Adjustable Slide Stage for Mixed Glass Sizes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital slide scanning apparatuses are limited by their inability to efficiently process both 1x3 and 2x3 glass slides using the same system, requiring separate equipment and processes for each size, which hinders efficient and unified digital pathology scanning.
Innovation Solution
A scanning stage that can adjust its position to accommodate both 1x3 and 2x3 glass slides by lateral shift or rotation, and a gripper stage with a movable arm to securely hold slides of varying sizes, allowing for unified scanning of different slide dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate scanning equipment is used for 1x3 and 2x3 slides, then scanning precision for each size is maintained, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slide holder is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both 1x3 and 2x3 slides through adjustable retaining members. The frame includes recesses and retaining members that can be repositioned to securely hold different slide sizes, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions previously requiring separate equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining members are made movable and adjustable within the frame structure, allowing dynamic reconfiguration between different slide sizes. This adjustability enables the same hardware to adapt to different requirements without sacrificing scanning precision for either format.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated scanning equipment is used for each slide size, then scanning accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A single scanning apparatus with an adjustable slide holder can process both 1x3 and 2x3 slides, eliminating the need to switch between dedicated equipment. This multi-functionality increases productivity by allowing continuous processing of mixed slide sizes without equipment changes or reconfiguration delays.
3Measurement precision
If separate processing procedures are used for different slide sizes, then scanning quality is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable retaining members allow rapid reconfiguration between slide sizes without requiring separate processing procedures. The movable design enables quick adaptation to different formats, reducing the time loss associated with switching between dedicated equipment while maintaining scanning quality through consistent positioning mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A
AI summary
A digital slide scanning apparatus slide stage is configured to hold 1x3 and 2x3 glass slides. The slide stage is configured to alter its position by lateral shift or rotation to present the 1x3 or 2x3 sized recess to a slide rack for loading of the slide onto the stage. Also, a removable insert may configure the stage to hold a 1x3 glass slide when present and to hold a 2x3 glass slide when removed. Alternatively, a gripper stage is described herein that includes a fixed arm and a movable arm, each with one or more contact points configured to engage a side surface of the glass slide. Once the glass slide is secured between the contact points of the movable arm and the contact points of the fixed arm, the slide is further processed for scanning.