Slide Glass Mounting Platform with Segmented Supports for Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide glass transport mechanisms face challenges in easily removing slide glasses due to strong adhesive forces between the glass and the transport container or holder, especially when paraffin is present, and the glass can become attached to the device during heat processing.
Innovation Solution
A placement table with a base and support portions and guide pins designed to minimize contact area and stabilize the slide glass, allowing easy removal by a transport mechanism, featuring cylindrical or columnar shapes with reduced contact surfaces and balanced moments for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the slide glass is placed in a recess having substantially the same shape as the slide glass with a dimension larger than the slide glass, then the contact area between the slide glass and the placement table is large, but it becomes difficult to take out the slide glass due to strong adhesive force when liquid or paraffin is present
Solution Approach 1:
The placement table is divided into multiple support portions (first, second, third, and fourth support portions) that are spatially separated from each other. These support portions contact different regions of the slide glass, distributing the contact area rather than having a continuous large contact surface. This segmentation allows the slide glass to remain stable during processing while reducing the total adhesive force that prevents removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing uniform support across the entire slide glass surface, the invention provides localized support at specific critical positions (corner portions and side portions). Each support portion is positioned to contact a specific local region of the slide glass, providing just enough support for stability during the staining process while minimizing overall contact area and adhesive forces.
2Reliability
If the slide glass is placed on a placement table during heat processing (baking), then the attachment between the slide glass and specimen is improved, but the slide glass becomes attached to the placement table when paraffin melts and resolidifies
Solution Approach 1:
The support portions are segmented and positioned at specific locations rather than providing continuous contact. This segmentation ensures that even when paraffin melts and resolidifies during heat processing, it cannot form a continuous adhesive bond across the entire placement table surface, allowing easy removal afterward while still providing reliable support during the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful adhesive effect of paraffin is mitigated by extracting or removing the continuous contact surface between the slide glass and placement table. By using discrete support portions instead of a continuous surface, the invention eliminates the condition that would allow paraffin to create strong adhesive bonds during cooling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a transport container with a raised portion and partition wall is used to transport the slide glass, then the slide glass can be transported together with the container, but it becomes difficult to take out the slide glass from the transport container
Solution Approach 1:
The transport container is designed with multiple discrete support portions rather than a continuous base. The first and second support portions are positioned at corner portions of the slide glass, while the third and fourth support portions are positioned at side portions. This segmented support structure allows the slide glass to be securely held during transport while enabling easy removal by contacting the slide glass at specific points without creating strong adhesive bonds across large surfaces.
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
The solution enables stable and efficient transport of slide glasses, preventing attachment and facilitating easy retrieval, even in the presence of paraffin, by reducing adhesive forces and maintaining balance during handling.
Implementation Method 1
a contact area between each of the plurality of support tables and the lower surface of the slide glass is 15 mm 2... minimizing contact area and stabilize the slide glass... reducing adhesive forces
Data Source
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AI summary
A placement table for placing the slide glass 1 transported by using a transport mechanism includes a base 21 having a flat plate shape, and a plurality of support portions 22 and a plurality of guide pins 23 provided on an upper surface of the base 21. The plurality of support portions 22 are provided to support a lower surface (1b) of the slide glass 1. The plurality of guide pins 23 are used to surround each side surface 1s of the slide glass 1 in a plan view. The plurality of guide pins 23 are each formed in a columnar shape, and are positioned closer to an outer peripheral side of the base 21 than the plurality of support portions 22.