Cover Slip Sticking with Imaging-Based Immersion Tank Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cover slip sticking devices lack systems to check the presence and condition of the dipping bath, which can lead to improper operation and potential damage or drying of specimens due to missing or insufficient clearing agents.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an imaging device and image processing system to verify the presence of the dipping bath, its lid, basket receiver, and clearing agent volume, eliminating the need for dedicated detection boards or sensors, and providing visual and auditory notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an imaging device and image processing system are added to check the dipping bath condition, then the reliability of the sticking operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: it detects the presence/absence of the dipping bath, checks the lid attachment status, verifies basket receiver presence, and monitors clearing agent volume. This multi-functional approach improves reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using dedicated physical sensors for each detection parameter, the system uses optical copying through imaging to extract multiple types of information (presence, volume, position) from visual data, simplifying the detection system while maintaining high reliability.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated detection boards or sensors are used to check the dipping bath condition, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection systems (detection boards, physical sensors) with an optical imaging system. The imaging device captures images and the image processing device analyzes them to detect dipping bath conditions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical detection infrastructure while maintaining sufficient measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A single imaging device performs multiple detection tasks that would traditionally require separate sensors: detecting the dipping bath presence, lid status, basket receiver presence, and clearing agent volume. This universal approach achieves comprehensive measurement precision without proportional increases in device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the dipping bath is not checked before operation, then the ease of operation is maintained, but harmful factors increase due to potential specimen drying or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the dipping bath condition (presence, lid status, clearing agent volume) before the sticking operation begins. This advance checking prevents harmful outcomes like specimen drying or damage while maintaining ease of operation through automated detection that requires minimal operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging and image processing system provides immediate feedback about the dipping bath condition to the operator before operation starts. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to confirm proper setup without complex manual checking procedures, maintaining simplicity while eliminating specimen damage risks.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a cover slip sticking device whereby the presence/absence of an immersion tank or the state of an immersion tank can be confirmed. As a solution to this problem, the present invention comprises an immersion tank (32) in which a clearing agent is retained and which stores a basket (21) in which are stored a plurality of slide glasses (22) to which a specimen sample is affixed, an immersion tank arrangement part (33) in which the immersion tank (32) is arranged, an imaging device (70) provided to the immersion tank arrangement part (33), and reporting units (74, 76) for reporting the presence/absence of the immersion tank (32) and the state of the immersion tank (32) in the immersion tank arrangement part (33) as imaged by the imaging device (70).