Integrated Slide Processing System Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated slide processing systems are inefficient and prone to contamination, requiring separate devices for staining, coverslipping, and digitization, leading to prolonged processing times and potential sample degradation due to sequential handling and limited throughput.
Innovation Solution
An integrated automated slide processing system that combines staining, coverslipping, and digitization units within a compact design, featuring convergent incubation drawers, a manipulation arm, and a digital microscope, allowing for parallel processing of multiple slides while minimizing reagent usage and preventing contamination of the digitization unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices are used for staining, coverslipping, and digitization, then each function can be performed with dedicated equipment, but processing time is prolonged and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate devices (staining device, coverslipping device, and digitization device) into a single integrated automated slide processing system. The staining unit, coverslipping unit, and digitization unit are merged into one apparatus with a shared control unit, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple functions on the same slide without manual intervention between steps, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining functional reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If sequential handling of slides is used, then each processing step can be completed thoroughly, but processing time is prolonged and sample degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system enables continuous processing where the staining unit, coverslipping unit, and digitization unit operate in sequence without idle time between steps. The slide is transferred automatically from one unit to the next, eliminating waiting time and manual handling delays. This continuous action maintains processing quality while significantly reducing total processing time and preventing sample degradation.
3Reliability
If multiple slides are processed sequentially, then each slide receives adequate attention, but throughput is limited and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares multiple slides in advance by loading them into the staining unit simultaneously. While one slide is being stained, other slides are pre-positioned and ready for subsequent coverslipping and digitization. This preliminary preparation of multiple slides enables the system to maintain continuous operation and increase throughput without compromising the reliability of individual slide processing.
4Reliability
If separate devices are used for each function, then contamination between functions is avoided, but the system occupies more space and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system is divided into distinct functional segments (staining unit, coverslipping unit, digitization unit), each enclosed in its own chamber with dedicated reagent reservoirs and processing areas. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination between functions while maintaining a compact integrated structure. The control unit coordinates each segment independently, managing complexity through modular design rather than a monolithic structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an integrated automated slide processing system, especially to stain, to cover and to digitize one or more microscope slides (49) in one turn. Said system comprises, as a single apparatus, at least one incubation drawer, an incubation drawer carrier (1), a manipulation tray (2), a manipulation arm (3), a reagent changing unit (4), a washing and rinsing unit, a drop removal unit, a staining/pipetting unit (13), a coverslipping unit (14), a preview image recording unit (15), a digitizing unit (16) and a control computer (18) electrically connected with and providing control over said units, wherein each of the one or more unstained and un-covered microscope slides with sample to be stained, covered and digitized is arranged in an incubation drawer having sidewalls defining a vertically constrained slide receiving space, and wherein the above listed units form a treating path along which said microscope slide (49) is converted into a stained, covered and, at least partially, digitized microscope slide when simultaneously guided over said treating path upon and in harmony with respective control signals provided by the control computer (18) to the respective units.