Cassette-Based Microscope Positioning for Planar Slide Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope systems face challenges in accurately imaging different sections of a sample slide without causing blurring or aberrations due to slight deviations or tilts in the axes, especially when the slide is moved, leading to increased costs and reduced scanning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system comprising a cassette, pusher component, actuator, and processing unit, where the cassette is moved horizontally with minimal vertical displacement using a non-flat x-y actuator, ensuring the sample remains on the same horizontal plane by a snug fit within a cut-out portion, and utilizing a pusher component with teeth for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rigid clamping mechanisms (cassette, arm, or spring) are used to hold the slide during scanning, then the slide can be moved in the XY plane, but slight deviations or tilts in the axes cause the plane of the end effector and the plane of focus to deviate, leading to blurring and aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
A flat reference surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the actuator and the sample slide. The reference surface provides a stable, flat mounting platform that ensures the sample remains in the correct plane during XY movement, eliminating the tilting and deviation problems caused by direct rigid clamping to multi-axis actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is divided into separate functional components: the actuator for XY movement, the flat reference surface for maintaining plane stability, and the sample mounting mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the precision requirements of other components.
2Manufacturing precision
If highly accurate actuator components with twenty or more components are used, then highly accurate results can be achieved, but the system becomes quite expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The critical precision requirement is extracted from the actuator system and placed on the flat reference surface. Instead of requiring the actuator to maintain precise orientation under load, the reference surface provides the flatness and stability needed for accurate imaging, allowing the use of simpler, less expensive actuator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat reference surface can be a simple, inexpensive component that does not require complex mechanisms or expensive materials. It serves as a stable platform that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, significantly reducing the overall system cost while maintaining imaging accuracy.
3Productivity
If the slide holder or grasper grasps the slide to move it, then the slide can be positioned, but slight shakes, bumps, or other perturbances cause the sample slide to tilt, leading to inaccurate, distorted, or out of focus imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The flat reference surface is positioned and secured before the sample slide is mounted and imaged begins. This pre-established stable platform cushions against shakes and bumps during slide handling and movement, preventing tilting and maintaining imaging quality even during dynamic scanning operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for the positioning and imaging of sample slides are provided, such as in a microscope. A positioning system comprises a cassette. The sample is provided on the cassette. The cassette may be placed in and movable within a cut-out portion of a pusher component. The pusher component is disposed above a stage. When the cassette is placed in the cut-out portion of the pusher component, a bottom surface of the cassette interfaces with a top surface of the stage. An actuator coupled to the pusher component can cause movement of the pusher component and the cassette for imaging different portions of the sample. A processing unit can send one or more signals to control actuation provided to the actuator to move the pusher component.