Microscope Stage Apparatus with Exterior Cover for Slide Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microscope stages, both manual and motorized, face issues with operability due to the risk of microscope slides falling off during movements, especially in automatic modes, and external forces causing shifts in the observing position, which deteriorates the precision and safety of pathological diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A stage apparatus with a first stage fixed to the microscope base, a second stage moving over the first stage, and a third stage with a placement portion for the microscope slide, covered by an exterior cover that exposes the placement portion and prevents contact with the moving stages, ensuring secure handling and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the x-stage and y-stage move relative to the microscope body to enable observation of multiple microscope slides, then the operability and efficiency of pathological diagnosis are improved, but the risk of microscope slides falling off the stage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stage is divided into a movable stage portion (x-stage and y-stage) and a fixed stage body. The movable stage portion can be independently positioned and fixed, allowing efficient observation of multiple slides while the fixed stage body provides stable support and prevents slides from falling off during movement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stage apparatus includes a fixing mechanism that can preliminarily secure the movable stage portion to the stage body at predetermined positions. This preliminary fixing action ensures that slides remain stable during observation while maintaining the ability to quickly reposition between multiple slides for efficient pathological diagnosis.
2Productivity
If the xy-stage moves quickly in automatic mode to return to stored positions, then the productivity and efficiency of observation are improved, but the risk of microscope slides falling off increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stage apparatus employs a dynamic fixing mechanism that can quickly transition between locked and unlocked states. During automatic mode operations, the mechanism remains unlocked to allow rapid movement, while automatically locking at predetermined positions to prevent slide displacement, thus maintaining both high productivity and slide stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates position detection and feedback control that monitors the stage position during automatic operations. When the stage reaches predetermined positions, the feedback signal triggers the fixing mechanism to engage, ensuring slides are securely held during quick movements while maintaining observation efficiency through automated control.
3Ease of operation
If the x-stage and y-stage are exposed to allow manual operation and monitoring, then the ease of operation is improved, but external forces can cause shifts in the observing position
Solution Approach 1:
The stage apparatus features selective exposure: the movable stage portion is exposed for manual operation and monitoring, while critical positioning components and slide placement areas are protected within the fixed stage body. This local differentiation allows easy manual operation where needed while maintaining position accuracy in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A guided rail system acts as an intermediary between the exposed movable stage portion and the fixed stage body. This intermediary structure allows manual operation and visual monitoring while constraining movement to precise linear paths, preventing external forces from causing positional shifts and maintaining observation accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If the stage structure is open to allow access for slide placement and removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mechanical stability and precision of the stages deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stage is segmented into an open movable stage portion for easy slide access and a rigid fixed stage body for mechanical stability. The movable portion can be easily lifted and positioned, while the fixed body provides a stable foundation that maintains mechanical precision during observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable stage portion is nested within the fixed stage body structure. This nested arrangement allows the movable portion to be easily accessed and manipulated for slide placement while being supported by and constrained within the stable fixed body, maintaining both accessibility and mechanical stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A stage apparatus for a microscope includes a first stage provided on a mirror base of the microscope and fixed to a stage member that moves in an optical axis direction, a second stage that relatively moves over a surface of the first stage in a first direction, a third stage that relatively moves over a surface of the second stage in a second direction, the third stage having a placement portion for placing a microscope slide, and an exterior cover for covering at least a portion of the second stage and the third stage, the exterior cover being fixed to the first stage or the stage member. The exterior cover provides a space for the second stage and the third stage to move, and exposes the placement portion of the third stage.