Automated specimen processing systems and methods of detecting specimen-bearing microscope slides
Inventors
Durrant, Timothy James • Harrison, Joshua David Kenneth • James, Benjamin Arthur • Ketterer, Matthew • Willems, John Douglas
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12553908-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. In some embodiments, the system can include, for example, a slide ejector assembly having a slide staging device configured to receive a slide and an over-travel inhibitor that includes a first vacuum port positioned to draw a first vacuum between the slide and a standby platform as the slide is moved across at least a portion of the standby platform. The over-travel inhibitor includes a first sensor for detecting a presence of the slide on the standby platform. The system can also include a transfer assembly to transport slides away from the slide ejector assembly. The transfer assembly can include a floating transfer head having a vacuum port for drawing a partial vacuum for holding the slide.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an automated specimen processing system for handling microscope slides and transporting them to at least one specimen processing station. The system includes a slide staging device with a standby platform and an alignment device, where the standby platform comprises a plate with a slide holding region raised relative to a surface of the plate, an over-travel inhibitor, and one or more alignment features.
In the slide staging device, the over-travel inhibitor includes a first vacuum port having an opening embedded within the plate for drawing a vacuum and a first presence sensor for detecting a presence of the slide on the standby platform. The opening is fluidically coupled to a first vacuum assembly including a first vacuum source, and the first vacuum port includes a contact surface comprising one or more compressible materials.
The alignment device includes first and second movable aligning members that engage respective first and second edges of the slide, with the movable aligning members coupled to an actuator adapted to simultaneously move both toward and away from each other. The transfer head transports the slide using a second vacuum port integrated within a bottom surface of the transport head, where the second vacuum port is fluidically coupled through a supply line to a second vacuum assembly including a second vacuum source.
The transfer head includes a second presence sensor located on the bottom surface of the transfer head or within the second vacuum port, and one or more head alignment features protruding from the bottom surface that correspond to the one or more alignment features of the plate. A first position sensor detects alignment of the head alignment features with the corresponding alignment features of the slide staging device, and the transfer head is configured to have at least 5 degrees of freedom of movement.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim describing the automated specimen processing system, with inventive coverage centered on four inventive features.
Slide staging with raised slide holding region and edge alignment
A slide staging device having a standby platform and an alignment device, where the standby platform comprises a plate including a slide holding region raised relative to a surface of the plate, and where the alignment device comprises a first movable aligning member and a second movable aligning member coupled to an actuator configured to simultaneously move both toward and away from each other to engage first and second edges of the slide.
Vacuum over-travel inhibition with slide presence sensing
An over-travel inhibitor comprising a first vacuum port having an opening embedded within the plate for drawing a vacuum and a first presence sensor for detecting a presence of the slide on the standby platform, with the opening fluidically coupled to a first vacuum assembly including a first vacuum source and the first vacuum port including a contact surface comprising one or more compressible materials.
Vacuum transport head with presence sensing, alignment features, and position sensing
A transfer head configured to transport the slide from the standby platform to at least one specimen processing station, where the transfer head comprises a second vacuum port integrated within a bottom surface and coupled to a second vacuum assembly including a second vacuum source, a second presence sensor, one or more head alignment features protruding from the bottom surface corresponding to the plate alignment features, and a first position sensor for detecting alignment of the head alignment features with the corresponding alignment features of the slide staging device.
Transfer head with at least five degrees of freedom of movement
The transfer head is configured to have at least 5 degrees of freedom of movement.
The claimed invention combines a raised standby platform with movable edge alignment, vacuum-based over-travel inhibition with slide presence sensing, and a vacuum transport head having vacuum ports, slide presence sensing, matched alignment features, a position sensor, and at least 5 degrees of freedom of movement.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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