Integrated Pathology Marking for Cassette-Slide Traceability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marking technologies for tissue cassettes and glass slides in pathology are separate, leading to increased chances of information errors and misdiagnosis due to non-uniform or missing markings during the transfer of information between different stages.

Innovation Solution

A marking all-in-one machine that integrates simultaneous marking of tissue cassettes and glass slides using a first and second feeding unit, each with a feeding chute and mechanism, and a centralized printing unit with a laser generator, ensuring accurate and efficient marking in a unified process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate marking equipment is used for tissue cassettes and glass slides, then different marking operations can be performed independently, but information recording errors increase due to non-uniform marking and manual information transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent marking operationsVSAvoidinformation recording accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate marking operations (tissue cassette marking and glass slide marking) into a single integrated marking device. The device uses one laser marking unit that can simultaneously or sequentially mark both tissue cassettes and glass slides, eliminating the need for separate marking equipment and manual information transfer between operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The marking device is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple marking tasks using a single system. The laser marking unit can adapt to mark different objects (tissue cassettes and glass slides) with different marking requirements,实现one device performing what previously required two separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual information transfer is used between marking stages, then flexibility in handling different information is maintained, but time consumption increases and information errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation handling flexibilityVSAvoidinformation transfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses optical copying technology where the marking information for glass slides is automatically copied from the tissue cassette marking information. The laser marking unit reads the barcode or QR code on the tissue cassette, retrieves the corresponding glass slide information, and automatically marks the glass slide with the copied information, eliminating manual information transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical information transfer process with an automated optical and electronic information system. Instead of manually reading and rewriting information, the system uses barcode/QR code scanning, computer memory, and laser marking to automatically transfer and record information, substituting mechanical manual operations with automated electronic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate marking processes are used for tissue cassettes and glass slides, then each marking can be optimized independently, but the overall marking efficiency decreases due to sequential processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent marking optimizationVSAvoidmarking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated marking device enables continuous marking operations where tissue cassettes and glass slides are marked in a continuous workflow without interruption. The device can mark multiple items sequentially or simultaneously without requiring setup changes or manual intervention between different marking tasks, maintaining continuous productive action throughout the marking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Improves information recording accuracy and efficiency by ensuring one-to-one correspondence and uniform marking, reducing errors and the need for re-classification of marked samples.

Implementation Method 1

a laser mechanism 300... The marking apparatus 100 is a device that includes a laser light source and laser light irradiation means, and marks a marking glass and a cassette with laser light from the laser light irradiation means.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP4470784B1Marking all-in-one machine
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 GUANGZHOU XIUWEI TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4470784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4470784B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4470784B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a marking all-in-one machine. The marking all-in-one machine comprises a first feeding unit, a second feeding unit and a printing unit. A first feeding mechanism is configured to transport tissue cassettes stored in a first feeding chute to a first printing position. A second feeding mechanism is configured to transport glass slides stored in a second feeding chute to the first printing position. The printing unit is configured to simultaneously carry out marking on the tissue cassettes and the glass slides. The first feeding unit and the second feeding unit are simultaneously arranged to simultaneously carry out marking on the tissue cassettes and the glass slides which are in one-to-one correspondence, and the problems of non-uniform marking, missing marking and the like are avoided, so that the accuracy of information recording is improved, and the work efficiency of marking is improved at the same time.