 500 provided on the machine platform 100. The display screen 400 may serve as an interactive controller and a status display. Optionally, the display screen 400 may be a touch screen so that the control and status display of each process can be realized through the touch screen.

[0108] Furthermore, the switch 500 may be a push button switch 500, although other suitable types of switches 500 are also possible. Taking the push button switch 500 as an example, when a new embedding module 700 / embedded component 720 is placed, pressing the push button switch 500 triggers a corresponding signal, thereby controlling the manipulator 300 to automatically and orderly grasp the corresponding embedding component 720 to the corresponding position. Specifically, in this embodiment, the manipulator 300 has a three-axis drive structure. Of course, in other embodiments, the manipulator 300 may also have other suitable existing or newly developed structures, which will not be further described here.

[0109] For example, in some specific implementations of the present embodiment, the machine 100 is actually provided with a pre-cooling zone 110, a water bath cooling zone 120, a transfer channel 1, a wax repair zone (including a first wax repair zone 12 and a second wax repair zone 41) and an output channel 4. During the batch cooling process of the embedding modules 700, once a new embedding module 700 is placed in the reserved space in the pre-cooling zone 110, the operator can directly trigger the corresponding signal by pressing the button switch 500, wait for the first preset time, and after the embedding module 700 completes the initial pre-cooling in the pre-cooling zone 110, the operator can directly operate the touch screen to make the robot 300 automatically identify and move to the location of the embedding module 700, and transfer the embedding module 700 from the pre-cooling zone 110 to the reserved space in the water bath cooling zone 120 for water cooling treatment.

[0110] After waiting for a second preset time, when the embedded part 722 in the embedding module 700 is completely condensed and the embedding component 720 of the embedding module 700 is demolded, the manipulator 300 or the manipulator 300 automatically recognizes and moves to the position of the embedded component 720 formed after demolding by operating the touch screen, and transfers the embedded component 720 to the auxiliary channel 13 of the conveying channel 1 of the above-mentioned wax trimming device 200. Under the push of the first pushing component 2, the embedded component 720 enters the main channel 11 of the conveying channel 1 and moves in the main channel 11. When the embedded component 720 passes through the first wax trimming area 12 of the transmission channel, the first wax trimming component 3 can trim the residual wax on the left and right sides of the embedded component 720.

[0111] After the first pushing component 2 pushes the embedding component 720 after the first wax repair is completed to the connection point between the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4, the second pushing component 5 can directly push the embedding component 720 at the connection point into the output channel 4 for transmission. When the embedding component 720 passes through the second wax repair area 41 of the output channel 4, the second wax repair component 7 can remove the remaining wax on the front and back sides of the embedding component 720 to complete the wax repair around the embedding component 720. After the wax repair is thoroughly completed, the embedding component 720 can be directly output to the next process (for example, the slicing preparation process of the slicer) under the push of the second pushing component 5.

[0112] It can be understood that during the batch cold stage processing of the embedding modules 700, a single embedding module 700 can realize the automated operation of each process in the cold stage processing in the order of the pre-cooling zone 110, the water bath cooling zone 120, the transfer channel 1, the wax repair zone (including the first wax repair zone 12 and the second wax repair zone 41) and the output channel 4, and the operation process of each embedding module 700 is basically the same, which is conducive to the standardization of each process in the cold stage processing; in addition, during the cold stage processing of multiple embedding modules 700, the entire process is transferred in sequence by the robot 300, and the operator or the external robot 300 only needs to place the new embedding modules 700 in the corresponding position of the pre-cooling zone 110 from the outside, which is conducive to greatly reducing the chance of sequence disorder.

[0113] In summary, compared with the prior art, the automatic embedding machine 1000 has at least the following beneficial effects: the automatic embedding machine 1000 adopts the above-mentioned wax repair device 200, and further provides a pre-cooling zone 110, a water bath cooling zone 120 and a manipulator 300 on the machine platform 100. On the one hand, with the assistance of the manipulator 300, the embedding modules 700 can be automatically pre-cooled in the pre-cooling zone 110 and completely solidified in the water bath cooling zone 120 in sequence, and then automatically transported, automatically waxed and automatically output in the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4 of the wax repair device 200 in sequence, thereby realizing the automatic operation of each process in the cold stage processing, with a high degree of automation, which is conducive to improving the embedding efficiency; on the other hand, the operations performed by different embedding modules 700 in the corresponding areas or channels are basically the same, which is conducive to achieving standardized operation of each process; on the other hand, automatic wax repair can be realized, which is conducive to improving the embedding efficiency and avoiding injury to the hands; on the other hand, the whole is automatically arranged in sequence by the manipulator 300, which greatly reduces the sorting error rate.

[0114] Alternatively, in some embodiments, Figure 11 As shown, in order to improve the embedding efficiency, the pre-cooling zone 110 is provided with a plurality of pre-cooling slots 111 for placing the embedding modules 700. In this way, multiple embedding modules 700 can be placed in the corresponding pre-cooling slots 111 in sequence, so that multiple embedding modules 700 can be pre-cooled at the same time. For example, a first refrigeration structure (not shown) can be provided at the bottom of the pre-cooling zone 110. For example, the first refrigeration structure can include a refrigeration compressor and a pipeline, wherein the refrigeration compressor is connected to the pre-cooling zone 110 through a pipeline, and the pre-cooling temperature can be controlled at 0°C to 5°C, so as to quickly cool the temperature of the embedding bottom mold 710 in the embedding module 700, so that the embedding agent such as paraffin can be quickly solidified, thereby achieving the effect of preliminary pre-cooling.

[0115] For example Figure 11As shown, to further improve embedding efficiency, the water bath cooling zone 120 is equipped with multiple water-cooling tanks 121 for embedding modules 700 to be placed in. These water-cooling tanks 121 are arranged in an array. Similarly, the robot 300 can sequentially transfer the pre-cooled embedding modules 700 in the pre-cooling tank 111 to the corresponding water-cooling tank 121, allowing multiple embedding modules 700 to be water-cooled simultaneously.

[0116] Exemplarily, a second refrigeration structure (not shown) may be provided at the bottom of the water bath cooling zone 120. Exemplarily, the second refrigeration structure may include a refrigeration compressor and a pipeline, wherein the refrigeration compressor is connected to the water bath cooling zone 120 through a pipeline. In addition, there is cold water in each water cooling tank 121 of the water bath cooling zone 120 to facilitate rapid and complete solidification of the embedded module 700 in the water cooling tank 121.

[0117] It can be understood that the machine 100 is arranged in a zoned manner, and a plurality of pre-cooling tanks 111 are provided in the pre-cooling zone 110, and a plurality of water-cooling tanks 121 are provided in the water bath cooling zone 120. In this way, the automatic embedding machine 1000 can perform cold stage processing operations on a plurality of embedding modules 700 at the same time, and can utilize the cooling time interval to basically realize assembly line operation without the embedding modules 700 being accumulated.

[0118] Alternatively, Figure 11 As shown, to further simplify the overall structure of the automatic embedding machine 1000 and further improve its compactness, the pre-cooling zone 110, the water bath cooling zone 120, and the conveying channel 1 of the wax trimming device 200 are arranged sequentially along a first direction. Furthermore, the output channel 4 of the wax trimming device 200 is arranged in a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0119] It should be noted that the first direction described here is a vector direction. Specifically, the pre-cooling zone 110, the water bath cooling zone 120, the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4 are arranged in a "]" shape, wherein the transmission channel 1 and the output channel 4 are arranged along the edge of the rectangular machine 100.

[0120] For example, the output channel 4 can be located in the operator's left hand area. This not only makes it convenient for the operator's left hand to pick up the embedding component 720 processed by the cold stage, but also allows the right hand to simultaneously perform another operation, such as placing a new embedding module 700 in the pre-cooling tank 111 corresponding to the pre-cooling zone 110. Therefore, overall, this helps reduce the space occupied by the automatic embedding machine 1000, simplifies the operating space for cold stage processing, and facilitates orderly operation.

[0121] And / or, in some specific embodiments, the water cooling tank 121 is a demoulding tank corresponding to the embedding module 700. In other words, after the embedding module 700 is completely solidified in the water cooling tank 121, the demoulding process between the embedding component 720 and the embedding bottom mold 710 can be completed directly in the original position of the water cooling tank 121. For example, after the embedding module 700 is completely solidified, the robot 300 can grab the pressing block 600 and press the top of the embedding bottom mold, which can be specifically the support 711 of the embedding bottom mold (see Figure 12 ), and continuously exert downward pressure on the coating bottom mold to gradually sink the coating bottom mold. At the same time, the ejector pins 712 on the coating bottom mold can gradually lift the embedding box 721. When the top surface of the support 711 is flush with the top surface of the embedding box 721, the embedding box 721 and the embedded part 722 at its bottom can be completely separated from the embedding bottom mold 710.

[0122] Of course, in other specific embodiments, the embedding component 720 in the coating module and the coating bottom mold can also be separated by other suitable existing or newly created structures to complete the demolding operation.

[0123] The foregoing is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A wax trimming device, suitable for transferring and trimming the embedded component after demoulding, wherein the embedded component comprises an embedding box and a wax block located at the bottom of the embedding box, characterized in that: The wax repair device comprises: A conveying channel, wherein a first wax repairing area is provided along an extending direction of the conveying channel; a first pushing component, located at the head end of the conveying channel, for pushing the embedding component in the conveying channel along the conveying channel to the end of the conveying channel; a first wax trimming assembly, disposed on opposite sides of the conveying channel in the first wax trimming area, for trimming excess wax on opposite sides of the embedding assembly in the conveying channel passing through the first wax trimming area; an output channel, located at an end of the transmission channel and communicating with the transmission channel, and extending in a direction different from that of the transmission channel; The second pushing component is located at the connection point between the conveying channel and the output channel, and is used to push the embedded component conveyed by the conveying channel into the output channel for movement and output.

2. The wax repair device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An extending direction of the output channel is perpendicular to an extending direction of the transmission channel.

3. The wax repair device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission channel includes a main channel, the main channel is provided with the first wax repair area, and the end of the main channel is connected to the output channel; The first wax trimming assembly includes a first heating element and a second heating element. In the first wax trimming area, the first heating element and the second heating element are respectively disposed on opposite side walls of the main channel, and are respectively used to heat opposite sides of the embedding assembly passing through the first wax trimming area. And / or, two opposite side walls of the main channel are provided with limiting bosses protruding toward the center of the main channel; the limiting bosses are used to limit the embedded components in the main channel from leaving the main channel along its height direction.

4. The wax repair device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The wax repair device further comprises a transfer channel, the transmission channel communicates with the output channel through the transfer channel, and the second pushing component is located in the transfer channel; and / or The first wax trimming assembly further includes a trimming portion. In the first wax trimming area, the trimming portions are provided on opposite side walls of the main channel, and the trimming portions are arranged along the height direction of the conveying channel. The trimming portions are used to trim off excess wax on opposite sides of the embedding cassette when the embedding assembly passes through the conveying channel.

5. The wax repair device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heating temperature of the first heating element and the second heating element is 50°C to 65°C; And / or, in the extension direction of the conveying channel, the length of the first wax trimming area is 1 to 2.5 times the length of the embedding cassette in the embedding assembly; And / or, a surface of the limiting boss facing the embedded component is higher than a top surface of the embedded component in the conveying channel.

6. The wax repair device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transmission channel also includes an auxiliary channel, which is communicated with the head end of the main channel. The width of the auxiliary channel is greater than the width of the main channel and the embedding component, and the main channel is adapted to the embedding component.

7. The wax repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The output channel is provided with a second wax repairing area along the extension direction of the output channel; The wax trimming device further includes a second wax trimming assembly, which is arranged on opposite sides of the output channel in the second wax trimming area and is used to trim the remaining wax on the other opposite sides of the embedding assembly in the output channel passing through the second wax trimming area.

8. The wax repair device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second wax trimming assembly includes a third heating element and a fourth heating element. In the second wax trimming area, the third heating element and the fourth heating element are respectively arranged on two opposite side walls of the output channel, and are respectively used to heat the other opposite sides of the embedding assembly; The third heating element and the fourth heating element are respectively adapted to the other two opposite sides of the embedded component in the output channel; And / or, the second wax trimming area and the first wax trimming area are both located at the connection point between the transmission channel and the output channel.

9. An automatic embedding machine, suitable for performing cold stage treatment on an embedding module, wherein the embedding module comprises an embedding bottom mold and an embedding assembly located above the embedding bottom mold, characterized in that: The automatic embedding machine comprises: The machine is provided with a pre-cooling zone and a water bath cooling zone, wherein the pre-cooling zone is used to pre-cool the embedded module, and the water bath cooling zone is used to water-cool the embedded module after pre-cooling; The wax trimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is provided on the machine and is used to trim and transfer the embedded components separated after demoulding the completely condensed embedded module; The robot is provided on the machine platform and is used to sequentially transport the embedding modules in the pre-cooling zone to the water bath cooling zone, and sequentially transport the embedded components separated by demoulding from the water bath cooling zone to the transmission channel of the wax repair device.

10. The automatic embedding machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: The pre-cooling zone is provided with a plurality of pre-cooling slots for placing the embedded modules; The water bath cooling zone is provided with a plurality of water cooling tanks for placing the embedded modules, and the water cooling tanks are arranged in an array; The pre-cooling zone, the water bath cooling zone and the transmission channel of the wax repair device are arranged in sequence along the first direction; And / or, the output channel of the wax repair device is arranged in the opposite direction to the first direction; And / or, the water cooling groove is a demoulding groove corresponding to the embedded module.

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