Tissue cassette reader

Abstract

To provide an automated device and apparatus which obtain information from a sample carrier by an identifier on a sample carrier such as a tissue cassette.SOLUTION: An apparatus includes: a base; a carriage coupled to the base and projecting a distance above the base, the carriage operable to contain a mobile phone comprising a camera array in a position such that the camera array faces in a direction of the base; and a controller including machine-readable instructions operable to direct a movement of one of the carriage and the base in a direction with respect to the other along an axis. A method includes: placing a mobile phone in a carriage; placing a container below the carriage, the container comprising a plurality of tissue cassettes; and capturing by the mobile phone an image of the identifier on each of the plurality of tissue cassettes while the plurality of tissue cassettes remain in the container. Also, a machine-readable medium includes instructions to cause a mobile phone to stitch successive captured images of identifiers into an overall image.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Tissue processing and carrier identification.

Background Art

[0002] Tissues taken from the body for diagnosing the course of a disease are often processed in a tissue laboratory by generating a paraffin block embedding the tissue and then cutting it into thin tissue sections. The tissue sections can be placed on a slide, stained, and viewed under a microscope by a pathologist for analysis. These pretreatment steps generally include, in order, gross examination, fixation, dehydration, clearing, paraffin infiltration, and embedding. The procedures are used to process tissues including biopsy materials, large samples removed surgically, or tissues from autopsies.

[0003] Gross examination generally consists of describing the macroscopic sample and placing all or selected parts of the macroscopic sample into a sample carrier such as a small plastic cassette. The plastic cassette holds the tissue while the tissue is being processed into a paraffin block. First, the cassette is placed in a fixative.

[0004] After gross examination, fixation of the tissue follows. The purpose of fixation is to permanently preserve the tissue in as living-like a state as possible by changing the structure of the proteins so that degradation by autolysis does not occur. Once the tissue is fixed or adhered, it is necessary to process the tissue into a form in which it can be sliced into thin sections for microscopic examination. The normal method by which this is done uses paraffin. Embedding the tissue in paraffin provides the tissue with a solid support matrix and enables the tissue to be sectioned to a thickness on the order of 1 to 20 microns. Placing the fixed tissue into paraffin for sectioning is called tissue processing, and the main steps of this procedure are dehydration, clearing, infiltration, and then embedding.

[0005] Tissues fixed in aqueous solution cannot be directly infiltrated with paraffin. First, it is necessary to remove water from the tissue by dehydration. This can be done using a series of alcohols of different concentrations (e.g., 70 percent → 95 percent → 100 percent). Alternatively, dehydration can be done with a mixture of formalin and alcohol. Other dehydrating agents such as acetone or mixtures of different solvents can also be used.

[0006] After dehydration, the tissue is cleared. "Clearing" consists of removing some of the dehydrating agent and lipids using a substance miscible with the embedding medium (e.g., paraffin). The most common clearing agent is xylene.

[0007] Once cleared, the tissue is infiltrated with an embedding agent such as paraffin. Finally, the tissue in the cassette or removed from the cassette is placed in molten paraffin, and then the paraffin is cooled to form a solidified block that embeds or encapsulates the tissue so that the tissue can be sectioned. Alternatively, the tissue can be processed in a sectionable cassette, embedded with paraffin together with the cassette, and sectioned. Once the tissue is embedded in a solid paraffin block, the tissue can be cut into sections that can be placed on one or more slides. This is done using a microtome. Once the sections are cut, the sections are floated in a warm water bath that helps remove any wrinkles. Next, the tissue sections in paraffin are picked up from the water bath and placed on a glass microscope slide.

[0008] Identification information and / or treatment information can be displayed on a sample carrier such as a cassette. The introduction of barcodes has made it possible to mechanically read the barcodes printed on the sample carrier and track the sample carrier during any verification step from tissue sample processing, embedding, sectioning, generation to storage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] In the drawings of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like elements, the embodiments are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that a reference to "an" or "one" embodiment of the present disclosure does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and such reference means at least one.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An automated device or apparatus is disclosed that is operable to obtain information from a sample carrier, such as an identifier on the sample carrier like a tissue cassette. In one embodiment, the device is operable to detect identification information (an identifier), such as a barcode, on the display area of a single cassette while the cassette is present with other cassettes within an assembly, such as a magazine, basket, or container. In another embodiment, the device or apparatus is operable to capture an image (e.g., a two-dimensional image) of identifiers on a plurality of cassettes within the assembly. Then, regardless of whether each identifier is individually detected or captured in an image of the identifiers of the plurality of cassettes, each identifier is read, associated with the relative position of the cassette inside the magazine, basket, or container, and optionally stored. The information read, associated, and optionally stored regarding the identifiers can be used for quality control, routing, and tracking of cassettes in a laboratory (e.g., a histopathology laboratory).

[0011] FIG. 1 illustratively shows a representative initial treatment flow of the above-described tissue sample processing (e.g., before dehydration, clearing, paraffin infiltration, and embedding). FIG. 1 shows, for example, a tissue sample 10 taken from a body (e.g., a human body), placed in a container 15, and immersed in a fixative 20 such as formalin. In one example, the tissue sample 10 can be obtained by a medical procedure by a physician who desires to evaluate the tissue sample for diagnostic or forensic purposes (e.g., evaluate for the presence of a disease). In the present embodiment, the container 15 typically includes an identifier 25 such as a barcode that contains or represents information such as the name of the patient from whom the tissue was extracted, physician identification information, and optionally a desired processing protocol.

[0012] Prior to evaluation for diagnostic or forensic purposes, tissue sample 10 undergoes tissue processing. For preparation of tissue processing, all or part of tissue sample 10 can be transferred from container 15 to a cassette. FIG. 1 shows two examples of cassettes. Cassette 30A is generally a rectangular box of a rigid polymer material having an internal space defined by side walls and a base, and having a storable and hinged lid. The front side wall or front face of cassette 30 is arranged at an angle of 30° to 50°, such as an angle of 45° with respect to the base, and the other side walls can be arranged at an angle of approximately 90° with respect to the base. An example of cassette 30A is Tissue-Tek® Uni-Cassette®, commercially available from Sakura Finetek USA, Inc., Torrance, California. Tissue-Tek® Uni-Cassette® has an outer width dimension of 28 millimeters (mm), an outer length of 41 mm, and an outer height of 6 mm. Cassette 30B is a two-part cassette system or assembly including a rectangular frame 31B and a cassette of a material having sectioning characteristics similar to paraffin. Frame 31B includes side walls of a rigid polymer material but does not include a lid or a base. The front side wall or front face of frame 31B is arranged at an angle of 30° to 50°, such as an angle of 45° with respect to the base, and the other side walls can be arranged at an angle of approximately 90° with respect to the base. The cassette includes a rectangular body including an internal space defined by side walls and a base, and a storable and hinged lid. The cassette side walls include a flange protruding upward and outward, and when the cassette is inserted into the frame to form an assembly, the flange catches on an inward protrusion on the frame to hold the cassette within the frame. An example of cassette 30B is a Tissue-Tek® Paraform® sectionable cassette that fits within a Tissue-Tek® Paraform® frame, and both the cassette and the frame are commercially available from Sakura Finetek USA, Inc.The Tissue-Tek® Paraform® slicable cassette and frame assembly have the same outer width and outer length dimensions as the cassette of Tissue-Tek® Uni-Cassette®, but may have a slightly lower outer height dimension because there is no rigid polymer lid. In the description herein, unless otherwise specified, "cassettes" such as cassette 30A and cassette 30B include integral cassettes such as Tissue-Tek® Uni-Cassette®, or cassette assemblies such as Tissue-Tek® Paraform® slicable cassettes that fit within a Tissue-Tek® Paraform® frame.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, each of cassette 30A and cassette 30B includes an identifier 35, such as a barcode, that contains or represents information such as patient information, physician information, and optionally processing protocols for tissue samples. The identifier 35 is affixed to the front wall or front face of the cassette 30 by a technician. A representative barcode may be a one-dimensional (1D) barcode or a two-dimensional (2D) barcode. The identifier 35 is shown as a 1D barcode. The identifier 35 may be printed directly on the front wall or front face of the cassette or frame in the case of a cassette assembly (e.g., frame 31B), printed on a label affixed to the front wall or front face of the cassette or frame with an adhesive, or engraved on the material of the front wall or front face of the cassette or frame.

[0014] When tissue sample 10 or a part thereof is housed within cassette 30A or cassette 30B / frame 31B and the corresponding lid is closed, the cassette can be placed within an array, for example, with other cassettes that can undergo a similar tissue processing protocol. One type of array is magazine 40. Magazine 40 is a rectangular container of metal or polymer material that includes a space defined by opposing sidewalls and a base. Magazine 40 has an internal lateral or width dimension (z-dimension) for housing only one cassette positioned laterally and a longitudinal or length dimension (x-dimension) for aligning or stacking and housing multiple cassettes (e.g., 16 cassettes, 20 cassettes) from the base towards the top / lid. Representative magazines include the Tissue-Tek AutoTEC® magazine and the Tissue-Tek Xpress® magazine from Sakura Finetek USA, Inc. The Tissue-Tek Xpress® magazine has a length (z) dimension of 6 1 / 8 inches (156 millimeters (mm)), a width (x) dimension of 1 3 / 8 inches (35 mm), and a height (y) dimension of 1 7 / 8 inches (48 mm).

[0015] In another example, cassette 30A or cassette 30B / frame 31B (with their respective lids closed) can be placed within an array such as tissue cassette basket 41, which is a cassette basket used in a Tissue-Tek VIP® tissue processor commercially available from Sakura Finetek USA, Inc. Basket 41 can be a metal or plastic rectangular container that defines a space and includes a pair of opposing sidewalls and a base. Basket 41 does not have a lid. One of the opposing sidewalls and the base has holes formed therein to prevent the sidewalls and base of basket 41 from holding a certain volume of liquid internally. Basket 41 also includes dividers (which can have holes) of a similar material within the space. FIG. 1 typically shows basket 41 including four vertical dividers 405 that create five vertical columns and two horizontal dividers 410 that create three horizontal rows. Dividers 405 and 410 define segments together with the sidewalls of basket 41, and each segment includes an internal horizontal or width dimension (z dimension) for accommodating only one laterally positioned cassette and a vertical or length dimension (x dimension) for accommodating a plurality of cassettes (e.g., 10 Tissue-Tek® Uni-Cassette® or 12 Tissue-Tek® Paraform® cassettes within each segment). The Tissue-Tek VIP® tissue processor basket has a length (x) dimension of 8.7 inches (222 mm), a width (z) dimension of 5.9 inches (151 mm), and a height (y) dimension of 1.8 inches (46 mm).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, each cassette is placed within magazine 40 or basket 41 in an upright or vertical position such that the front sidewall or front face of each cassette is visible facing the top of magazine 40 or basket 41. The cassettes are preferably arranged such that the angled front sidewalls or front faces of each cassette are similarly oriented (e.g., the base of a cassette is oriented adjacent to or in contact with the top / lid of an adjacent cassette).

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the magazine 40 or basket 41 can be disposed within a container 50 that contains a volume of fixative (fixative 55) in an internal space to inhibit drying of tissue samples within individual cassettes and / or to allow the tissue samples to remain adherent or fixed. The magazine 40 or basket 41 can optionally be disposed within the container 50 prior to loading the cassettes into the magazine or basket. The magazine 40 can be present within the container 50 alone or with other magazines. A basket 41, such as a Tissue-Tek VIP® tissue processor basket, can be present alone within the container 50 because it can have dimensions that substantially occupy all of the area of the container 50. Baskets smaller than the Tissue-Tek VIP® tissue processor basket can be present within the container 50 with another basket if the dimensions permit. The container 50 can include features, such as tabs, to align the magazines within the container. In one embodiment, the container 50 includes sidewalls and a base that define a space. The upper surface of the container 50 can be exposed (without a lid). The container 50 can further include features to identify the type of cassette container disposed therein, i.e., whether it is a magazine 40 or a basket 41.

[0018] According to one example, when cassettes each containing a tissue sample are housed in a magazine or basket and optionally in a container 50, an identifier associated with each cassette (on the front wall or front surface) can be automatically detected by a device or apparatus operable to identify the identifiers on the individual cassettes (block 60, FIG. 1). The identifier on each cassette can be detected while the cassette remains in the magazine or basket within the container 50. The liquid level within the container 50 can be lowered if necessary, prior to detecting the identifier. Detection of the identifier on the cassette can be performed individually, for example, by automatically positioning a camera over each cassette within the magazine or basket in the container 50, or, for example, collectively by detecting (e.g., photographing) an image of a plurality of cassettes within a magazine, individual or multiple cassettes within multiple magazines, or a plurality of cassettes within a basket (e.g., a z-direction row of cassettes distinguished by individual magazines or by the vertical partition 405 of the basket 41). At this time, by detecting the identifier associated with the cassette, each tissue sample is identified prior to tissue processing. Such a feature provides a quality control function by providing confirmation that the cassette or cassettes within a magazine or basket for a particular tissue processing protocol are intended for that protocol. For example, a reference cassette can be placed within the magazine or basket. The reference cassette can include an identifier that associates the magazine or basket with a particular tissue processing protocol (e.g., cassette 30E, FIG. 1). The identifier information read from the reference cassette can be compared with the identifier information of each of the other tissue cassettes within the particular magazine or basket. After the comparison, if the identifiers on all the cassettes within the magazine or basket share the same tissue processing protocol as the reference cassette, the tissue processing protocol is initiated for all the cassettes. If the identifier on one or more cassettes within the magazine does not share the same tissue processing protocol as the reference cassette, the one or more cassettes can be removed from the magazine or basket prior to tissue processing.Detection of the identifier before tissue processing also provides a tracking function in the sense that the location of the tissue sample is known. Detection of the identifier before tissue processing also provides a routing function in which the cassette is identified for a particular tissue processing protocol that can help warn the technician about the protocol being carried out in the cassette. Detection of the identifier before tissue processing also minimizes the risk that the same identifier can be present on two cassettes (duplicate printing of the identifier). It is desirable for each cassette to contain a unique identifier. If two cassettes accidentally contain the same identifier (e.g., the same barcode), the error can be identified and corrected prior to processing by detecting the identifier.

[0019] Following detection of the identifier for each cassette within magazine 40 or basket 41, the magazine or basket can be placed within a tissue processor 70 such as a Tissue-Tek VIP™ tissue processor or Xpress™. A tissue processor such as tissue processor 70 can proceed with one or more steps (e.g., dehydration, clearing, infiltration) to fix the tissue sample.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows an upper perspective view of an electronic device or apparatus capable of detecting, reading, storing, and outputting information such as a barcode on a sample carrier (e.g., a tissue cassette) or information contained in the barcode on the sample carrier. Device 100 is mounted on a table or other surface and is operable to receive a sample carrier such as a cassette into the device. Device 100 includes a base 110 and a carriage 120 connected to base 110 via a support or pedestal 115. Carriage 120 may be operable to accommodate a mobile phone such as mobile phone 200. A mobile phone or smartphone is a wireless mobile device capable of executing a software program or application. A mobile phone or smartphone has an operating system such as iOS (Apple), Android (Google), or Windows Phone (Microsoft), a memory (e.g., flash memory) capable of storing programs or applications and data, and a camera (including but not limited to one or more lenses, autofocus, flash, and a sensor that converts focused photons into an electrical signal). Examples of mobile phones include, but are not limited to, Apple iPhone (registered trademark) (e.g., iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 14), Google Pixel 7, Samsung Galaxy S22, and ASUS ZenFone 9. As used herein, mobile phones or smartphones include, but are not limited to, tablets such as Apple iPad (registered trademark) or iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy S8, and Microsoft (registered trademark) Surface Pro 8, which may or may not have basic phone communication.

[0021] The carriage 120 of the device 100 includes, for example, typically, a cradle that may have a width dimension (x dimension) of 6 centimeters (cm) to 25 cm and a length dimension (z dimension) of 15 cm to 31 cm. The cradle defines a frame in which a mobile phone can be placed and supported in a horizontal direction (xz plane). Inside the frame, there is an opening so that when the mobile phone is placed in the cradle, the camera lens or lenses of the mobile phone are not obstructed from viewing / detecting / imaging an area below the cradle. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the z dimension of the cradle of the carriage 120 is configured such that when the mobile phone 200 is attached to the cradle, a portion of the length of the mobile phone including the lens or lenses extends in the z direction beyond the carriage 120 and is supported in a cantilever manner by the carriage 120. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 120 protrudes by a distance in the vertical direction or y dimension from the base 110, which is determined by the length of the support or pedestal 115. The distance can be determined by the distance for the camera of the mobile phone to capture an image of an identifier on a cassette when there is a cassette in a magazine, basket, or other container below the cradle. In one example, the distance can be determined by the lens or lenses of the mobile phone such that one screen image can include the entire width (z dimension) of the basket 41 or container 50 plus some margin. Typically, for a 1x lens of a mobile phone, a typical distance is, for example, 10 cm to 18 cm such as 12 cm to 16 cm, such as 14 cm for an iPhone 12.

[0022] It is understood that there are various manufacturers of mobile phones currently available on the market. The phone may have a camera function including a lens that can change the distance required by a particular phone from a basket 41 or a container 50 disposed within the device 100 such that, for example, one screen image can include the entire width of the basket 41 or the container 50 plus some margin. The pedestal 115 may include features that enable its length in the y-direction to be changed according to the phone model disposed on the carriage 120. The feature may include a ball screw 1205 extending in the y-direction within the body of the pedestal 115. The ball screw 1205 may be connected to the body of the pedestal 115 and the motor 1206. Rotation of the ball screw 1205 by the motor 1206 can move the pedestal 115 (and the carriage 120) upward or downward. Alternatively, the carriage 120 may be configured for a particular mobile phone. The distance of the lens or lenses of the mobile phone from the basket 41 or the container 50 disposed within the device 100 may be determined by the carriage 120. For example, a certain carriage may be attached to the pedestal 115 such that the distance of the phone (e.g., phone 200) from the basket 41 or the container 50 within the device 100 is greater than that of another carriage.

[0023] The base 110 of the device 100 includes an orientation designating portion for a container such as a basket 41 or a container 50 that is operable to accommodate one or more magazines 40 and / or is operable to accommodate a basket 41. The base 110 of the device 100 can be in the form of a spine 1105 that protrudes in the x-direction by a length slightly larger than the length of the container (e.g., 0.2 inches larger, 0.5 inches larger) to accommodate the width of the basket 41 or the container 50. At each end of the spine 1105, there are legs 1110 that protrude in the vertical direction (z-direction) from the spine 1105. Each leg 1110 can protrude a z-direction distance that is smaller than, equal to, or larger than the z-direction width of the container or basket that is operable to be oriented between the legs. The x-direction distance between the legs 1110 can be within the container or basket, for example, corresponding to the desired x-direction movement of the pedestal 115 and the telephone 200, and can be larger than the x-direction width of the container or basket to position a lens or lenses above a cassette identifier that may not be readable if the lens or lenses are not directly above the cassette. The spine 1105 and the legs 1110 define two adjacent rectangular corners where a container (e.g., container 50) or a basket (e.g., basket 41) can be surrounded on three sides. FIG. 3 shows the device or apparatus 100 of FIG. 2 that internally includes the basket 41 accommodated within the device 100 by the spine 1105 and the legs 1110. The basket 41 can include a portion that includes an entire portion of the contents of the basket filled with cassettes (e.g., cassette 30A and / or cassette 30B / frame 31B).

[0024] Device 100 may also include a drip tray 131 having a dimension (xz dimension) that fits between legs 1110. The drip tray 131 may include a pair of opposing side walls and a base that together define an internal space. The length dimension (x dimension) and width dimension (z dimension) of the drip tray 131 may be selected such that a container (e.g., container 50) or a basket (e.g., basket 41 (which is also a container)) fits within the space of the drip tray, as shown in FIG. 3 (basket 41 within drip tray 131). When located between legs 1110 of base 110, the drip tray 131 may be connected to one or both of legs 1110 and / or spine 1105. For example, one or more side walls of the drip tray 131 may include an upper edge lip or an externally protruding protrusion or flange that corresponds to a groove within leg 1110 and / or spine 1105.

[0025] The drip tray 131 may include an orientation designating portion for the container 50 and / or the basket 41 alone (i.e., the basket is not within the container 50). The orientation designating portion may be a protrusion 1315 on the inner side wall of the drip tray 131. Typically, the drip tray 131 may have opposing side walls that define an internal space. The protrusion 1315 may be disposed at the base of the corner of the side wall. The protrusion 1315 may define the xz diameter for the basket 41 within the drip tray 131 within the region surrounded by the protrusion. The container 50 may have an xz dimension larger than that of the basket 41. The container 50 may be located within the space of the drip tray 131 above the protrusion 1315. In one example, the container 50 or the basket 41 may be disposed within the drip tray in a single orientation for the cassette. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the orientation may be such that the partition 405 of the basket 41 (mounted within the drip tray 131 in FIG. 3) extends in the x direction. When the basket 41 or the container 50 is a rectangle that is rectangular (i.e., not a square equiangular quadrilateral), the partition 405 extends by the length of the long side. The drip tray 131 may be dimensioned to accommodate the basket 41 or the container 50 in only the desired single orientation, for example, by having an x direction length that is greater than the z direction length.

[0026] In one example, the drip tray 131 may be operable to move in the z-direction. The inset in FIG. 2 shows one leg 1110 (the right leg as viewed) with the outer wall removed. Inside the leg 1110, there is a lead screw 1115 driven by an electric motor 1116. The inset shows the drip tray 131 connected to the lead screw 1115 by a threaded connector 1117 (e.g., a female threaded connector that mates with the male threads of the lead screw 1115). Similar lead screws and threaded connectors may be present on the other leg 1110 (the left leg as viewed). The motorized lead screw system is operable to move the drip tray 131 away from or towards the spine 1105 in the z-direction. Although a lead screw system is shown, it is understood that other forms of motorized z-direction movement of the drip tray 131 may be utilized. Other examples include, but are not limited to, ball screw systems or belt drive systems.

[0027] One of the support or pedestal 115 (and accordingly the carousel 120) and the base 110 can be operable to move in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) relative to the other. FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the device 100 with a part of the base 110 (a part of the spine 1105) and the support or pedestal 115 cut away to expose the internal components. In this example, the support or pedestal 115 moves in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) relative to the base 110. FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of the back side of the base 110. For example, inside the body of the base 110 that extends for the length of the spine 1105, there is a lead screw 1106. The lead screw 1106 extends substantially for the length of the spine 1105 (x-direction) and is supported at each end by a bracket 1107 and a bracket 1108 respectively. The lead screw 1106 is connected to a motor 1109, and the motor 1109 is operable to rotate the lead screw 1106. The motor 1109 is electrically connected to a controller 130 and a power source (not shown). FIG. 4 also shows the lead screw 1106 and a bracket 1103 connected to the support or pedestal 115. The rotation of the lead screw 1106 by the motor 1109 (clockwise or counterclockwise) results in the longitudinal (x-direction) movement of the support or pedestal 115. It is understood that the longitudinal movement of the support or pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 may be reversed, for example, by fixing the support or pedestal 115 and using the lead screw to move the base laterally. Although a lead screw system is shown, it is understood that other forms of motorized z-direction movement of the pedestal 115 or the base 110 may be utilized. Other examples include, but are not limited to, ball screw systems or belt drive systems.

[0028] As described above, the device 100 is operable to support and / or accommodate a mobile phone in the carriage 120. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile phone 200 is positioned within the carriage 120 such that it is in the xz plane. FIG. 3 shows the mobile phone 200 within the carriage 120 in a configuration where the screen side is facing upward. The mobile phone 200 includes a camera array that extends to the back side (not visible) of the mobile phone 200 and includes a lens or lenses, and sensor(s). The mobile phone 200 may also include a flash or light that directs light from the back side of the mobile phone when activated. The device 100 may also include a power source for charging / recharging the mobile phone 200. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a charger 150 connected to a support or pedestal 115. The base of the carriage 120 includes a charging pod 125 that is a wireless charger for the mobile phone 200. The charging pod 125 is connected to the charger 150, for example, by a wire connection. The charging pod 125 generates a magnetic field that is absorbed to obtain energy when the mobile phone 200 is placed on the charging pod. The magnetic field generated by the charging pod 125 may also be used to position the mobile phone 200 in a desired orientation within the carriage 120.

[0029] Device 100 including mobile phone 200 is operable to detect, capture, and interpret an identifier on a cassette (identifier 35 on cassette 30A or cassette 30B). Device 100 includes a controller 130 shown within pedestal 115 of FIG. 4. Controller 130 may be connected to a power source. Controller 130, when executed, communicates with mobile phone 200 and may include machine-readable non-transitory instructions that direct movement in the vertical direction (x-direction, FIG. 3) of one of support or pedestal 115 (and thus carriage 120) relative to the other, as well as z-direction movement of drip tray 131 and optionally y-direction movement of carriage 120. Each of the motors or axes of movement associated with x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction movement may have an encoder installed therein (an encoder that generates pulses receivable by controller 130). For example, when motor 1109 rotates for vertical movement (x-direction) of pedestal 115 or base 110, the distance moved can be communicated to controller 130 by counting the number of encoder pulses generated. The distance moved may be used by controller 130 to map the position of the cassette inside the basket, magazine, or container.

[0030] Mobile phone 200 is disposed within carriage 120 and may be connected to controller 130 (see FIG. 4) by an electrical cord or by a wireless technology such as Bluetooth® based on the wireless technology standard identified by IEEE802.15.1 or WiFi® based on IEEE802.11. Mobile phone 200, when executed, enables communication with controller 130 and may include non-transitory machine-readable instructions that direct the mobile phone 200 housed within carriage 120 to capture images of identifiers on a plurality of tissue cassettes within the field of view of the camera array of the camera. The instructions may also include instructions to read the captured images of the identifiers, associate the images with the relative position of the cassette inside the magazine or basket, generate an overall image from a plurality of sub-images, and optionally store the images and identifier information.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, an assembly including device 100 and basket 41 oriented within base 110 of device 100 is shown. Mobile phone 200 is located within carriage 120 of device 100. The basket 41 shown is located within tray 131 in the xz plane having a length dimension defined by the x dimension and a width dimension defined by the z dimension. Thus, basket 41 includes five columns and several dozen rows, and the column and row arrays define cells that represent positions for each cassette (e.g., cassette 30A or cassette 30B). As described above, basket 41 may not have individually defined cells. Instead, basket 41 includes partitions such as partitions 405 and 410 that divide the basket into sections but not into cells, and partition 405 may define columns as described in this paragraph. As used herein, a "cell" can be the space occupied by a cassette within a basket in a stacked arrangement with other cassettes, or, if there are no cassettes in a column, the space that would be occupied if a cassette were present. Although basket 41 is shown within device 100, it is understood that alternatively, the cassettes can be housed within another container (e.g., container 50, FIG. 1) or a magazine within a container within the device (e.g., magazine 40, FIG. 1) or multiple magazines.

[0032] In one example, the machine-readable non-transitory instructions associated with the controller 130 direct the vertical movement of either the support or pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 so that the mobile phone 200 can capture images of the identifiers on the tissue cassettes in multiple cells, such as capturing an image of the identifier on the tissue cassette in one or more rows (e.g., recording the identifiers associated with five cassettes in an array having five cells in a row). The instructions associated with the controller 130 also direct the vertical movement of either the support or pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 so that, when any identifier in a row is captured (e.g., recorded), the camera array associated with the mobile phone 200 can capture (e.g., record) any identifier on the adjacent row or rows of cassettes. The instructions associated with the controller 130 further direct the process of the vertical movement of either the support or pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 and continue the image capture (e.g., recording) until all the identifiers in all the rows are captured (e.g., recorded).

[0033] Figures 5A - 5C illustrate an example of image capture by the mobile phone 200 within the device 100. In this example, the basket 41 is disposed within the device 100 (e.g., alone within the drip tray 131, or the basket 41 is disposed within the container 50 and both the container 50 and the basket 41 are disposed within the drip tray 131). The basket 41, as described above with respect to FIG. 1, includes five columns (z - direction) and dozens of rows (x - direction), and the column and row array may define cells each representing the position of a cassette (e.g., cassette 30A, cassette 30B / frame 31B) for / of the respective cassette. To initiate the image capture process, the mobile phone 200 is placed within the carriage 120, and the user may initiate the execution of non - transient machine - readable program instructions within the mobile phone 200, for example, by running an application or program. In one example, the instructions of the mobile phone 200 include instructions to the controller 130 to position the carriage 120 and the mobile phone 200 at an initial or starting position for imaging. The instructions may be included within an application or other software program included within the mobile phone 200. When the user is ready to detect, capture, and / or interpret identifiers on one or more cassettes within the basket 41, the user starts an application or software program on the mobile phone 200. Once started, the mobile phone 200 communicates with the controller 130 of the device 100. Upon receiving instructions from the mobile phone 200, non - transient instructions associated with the controller 130 that direct the movement of the pedestal 115 to the initial or starting position are executed. The starting position may be, for example, the pedestal position at the end (e.g., the left - most or left side when facing) of the base 110. When the carriage 120 and the mobile phone 200 are at the initial or starting position, the instructions associated with the controller 130 alert the mobile phone 200 that the carriage 120 and the mobile phone 200 are at the initial or starting position. Next, the instructions of the mobile phone 200 may cause the mobile phone 200 to start capturing images of the cassettes within the basket 41. As shown in FIG. 5A, the focal width of the lens of the mobile phone 200 may be such that in one image, it can capture multiple rows (e.g., 10 rows) of cassettes in each column (e.g., 5 columns).In this example, the focal width of the mobile phone 200 cannot encompass or include the entire area that houses the cassette defined by the interior of the basket 41. In this example, the x-direction of the basket 41 is greater than the focal width in the x-direction of the mobile phone 200. The initial position or starting position can position the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 200 to capture an area that precedes the leading edge of the basket 41 or an area in front of the leading edge (the xz area to the left of the basket 41 when facing it). For example, the initial position or starting position can position the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 200 to capture an area corresponding to typically 5 rows within the basket 41. In an example where the focal width of the lens of the mobile phone 200 can capture 10 rows of cassettes in each column (e.g., 5 columns) in one image, the first image captured by the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 200 captures the area outside the basket 41 with a size of approximately 5 rows and the first 5 rows within the basket 41. As an example, the instructions associated with the controller 130 direct the vertical (x-direction) movement of the pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 (e.g., movement from left to right, movement from right to left). When the pedestal 115 moves, the mobile phone 200 within the pedestal 115 moves from left to right at a speed that enables the capture of clear images of the captured rows (i.e., images that are not substantially blurred). A typical speed of the vertical (x-direction) movement of the pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 (e.g., movement from left to right) can be on the order of 0.2 inches / second to 0.8 inches / second, such as 0.3 inches / second to 0.6 inches / second. It takes approximately 30 seconds to complete the capture or scan of a 200 - mm basket at a speed of 0.3 inches / second. The maximum speed of the vertical movement can be determined by the camera components associated with the mobile phone 200 (e.g., the speed at which individual images can be sequentially captured). For example, instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 that direct the mobile phone 200 to capture images at a speed of two, three, four or more per second can enable the capture of multiple images of the cassettes in each row.For example, if the focal length of the lens of the mobile phone 200 can capture a cassette of 10 rows in each column, the starting position includes the first 5 rows, and a focal length including an area approximately 5 rows in size outside the basket 41 (to the left of the basket 41), as the mobile phone 200 is moved vertically, the focal length at subsequent positions includes more rows (e.g., 1 row to 6 rows, 1 row to 7 rows, 1 row to 8 rows, 1 row to 9 rows, and 1 row to 10 rows), so the image of the cassette in the first row is captured multiple times. The multiple images of each row also provide images of the cassette at various angles as the lens of the mobile phone 200 is moved.

[0034] Figures 5A - 5C show how an image of a segment or a part of the area of the basket 41 (the cassette within the basket 41) is captured by the mobile phone 200. Figure 5A shows one image (refer to the screen of the mobile phone 200 representing the captured image) captured by the mobile phone 200, including the left side of the basket 41 and the xz area of rows 1 - 5 in the basket 41 of each column (5 rows × 5 columns = 25 cassette images). If the basket 41 in the drip tray 131 is not positioned such that the mobile phone 200 can capture images of the cassettes in each row of the basket (e.g., due to the position of the carriage 120 / phone 200 relative to the basket, the focal length of the mobile phone 200 cannot cover the entire z - direction width of the basket 41), before capturing the images of the cassettes in the basket 41, the instructions associated with the controller 130 include instructions to move the drip tray 131 and the basket 41 inward or outward in the z - direction so that images of each row of the basket 41 can be captured.

[0035] The instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 direct the mobile phone 200 to capture images at representative speeds such as two images per second, three images per second, four images per second, five images per second, or six images per second. The instructions associated with the controller 130 direct the vertical (x-direction) movement of the pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 (e.g., movement from left to right) at a speed on the order of 0.2 inches per second to 0.8 inches per second, such as 0.3 inches per second to 0.6 inches per second. FIG. 5B typically shows the device 100 including the mobile phone 200 capturing a second image of the cassette within the basket 41 (e.g., 3 seconds after the image captured in FIG. 5A). In FIG. 5B, due to the movement of the pedestal 115 to the right, the images captured by the mobile phone 200 are the images in rows 3 to 7 within each column of the basket 41. FIG. 5C shows a third image captured by the mobile phone 200 including the cassette in rows 5 to 9 of each column. The vertical movement of the pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 and the continuous image capture by the mobile phone 200 continue as described until the area of the basket 41 is covered (until the mobile phone 200 captures images of all the rows within the basket 41).

[0036] In one example, when the mobile phone 200 captures an image of the cassette within the basket 41, the mobile phone 200 includes non-transitory instructions that read the identifier on each cassette and associate that cassette with a position within the basket 41. The reading of the captured identifier can occur sequentially in the sense that the captured image of the cassette identifier in FIG. 5A is read before the captured image of the cassette identifier in FIG. 5B, and the captured image of the cassette identifier in FIG. 5B is read before the captured image of the cassette identifier in FIG. 5C. In addition to the reading of the captured cassette identifier, the instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 can also identify the position of the cassette within the basket 41, such as the coordinate system of the cassette within the basket (e.g., the xz position of each cassette within the basket 41). The first captured image by the mobile phone 200 shown in FIG. 5A can be regarded as a fixed image. The first image can have a representative size of 4032 pixels (x direction) × 3024 pixels (z direction) (12 megapixels). Using the example of FIG. 5A, if the captured image includes the cassettes in rows 1 to 5 and the area that precedes or is in front of the leading edge of the basket 41, the area that precedes or is in front of the leading edge of the basket 41 can have a known or predetermined size that occupies, for example, half of the x-direction pixels, or an area of 2016 pixels (x direction) × 3024 pixels (z direction). The instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 can include instructions to crop the area that precedes or is in front of the leading edge of the basket 41 that reaches the area of rows 1 to 5 that occupies 2016 pixels × 3024 pixels (4032 pixels - 2016 pixels = 2016 pixels). The instructions of the mobile phone 200 can provide that the positions of the cassettes in rows 1 to 5 can be identified by the xz pixel coordinates of the cassette and that each position is established.

[0037] As described in FIGS. 5A to 5C, continuous and uninterrupted capture of images by the mobile phone 200 can lead to the capture of multiple images of the same cassette. For example, in the first image captured by the mobile phone 200 in FIG. 5A, the field of view of the mobile phone 200 (the sensor or sensors of the mobile phone 200) enables the capture of images of the cassette in rows 1 to 5. When the pedestal 115 is moved, the field of view of the mobile phone 200 changes, enabling the capture of the cassette in rows 1 to 7 (FIG. 5B). Thus, the images in rows 1 to 5 are captured twice (in the first and second images). The instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 include instructions for determining whether an identifier on the cassette at a specific position has been previously captured and read, and if so, ignoring or discarding any subsequent duplicate readings of that identifier. One way this can be done is to compare the identifiers at the same position read in various captured images (starting, for example, from the first captured image of the identifier of a specific cassette), and determine whether the captured image has the identifier or whether the captured image can be read, and when the identifier in the first captured image can be read, when the same identifier on the same cassette is captured in a subsequent captured image (for example, the second captured image), identifying the subsequent captured image as a duplicate and ignoring or discarding the duplicate (for example, not saving the subsequent captured image of the identifier).

[0038] The capture of duplicate images can be utilized to effectively capture and read the identifiers on each cassette within the basket 41. It can be understood that depending on the angle of the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 200 and the position of the cassette within the basket 41, a certain image may not capture a readable image of the identifier on the cassette. When the pedestal 115 moves, the angle of the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 200 and the position of the cassette within the basket 41 change. This change can enable the second image of the cassette to provide a better image of the identifier of the cassette and allow for the reading of the identifier. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A - 5C, the images of each cassette are captured at least twice at two different phone angles. It is understood that the number of captured images of each cassette can vary depending on the speed of the pedestal 115 and the speed of image capture of the mobile phone 200. In one example, the images of each cassette within the basket 41 are captured at least twice, at least three times, at least four times, at least five times, at least six times, etc., at a typical frame rate such as 24 frames per second (fps), 30 fps, or 60 fps.

[0039] The capture of the individual identifiers on the cassette can be improved using the dynamic focus of the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 200. In one example, the non-transitory instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 direct the controller 130 to move the mobile phone 200 vertically (in the x direction) to capture an image of the cassette in the basket 41 (e.g., the controller directs the movement of the pedestal 115 relative to the base 110 (e.g., a movement from left to right)), the focus point or focus area can be directed to move horizontally (in the z direction) between two or more areas, such as three or more areas, on the basket 41. FIGS. 5A-5C represent three different focus points or focus areas identified as "A", "B", and "C" that can be sequentially used when the mobile phone 200 captures an image of the identifier in the basket 41. The focus points "A", "B", and "C" represent different areas between the horizontal (z direction) distances or widths of the basket 41. For example, for a first image (which may be an image capture of 5-10 rows of cassettes), the mobile phone 200 may have a focus on "A", which is the area of the basket 41 farthest from the pedestal 115 (e.g., the area focused on the two rows of cassettes farthest from the pedestal 115). For a subsequent second image (e.g., immediately after the first image), the mobile phone 200 may have a focus on "B", which is the central area of the basket 41 (e.g., the area focused on the cassettes in the middle row of the basket 41). For a further subsequent third image (e.g., immediately after the second image), the mobile phone may have a focus on "C", which is the area of the basket 41 closest to the pedestal 115 (e.g., the area focused on the two rows of cassettes closest to the pedestal 115). The focal distance between the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 200 and the front side of the cassette in the basket 41 can be different for each focus area. For example, the focal distance between the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 200 and the front side of the cassette in the basket 41 is, for example, 5.5 inches (about 14 cm) within the central focus area B of the device 100 and the basket 41, and the focal distances within the focus areas A and C can be different from the focal length within the focus area B (e.g., greater than 5.5 inches (14 cm)).The focus areas (e.g., "A", "B", and "C"), as well as the switching between areas (e.g., after each image capture, after two or more image captures, etc.) can be experimentally determined by the repeated operation of image capture between the areas of the basket 41 and the information stored in the memory of the mobile phone 200.

[0040] In one example, the instruction associated with the mobile phone 200 may instruct the collection of captured images, and when duplicates of identifiers on the same cassette are identified and removed, may instruct the stitching of the captured images and the making available of the overall image of the basket 41 in a visible state for all cassettes. The stitching of the captured images may also define the coordinate system of the cassettes within the basket (e.g., the xz positions of each cassette within the basket 41). The stitching may be performed after the pedestal 115 has traversed the area of the basket 41 (i.e., after images of all cassettes within the basket 41 (e.g., multiple images) have been acquired), or while the pedestal 115 is traversing the area. One way the stitching may be performed is by using pixel positions. As described above, when the pedestal 115 traverses the area of the basket 41, the mobile phone 200 captures overlapping images due to the field of view of the sensor or sensors of the mobile phone and the speed of traversal of the pedestal 115. The first image captured by the mobile phone 200 is, for example, one end (start position or initial position) of the basket 41. The first image captured by the mobile phone 200 may be regarded as a fixed image to which subsequent images are stitched to form the overall image. The first image may have a representative size of 4032 pixels × 3024 pixels (12 megapixels). After the first image is captured and before the second image is captured, the pedestal 115 / mobile phone 200 moves in the x direction by a known distance (e.g., a known distance based on encoder information from the motor 1109 regarding the distance the pedestal 115 / mobile phone 200 has moved). This known distance may be converted to pixels. If the distance is, for example, equivalent to 1000 pixels in the x direction, the second image overlaps the first image by an identifiable 9.17 megapixels (4032 pixels - 1000 pixels = 3032 pixels, 3032 pixels × 3024 pixels = 9.17 megapixels). The next image overlaps in a similar manner.Each distinguishable 9.17 megapixel from the second image to the last image can be used for the purpose of identifying an identifier on a cassette within the basket 41, but the instructions associated with the telephone 200 when executed identify the pixel as an overlapping pixel for stitching purposes and form a stitching image without overlapping the overlapping pixels. The pixels of each image captured by the telephone 200 provide a stitching image of known coordinates (i.e., a coordinate system of x and z coordinates).

[0041] When the pedestal 115 traverses the area of the basket 41 and captures images of all the cassettes within the basket (e.g., multiple images of each cassette), the execution instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 determine whether the identifiers associated with each cassette within the basket 41 have been read. In a particular example, it may be difficult to obtain a readable image of the identifier on the cassette within the basket 41 by traversing the basket area by vertical movement of the pedestal 115. Using the coordinate system determined by the execution instructions from the mobile phone 200 and the possible encoder information from the motor 1109 regarding the distance the pedestal 115 / mobile phone 200 has moved, if it is determined that an identifier on any cassette within the basket 41 cannot be read or has not been read (e.g., the image of the cassette taken by vertical (x - direction) movement of the pedestal 115 does not provide a readable image of the cassette's identifier), the instructions associated with the phone 200 direct the controller 130 to cause the lens or lenses of the phone 200 to capture an image of the unread identifier and to direct the vertical (x - direction) movement of the pedestal 115 and / or the lateral (z - direction) movement of the drip tray 131 / basket 41 so that the lens or lenses of the phone 200 are in the desired position to capture one or more images of the identifier. The desired position can be, for example, the positioning of the lens or lenses of the phone 200 directly above the unread identifier. The desired position can also be multiple positions of the lens or lenses of the phone 200 relative to the unread identifier. For example, the lens or lenses of the phone 200 can be positioned around the unread identifier (e.g., in steps around the area above the cassette). The instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 direct the phone 200 to capture images and transmit images of the cassettes identified as having unread identifiers until the mobile phone 200 can read the identifier.If the mobile phone 200 can read the identifier of a cassette identified as having an unread identifier, the instructions associated with the controller 130 direct the movement of the pedestal 115 and / or the drip tray 131 / basket 41 to a position over any other cassette identified as having an unread identifier and repeat the process of capturing additional images. Even after capturing one or more additional images, in the case where the unread identifier still cannot be read, the instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 may prompt the operator to inspect the cassette or manually enter the identifier. The mobile phone 200 may use digital imaging processing to generate an image of an identifier that can be read by the phone. The digital imaging processing may use a color filter to reproduce the color of the digital image. In a particular example, if the color filter is removed, it may be easier for the mobile phone 200 to read the identifier on the cassette (e.g., read an unread identifier). In one example, for a mobile phone using a color filter (e.g., red, green, blue filter), the instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 may direct suppressing one or more of the filters during the digital imaging processing and the reading of the identifier.

[0042] In some examples, each cell of the array within the basket 41 may or may not contain an organization cassette. To identify whether an organization cassette is present within a cell, the device 100 may include a sensor system. Referring again to FIG. 3, the device 100 is directly or indirectly connected to a support or pedestal 115 by connection to a carriage 120 and includes a sensor bar 170 that projects in the z direction above the basket 41. The sensor bar 170 includes a plurality of sensors 1705 each positioned to face downward toward the basket 41. The sensors 1705 are linearly positioned on the sensor bar 170 so as to align with the columns within the basket 41. The sensors 1705 are, for example, optoelectronic sensors each including an emitter that emits light downward looking toward an individual cell within a column and a receiver that receives the reflected light. The sensors 1705 may be activated by machine-readable instructions included within the controller 130. When activated, each sensor directs (emits) light in the direction of a cell within the basket and the receiver of each sensor receives the reflection of that light. For example, if a cassette is present within the cell toward which the light is directed, the sensor 1705 receives the reflection of the transmitted light. If no cassette is present within the cell, the reflection is received by the sensor 1705 little or not at all because an additional travel distance is added. The travel distance and the presence or absence of the reflected sensor output may together be used by the controller 130, for example, via encoder information from the motor 1109, to map the position of the cassette inside the basket 41 (or, optionally, inside a magazine or container). If an identifier is not captured or read at a particular position within the basket 41, the coordinates of that position may be determined and used to confirm the result. For example, instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 may move the mobile phone 200 (via the pedestal 115) directly above or near the particular position once determined, and verify, for example, via image capture at the particular position, that no cassette is present, or if a cassette is present, capture another image of the identifier associated with that cassette.

[0043] Device 100 may include external lighting. FIG. 3 shows a sensor bar 170 that includes one or more light sources 1710, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), along the length of the sensor bar 170. The light source 1710 is directed towards the basket 41 within the drip tray 131. The light source 1710 may help illuminate the cassette (identifier on the cassette) within the basket 41. Commands associated with the controller 130 may include commands to power one or more light sources to emit light during image capture by the mobile phone 200. For example, the mobile phone 200 is informed when the user presses a button to start scanning the cassette. At that time, the mobile phone 200 sends a command to the controller 130 to move various motors to position the basket 41 and the mobile phone 200 at the starting position of the scan (e.g., the motor 1206 may move the pedestal in the y direction (see FIG. 2), the motor 1116 may move the drip tray in the z direction (see FIG. 2), and / or the motor 1109 may move the pedestal in the x direction (see FIG. 4)). Then, a command from the mobile phone 200 or the controller 130 may turn on the light source 1710 before scanning the basket 41. With the light source 1710 turned on, commands associated with the mobile phone 200 include commands to automatically adjust the exposure (auto exposure) to obtain the best image results. The commands may also include commands operable to adjust the intensity of the light from the light source 1710 (e.g., in a dark surrounding, the intensity may be greater than in a bright surrounding). The light source 1710 may be used to provide uniform or even illumination throughout the image capture area and to adjust the intensity relative to the ambient light conditions. Without wishing to be bound by theory, since the scene is already uniformly or evenly illuminated, the use of the light source 1710 is thought to improve the auto exposure function of the mobile phone.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a light source 1710 connected to the sensor bar 170, although it is understood that one or more light sources may be connected to the support or pedestal 115 or the carriage 120 via a separate connection, such as a light bar or a bracket light bar arranged so as not to obstruct the field of view of the lens or lenses of the mobile phone. The light source, such as that emitted from the sensor bar 170 or the light bar or bracket, is a light source separate from the light source components of the mobile phone 200, such as a flashlight function or a camera flash. The light source separate from the light source components of the mobile phone 200 reduces the shadow or occlusion of the identifier by the cassette being scanned, the basket, the container, or other cassettes within the magazine. In one example, the instructions associated with the mobile phone 200 may include instructions to illuminate the flashlight of the mobile phone and / or use the camera flash during image capture of the cassette.

[0045] Device 100 may have various operating modes. In the first operating mode, mobile phone 200 associated with device 100 captures an image of an identifier associated with a basket, magazine, or cassette in a basket, magazine, or container, reads the identifier, identifies the contents of the basket, magazine, or container (e.g., a basket having one or more empty positions), collects the coordinates of the cassette, generates a panoramic or overview image of the cassette including color, and transfers the captured image, overview image, and barcode information (contents, cassette color, coordinates) as well as the read date and time to controller 130 via a wireless communication link. Controller 130 stores the identifier in a database within controller 130. In the second operating mode, mobile phone 200 captures and reads the identifier, identifies the contents of the basket, magazine, or container (e.g., a basket having one or more empty positions), collects the coordinates of the cassette and generates a panoramic or overview image, stores this information in the onboard database, and may send this information to an external system such as a Laboratory Information System (LIS) / Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) / middleware computer software. Mobile phone 200 may send the captured information to the LIS or other computer system, for example, wirelessly or via a wire. The third operating mode is the same as the second operating mode, but mobile phone 200 may also request tissue processing protocol information from the LIS / LIMS / middleware computer software, or read the tissue processing protocol from the identifier and analyze whether there are any contradictions regarding the tissue processing protocol between cassettes.In the fourth operation mode, the mobile phone 200 can capture and read an identifier, identify the contents of a basket, magazine, or container (e.g., a basket having one or more empty positions), collect the coordinates of the cassette to generate a panoramic or overview image, save the panoramic or overview image in a database associated with the mobile phone 200, and identify the color of the cassette to analyze whether there are any contradictions regarding the tissue processing protocol determined by the color of the cassette.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows another example of a device that can be used to capture, store, and output identification information such as barcodes on a sample carrier (e.g., a cassette or cassette / frame assembly) within an array such as a basket or other container without removing the sample carrier from the basket or other container. In this example, the device 300 is mounted on a table or other surface and is operable to receive a sample carrier such as a cassette. The device 300 includes a base 310 and a carriage 320 connected to the base 310 via a support or pedestal 315. The carriage 320 projects a distance in the vertical or y-dimension from the base 310 defined by the length of the support or pedestal 315. The carriage 320 can be operable to receive a mobile phone such as the mobile phone 200. Disposed within the base 310 is a tray 331 that is operable to receive a basket 341 (similar to the basket 41 described above), one or more magazines, or other containers.

[0047] In this example, the carriage 320 includes a cover for covering the upper side (screen side) of the mobile phone 398. The lower side of the carriage 320 includes an opening for exposing the lens of the mobile phone 398. In this example, the basket 341 (tray 331) is fixed. The positioning of the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 398 for image capture of the identifier on the cassette within the basket 341 is achieved, as needed, by movement of the carriage 320 in the longitudinal (x) direction and movement of the mobile phone 398 in the lateral (z) direction. The longitudinal movement of the carriage 320 can be performed, typically, by a motor-driven lead screw (similar to the lead screw 1106 / bracket 1108 / motor 1109 described above with reference to FIG. 4) located inside the body of the base 310. The lead screw or ball screw, and the motor mechanism, can be disposed within the carriage 320 and be operable to move the mobile phone 398 in the longitudinal direction. The device 300 can include a controller located at the pedestal 315 or other location to control the movement of the carriage 320 and the mobile phone 398 and communicate with the mobile phone 398 (similar to the controller 130 within the device 100 and the description related to FIGS. 2 - 5C as an example).

[0048] In the example of FIG. 6, device 300 may include region 360 that is vertically adjacent to base 310 or a portion of base 310 for a display device to display data acquired by mobile phone 398. As an example, display device 399 may be a tablet (e.g., iPad (registered trademark)) or other computer monitor, or a computer device (e.g., laptop, desktop). The display device may be operable to display an image captured by mobile phone 398 and the movement of the mobile phone (e.g., display an image when mobile phone 398 moves from left to right or right to left). Device 300 may have a connection for wiring display device 399 to device 300, or the connection between display device 399, device 300, and mobile phone 398 may be wireless. Region 360 may be provided, but in another example, it is understood that display device 399 may be placed on the same desk or table as device 300, or at another location (e.g., another desk or table).

[0049] FIG. 7 shows another example of a device that can be used to capture, store, and output identification information such as barcodes on a sample carrier (e.g., cassette or cassette / frame assembly) within an array such as a basket or other container without removing the sample carrier from the basket or other container. In this example, device 400 is mounted on a table or other surface and is operable to receive a sample carrier such as a cassette. Device 400 includes base 410 and carriage 420 connected to base 410 via support or pedestal 415. Carriage 420 projects a distance in the vertical or y dimension from base 410 that is defined by the length of support or pedestal 415. Carriage 420 may be operable to receive a mobile phone such as mobile phone 498. Disposed within base 410 is tray 431 that is operable to receive basket 441 (similar to basket 41 described above with respect to device 100), one or more magazines, or other containers.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 7, the mobile phone 498 is disposed within the carriage 420 with the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 498 exposed below the carriage 420 so as to enable capture of an identifier on a cassette within the basket 441. The carriage 420 is operable to move in a longitudinal (x) direction relative to the base 410. The tray 431 within the base 410 is operable to move in a transverse (z) direction. Positioning of the mobile phone 498 for capturing an image of an identifier on a cassette within the basket and reading the identifier may be controlled by a controller within the device 400, and movement of each of the carriage 420 and the tray 431 may be effected using a lead screw / bracket / motor configuration in a manner similar to that described with respect to device 100, for example. FIG. 8 shows another example of a device that can be used to capture, store, and output identification information such as a barcode on a sample carrier (e.g., a cassette or cassette / frame assembly) within an array such as a basket or other container without removing the sample carrier from the basket or other container. In this example, the device 500 is mounted on a table or other surface and is operable to receive a sample carrier such as a cassette. The device 500 includes a base 510 and a carriage 520 connected to the base 510 via a support or pedestal 515. The carriage 520 projects a distance in a vertical or y dimension from the base 510 defined by the length of the support or pedestal 515. The carriage 520 may be operable to receive a mobile phone such as the mobile phone 599, which is a tablet such as an iPad (registered trademark) in this example. The carriage 520 may include a hinge mechanism that enables the mobile phone 599 to be held or supported at various angles within the carriage 520. For example, the mobile phone 599 may be positioned horizontally or one end of the mobile phone (e.g., the upper end or the end closest to the support or pedestal 515) may be angled up relative to the opposite end of the mobile phone to improve viewing and / or image capture by the user.Disposed within the base 510 is a tray 531 that is operable to receive a basket 541 (similar to the basket 41 described above with respect to device 100), one or more magazines, or other containers.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 8, the mobile phone 599 is disposed within the carriage 520 with the lens or lenses of the mobile phone 599 exposed below the carriage 520 so as to enable capture of an identifier on a cassette within the basket 541. In this example, the carriage 520 is stationary (i.e., the carriage 520 is not operable to move in the longitudinal (x) or lateral (z) direction relative to the base 510). The tray 531 within the base 510 is operable to move in both the longitudinal (x) and lateral (z) directions. Positioning of the mobile phone 599 for capturing an image of and reading an identifier on a cassette within the basket may be controlled by a controller within the device 500, and movement of the tray 531 may be effected using a lead screw / bracket / motor configuration, for example, in a manner similar to that described with respect to device 100.

[0052] The imaging devices and systems described are capable of capturing and reading an identifier (e.g., a barcode) of an individual cassette assembled with other cassettes without removing the cassette from a magazine, basket, or other container. While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details may be developed in light of the teachings of the present disclosure as a whole. Accordingly, the specific arrangements disclosed are illustrative only and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention, which is given the full breadth of the appended claims and aspects and any and all equivalents thereof. Aspects The following are aspects of the invention.

[0053] (Aspect 1) An apparatus for identifying an identifier on a tissue cassette within an assembly of a plurality of tissue cassettes, A base that can be attached on a table, A carriage coupled to the base, operable above the base to project a predetermined distance, and configured to accommodate a mobile phone having a camera array in a position such that the camera array faces the base; A controller connected to the carriage, including machine-readable instructions operable to direct movement of one of the carriage and the base relative to the other; An apparatus comprising the same.

[0054] (Aspect 2) The apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein the base comprises an orientation designating portion for a container operable to accommodate an assembly of a plurality of cassettes.

[0055] (Aspect 3) The apparatus according to aspect 2, wherein the directional movement of one of the carriage and the base is operable to enable a camera of the mobile phone to capture an image of an identifier on a plurality of tissue cassettes in a container located below the mobile phone in the carriage.

[0056] (Aspect 4) The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, further comprising a sensor bar connected to the carriage, the sensor bar comprising one or more photoelectric sensors, the one or more photoelectric sensors comprising an emitter that emits light within a field of view of a camera array of a mobile phone housed in the carriage, and a receiver that receives the reflected emitted light.

[0057] (Aspect 5) The apparatus according to aspect 4, wherein the sensor bar comprises a plurality of photoelectric sensors linearly arranged on the sensor bar and spaced apart corresponding to intervals between tissue cassettes arranged in a row in a basket located below the mobile phone in the carriage.

[0058] (Aspect 6) The apparatus according to aspect 4, wherein the carriage is operable to move in the direction with respect to the base, and the sensor bar is operable to be moved together with the carriage.

[0059] (Aspect 7) The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, further comprising at least one light source connected to the carriage and operable to emit light from the at least one light source to the base.

[0060] (Aspect 8) The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, further comprising a tray operable to be removably located within the base, the tray having dimensions to accommodate a container operable to accommodate an assembly of a plurality of cassettes.

[0061] (Aspect 9) The apparatus according to aspect 8, wherein the tray is operable to move in a direction along an axis orthogonal to the axis of the movement of one of the carriage and the base.

[0062] (Aspect 10) The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, further comprising a charger connected to the carriage and operable to charge a mobile phone housed within the carriage.

[0063] (Aspect 11) The apparatus according to aspect 10, wherein the charger is operable to provide a wireless charging connection to the mobile phone.

[0064] (Aspect 12) The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the machine-readable instructions include instructions to move one of the carriage and the base in a direction with respect to the other along the axis based on instructions received from a mobile phone housed within the carriage.

[0065] (Aspect 13) An assembly, The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, and a mobile phone within the carriage of the apparatus, the mobile phone being operable to instruct the apparatus to move one of the carriage and the base in a direction relative to the other along the axis, and being operable to capture an image during the movement, the mobile phone including non-transitory machine-readable instructions An assembly comprising the same.

[0066] (Aspect 14) A method comprising: placing a mobile phone in a carriage connected to a base and protruding a certain distance above the base; placing a container below the carriage, the container comprising a plurality of tissue cassettes, each of the plurality of tissue cassettes including an identifier on each respective front surface; capturing, by the mobile phone, an image of the identifier of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes while the plurality of tissue cassettes remain in the container; A method comprising the same.

[0067] (Aspect 15) The method according to aspect 14, further comprising reading, by the mobile phone, the captured identifier of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes.

[0068] (Aspect 16) Capturing, by the mobile phone, an image of the identifier of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes includes continuously capturing a plurality of images of the identifier while one of the carriage and the base moves in a direction relative to the other along the axis, the method according to aspect 14 or aspect 15.

[0069] (Aspect 17) Continuously capturing a plurality of images includes capturing a first image of a first region of the container before capturing a second image of a second region of the container, a part of the second region overlapping a part of the first region, the method according to aspect 16.

[0070] (Aspect 18) Reading the captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes of each of the first image and the second image; Comparing the read and captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in the first image with the read and captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in the second image; Identifying any duplicates of the read and captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in the first image and the read and captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in the second image; The method according to aspect 17, further comprising.

[0071] (Aspect 19) The method according to any one of aspects 14 to 18, further comprising stitching, by the mobile phone, an overall image of one or more of the cassettes in the container from the continuously captured images.

[0072] (Aspect 20) Continuously capturing a plurality of images includes capturing a first image of an identifier at a first focus position on the container and a second image of the identifier at a second focus position on the container, and a direction of change from the first focus position to the second focus position is different from a direction of movement of one of the carriage and the base. The method according to any one of aspects 14 to 19.

[0073] (Aspect 21) A machine-readable medium including non-transitory instructions including a method when executed by a mobile phone, the method comprising: Instructing a device including a carriage connected to a base and protruding a certain distance above the base to move one of the carriage and the base in a direction with respect to the other along an axis; In response to the movement, capturing, by the mobile phone in the carriage, consecutive images of a region below the carriage; stitching the continuous images into an overall image; A machine-readable medium including

[0074] (Aspect 22) Capturing an image including capturing a first image of a first region before capturing a second image of a second region, wherein a part of the second region overlaps a part of the first region, the machine-readable medium according to Aspect 20.

[0075] (Aspect 23) The region below the carriage comprises a plurality of cassettes each including an identifier, and the non-transitory instructions to be executed further include a method including reading the identifier of each of the plurality of cassettes, the machine-readable medium according to Aspect 20 or Aspect 21.

[0076] (Aspect 24) The mobile phone includes digital processing with one or more color filters for reproducing the captured image, and before reading at least one of the identifiers of the plurality of cassettes, the method includes removing the one or more color filters, the machine-readable medium according to Aspect 22.

[0077] (Aspect 25) The non-transitory instructions to be executed further include a method including transmitting the stitched image to an external system, the machine-readable medium according to Aspect 20.

[0078] Although specific aspects of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details may be developed in light of the entire teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, the specific arrangements disclosed are merely illustrative and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention, which is given the full breadth of the appended claims and aspects and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An apparatus for identifying identifiers on tissue cassettes within containers of a plurality of tissue cassettes, comprising: A base that can be attached to a table; A carriage coupled to the base and operable to receive a mobile phone having a camera array above the base and protruding a predetermined distance, such that the camera array faces the direction of the base; A controller connected to the carriage and including machine-readable instructions operable to move one of the carriage and the base relative to the other; The mobile phone housed in the carriage is configured to automatically capture, at a rate that allows continuous capture, a plurality of images of each identifier on each tissue cassette included in the containers of the plurality of tissue cassettes disposed within the base, each image capture encompassing a field of view smaller than the area of the container, read the identifier on each tissue cassette within each captured image, and include machine-readable instructions to discard or ignore the identifier read from the previous image among the captured images.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises an orientation designating portion for the container.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor bar connected to the carriage, the sensor bar comprising one or more photoelectric sensors, the one or more photoelectric sensors comprising an emitter that emits light within the field of view of a camera array of a mobile phone housed within the carriage and a receiver that receives the reflected emitted light.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sensor bar comprises a plurality of spaced-apart photoelectric sensors arranged linearly on the sensor bar and corresponding to the spacing of tissue cassettes arranged in a row within a basket located below the mobile phone within the carriage.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the carriage is operable to move in the direction with respect to the base, and the sensor bar is operable to be moved together with the carriage.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one light source connected to the carriage and operable to emit light from the at least one light source to the base.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tray operable to be removably located within the base, the tray having dimensions to accommodate the container.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the tray is operable to move in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of either the carriage or the base.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charger connected to the carriage and operable to charge the mobile phone.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the charger is operable to provide a wireless charging connection to the mobile phone.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine-readable instructions of the carriage include instructions to move one of the carriage and the base relative to the other in a predetermined direction based on instructions received from the mobile phone.

12. A method comprising: placing a mobile phone within a carriage connected to a base and protruding a certain distance above the base; placing a container below the carriage, the container comprising a plurality of tissue cassettes, each front surface of the plurality of tissue cassettes including an identifier, and each front surface of the plurality of tissue cassettes facing the carriage; With the plurality of tissue cassettes remaining in the container, one of the carriage and the base moves relative to the other, and each of the plurality of images of each identifier of the plurality of tissue cassettes is continuously captured within a separate field of view of the mobile phone; Reading a region smaller than the area of the container, reading each of the continuously captured plurality of images of the identifiers in each of the plurality of tissue cassettes, and discarding or ignoring the identifiers read by the previously captured images.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising reading, by the mobile phone, each of the captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes.

14. Continuously capturing a plurality of images includes capturing a first image of a first region of the container before capturing a second image of a second region of the container, and a part of the second region overlaps a part of the first region. The method according to claim 12.

15. Reading each of the captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in each of the first image and the second image; Comparing each of the read and captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in the first image with each of the read and captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in the second image; Identifying any duplicates of each of the read and captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in the first image and each of the read and captured identifiers of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes in the second image; The method according to claim 14, further comprising.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising stitching, by the mobile phone, an overall image of the plurality of cassettes in the container from the continuously captured images.

17. Continuously capturing a plurality of images includes capturing a first image of an identifier at a first focus position on the container and a second image of the identifier at a second focus position on the container, wherein a direction of change from the first focus position to the second focus position is different from a direction of movement of either the carriage or the base. The method according to claim 12.

18. A machine-readable medium including machine-executable instructions that, when executed by a mobile phone, include a method that Instructing a device having a carriage connected to a base and protruding a certain distance above the base to move one of the carriage and the base relative to the other in a predetermined direction; In response to the movement, capturing, by the mobile phone within the carriage, successive images of an area under the carriage including a container, the container including a plurality of tissue cassettes, each of the plurality of tissue cassettes including an identifier on its front face, each front face of the plurality of tissue cassettes facing the carriage, the successive images including a plurality of images of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes within the container captured while one of the carriage and the base is moving relative to the other, and each of the plurality of images of the identifier of each of the plurality of tissue cassettes being captured separately within the field of view of the mobile phone that is smaller than the area of the container; Reading each of the successively captured plurality of images of the identifier in each of the plurality of tissue cassettes; Discarding or ignoring an identifier read by a previously captured image; Stitching the successive images into an overall image; A machine-readable medium including the above.

19. Capturing an image including capturing a first image of a first area before capturing a second image of a second area, wherein a part of the second area overlaps a part of the first area. The machine-readable medium according to claim 18.

20. The mobile phone includes digital processing with one or more color filters for reproducing the captured image, and prior to reading of the at least one identifier of the plurality of cassettes, the method includes removing the one or more color filters, the machine-readable medium according to claim 18.

21. The non-transitory instructions executed include The machine-readable medium according to claim 18, including a method further including transmitting the stitched image to an external system.

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