Microscope Slide Holder with Compliant Ramp and Secure Bar

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies struggle to consistently and predictably secure substrates of varying inconsistencies or deformities, leading to inconsistent images and challenges in determining proper surface locations.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a securing block with a main body, stopper, and ramp, and a secure bar with a bracket and strut, allowing for adjustable and secure holding of substrates through various configurations and adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed substrate holding apparatus is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate substrate inconsistencies or deformities leading to inconsistent images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of substrate inconsistenciesVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus employs a compliant substrate holding structure that can dynamically adjust to substrate variations. The holding mechanism includes flexible elements that deform to match the substrate surface, allowing consistent imaging across substrates with different inconsistencies or deformities while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If adjustable securing mechanisms are added to accommodate substrate variations, then substrate securing consistency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate securing consistencyVSAvoidsecuring mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing mechanism is designed to automatically adapt to substrate variations without requiring manual adjustment. The compliant holding structure self-adjusts to conform to each substrate's specific geometry, ensuring consistent and reliable securing across different substrates while eliminating the need for complex manual positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If manual adjustment mechanisms are provided for each substrate, then positioning precision improves, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface location determinationVSAvoidsubstrate positioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus pre-configures the holding structure to automatically conform to substrate geometry upon insertion. This preliminary preparation of the compliant holding mechanism eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments, allowing rapid positioning while maintaining high precision for surface location determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3931619B1Holding a substrate within a secondary device
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 RARECYTE INC
  • EP3931619B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3931619B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3931619B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for securely holding a substrate. In particular, this disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for securely holding a microscope slide on or within an imaging device.