Specimen Imaging Staging Assembly for Anesthesia Gas Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems face challenges in efficiently delivering anesthesia to specimens and fully evacuating waste anesthesia gas, particularly when examining multiple groups of specimens, leading to potential exposure risks and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A staging assembly for specimen imaging systems that includes a manifold assembly and staging dock for efficient anesthesia delivery and waste evacuation, utilizing a non-metallic, radiolucent design with baffles and magnets for secure positioning, and a vacuum system for continuous waste anesthesia removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single examination chamber is used for imaging specimens, then the imaging process can be completed, but the throughput is limited and multiple groups of specimens require sequential processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging throughputVSAvoidtime for sequential processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the examination chamber into multiple independent stations (e.g., first examination station, second examination station), each capable of holding and imaging specimens independently. This allows parallel processing of multiple specimen groups, significantly improving throughput and eliminating sequential bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The staging assembly allows specimens to be prepared and positioned in advance on staging trays outside the examination chamber. Multiple groups of specimens can be pre-positioned on different trays, ready for immediate imaging when their turn comes, reducing waiting time and improving workflow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If anesthesia is delivered to specimens in the examination chamber, then immobilization is achieved, but waste anesthesia gas accumulates and is not fully evacuated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecimen immobilizationVSAvoidwaste anesthesia gas exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waste anesthesia gas removal system extracts and evacuates waste anesthesia gas from the examination chamber through dedicated exhaust pathways. This separates the harmful waste gas removal function from the anesthesia delivery function, ensuring effective evacuation and reducing exposure risks while maintaining reliable specimen immobilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary waste gas removal mechanism that acts as a mediator between the anesthesia delivery system and the examination environment. This intermediary system captures and removes waste anesthesia gas before it can accumulate and pose exposure risks, while not interfering with the anesthesia's immobilization effect on specimens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple groups of specimens are processed sequentially, then each group receives proper anesthesia and imaging, but the overall efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanesthesia delivery accuracyVSAvoidspecimen processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The examination system is segmented into multiple independent examination stations, each capable of independent anesthesia delivery and imaging operations. This allows different groups of specimens to be processed simultaneously at different stations, maintaining anesthesia delivery accuracy while dramatically improving overall processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The staging assembly enables continuous preparation of specimen groups on multiple trays simultaneously. While one group is being imaged, another group can be prepared and positioned on a different tray, ensuring continuous productive action without interruption or idle time between processing groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 staging assembly ensures accurate and efficient anesthesia delivery and evacuation, reducing user exposure and improving imaging throughput by allowing simultaneous preparation and imaging of specimens.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum system for continuous waste anesthesia removal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a non-metallic, radiolucent design with baffles and magnets for secure positioning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3829484B1Staging assembly for specimen imaging system
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 REVVITY HEALTH SCIENCES INC
  • EP3829484B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3829484B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3829484B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A staging assembly for a specimen imaging machine includes a manifold assembly with a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Each of a plurality of chambers has a chamber opening. Conduits put the chambers in fluid communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A bottom plate extends beneath the chambers. The manifold assembly includes an attachment assembly. A staging dock includes a base, a staging dock anesthesia inlet, and a staging dock anesthesia outlet receivable by the inlet opening of the manifold assembly and including a valve. A staging dock exhaust inlet is receivable by the outlet opening of the manifold assembly. The staging dock includes a staging dock exhaust outlet. A staging dock attachment assembly is releasably attachable to the manifold attachment assembly.