Specimen Slide Sensing Apparatus for Automated Laboratory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of tissue handling procedures in large medical environments, where high volumes of biological samples need to be processed and examined daily, requires more efficient methods for specimen tracking and information management to maximize laboratory efficiency and patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for sensing individual tissue slides, which includes a receptacle with a slot for a slide basket, a push bar to raise slides for imaging or reading, and sensors such as cameras or bar code readers to acquire information from the slides, allowing for automated tracking and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tracking and information management methods are used for specimen slides, then personnel can directly observe and handle slides, but the complexity of tissue handling procedures increases and laboratory efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the sensing apparatus automatically detects, tracks, and manages specimen slides without requiring manual intervention. The apparatus autonomously acquires information from slides and integrates it with laboratory information systems, allowing the system to serve itself in tracking and managing specimens, thereby improving productivity while reducing procedure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking and information management processes with an automated sensing system. The sensing apparatus uses cameras, bar code readers, or other sensors to automatically capture slide information, replacing the need for personnel to manually observe and record slide details, thus improving laboratory efficiency and reducing procedural complexity
2Reliability
If automated sensing apparatus is implemented to track specimen slides, then information acquisition speed increases and human error reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing multiple tasks including capturing images, reading bar codes, and interfacing with laboratory information systems through a single integrated device. This universal design allows the apparatus to improve tracking accuracy and reduce human error while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into one system
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary sensing apparatus that acts as a mediator between the physical slides and the laboratory information systems. This intermediary automatically captures slide information and translates it into digital data for system integration, improving tracking reliability while keeping the apparatus complexity manageable through standardized communication protocols
3Productivity
If multiple slides are processed in batches, then processing volume increases, but the ability to individually track and manage each slide decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by assigning unique identifiers to individual slides or groups of slides within batches. The sensing apparatus detects and records information for each slide individually, even when processed in batches, ensuring that slide-specific information is not lost. This segmentation approach allows high processing volume while maintaining complete traceability of each slide through automated information capture and association with unique identifiers
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus including a receptacle including a slot for receiving a basket; a push bar disposed in the receptacle, the push bar having an end to contact an edge of a single slide of a plurality of slides in a basket, the push bar including a first position below a bottom surface of a base of a basket that is received in the slot and a second position in the slot; and a sensor focused in a direction of the slot operable to acquire information from a slide in a received basket. A method including placing a slide basket into a slot of a receptacle; individually raising one or more slides from a respective position in the basket; using a sensor, acquiring information from the raised slide in the basket; and after acquiring information, lowering the raised slide.