Three-Prong Coverslip Extractor for Breakage-Safe Removal

Solution Overview

Problem

Handling and extracting fragile substrates such as glass coverslips from lab dishes is challenging, often resulting in breakage due to mishandling, which can ruin experiments.

Innovation Solution

An implement with movable prongs designed to securely grasp and lift coverslips, featuring a center prong and outer prongs that move relative to each other, allowing safe extraction by positioning under the coverslip and applying tension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional tweezers or forceps are used to extract coverslips, then the extraction process can be performed, but the risk of breaking the coverslip increases and requires mastery to implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of coverslip extractionVSAvoidrisk of coverslip breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction implement divides the gripping function into three separate prongs: a center prong and two outer prongs. The outer prongs are responsible for engaging the coverslip edges, while the center prong provides additional support and control. This segmentation allows each prong to perform a specific function, reducing the complexity of manipulation and lowering the risk of breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The implement acts as an intermediary tool between the user's hand and the fragile coverslip. By providing a specialized structure with three prongs designed specifically for coverslip extraction, it mediates the interaction to prevent direct hand contact and reduce the risk of breaking the coverslip during extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional tweezers or forceps are used to extract coverslips, then extraction can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and requires mastery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccess rate of extractionVSAvoidcomplexity of extraction process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction implement divides the gripping function into three separate prongs: a center prong and two outer prongs. The outer prongs are responsible for engaging the coverslip edges, while the center prong provides additional support and control. This segmentation allows each prong to perform a specific function, reducing the complexity of manipulation and lowering the risk of breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The implement combines multiple functions into a single tool: the outer prongs engage the coverslip edges while the center prong provides support and control. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate tools or complex manipulation techniques, making the extraction process simpler and more reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If traditional methods are used to extract coverslips, then extraction can be performed, but the coverslip may be dropped or broken

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of coverslip removalVSAvoidrisk of dropping or breaking coverslip

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer prongs are specifically designed with local quality features optimized for engaging the edges of the coverslip. The prongs have specific geometries and surface properties that provide optimal contact with the coverslip edge, ensuring secure grasping without applying excessive force that could cause breakage or dropping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260056091A1Extraction implement

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 WEISS JOSEPH

AI summary

An extraction tool which grasps substrates and specimens by pinching together the ends of two outer prongs but additionally includes a center prong. The outer prongs and the center prongs move relative to each other enabling the center prong to manipulate the substrate or specimen in a way that facilitates grasping by the two outer prongs.