Multi-Scanner Slide Scanning Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope slide scanners require labor-intensive manual loading and unloading, and if one scanner breaks down, the entire sample series must be reloaded, leading to inefficiencies and potential re-scanning of inadequately scanned slides.
Innovation Solution
A method using at least two microscope slide scanners with a central supply unit that automatically loads and unloads slides, allowing continuous operation even if one scanner fails, and enables re-scanning of inadequately scanned slides without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single microscope slide scanner is used with manual loading, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is reduced and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent microscope slide scanners (at least two scanners) that operate in parallel. Each scanner can process slides independently, allowing the system to handle multiple sample series simultaneously, thereby increasing overall productivity without requiring a single complex scanner
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple microscope slide scanners are used to provide universal scanning capability across different sample series. The system can flexibly allocate scanners to different sample series based on needs, and scanners can be dynamically added or removed from operations without affecting the entire system
2Loss of time
If microscope slides are manually loaded into scanners, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to repetitive loading tasks
Solution Approach 1:
Sample series are prepared and organized in advance in magazine racks before scanning begins. This preliminary organization allows scanners to continuously process slides without interruption for loading, as the magazine racks serve as pre-loaded supply units that feed slides automatically or semi-automatically to the scanners
Solution Approach 2:
Magazine racks serve as intermediary storage units between the operator and the scanners. Instead of manually loading each slide directly into scanners, slides are first loaded into magazine racks which then supply slides to the scanners, reducing the frequency and time of manual loading operations
3Productivity
If all slides of a sample series are scanned in one scanner, then the reliability is high for that series, but the productivity decreases when multiple series need scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The workload of scanning multiple sample series is segmented across multiple scanners. Each scanner is assigned one or more sample series, allowing parallel processing of multiple series simultaneously. This segmentation increases overall productivity while each individual scanner maintains reliable completion of its assigned series
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as which scanner processes which sample series, and how many slides remain in each scanner's magazine rack. These parameter adjustments allow flexible resource allocation to maintain both productivity and reliability under varying conditions
4Reliability
If a scanner breaks down during operation, then the reliability of that scanner fails, but the loss of time increases due to manual reloading requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains buffer stocks of slides in magazine racks and prepares replacement scanners in advance. When a scanner breaks down, the system can continue operating with remaining scanners and buffer slides, and replacement or maintenance can be performed without immediate interruption to overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures scanner assignments when failures occur. Scanners can be dynamically added or removed from operations, and sample series assignments are dynamically adjusted to accommodate scanner availability changes, maintaining system reliability through flexible reallocation
5Productivity
If slides are archived immediately after scanning, then the productivity is high, but the reliability decreases if re-scanning is needed
Solution Approach 1:
Slides are scanned and initially archived, but the system maintains the capability for rapid re-scanning by keeping scanners operational and ready. If quality issues are detected during pathologist review, the system can quickly re-scanner slides without requiring retrieval from long-term storage, ensuring both productivity and quality assurance
Data Source
AI summary
A method for scanning object carriers using at least two microscope slide scanners includes a) loading a feed unit for microscope slides with a plurality of microscope slides, each of which is part of one of a plurality of sample series, b) transferring one microscope slide from the feed unit to every microscope slide scanner not loaded with a microscope slide, c) carrying out a scanning process for each loaded microscope slide scanner, d) transferring each scanned microscope slide from the microscope slide scanner to an intermediate storage rack, e) providing a data set for every scanning process for analysis, and f) transferring all microscope slides of a sample series from the intermediate storage rack to a final storage rack.