Stuck Slide Detection in Digital Scanners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital slide scanners risk damaging fragile glass slides due to improper positioning during the scanning process, as they may move out from under stuck slides, leading to potential damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A stuck-slide determination system using a sensor pair with a transmitter and receiver positioned relative to each other to detect the presence or absence of a glass slide, with a processor controlling the scanning stage's movement to prevent damage by stopping it if the slide is stuck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the scanning stage moves automatically during the scanning process, then scanning efficiency is improved, but glass slides may be damaged if they are improperly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of slide presence and positioning using optical sensors before the scanning stage begins movement. This advance detection allows the system to verify proper slide placement and prevent damage by stopping the scanning process if slides are improperly positioned, thereby maintaining both high scanning efficiency and slide safety
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to detect slide presence, then slide positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical sensing mechanisms with optical sensors that use light to detect slide presence and positioning. This substitution achieves high measurement precision for slide positioning while keeping the system relatively simple, as optical sensors can be integrated into the existing scanning apparatus without adding significant mechanical complexity
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
Prevents damage to glass slides by ensuring they are properly positioned during scanning, enhancing the reliability and safety of the digital slide scanning process.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor pair with a transmitter and receiver positioned relative to each other to detect the presence or absence of a glass slide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A stuck slide determination system is provided that determines if a slide (e.g., glass slide), positioned on a scanning stage at the start of the scanning process, gets stuck and does not move along with the scanning stage after the scanning process commences. In an embodiment, the system includes a sensor having a transmitter and receiver that are relatively positioned to detect the presence of the stage or a slide or the absence of the stage or a slide. When the scanning stage begins to move at the start of the scanning process, a processor monitors a signal from the sensor and determines if the slide is improperly positioned after the scanning process has commenced. If the slide is improperly positioned, the processor stops movement of the scanning stage in order to protect the slide from damage.