Specimen Transport Mechanism Using Segmented Plate Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen transporter systems face challenges in efficiently and safely transporting fragile specimen plates from a smear creating device to a specimen imaging apparatus, due to the complex and high cassette design, which results in a large and complex transportation mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A specimen transporter system comprising a plate container and a transport mechanism that accommodates the specimen plate within the container, utilizing horizontal and vertical transport mechanisms to position the plate accurately and securely at the specimen imaging apparatus, simplifying the transportation process and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cassette is used to contain the specimen plate, then the specimen plate is protected during transport, but the transportation mechanism becomes large and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cassette is divided into an upper container and a lower container that can separate from each other. The specimen plate is held in the lower container, while the upper container can be detached for cleaning or replacement. This segmentation allows the transportation mechanism to handle only the necessary lower container with the specimen plate, reducing complexity while maintaining protection during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The specimen plate is nested within the lower container, which is itself part of the larger cassette structure. The upper container can be placed over the lower container when not in use, creating a nested configuration. This nesting allows the transportation mechanism to work with a compact structure that expands only when needed, reducing overall mechanism size and complexity.
2Reliability
If a high-height cassette is used, then the specimen plate is securely contained, but the transportation mechanism size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cassette height is segmented by separating the upper and lower containers. The lower container, which contains the specimen plate, has a reduced height compared to the complete cassette. The upper container can be detached and stored separately, allowing the transportation mechanism to handle only the compact lower container, thereby reducing the volume of the moving object while maintaining secure containment of the specimen plate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cassette discharging port and specimen receiving section are spaced apart vertically, then the devices can be independently positioned, but the transportation mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The upper container is designed to be movable relative to the lower container, enabling dynamic adjustment of the cassette configuration. During transportation, the upper container can be detached or repositioned, allowing the system to adapt to different vertical spacing requirements between the discharging port and receiving section without requiring a complex fixed-position transportation mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen transporter transports a specimen plate to a specimen imaging apparatus. The specimen transporter comprises a plate container configured to contain the specimen plate therein, and a transport mechanism which transports the plate container to the specimen imaging apparatus with the specimen plate contained in the plate container.