Sample Carrier Interface With Lateral Locking for Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample carriers, such as microwell plates, face limitations in microscopy due to their capacity being reduced by shelf-like structures in stage inserts, preventing observation of samples near the edge and limiting the usable well capacity.
Innovation Solution
A sample carrier interface with a frame and locking device that suspends the carrier above the microscope stage, allowing unrestricted access and full utilization of the carrier's capacity, featuring a locking mechanism that secures the carrier without obstructing the bottom side for unobstructed observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stage insert with a shelf-like structure is used to prevent the sample carrier from falling through the opening, then the sample carrier is securely held on the microscope stage, but the shelf-like structure collides with the objective when observing samples located close to the inside edge, reducing the usable capacity of the sample carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shelf-like supporting structure from the stage insert and replaces it with a locking device that exerts lateral forces to hold the sample carrier. This extraction eliminates the collision problem between the shelf and the objective while maintaining the sample carrier's stability, thereby enabling full utilization of all wells including those near the inside edge.
2Reliability
If a frame is used to receive the sample carrier and prevent it from falling through the opening, then the sample carrier is securely positioned, but supporting elements below the sample carrier obstruct the observation of samples from below
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical support (elements below the sample carrier) to lateral restraint (locking device applying horizontal forces). The locking device engages with the sample carrier's sidewalls and applies lateral forces to prevent falling, while leaving the bottom side completely open for unobstructed optical access from below.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample carrier interface (100) for mounting a sample carrier (102) on a microscope stage (104) comprises a frame (112) configured to receive the sample carrier (102) and to be positioned atop an opening (110) of the microscope stage (104). The sample carrier interface (100) further comprises a locking device (122) configured to exert a lateral force to the sample carrier (102) when the locking device (122) is in a locked state in order to keep the sample carrier (102) suspended above the opening (110) when the sample carrier (102) is received in the frame (112) and the frame (112) is positioned atop the opening (110) of the microscope stage (104).