Device for automatically selecting slides for a microscope

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for automatically selecting slides by means of conventional microscopy using movement mechanisms based on racks, pinions, motors and linear actuators. In addition, the device comprises a microcontroller, rechargeable battery and wireless communication for controlling same via a mobile device. The device can also adapt to different-sized microscope stages and is able to store a plurality of slides that are inserted through a slot located on one side of the device.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC SELECTION OF MICROSCOPE SLIDES

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for the automatic selection of slides using conventional microscopy, making use of movement mechanisms based on racks, pinions, motors and linear actuators, in addition to having a microcontroller, rechargeable battery and wireless communication for its control by means of a mobile device, additionally it has adaptability to different sizes of slides.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Biological samples can be stored on sample holders, such as microscope slides, and analyzed using a biological detection instrument such as a microscope.

[0006] In laboratory analysis, one of the most common practices is the visualization of samples using conventional microscopy, which is normally done manually and sometimes involves several samples for the same study, causing a loss of time due to having to change the various slides to be observed. Therefore, having an adaptable and automatic system for various types of conventional microscopes provides greater efficiency and speed in the analysis.

[0007] Devices exist that allow for the automated analysis of slides, such as biological sample cartridges that include radial slots for storing biological sample holders. The biological sample cartridge has the same form factor as the data tape cartridges used in automated tape libraries, allowing it to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that manage the data tape cartridges.

[0008] There are also devices for classifying microscope slides that include two magazines for a supply of supports. The devices are provided with a means for extracting supports to the working position adjacent to the work area, which is accomplished in the form of two independent drives, one of which is designed for the reciprocating movement of the magazines in the horizontal plane, while the second is designed for a measured and gradual descent with respect to the work area.

[0009] Automatic microscope slide selection devices are tools developed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of handling and analyzing microscopic samples. Traditionally, microscope slide handling was a manual process requiring precision and attention to avoid errors and cross-contamination. With the increasing demand for rapid and accurate analysis, the need arose for automated devices capable of handling large volumes of samples with minimal human intervention.

[0010] The advent of stepper motors and servomotors enabled the development of automated systems capable of manipulating microscope slides with high precision. Furthermore, advances in computer science allowed for the integration of control software that managed the precise placement and movement of the slides within the microscope. The incorporation of optical sensors and feedback systems further improved the accuracy and reliability of these devices, ensuring correct placement and minimizing errors.

[0011] Modern devices for automated slide selection often utilize robotic arms and automated transport systems that can select, label, and place slides onto the microscope. In some advanced laboratories, these devices are integrated into larger automation systems that include sample preparation, analysis, and data storage, all controlled by a centralized system. Furthermore, the most advanced devices may be integrated with high-resolution imaging technologies and image analysis software, enabling a fully automated workflow from sample preparation to data analysis.

[0012] The benefits of these devices are significant. They increase the speed of analysis by reducing the time needed to prepare and handle samples, reduce human error and variability, improve the consistency of results, and minimize staff exposure to potentially hazardous samples. Furthermore, they allow for the processing of a greater number of samples in less time, which is crucial in laboratories with high-volume analysis. These devices are a crucial part of the evolution of modern laboratories, providing significant benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and safety.A prior art search was conducted for devices for the automatic selection of slides using conventional microscopy. It was found that several devices have been developed, as mentioned in US patent application number US20160116496 (A1), published on April 28, 2016, entitled "BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE CARTRIDGE WITH RADIAL SLOTS FOR STORING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE CARRIERS AND USE IN AUTOMATED DATA STORAGE SYSTEMS." This document describes a biological sample cartridge that includes radial slots for storing biological sample carriers. The biological sample cartridge has the same format as the data tape cartridges used in automated tape libraries, allowing it to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that handle the data tape cartridges.One aspect of the disclosure concerns a biological sample cartridge that includes a rotating holder for the biological sample carrier. The holder for the biological sample carrier includes radial slots to receive biological sample carriers that optionally contain biological samples for scanning and analysis by automated tape libraries.

[0013] Also found was the publication of international application number WO2011126392 (A1), published on October 13, 2011, entitled "DEVICE FOR SORTING MICROSCOPE SLIDES," which describes a device for sorting microscope slides that includes two magazines for a supply of supports, arranged in a vertical stack. The magazines are mounted to allow movement in the horizontal plane adjacent to the work area. The device is provided with a means for extracting supports to the working position adjacent to the work area, which is accomplished in the form of two independent drives, one of which is designed for moving the magazines in the horizontal plane, while the second is designed for the stepped descent measured with respect to the work area.The device is provided with a means for inserting a slide into a support, which is implemented in the form of a pusher, equipped with a separate drive for reciprocating movement within the working area. The means for extracting a support to the working position is implemented in the form of a drive for the measured, stepped descent of the loader relative to the working area. The means for inserting a slide is implemented in the form of a pusher with a drive for reciprocating movement in a direction perpendicular to the row of loaders, and with a separate drive for reciprocating movement along the row of loaders.

[0014] However, such devices have disadvantages, as they are not adaptable to conventional microscopes and loading the slides into them is complex. Therefore, there is a need to develop a device comprising mechanisms and motors structurally mounted inside a main body. Its design allows for the practical placement of multiple slides for analysis, which can then be selected using a mobile device that communicates wirelessly with the main body for slide control and selection. This enables faster and more precise sample analysis, and the device must also have a mechanism that allows it to be adapted to any microscope stage. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention aims to provide a device for the automatic selection of slides using conventional microscopy, which helps the user to facilitate and reduce the time required for sample analysis using conventional microscopy.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for the automatic selection of slides using conventional microscopy. This device has a mechanism that allows placement on the stage of conventional microscopes. It also has the capacity to store a plurality of slides inserted through a slot located on the side of the device. Additionally, the invention has a slide selection mechanism using an arrangement of pinion motors and a toothed base, as well as the use of linear actuators that allow the selection of the slide to be viewed. It also has a mechanism adapted with a manual clamp for holding the slide, a pair of motors, and a toothed plate that allows movement of the slides along the "X" and "Y" axes, allowing the visualization of the entire sample on the slide.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] The characteristic details of this novel device for the automatic selection of slides using conventional microscopy are clearly shown in the following description and accompanying figures, as well as an illustration thereof, using the same reference symbols to indicate the parts shown. However, these figures are shown by way of example and should not be considered limiting to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device for automatic selection of microscope slides.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a side view of the device for automatic selection of microscope slides.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the device for automatic selection of microscope slides.

[0022] Figure 4 shows a top perspective view of the device for the automatic selection of microscope slides without the top face. Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the disc of the device for the automatic selection of microscope slides.

[0023] Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the interior of the device for automatic selection of microscope slides.

[0024] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the clamping and movement mechanism for microscope slides of the automatic slide selection device.

[0025] Figure 8 shows a detailed bottom perspective view of the slide clamping and movement mechanism and the toothed support of the device for automatic microscope slide selection. Figure 9 shows a detailed top perspective view of the slide clamping and movement mechanism and the toothed support of the device for automatic microscope slide selection.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] For a better understanding of the present invention, the parts that make up the device for the automatic selection of microscope slides that is the subject of the present invention are listed below:

[0028] 1. Main structure

[0029] the . Top face

[0030] lb. Bottom face

[0031] lc. Side face

[0032] 2. Circular perforation

[0033] 3. Charging connector

[0034] 4. Rectangular perforation

[0035] 5. Fixation clamps

[0036] 6. Circular drilling

[0037] 7. Spring mechanism

[0038] 8. Disc

[0039] 9. Laminae

[0040] 10. Supports

[0041] 11. Linear actuators

[0042] 12. Engine

[0043] 13. Toothed

[0044] 14. Support

[0045] 15. Rectangular projection

[0046] 16. Engines

[0047] 17. Gear support 18a. Gears

[0048] 18b. Gears

[0049] 19. Circular projection

[0050] 20. Rectangular cavity

[0051] 21. Rectangular perforations

[0052] 22. Clamping and movement mechanism for lamellae

[0053] The device for the automatic selection of microscope slides, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a main structure (1) that is hollow cylindrical, and has a top face (la), a bottom face (Ib) and a side face (1c). On its top face (la) it has a circular perforation (2), which allows the visualization of the slides (9), which are located inside the device, which are seen more clearly in Figure 4. On the side face (1c) of the main structure (1) towards one side of the device, it comprises a USB type C charging connector (3), which allows the recharging of an internal battery of the device.

[0054] As shown in Figure 2, on the side face (1c) of the main structure (1) facing the front of the device, there is a rectangular perforation (4) which allows the manual insertion of the slides (9) to be viewed under the microscope. On the lower face (Ib) shown in Figure 3, there is a second circular perforation (6) coinciding with the circular perforation (2) on the upper face (la) of the main structure (1); this second circular perforation (6) allows light from the microscope to pass through the slides (9) and into the microscope objective.On the lower face (Ib) of the main structure (1) and on the sides of the second circular perforation (6) there is a pair of rectangular pieces in the form of fixing clamps (5), which allow the device to be secured to the stage of a microscope. The fixing clamps (5) are joined at the top of their outer side to a spring mechanism (7) which in turn is joined to one side of a rectangular cavity (20) in which the fixing clamps (5) are located. This configuration allows a linear movement of the fixing clamps (5) through the rectangular cavity (20), and together with the spring mechanism (7) allows the device to be securely placed on any microscope stage regardless of its size.

[0055] Inside the main structure (1), as shown in Figure 4, a circular protrusion (19) is visible in its center. Within this protrusion (19) is the control module (not shown), which consists of a microcontroller, a power supply battery that provides electrical energy to the various electronic components of the device, and a wireless communication module of the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), or UWB (Ultra-Wideband) type. The control module enables the operation of the various electronic components of the device and the motors. Additionally, it allows communication with a mobile device for controlling and managing the device via a Bluetooth connection.

[0056] Inside the main structure (1) there is a flat circular piece with a circular perforation in its center, like a disc (8). On its upper face, there are a plurality of rectangular perforations (21). On the shorter sides of the rectangular perforations (21) are supports (10) that are right-angled projections for the lamellae (9), as shown in Figure 5. The supports (10) and the rectangular perforations (21) of the disc (8) allow for the visualization and placement of the lamellae (9). On the inner face of the circular perforation of the disc (8), there is a toothed edge (13), positioned on the circular projection (19).

[0057] Figure 6 shows that inside the main structure (1) there is a motor (12) which is a servomotor or stepper motor type; this motor (12) has a toothed pinion on its shaft, the toothed pinion of the motor (12) coincides with the toothing (13) of the circular perforation of the disc (8), this configuration allows the rotation of the disc (8) giving the ability to select the lamella (9). Mounted on the circular projection (19) inside the main structure (1) are a pair of linear actuators (11) located one in front of the other; These linear actuators (11) have at the end of their stem a rectangular clamp with a cut at its lateral end that holds the disc (8) and also allows vertical movement; this movement allows the selection and separation of the slide to be viewed in the microscope.

[0058] Mounted on the circular projection (19) inside the main structure (1) and located opposite the toothed pinion motor (12) is the clamping and movement mechanism for lamellae (22), as shown in figures 7, 8 and 9. The clamping and movement mechanism for lamellae (22) consists of a pair of stepper motors (16) or servomotors, located perpendicular to each other; these motors (16) provide movement for the "x" and "y" axes;Above each of the motors (16) is located a gear support (17) which has a cylindrical projection on its front face mounted on the shafts of the motors (16) as well as on the cylindrical projections of the gear supports (17) there are gears (18a and 18b), the gears (18a) placed on the shafts of the stepper motors (16) are assembled with the gears (18b) mounted on the cylindrical shafts of the gear supports (17) transmitting the rotary motion of the gears (18a) in the stepper motors (16) to the gears (18b) in the gear supports (17).

[0059] Mounted on the gears (18b) of the gear supports (17) is a toothed support (14) on its lower face which is rectangular, the toothing is arranged in the form of cones which allows the passage of both gears (18b) of the gear supports (17), which allows it to have movement in both the "x" axis and the "y" axis.At the front end of the upper face of the toothed rectangular piece (14), a rectangular projection (15) is visible. This projection has a pair of rectangular protrusions on its front face that act as slide holders. These holders allow the slide (9) to be held in place when positioned in front of the slide clamping and movement mechanism (22). The vertical movement of the disc (8), transmitted by the linear actuators (11), separates the slide (9) from the slide holders (10), thus allowing the slide to be moved along the "x" and "y" axes for analysis under the microscope. These movements will be controlled by the control module via a mobile device connected to the module through a Bluetooth wireless connection.In view of the foregoing, it is reiterated that the scope of the present invention shall not be limited by the specific embodiments described, and it shall be understood that variations in several respects may be made. Such variations shall not be considered a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications may be obvious to a person skilled in the art and shall be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy, characterized in that it comprises: a main structure (1) that is hollow cylindrical, and has an upper face (la), a lower face (Ib) and a side face (1c); on its upper face (la) it has a circular perforation (2); on the lower face (Ib) it contains a second circular perforation (6) coinciding with the circular perforation (2) of the upper face (la); on the side face (1c) in the direction of a side of the device it has a loading connector (3), and on the side face (1c) of the main structure (1) in the direction of the front of the device it contains a rectangular perforation (4); A pair of rectangular pieces in the form of fixing clamps ( 5 ) are located on the lower face ( lb ) on the sides of the second circular perforation ( 6 );a circular projection (19) arranged inside the main structure (1), inside said circular projection (19) is a power supply battery that powers a control module, as well as a wireless communication module; a flat circular piece with a circular perforation in its center in the form of a disc (8) located inside the main structure (1), on the upper face of the disc (8) has a plurality of rectangular perforations (21), on the shorter sides of the rectangular perforations (21) there are supports (10) that are right-angled projections in the form of supports for lamellae (9); on its inner face of the circular perforation of the disc (8) it has a toothed edge (13) placed on the circular projection (19); a motor (12) which has a toothed pinion on its shaft is located inside the main structure (1) and coincides with the toothing (13) of the disc (8); said motor (12) is controlled by the control module; a pair of linear actuators (11) mounted on the circular projection (19) inside the main structure (1) located opposite each other, said linear actuators (11) have at the end of their shaft a rectangular clamp with a cut at its lateral end that holds the disc (8), said linear actuators (11) are activated by the control module; and, a clamping and movement mechanism for lamellae (22) positioned on the circular projection (19) inside the main structure (1) and located opposite the motor (12) with pinion, composed of a pair of motors (16) located perpendicular to each other, said motors (16) provide movements for the "x" and "y" axes;a gear support (17) located above each of the motors (16), which have a cylindrical projection on their front face mounted on the shafts of the motors (16) as well as on the cylindrical projections of the gear supports (17); a toothed support (14) on its lower face, mounted on the gears (17); at the front end of the support (14) there is a rectangular projection (15) which on its front face shows a pair of rectangular projections as holders for lamellae, which allow the lamella (9) to be held; the holding and movement mechanism is manipulated through the control module.

2. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the circular perforation (2) and the second circular perforation (6) are coincident and allow the visualization of the slides (9) inside the device, as well as the passage of light coming from the microscope so that it passes through the slides (9) and towards the objective of the microscope.

3. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the charging connector (3) is USB type C, which allows the recharging of the internal battery of the device.

4. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the fixing clips (5) are joined by the upper part of their outer side to a spring mechanism (7) which in turn is joined to a side of a rectangular cavity (20) in which the fixing clips (5) are located, which allows linear movement through the rectangular cavity (20) and together with the spring mechanism (7) allows the device to be securely attached to any microscope stage.

5. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the control module allows the operation of the various electronic elements of the device and the motors, additionally it allows communication with a mobile device for the control and handling of the device by means of a wireless communication module located in the control module.

6. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 5, further characterized in that: the wireless communication module is of the Bluetooth, WiFi or UWB type.

7. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the control module has a microcontroller.

8. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the supports (10) and the rectangular perforations (21) of the disc (8) allow the visualization and placement of the slides (9) to be observed.

9. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the motor (12) with toothed pinion together with the toothing (13) of the circular perforation of the disc (8) allow the rotation of the disc (8) giving the ability to select the slide (9).

10. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the linear actuators (11) in addition to allowing vertical movement, this movement allows the selection and separation of the slide to be viewed in the microscope.

11. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the clamping and movement mechanism for slides (22) comprises gears (18a and 18b), the gears (18a) placed on the shafts of the stepper motors (16) mesh with the gears (18b) mounted on the cylindrical shafts of the gear supports (17) transmitting the rotary motion of the gears (18a) in the stepper motors (16) to the gears (18b) in the gear supports (17).

12. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the support (14) the teeth of its lower face are arranged in the form of cones that allow the passage of both gears (18b), of the gear supports (17) which allows it to have movement both on the "x" axis and on the "y" axis.

13. The device for the automatic selection of slides by means of conventional microscopy according to claim 12, further characterized in that: the rectangular projection (15) allows the slide (9) to be held when it is located in front of the slide clamping and movement mechanism (22) and by means of the vertical movement of the disc (8) transmitted by the linear actuators (11) separates the slide (9) from the slide holders (10) thus allowing the movement of the slide in the "x" and "y" axes for its analysis in the microscope.

14. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the movements of the slides (9) in the axes "x" and "y" are controlled by the control module through the mobile device connected to said module via a wireless connection by Bluetooth, WIFI or UWB.

15. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the The circular projection (19) is located in the center of the main structure (1).

16. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the motor (12) and the motors (16) are of the stepper or servomotor type.

17. The device for the automatic selection of slides by conventional microscopy according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the toothed support (14) on its lower face is rectangular.

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