Automated Staining Apparatus for Tissue Specimen Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual microscopy and photo equipment loading for tissue specimen analysis is time-consuming and prone to human error, with delays due to dissolvent gas stabilization and incorrect data registration.
Innovation Solution
An automated apparatus with a loading station, reagent stations, conveyor, unloading station, and a control unit, integrated with a photo station featuring a digital camera for automatic specimen imaging and data storage, enabling efficient and error-free specimen processing and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual microscopy and photo equipment loading is used for tissue specimen analysis, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but analysis time increases and human error occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The automated staining apparatus performs specimen processing, imaging, and data registration autonomously without manual intervention. The system self-manages the entire workflow from staining through cover glass application to digital imaging and data storage, eliminating the need for manual microscopy operations and thereby reducing both analysis time and human error
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated systems. The mechanical actions of loading specimens, applying stains, mounting cover glasses, and operating photo equipment are substituted by automated mechanical and optical systems controlled by a computer, eliminating manual handling errors and reducing analysis time
2Productivity
If manual handling and data registration are used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but time consumption increases and errors in data registration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system incorporates digital imaging and automatic data registration that provides immediate feedback and verification. The computer-controlled system captures images digitally and automatically registers specimen data, eliminating manual transcription errors and ensuring accurate information recording through systematic digital documentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying of specimen images and data instead of manual recording. The digital camera creates precise optical copies of specimens, and the computer system creates digital copies of all specimen information, eliminating errors associated with manual data registration and enabling accurate reproduction and storage of specimen data
3Productivity
If automated staining apparatus is used, then processing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated staining apparatus is designed as a multi-functional integrated system that performs multiple operations sequentially: staining, cover glass application, digital imaging, and data registration. By consolidating these functions into a single universal platform, the system achieves high processing efficiency while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate operations (staining, mounting, imaging, data management) into a single integrated automated workflow. The staining apparatus is combined with imaging equipment and computer control systems to create a unified platform that processes specimens through all stages automatically, improving efficiency by eliminating transitions between separate devices
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An apparatus for automatic execution of different treatment operations in connection with staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a loading station (2) for microscope slides (7) with tissue specimens, a number of reagent stations (3) for staining of the tissue specimens on supplied microscope slides, a conveyor (5) for transfer of microscope slides (7) between the stations (3) in accordance with a staining program, an unloading station (10) for treated microscope slides, and a control unit (19) for controlling the treatment operations in accordance with a data program. The apparatus comprise a photo station (25) with a digital camera (26) for automatic photographing with a background light source of the finished treated tissue specimens on supplied microscope slides (7). The camera is connected to the control unit (19) of the apparatus and the control unit is arranged to store the picture of each individual tissue specimen and information which is located on the relevant microscopic slide (7) and preferably also information about the staining program and status of reagents at the reagent stations (3) for automatic transmission of the information to a place for result analysis.