Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11549955-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A microscope system may comprise a plurality of microscope modules, a cassette for holding a plurality of slides, a slide loader configured to move the plurality of slides between the cassette and the plurality of microscope modules, and a processor coupled to the slide loader. The processor may be configured with instructions which, when executed, cause the slide loader to move a slide into or from a selected microscope module among the plurality of microscope modules. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
A microscope system includes a plurality of microscope modules and a cassette for holding a plurality of slides. A slide loader moves the plurality of slides between the cassette and the plurality of microscope modules, and a processor executes instructions that cause the slide loader to move a slide into or from a selected microscope module among the plurality of microscope modules.
The system performs a multi/parallel scanner workflow in which slide selection and module selection are coordinated under processor control. Slides are loaded into selected microscope modules and retrieved after scanning completion, and module allocation and selection are optimized using slide identifiers and module availability status.
Slide detection and identification are used to determine scan needs and module selection criteria. The slide identification can include a unique identifier, barcode, OCR, RFID tag, user input, or a preview image of the slide, and module selection considers module-scan capability matching to the slide’s scan need.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim set centers on a microscope system that includes a plurality of microscope modules, a cassette, and a processor-controlled slide loader for moving slides into or from a selected module. The main inventive features are directed to selecting a module for a slide, moving the slide accordingly, and matching slide scan needs to module scan capabilities and identifying slides via specified inputs.
Processor-controlled slide movement into a selected microscope module
A microscope system comprising a plurality of microscope modules, a cassette for holding a plurality of slides, and a slide loader coupled to a processor, where processor-executed instructions cause the slide loader to move a slide into or from a selected microscope module among the plurality of microscope modules.
End-to-end slide scanning workflow with load and retrieve
The processor executes instructions to select a slide from the cassette for scanning, retrieve the selected slide, select a microscope module, load the slide into the selected microscope module, and retrieve the slide from the microscope module after the microscope module scans the slide.
Capability-vs-need microscope module selection
Instructions identify available microscope modules, determine each module’s scan capability, determine the slide’s scan need, and select a microscope module whose scan capability satisfies the slide’s scan need.
Slide identification via specified inputs
Instructions identify a slide by reading one or more slide identification inputs including a unique identifier, a barcode, OCR data, an RFID tag, user input, or a preview image of the slide.
Across the provided independent claim and reflected dependent refinements, the claim coverage is directed to processor-controlled movement of slides into or out of a selected microscope module, coordinated with an end-to-end scanning workflow. Additional inventive features in the provided material include selecting a module by matching scan capability to scan need and identifying slides using specified inputs such as barcode, OCR, RFID tag, user input, or a preview image.
Stated Advantages
Higher throughput by using a multi/parallel scanner workflow and modularizing microscope modules for selection.
Higher reliability by using modular interchangeable microscope modules and tracking slide identifiers and module availability status.
Documented Applications
Multi/parallel scanning of slides using a single slide loader that moves slides between a cassette and selected among multiple interchangeable microscope modules.
Interested in licensing this patent?