Thin Section Preparation Device Rotary Orientation Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thin section preparation devices are complex and costly due to multiple driving mechanisms, leading to potential failures and reduced reliability in placing thin sections on substrates without wrinkling or curling.
Innovation Solution
A simplified configuration using a conveying mechanism that maintains the thin section's orientation in the X-axis direction, combined with a rotary body that supports the section with intervals to remove bubbles and improve adhesion, allowing for precise placement on a substrate without the need for multiple driving shafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple driving mechanisms (holding portion, rotating table) are used to move and rotate the relay body, then the thin section can be placed in a predetermined direction on the substrate, but the mechanism and control become complicated, increasing device cost and failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the holding portion and rotating table into a single integrated rotary body structure. The thin section is held between a holding surface and pressing surface, and the entire assembly rotates as one unit driven by a single driving shaft, eliminating the need for separate driving mechanisms while maintaining the ability to orient the thin section in predetermined directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary body serves multiple functions: it holds the thin section, rotates it to change orientation, and delivers it to the substrate. This multi-functional design replaces what would otherwise require separate mechanisms for holding, rotating, and positioning, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the thin section is scooped by the substrate and placed on the substrate without orientation control, then the process is simple, but a portion of the thin section protrudes from the substrate and may not be placed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary body can rotate to dynamically adjust the orientation of the thin section during the transfer process. By rotating the thin section to different angular positions, the system ensures that the thin section is always oriented correctly relative to the substrate, preventing protrusion and ensuring complete placement even though the process remains relatively simple.
3Force
If the thin section is cut at an extremely thin thickness to decrease load on the biological sample, then the cutting load is reduced, but wrinkling or curling easily occurs on the thin section
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary body acts as an intermediary between the cutting mechanism and the substrate. It provides a stable support surface during the transfer process, allowing the extremely thin section to be handled without direct contact that could cause wrinkling or curling, while still enabling complete transfer to the substrate.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A thin section preparation device includes: a cutting blade (21) which cuts out a thin section (M) from an embedding block (B); a storage tank (7) in which the thin section (M) is floated on a liquid (W) and is spread; a thin-section-conveying-mechanism (8) which conveys the thin section (M) in a direction intersecting in an X axis direction in a state where a first side of the thin section (M) is parallel with the X axis direction; a slide-glass-handling-mechanism (9) which places the thin section (M) floating in the storage tank (7) on a slide glass (G) in a state where a first side of the slide glass (G) is parallel with the X axis direction; and a rotary body (61) which is rotated in a state where the thin section (M) is placed on an outer surface and conveys the thin section (M) toward the slide-glass-handling-mechanism (9).