Compact Multi-Slide Imaging With Motorized Copy Holder Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide imaging apparatuses face challenges with holding multiple slides, requiring a wider apparatus and manual mounting of copy holders, which can be cumbersome and prone to slides falling out, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A slide imaging apparatus with a copy holder moving system that includes a movable stage and a copy holder with apertures, allowing for multiple slides to be held and indexed in different positions, using motors and indexing arms to facilitate compact design and automated mounting and unmounting processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple slides are held in the copy holder, then the imaging capacity increases, but the apparatus width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane slide arrangement to a multi-level stacked configuration. Slides are arranged in multiple layers vertically within the copy holder, allowing multiple slides to be held without increasing the horizontal footprint of the apparatus. This vertical stacking approach directly resolves the contradiction by adding capacity in the vertical dimension rather than expanding horizontally.
Solution Approach 2:
The copy holder is designed with a nested structure where multiple slides are contained within a compact holder assembly that can be indexed into the imaging chamber. The slides are nested within the copy holder, which itself is nested within the movable stage assembly, creating a space-efficient configuration that maximizes slide capacity while minimizing apparatus width.
2Device complexity
If manual mounting of copy holder is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and slides may fall out
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing mechanism automatically performs the mounting function by precisely positioning the copy holder and slides into the correct imaging position. The system self-corrects for positioning errors and ensures slides are securely held in the designated apertures without requiring manual adjustment or intervention, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical mounting operations with an automated indexing system that uses motorized positioning mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to manually handle and position slides, reducing the risk of slides falling out while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through the use of standardized motorized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If slides are loosely held in apertures, then ease of manufacture increases, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The copy holder is pre-designed with specifically shaped apertures and retention features that automatically engage with the slides during the indexing process. The slides are pre-positioned in the apertures during loading, and the indexing mechanism ensures they remain securely held throughout the imaging sequence, providing reliable slide retention without requiring complex additional retention mechanisms that would complicate manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for forming an image of a sample mounted on a slide includes: forming, using an imaging system, a first image of a first swathe of a plurality of swathes, the first swathe being positionally constrained within an aperture in a movable stage configured to move along first and second slide movement axes relative to the imaging system; using a copy holder moving system to move the movable stage, wherein the copy holder includes: a plurality of apertures each configured to hold a respective slide; an indexing arm for holding the copy holder; and an indexing motor configured to move the indexing arm along an indexing axis that is nonparallel with respect to both the first and second slide movement axes; and forming, using the imaging system, a second image of a second swathe of the plurality of swathes.