Automated Stage Ejection for Sealed Animal Examination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing examination apparatuses for small animals, such as mice, face difficulties in efficiently changing specimens due to the limited size of the tray and increased size of the apparatus, making it hard to operate and observe the specimen condition during examination.
Innovation Solution
An examination apparatus with a stage that can be automatically moved in and out through an opening, equipped with a detection unit to ensure the opening is closed before ejection, and a storage unit to manage the stage's position, allowing for easy specimen change and treatment while maintaining a sealed environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the tray size is increased to accommodate larger specimens, then the specimen capacity is improved, but the apparatus size increases and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic stage ejection and return mechanisms that dynamically move the stage between the examination position and loading position. This eliminates the need for manual manipulation of large trays, making operation easier while maintaining large tray capacity for animal specimens.
2Ease of operation
If the stage movement range is extended outside the apparatus, then specimen accessibility is improved, but the sealed environment is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically ejecting the stage with the specimen outside the sealed enclosure before the user needs to access it. The stage is returned to the sealed environment automatically after loading, maintaining the sealed condition during examination while enabling easy specimen access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stage loading and returning process is automated, with the stage itself being ejected and returned without requiring the user to manually open or close the sealed enclosure. This self-service mechanism maintains the sealed environment while providing specimen accessibility.
3Device complexity
If manual specimen changing is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but examination efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The stage automatically ejects itself outside the apparatus for specimen loading and automatically returns to the examination position, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This self-service automation improves examination efficiency by allowing continuous examination without manual specimen changing delays.
4Reliability
If the opening is covered during examination, then the sealed environment is maintained, but specimen condition observation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically ejecting the stage with the specimen outside the sealed enclosure before the user needs to access it. The stage is returned to the sealed environment automatically after loading, maintaining the sealed condition during examination while enabling easy specimen access when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An examination apparatus that has a simple structure and that is capable of determining the condition inside the apparatus and improving the ease of use of the apparatus when a specimen is changed is provided. The examination apparatus includes a stage on which a specimen is disposed; an optical system configured to form an enlarged or reduced image of the specimen; a cover configured to cover the stage and the optical system; an opening and closing member provided as part of the cover; a detection unit configured to detect whether the opening and closing member is in a closed state or an open state; and a stage driving unit configured to move the state. Only when the detection unit detects that the opening and closing member is open, the stage is moved by the stage driving unit to the outside of the cover through an opening covered by the opening and closing member.