Spring-Loaded Crash Arm for Automated Slide Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging systems for digital pathology face challenges in efficiently processing and handling slides for high-resolution imaging, leading to delays and potential damage during the handling process, while also requiring improved methods for accurate and efficient analysis of pathological tissues.
Innovation Solution
A slide handling device with a crash arm assembly and a spring-loaded mechanism that facilitates the pickup and handling of slides, allowing for efficient movement and minimization of damage through angled biasing of the spring, enabling the system to self-correct after deflections and maintain precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual slide handling methods are used, then slide damage is minimized, but processing speed and throughput are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism changes its force parameters dynamically based on deflection angle, providing high force for rapid slide pickup and movement, then automatically reducing force during precise positioning to prevent slide damage. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between high-speed handling and damage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The crash arm assembly with angled spring provides self-correcting functionality that automatically returns the arm to its normal position after deflection, enabling automated slide handling without manual intervention while maintaining reliability through inherent mechanical feedback.
2Productivity
If automated slide handling is implemented, then processing efficiency increases, but risk of slide damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The angled spring mechanism is pre-configured to provide controlled force distribution, cushioning the slide against excessive forces during automated pickup and positioning. The spring's geometric configuration ensures force is applied gradually and uniformly, preventing sudden impacts that could damage slides while maintaining automated handling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force parameters are optimized to change with deflection angle, providing higher forces for rapid movement phases and lower forces for precise positioning phases, thereby increasing throughput while minimizing damage risk throughout the handling cycle.
3Force
If spring is biased at larger angle, then force to return crash arm increases, but force applied to slide during pickup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring angle is optimized to create a non-linear force relationship where the return force increases with deflection angle, but the force transmitted to the slide is modulated by the mechanical geometry of the crash arm assembly, allowing high return force for self-correction while limiting slide-contact force to safe levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The crash arm assembly acts as an intermediary between the spring and the slide, translating the spring's angular deflection and force into controlled linear motion. This intermediary mechanism decouples the spring's high force output from direct application to the slide, allowing strong return force without proportional force transmission to the slide.
4Adaptability or versatility
If crash arm assembly is deflected, then slide pickup flexibility improves, but positioning precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The crash arm assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with controlled deflection capability. The spring-enabled deflection allows the arm to adapt to slide position variations (improving flexibility), while the self-returning mechanism ensures precise restoration to the nominal positioning angle (maintaining precision).
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables high-throughput, efficient slide handling and imaging, reducing cycle times and minimizing damage to slides, while allowing for accurate and rapid analysis of pathological tissues with improved handling precision.
Implementation Method 1
A spring couples the first mating part and the second mating part. The spring is biased by at least one angle in at least one direction. Upon deflection of the crash arm assembly from the normal operating position, the spring applies a force to return the crash arm assembly to the normal operating position.
Data Source
AI summary
In an automated process of handling slides, such as in an imaging system, a slide hander must be able to get a hold of, lift up, and move slides, with tissues samples thereon, to multiple locations quickly and efficiently. To perform this function, the arm of the slide handler needs to be free to move from one location to the next and to advantageously respond in the event of encountering any unexpected or misplaced objects and/or other obstacles without jamming, being damaged and/or causing damage to a slide. A system described herein provides for the use of a slide handler having a crash head assembly with a spring-loaded flexible joint that may disengage if an unexpected obstacle is encountered and spring back to its proper location once the obstacle is cleared. Additionally, because the crash head assembly can flex, it is less likely to break or chip the glass slides.