Parallel Bath Rows for Compact Tissue Staining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear staining machines require a substantial laboratory bench length due to the sequential arrangement of baths, posing space challenges in laboratories with limited space, especially in cytological laboratories that need high capacity and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The staining machine is designed with two parallel bath rows and a crossbar device for transferring baskets between transport paths, allowing for simultaneous processing in one row and reducing the overall machine length by half, with each path extending from an input or output station to the opposite end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If baths are arranged sequentially in one row, then the treatment process is simple and straightforward, but the machine length becomes substantial (1.5 to 2 meters)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement of baths to a two-dimensional configuration with two parallel rows. This dimensional change allows the machine to accommodate the same number of baths (20-25) in a more compact footprint, reducing the length from 1.5-2 meters to approximately 0.75-1 meter while maintaining the sequential treatment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single linear sequence of baths is segmented into two parallel rows. Each row contains a subset of the total baths, and baskets are distributed between these rows during processing. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing in multiple paths, reducing the overall machine length while maintaining treatment capacity.
2Device complexity
If all baskets are lifted simultaneously in a single line, then the transport mechanism is simple, but the machine requires substantial bench space
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system expands from a single linear path to two parallel paths arranged side by side. This two-dimensional transport configuration allows baskets to be moved through different routes simultaneously, reducing the footprint on the laboratory bench while maintaining the ability to process multiple baskets in sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-row configuration enables continuous processing by allowing baskets to be distributed across two parallel transport paths. While one path is processing baskets, the other can be preparing or receiving baskets, ensuring continuous operation without idle time and maximizing the use of available bench space.
3Productivity
If the machine processes high capacity specimens, then the staining throughput is improved, but the machine length increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The high-capacity processing requirement is met by segmenting the bath sequence into two parallel rows, each capable of processing baskets independently. This allows the machine to handle high throughput by distributing baskets across multiple simultaneous processing paths rather than requiring a single long linear sequence, thus maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically distributes baskets between two parallel transport paths based on processing needs. This dynamic allocation allows the machine to maintain high productivity by optimizing the use of available processing capacity in both rows, achieving high throughput without requiring a proportional increase in machine length.
Data Source
AI summary
A Staining machine for treatment of tissue specimens on slides placed in baskets (9) includes a number of baths (7, 12) placed successively in a row (6 resp. 11), and a device for successive transport of the baskets in a transport path from one bath to the next one, the baskets (9) being transported from an input station (5) to an output station (14) in accordance with a predetermined treatment program. The machine includes at least two bath rows (6 resp. 11) placed juxtaposed and parallel with each other, the first bath row (6) extending from the input station (5) to an opposite end of this row, and second path row (11) extending from the output station (14) to an opposite end of this row. Further, the machine includes a first device (8, 21, 22) for transport of baskets (9) in a first transport path from the input station (5) to the opposite end of the first row (6), a second device (13, 15-19) for transport of baskets (9) in a second transport path towards the output station (14) from the opposite end of the second row (11), and a device for transfer of baskets between the transport paths of opposite ends of the rows belonging together.