Vessel Unit Connection Sequence for Leak-Free Coverslipper Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic coverslipper systems face challenges in safely and efficiently connecting and disconnecting vessel units for mounting medium without risking leakage due to misoperation.

Innovation Solution

A vessel unit with a vessel connection part that includes a mounting medium channel and a pressure medium channel, designed to fluid-tightly connect with the automatic coverslipper's machine connection part, ensuring safe and leak-proof operation through a specific connection and disconnection sequence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vessel unit is quickly connected and disconnected, then the operation efficiency is improved, but the risk of mounting medium leaking due to misoperation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection and disconnection speedVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection part is designed with a specific sequence where the mounting medium channel connects first during attachment, and disconnects last during removal. This preliminary arrangement of connection sequences ensures that mounting medium is contained throughout the entire operation, eliminating leakage risks while maintaining quick connection and disconnection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design incorporates a protective mechanism where the mounting medium channel connection is established before pressure medium channel connection during attachment, and reversed during disconnection. This preliminary anti-action prevents mounting medium leakage by ensuring proper sealing is in place before any pressure is applied, and maintains this protection throughout the quick connection/disconnection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Device complexity

If the mounting medium channel and pressure medium channel are connected simultaneously, then the connection process is simplified, but the cleanliness and purity of mounting medium may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection process complexityVSAvoidmounting medium purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection process is segmented into distinct sequences: mounting medium channel connection is separated from pressure medium channel connection. During attachment, mounting medium channel connects first; during disconnection, mounting medium channel disconnects last. This segmentation ensures that mounting medium purity is maintained while the overall connection process remains simple and integrated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the vessel unit is designed with separate mounting medium channel and pressure medium channel, then the fluid-tight connection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid-tight connectionVSAvoidconnection part structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection part integrates both mounting medium channel and pressure medium channel into a single unified component structure. This merging approach maintains fluid-tight connections for both channels while avoiding the complexity of completely separate connection mechanisms. The integrated design allows both channels to be connected and disconnected together in a coordinated sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution allows for quick and safe connection and disconnection of the vessel unit to the automatic coverslipper, minimizing the risk of leakage and ensuring the cleanliness and purity of the mounting medium.

Implementation Method 1

a vessel pressure medium channel for a pressure medium, wherein the vessel unit is adapted to dispense mounting medium via the vessel mounting medium channel when pressure medium is supplied via the vessel pressure medium channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure medium: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20250067640A1Vessel unit for mounting medium and arrangement with coverslipper and vessel unit

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 LEICA BIOSYSTEMS RICHMOND INC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a vessel unit (2000) comprising a vessel (2200), a vessel connection part (2100) and a vessel closure (2300), the vessel connection part (2100) being connected to the vessel (2200) by the vessel closure (2300), the vessel connection part (2100) comprising a vessel connection part body (2130), a vessel pressure medium channel (2120) for pressure medium and a vessel pressure medium channel (2110) for pressure medium, a vessel mounting medium channel (2110) for the mounting medium, and a vessel pressure medium channel (2120) for a pressure medium, wherein the vessel unit (2000) is adapted to dispense mounting medium via the vessel mounting medium channel (2110) when pressure medium is supplied via the vessel pressure medium channel (2120). The disclosure further relates to an assembly comprising the vessel unit and an automatic coverslipper for automatically applying the coverslipping medium from the vessel unit and a coverslip to a slide.