Slide Imaging Workflow With Automatic Rerouting After Scanner Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide imaging apparatuses experience processing halts due to device failures, requiring manual intervention and causing delays, especially in high-throughput systems.
Innovation Solution
A slide imaging apparatus with multiple imaging devices, a storage unit, and a robotic supply system that allows automated and selective distribution of slides to available imaging devices, ensuring continuous operation even in the event of device failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical stage is used to hold and move the slide, then the slide can be positioned and moved, but the stage becomes contaminated with formalin and the mechanical parts deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A glass plate is introduced as an intermediary carrier between the mechanical stage and the slide. The glass plate contacts the formalin-containing slide, while the mechanical stage contacts only the clean glass plate, preventing formalin contamination of mechanical parts. The glass plate serves as a mediator that transfers the slide to the imaging chamber without direct contact between the slide and mechanical stage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide is extracted from direct contact with the mechanical stage by placing it on a separate glass plate. This separation removes the harmful formalin substance from the interaction zone with mechanical parts, allowing the mechanical stage to handle only the inert glass plate while the slide remains isolated on the plate.
2Measurement precision
If the objective lens is moved closer to the slide to improve resolution, then imaging resolution improves, but formalin condenses on the lens and degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A cover glass is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the objective lens and the slide. The cover glass allows light transmission for high-resolution imaging while preventing formalin vapor from condensing on the lens surface. This mediator enables the lens to be positioned close to the slide for improved resolution without direct exposure to harmful formalin.
3Measurement precision
If the slide is held in a clamp to prevent movement, then imaging accuracy improves, but the clamp contacts formalin and accumulates dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The glass plate serves as an intermediary that the clamp contacts instead of the slide itself. The clamp secures the glass plate to prevent movement during imaging, ensuring imaging accuracy, while the glass plate acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact between the clamp and formalin, reducing contamination and dirt accumulation on the clamp.
4Strength
If a thick slide is used to protect the specimen, then the specimen is better protected, but light transmission is blocked and image quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The cover glass provides localized protection only at the specimen area where it directly contacts the slide, while maintaining thinness in the optical path region to allow light transmission. The glass plate provides protection during handling and transfer, while the cover glass provides protection during imaging. This localized approach ensures both specimen protection and adequate light transmission for image quality.
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
Enables uninterrupted slide processing by automatically rerouting slides to operational imaging devices, minimizing manual handling and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser lens for condensing light on the slide
Implementation Method 2
an objective lens for forming an image of the illuminated slide on the imaging chamber
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a slide imaging apparatus (110) and to a method (210) for imaging a plurality of slides (140). Herein, the slide imaging apparatus (110) comprises: - at least one first imaging device (126, 126') and at least one second imaging device (128, 128'), each configured to generate an image (162) of a sample mounted on a slide (140); - a storage device (118) loadable with a plurality of slides (140) and configured to store the slides (140); and - a supply device (120) configured to selectively supply the slides (140) from the storage device (118) to the at least one first imaging device (126, 126') or to the at least one second imaging device (128, 128'), wherein the at least one first imaging device (126, 126') and the at least one second imaging device (128, 128') comprise at least one visual indicator configured to indicate an operational status of the at least one first imaging device (126, 126') and the at least one - second imaging device (128, 128'), wherein the slide imaging apparatus (110) further comprises at least one vision sensor (166) configured to detect an operational status of the at least one first imaging device (126, 126') and of the at least one second imaging device (128, 128') using the at least one visual indicator. The slide imaging apparatus (110) and the method (210) for imaging a plurality of slides (140) enable improved processing of the slides (140) in an event of a failure of any one of the imaging devices (126, 128; 126', 128'), wherein the improved processing of the slides (140) avoids a manual handling of the slides (140) in the event of the failure of any one of the imaging devices (126, 128; 126', 128').