Pivoting Reagent Cassette for Automated Staining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated staining apparatuses face challenges in increased throughput due to operator errors during the loading of reagent containers into the reagent cassette, such as insufficient or incorrectly positioned containers, which hinder correct identification and processing by the staining apparatus.

Innovation Solution

A reagent cassette with a housing that pivots between open and closed configurations, featuring apertures for correct reagent container orientation, locking mechanisms for secure positioning, and alignment guides for precise placement within the staining apparatus, ensuring accurate loading and recognition by the apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual loading of reagent containers into the reagent cassette is performed, then the staining apparatus can be operated, but operator errors occur leading to insufficient or incorrect positioning of reagent containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual loading operationVSAvoidcorrect identification of reagent containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent cassette is designed with a self-aligning mechanism where the reagent container automatically positions itself within the compartment using alignment features such as guide rails, positioning pins, or tapered surfaces. This eliminates the need for manual precise positioning by the operator, as the container self-corrects its position during insertion, thereby preventing operator errors while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated guidance system integrated into the cassette structure. Features such as coded identification elements (barcodes, RFID tags), mechanical guides, and positioning mechanisms are built into the cassette to automatically ensure correct container placement and identification, substituting the need for operator skill and attention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple reagent cassettes are required to be loaded into the staining apparatus, then more reagents can be processed, but errors are compounded making correct identification more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput of samplesVSAvoidcorrect identification of reagent containers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent cassette is divided into multiple independently identifiable compartments, each with unique identification features. This segmentation allows the staining apparatus to distinguish between different cassettes and their respective containers through coded identifiers, ensuring correct identification even when multiple cassettes are loaded simultaneously, thereby maintaining reliability while increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cassette incorporates identification elements (such as barcodes, RFID tags, or optical codes) that provide feedback to the staining apparatus control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically verify the presence, position, and identity of reagent containers in multiple cassettes, preventing errors and ensuring correct processing without compromising throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If reagent containers are loaded into the reagent cassette, then the staining procedure can proceed, but incorrect orientation or positioning renders it impossible for the apparatus to correctly identify the containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading of reagent containersVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of reagent containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent cassette is pre-configured with positioning features such as alignment guides, positioning pins, or tapered surfaces that prepare the compartments for receiving containers in the correct orientation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the operator loads the containers, they automatically assume the correct position and orientation without requiring precise manual adjustment, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11992845B2Reagent cassette

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 LEICA BIOSYST MELBOURNE

AI summary

A cassette for arranging and loading reagent containers into a staining apparatus includes a housing with a base and walls upstanding from the base to define a plurality of compartments. Each compartment is configured for receiving a reagent container. The housing includes two portions, pivotably coupled together at respective first ends thereof, and configured to pivot between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Each portion of the housing in the closed configuration is received within a corresponding one of an adjacent pair of channels located within the staining apparatus when the cassette is loaded therewithin.