CN115769080A

CN115769080A - Slide transfer device, slide transfer method, and specimen image analyzer

Info

Publication number: CN115769080A
Application number: CN202180044167.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周慕昭; 姜斌; 李乐昌; 王东强; 苏晓冬; 邓文华
Original assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-30
Filing date: 2021-06-30
Publication date: 2023-03-07
Also published as: WO2022000251A1; WO2022002144A1

Abstract

A slide transfer device, a slide transfer method, and a specimen image analyzer are provided, the slide transfer device (100) including a detection platform (103), a loading mechanism (102), an unloading mechanism (104), and a controller (101), the detection platform (103) having a slide placing position for receiving a slide, the slide carrying a specimen for detection; a loading mechanism (102) configured to load a slide onto a slide placement location of the detection platform (103); an unloading mechanism (104) configured to unload the slide on the slide placement position of the inspection platform (103); a controller (101) is communicatively coupled to the loading mechanism (102) and the unloading mechanism (104) and configured to: controlling an unloading mechanism (104) to unload the slide from the slide placing position to an output side of the detection platform (103) in a first direction; and controlling a loading mechanism (102) to load a next slide to be tested onto the slide placing position in a first direction from an input side of the detection stage (103).

Description

Slide transfer device, slide transfer method, and specimen image analyzer

The present invention claims priority from PCT international patent application No. PCT/CN2020/099199, entitled "slide transfer device, slide transfer method and sample image analyser", filed on 30/6/2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of medical equipment technology, and more particularly to a slide transfer apparatus, a slide transfer method, and a specimen image analyzer.

Background

The whole name of the slide reading machine is a cell morphology analyzer, which is an instrument used for analyzing peripheral blood, diseased protozoa, bone marrow, body fluid and other cells on smears. Before the slide is read, a microscopic slide with a sample coating (hereinafter referred to as a sample smear or slide) needs to be prepared. The core module is a microscopic camera system (subsequently also called an imaging device), and the cells on a sample smear are shot into a color image, and the types of the cells are distinguished through an intelligent recognition algorithm.

The smear of the sample can be manually pushed and stained, or automatically pushed and stained by using an instrument. The apparatus for preparing the sample smear is commonly referred to as a slide-dyeing machine, which has sample collection, sample application or spreading, and staining and washing functions to accomplish the preparation of the smear.

In order to take account of manual slide making, the slide making machine is compatible with a slide pushing and dyeing machine to make slides and automatically convey slides, the slide making machine is required to be provided with a sample smear sample injection module, and the module can support manual placement of a tested sample smear (slide) to the slide making machine; but also can support the smear of the tested sample to be automatically transmitted to the film reader by the film pusher. The sample injection module can support a single-chip mode or a multi-chip mode, or both.

The sample smear is conveyed to a microscopic camera module in the instrument through an input module, and the cell image is shot and identified. After the smear reading of the sample is completed, the smear is conveyed to a sample recovery or temporary storage module through an output module (also called an unloading mechanism). There are the following commonly used schemes of sample smear sample introduction and output, as shown in fig. 1, in the first scheme, a sample input and output module is in butt joint with a sample introduction module and a sample recovery module, the sample transport unit transports the sample received by the sample receiving unit to the sample camera device, and transports the photographed sample received by the sample camera device to the sample receiving unit, in the second scheme, as shown in fig. 2, the sample introduction module and the sample recovery module are integrated, and the sample is put back in the original path after the film reading is completed. In the two schemes, the sample introduction and the sample recovery are both arranged on one side and are butted by the sample input and output module, so that the running speed of the whole machine is restricted. In addition, because the sample after being read has residual mirror oil, as in the second scheme, the sample is recovered and fed by the same container or containing device, so that a great amount of mirror oil is accumulated in the container, and the sample fed without being read can be polluted during the reciprocating circulation use.

In addition, the specimen input/output module generally performs input and output of a slide by gripping the slide with a robot, transporting the slide to a position below a microscope, and then inspecting a specimen of the slide with the microscope. After the detection is finished, the mechanical arm puts back the slide again, and then takes another slide for detection. In another mode, a detection platform is arranged below the microscope, and the pushing assembly pushes the slide to be detected to the detection platform for detection. And after the slide detection is finished, the pushing assembly pushes the slide down the platform. And then reloaded with the next sample. Both of these approaches require the process of placing the slide under the microscope before inspection and removing the slide from the microscope after inspection is complete. The two processes of loading and unloading are respectively carried out, the consumed time is long, and the speed of reading the film by the whole machine is low.

Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present application provides a new slide glass transfer device, a slide glass transfer method, and a specimen image analyzer.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the above problems. Specifically, one aspect of the present application provides a slide transfer device including:

an inspection platform having slide placement locations for receiving slides carrying specimens for inspection;

a loading mechanism configured to load the slide onto a slide placement location of the inspection platform;

an unloading mechanism configured to unload the slide on the slide placing position of the detection platform;

a controller in communicative connection with the loading mechanism and the unloading mechanism and configured to:

controlling the unloading mechanism to unload the tested slide from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform along a first direction; and

and controlling the loading mechanism to load a next slide to be tested on the slide placing position from the input side of the detection platform along the first direction.

In one example, the controller is configured to:

the loading mechanism is controlled to load a next slide to be tested onto the slide placing position during the control of the unloading mechanism to unload a slide already tested from the slide placing position.

In one example, the unloading mechanism has a pushing assembly capable of pushing the slide on the slide placement location in the first direction;

wherein the controller is configured to control a pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to push the measured slide to move away from the slide placing position along the first direction until the pushing assembly and the measured slide completely pass through the slide placing position when the unloading mechanism is controlled to unload the measured slide from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform along the first direction.

In one example, the discharge mechanism further includes a drive assembly configured to drive the push assembly to move back and forth between the input side and the output side in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an avoidance assembly configured to keep the push assembly from colliding with a next slide to be measured at a slide placement position when the drive assembly drives the push assembly to move in the second direction from the output side toward the input side.

In one example, the avoidance assembly is configured to:

when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to drive the slide on the slide placing position to move from the input side to the output side along the first direction, the pushing assembly is enabled to have a first height relative to the bottom of the slide placing position;

when the drive assembly drives the pushing assembly to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, the bottom of the pushing assembly relative to the slide placing position is made to have a second height, wherein the second height is higher than the first height by at least one slide thickness.

In one example, the avoidance assembly includes a swingable member, wherein,

the drive assembly is configured to drive the pushing assembly and the swingable member to move back and forth between the input side and the output side in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction;

the swinging component comprises a swinging block and a rotating shaft, the pushing component is fixed on the swinging block, and the swinging block is configured to rotate around the rotating shaft and can drive the pushing component to switch between the first height and the second height;

the drive assembly is further configured to: the pushing assembly is driven to move along the first direction, so that the slide is pushed to be unloaded from the detection position of the detection platform at the first height, and the pushing assembly is driven to move along the second direction from the output side to the input side, so that the pushing assembly does not collide with the next slide to be detected at the slide placing position at the second height.

In one example, the swingable member further comprises a stopper member configured to: when the swinging block drives the pushing assembly to swing to the first height, the pushing assembly is limited to be maintained at the first height; and limiting the pushing assembly to be maintained at the second height when the swinging block drives the pushing assembly to swing to the second height.

In one example, the unloading mechanism further comprises a lifting member and a return member,

the lifting piece is configured to: enabling the swingable member to pass without swinging when the swingable member moves in the first direction; when the swingable component moves along the second direction and collides with the lifting piece, the swingable component can push the swinging block to swing upwards to drive the pushing component to lift from the first height to the second height;

the return member is configured to: the swing block can be swung downwards after the swing block moves in the second direction to pass through the slide placing position, and the pushing assembly can be driven to return to the first height from the second height.

In one example, the avoidance assembly comprises: the device comprises a first rail and a second rail, wherein the position height of the second rail is higher than that of the first rail; a switching mechanism configured to guide the pushing assembly to switch to the first rail to be at the first height when the slide is unloaded, and to move from the input side toward the output side along the first rail to unload the measured slide on the slide placing position, and to guide the pushing assembly to switch to the second rail to be at the second height after the unloading is completed, and to return to the input side along the second rail without colliding with a next slide to be measured of the slide placing position.

In one example, the switching mechanism includes a transmission member coupled to the pusher assembly, the transmission member configured to move along the first and second tracks to move the pusher assembly along the first and second tracks.

In one example, the avoidance assembly is configured to: when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to drive the slide on the slide placing position to move from the input side to the output side along the first direction, the distance between the pushing assembly and the central axis of the slide placing position along the first direction in the horizontal direction is a first width;

when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, the distance between the pushing assembly and the central axis of the slide placing position in the horizontal direction is made to be a second width, and the second width is larger than the first width by at least half of the width of one slide.

In one example, the slide transfer device further comprises a buffer device for buffering the slide to be tested; the loading mechanism is used for loading the slide to be tested placed on the buffer device to a slide placing position of the detection platform.

In one example, the slide transfer device further includes an unloading platform for buffering the slides, the unloading mechanism configured to: and unloading the tested slide from the slide placing position of the detection platform to the unloading platform.

In one example, the sample includes one of blood, body fluid, bone marrow, tissue, and urinary sediment.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a sample image analyzer, including:

an imaging device including a camera and a lens group for photographing a specimen in a slide on a slide placement position of a detection platform;

a slide moving device for moving a slide placed on the slide placing position relative to the imaging device to cause the imaging device to take an image of a specific region of the slide;

image analysis means for analyzing the image;

the slide conveying device is used for loading a slide to be tested to the detection platform and unloading the slide which is positioned on the slide placing position of the detection platform and shot by the imaging device.

In one example, the sample image analyzer further comprises: the identification device is used for identifying the identity information of the slide to be detected; and the slide clamping device is used for clamping the slide to be detected from the slide storage container to the identification device and clamping the identified slide to be detected to a slide placing position of the detection platform, wherein the slide clamping device is a component of a loading mechanism of the slide conveying device.

In one example, the sample image analyzer further comprises: the identification device is used for identifying the identity information of the slide to be detected; the slide clamping device is used for clamping the slide to be detected from the slide storage container to the identification device and clamping the identified slide to be detected to the cache device; and the loading mechanism of the slide conveying device is used for loading the slide to be tested from the buffer device to the slide placing position of the detection platform.

In one example, the slide gripping device is configured to be capable of turning such that a slide to be measured in a vertical direction gripped by the slide gripping device is turned to be in a horizontal direction.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides a slide transfer method including:

a controller controls a loading mechanism to load a first slide onto a slide placing position of the detection platform from an input side of the detection platform in a first direction;

the controller controls the imaging device to shoot an image of a first slide on a slide placing position of the detection platform;

the controller controls an unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to an output side of the detection platform in the first direction;

the controller controls the loading mechanism to load a second slide onto the slide placing position from an input side of the detection stage in the first direction.

In one example, the controller controls the loading mechanism to load a second slide onto the slide placement location from an input side of the detection platform in the first direction, including:

when the controller controls the unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform in the first direction, the controller controls the loading mechanism to load the second slide onto the slide placing position from the input side of the detection platform in the first direction.

In one example, the controller controls an unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placement position to an output side of the detection stage in the first direction, including:

the controller controls a pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to push the first slide to move away from the slide placing position along the first direction until the pushing assembly and the first slide completely pass through the slide placing position.

In one example, after the controller controls an unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placement position to an output side of the detection platform in the first direction, the method further includes:

the controller controls the driving component of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing component of the unloading mechanism to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction.

In one example, the method further comprises: the controller controls the avoidance assembly of the unloading mechanism to prevent the pushing assembly from colliding with the second slide of the slide placing position during the controller controls the driving assembly to drive the pushing assembly to move from the output side toward the input side in the second direction.

In one example, the controller controls an unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to an output side of the detection platform in the first direction, including:

the avoidance assembly causes a bottom of the pushing assembly relative to the slide positioning location to have a first height during which the controller controls a drive assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing assembly to push the first slide on the slide positioning location to move in the first direction from the input side toward the output side;

during the period that the controller controls the driving assembly to drive the pushing assembly to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, the avoiding assembly enables the bottom of the pushing assembly relative to the slide placing position to have a second height so that the pushing assembly does not collide with the second slide of the slide placing position, wherein the second height is higher than the first height by at least one thickness of the second slide.

In one example, the avoidance assembly has a bottom of the pushing assembly relative to the slide positioning location with a second height, comprising:

the controller controls a driving assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive a swingable component of the avoiding assembly to collide with a pushing component of the unloading mechanism when moving along the second direction, so that the pushing component pushes a swinging block of the swingable component to swing upwards;

when the swinging block of the swingable part drives the pushing assembly to swing to the second height, the limiting part of the swingable part limits the pushing assembly to maintain the second height;

when the pushing assembly completely passes through the slide placing position in the second direction and continues to move in the second direction to meet the return piece of the unloading mechanism, the return piece enables the swinging block of the swinging component to swing downwards and drives the pushing assembly to be switched from the second height to the first height.

the controller controls the driving component of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing component of the unloading mechanism to move along the second track;

when passing a first switching member of a switching mechanism, the first switching member guides the pushing assembly to switch to a first track at the first height;

the controller controls the driving assembly to drive the pushing assembly to move continuously along the first rail towards the output side so as to push the first slide on the slide placing position to be unloaded to the output side when the pushing assembly touches the first slide.

In one example, the controller controls the drive assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to move from the output side toward the input side in the second direction, including:

the controller controls the driving component of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing component of the unloading mechanism to move from the output side to the input side along a first track;

when passing a second switching member of the switching mechanism, the second switching member directs the kicker assembly to switch to the second track at the second elevation;

the controller controls the drive assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive the push assembly of the unloading mechanism to return to the input side along the second track without colliding with a next slide to be tested at the slide placing position.

In one example, before the controller controls the loading mechanism to load the first slide from the input side of the detection platform in the first direction onto the slide placement location of the detection platform, the method includes:

the controller controls the slide gripping device to grip the first slide from the slide storage container to the identification device;

the controller controls the recognition device to scan the identification code on the first slide to identify the identity information of the first slide;

the controller controls the slide gripping device to grip the identified first slide to a buffer device so that the loading mechanism loads the first slide placed on the buffer device from an input side of the inspection platform to a slide placing position of the inspection platform in the first direction.

In one example, the controller controls the loading mechanism to load a first slide from an input side of the detection platform in a first direction onto a slide placement location of the detection platform, including:

the controller controls a slide gripping device of the loading mechanism to grip the first slide from a slide storage container to an identification device;

the controller controls the recognition device to scan the identification code on the first slide to recognize the identity information of the first slide;

the controller controls the slide gripping device to load the identified first slide onto a slide placing position of the inspection platform.

In the slide transfer device, the sample image analyzer and the slide transfer method of the embodiment of the invention, the unloading of the slide to be tested and the loading of the slide to be tested are positioned on different sides, especially on two sides of the detection platform, which is beneficial to the layout of the whole machine and improves the convenience of user operation. In addition, due to the fact that the input side and the output side are different, the slide to be tested can be loaded to the detection platform when the slide to be tested is unloaded from the detection platform, namely, input and output synchronization is achieved.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a sample image analyzer comprising:

the detection platform is internally provided with a first conveying channel, the first conveying channel is provided with a first bottom for supporting a slide and a first side wall for limiting two sides of the slide, the first bottom of the first conveying channel is provided with a slide placing position for receiving the slide, and the first conveying channel is provided with a first output opening on the output side of the detection platform;

the image shooting device is used for shooting the image of the sample in the slide on the slide placing position of the detection platform;

image analysis means for analyzing the image captured by the image capturing means;

a loading mechanism configured to load a slide to be loaded into a slide placing position in the first conveying channel from an input side of the detection platform;

a discharge mechanism configured to push the slide to be discharged on the slide placing position of the detection platform to move in the first horizontal direction in the first transfer path so as to discharge the slide to be discharged from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform through the first output opening.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a sample image analyzer, comprising:

a detection platform, wherein a first conveying channel is arranged in the detection platform, and the first conveying channel is communicated with an input side and an output side of the detection platform, which are different from each other;

the image shooting device is used for shooting the image of the sample in the slide at the slide placing position of the detection platform;

an unloading mechanism configured to unload the slide already tested on the slide placing position of the testing platform to an output side of the testing platform through the first transfer channel;

a first support member provided on an output side of the detection platform and configured to carry a slide recovery cassette for recovering the slide unloaded by the unloading mechanism;

a second support member provided at an input side of the inspection platform and configured to carry a slide storage cassette different from the slide recovery cassette, the slide storage cassette being configured to store a slide to be inspected;

a loading mechanism configured to load a slide to be tested from an input side of the inspection platform to a slide placement position in the first transfer channel.

The invention also provides a slide conveying method, which is applied to a sample image analyzer, wherein the sample image analyzer comprises a detection platform, an image shooting device, an unloading mechanism and an unloading platform, a first conveying channel is arranged in the detection platform, a slide placing position is arranged in the first conveying channel, and a second conveying channel is arranged in the unloading platform;

the slide conveying method includes:

placing the detection platform in a shooting state, and in the shooting state, relatively moving the detection platform relative to the image shooting device, so that the image shooting device shoots the current slide on the slide placing position;

after the image shooting device finishes shooting the current slide, the detection platform is placed in a loading and unloading state, the detection platform moves to a loading and unloading position in the loading and unloading state and stops relative movement with the slide image shooting device, and a first conveying channel of the detection platform is aligned with a second conveying channel of the unloading platform in the loading and unloading position, so that the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide on the slide placing position into the second conveying channel of the unloading platform along a horizontal first direction.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments are briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without inventive labor.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a conventional slide transfer device;

fig. 2 shows a block diagram of another conventional slide transfer device;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a slide transfer device of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of slide loading and slide unloading in parallel, according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a slide transfer device of another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a slide transfer device of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a loading mechanism according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a slide of one embodiment of the present application positioned vertically;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a slide horizontal placement of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the sample introduction pattern of the loading mechanism of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a sample injection mode of a loading mechanism according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a sample injection mode of a loading mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of the feeding pattern of the loading mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of an unloading slide of an unloading mechanism of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic view of an unloading slide of an unloading mechanism of another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an unloading slide of an unloading mechanism of yet another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 17 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the present application with slide loading and slide unloading occurring simultaneously;

FIG. 18 shows a schematic view of an unloading mechanism of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 19 illustrates a first partial schematic view of an unloading mechanism of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 20 illustrates a second partial schematic view of an unloading mechanism of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 21 shows a schematic diagram of a swing block of one embodiment of the present application in an upper limit position;

FIG. 22 shows a schematic diagram of a swing block of one embodiment of the present application in a lower limit position;

FIG. 23 shows a schematic diagram of a swing block of one embodiment of the present application in a critical state;

FIG. 24 shows a schematic view at the elevator of the unloading mechanism of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the swingable member of the unloading mechanism of one embodiment of the present application passing the lift member in the first direction;

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the swingable member of the unloading mechanism of one embodiment of the present application passing the lift member in the second direction;

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of the swingable member of the unloading mechanism of one embodiment of the present application swinging downward;

FIG. 28 shows a schematic view of an unloading mechanism of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 29 illustrates a partial schematic view of an unloading mechanism of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 30 illustrates a schematic view of a transmission member of one embodiment of the present application moving across a first door panel from an input side toward an output side of an inspection platform;

FIG. 31 illustrates a schematic view of the transmission member of one embodiment of the present application moving along a first track toward an output side past a second door panel;

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of a drive member of one embodiment of the present application moving across the second door panel from the output side to the input side of the inspection platform;

FIG. 33 illustrates a schematic view of a drive member of one embodiment of the present application moving across a first door panel from an output side to an input side of an inspection platform;

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating the relative positioning of the various mechanisms of the unloading mechanism according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 35 illustrates a perspective view of a transmission member of an embodiment of the present application in an initial position;

FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of the drive member of one embodiment of the present application in an unloading start position;

FIG. 37 is a schematic perspective view of a drive member of one embodiment of the present application moving across a first door panel from an input side toward an output side of an inspection platform;

FIG. 38 is a schematic view of the motion trajectory on the second rail as the driving member of one embodiment of the present application moves from the output side toward the input side of the inspection platform;

FIG. 39 illustrates a perspective view of the drive member of one embodiment of the present application as it moves across the second door panel from the output side toward the input side of the testing platform;

FIG. 40 illustrates a perspective view of the drive member of one embodiment of the present application moving across the first door panel from the output side toward the input side of the testing platform;

FIG. 41 illustrates a partial top view of the slide transfer device with avoidance achieved in the horizontal direction according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 42 shows a block diagram of a sample image analyzer of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 43 is a flow chart showing a slide transfer method of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 44 shows a schematic external view of a sample image analyzer according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 show, in schematic perspective views from different perspectives, a sample image analyser according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 47 shows a schematic perspective view of an inspection platform according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 48 shows a top view of the inspection platform of FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 shows a schematic top view of a sample image analyser according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 50 shows a schematic perspective view of an offloading platform of an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 51 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a loading platform according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 52 shows a schematic view of a slide under test loaded in one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 53 is a schematic view of the loading and unloading mechanism synchronized to load and unload in accordance with one embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 54 and 55 show schematic views of the unloading of slides through a bridging stage according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 56 shows a schematic perspective view of a bridging platform of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 57 and FIG. 58 show schematic perspective views from different perspectives of a slide recovery device in accordance with one embodiment of the present application;

fig. 59 shows a schematic perspective view of a cassette transfer device of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 60 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an input assembly and an output assembly of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 61 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a clamping assembly of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 62 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a barrier assembly of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 63 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a lift assembly of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 64 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an input assembly of one embodiment of the present application;

fig. 65 is a schematic work flow chart showing a receiver transfer device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 66-69 show schematic flow diagrams of slide transfer methods of various embodiments of the present application.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application and not all embodiments of the present application, and that the present application is not limited by the example embodiments described herein. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments of the application described in the application without inventive step, shall fall within the scope of protection of the application.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present application. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present application may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features of the art have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the present application.

It is to be understood that the present application is capable of implementation in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the application to those skilled in the art.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items.

In view of the aforementioned problem of low whole machine slide reading efficiency of the slide reader caused by the input and output of the sample input module and the sample output module at the same side and the input and output using the same manipulator or pushing assembly, the present invention provides a slide conveying device, comprising: an inspection platform having slide placement locations for receiving slides carrying specimens for inspection; a loading mechanism configured to load the slide onto a slide placement location of the detection platform; an unloading mechanism configured to unload the slide on the slide placing position of the detection platform; a controller in communicative connection with the loading mechanism and the unloading mechanism and configured to: controlling the unloading mechanism to unload the slide from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform along a first direction; and controlling the loading mechanism to load a next slide to be tested onto the slide placing position from the input side of the detection platform along the first direction. The utility model provides a slide conveyer's loading mechanism loads the slide to next slide from testing platform's input side and puts the position on the slide of testing platform, and unloading mechanism will have measured the slide from the slide is put the position and is unloaded along the first direction to testing platform's output side, and input side and output side are located testing platform's different sides respectively to eliminate position restraint between them, be convenient for including the complete machine rational overall arrangement of this slide conveyer's sample image analysis appearance (for example the slide reader that shoots is carried out to the slide of testing platform's slide through imaging device) because the slide of input and output different sides, slide recovery container and slide collecting container are different containers simultaneously, consequently can avoid the pollution of the slide of mirror oil to the slide of not going to read the piece that cyclic utilization leads to. Furthermore, due to different input and output sides, the slide conveying device can load a next slide to be tested to the detection platform while unloading the tested slide from the detection platform, namely, the input and output synchronization is realized.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Alternative embodiments of the present application are described in detail below, however, other implementations of the present application are possible in addition to these detailed descriptions.

Specifically, the slide glass transfer device, the specimen image analyzer, and the slide glass transfer method of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The features of the following examples and embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

As an example, as shown in fig. 3, the slide transfer device 100 includes a detection platform 103, and the detection platform 103 has slide placement positions for receiving slides that carry specimens for detection. The slide may be formed from a rectangular sheet of material, such as glass, which is applied to the specimen at a generally central location. The sample may be any sample that needs to be prepared on a slide for microscopic observation, for example the sample may comprise one of blood, body fluid, bone marrow, tissue and urinary sediment. Wherein, the slide coated with blood, body fluid and marrow can be called pathological smear, the slide bearing tissue can be called pathological section, and when the sample is urinary sediment, the slide can be a counting cell/counting plate.

Alternatively, the slide may be printed with sample identification information (e.g., specimen number, date, barcode of sample identification information, etc.). It should be noted that the slide placing position may be a specific plane area of the detection platform, or the slide placing position may also be a groove (the groove may function as a limit) disposed in a specific area of the detection platform, and the slide to be detected may be placed in the groove.

The testing platform 103 is disposed under the imaging device so that the imaging device can photograph the sample at the slide placing position of the testing platform. In one example, the detection platform 103 can also be moved relative to the imaging device under the driving of the driving device to make the imaging device take an image of a specific area in the sample of the slide.

With continued reference to fig. 3, the slide transfer device 100 further comprises a loading mechanism 102, an unloading mechanism 104, and a controller 101, wherein the loading mechanism 102 is configured to load the slide onto a slide placing location of the detection platform 103, i.e. it acts as a sample input module to load the slide onto the slide placing location of the detection platform 103, while the unloading mechanism 104 is configured to unload the slide on the slide placing location of the detection platform 103, which is typically a measured slide that has been taken by an imaging device, and the controller 101 is communicatively connected to the loading mechanism 104 and the unloading mechanism 102 and configured to: controlling the unloading mechanism 104 to unload the slide from the slide placing position to an output side of the detection stage 103 in a first direction; and controlling the loading mechanism 102 to load a next slide to be tested onto the slide placing position in the first direction from the input side of the detection stage 103. Because the input side and the output side are respectively positioned at different sides of the detection platform, the position constraints of the input side and the output side can be eliminated, the reasonable layout of the whole machine of the slide conveying device, such as a slide reading machine, is convenient, the convenience of user operation is improved, and meanwhile, because the input side and the output side are different, the slide recovery container and the slide receiving container must use different containers, so that the pollution of mirror oil caused by recycling to slides which are not read can be avoided.

In one example, the loading mechanism 102 and the unloading mechanism 104 are independent of each other, and therefore can be operated simultaneously, so that the loading of the slide to be tested and the unloading of the slide are performed simultaneously, and the slide conveying efficiency is improved. Further, the loading mechanism 102 and the unloading mechanism 104 may have their own driving devices, or may have the same driving device.

In one example, as shown in fig. 4, the controller 102 is configured to: the loading mechanism 102 is controlled to load a next slide to be tested onto the slide placing position during the control of the unloading mechanism 104 to unload a tested slide from the slide placing position of the testing platform. That is, as shown in fig. 4, when slide loading and slide unloading are simultaneously performed, the unloading mechanism unloads the slide 11 to be measured from the slide placing position of the detection platform to the output side, for example, to an unloading platform for temporarily storing the slide to be measured, or directly to a slide recovery container, and while unloading, the loading mechanism loads the slide 12 to be measured next from the input side to the slide placing position of the detection platform, thereby achieving the slide unloading and the slide device to be performed simultaneously, improving the slide conveying efficiency.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the slide transfer device may include a buffer device or a loading platform for buffering slides to be tested, and the loading mechanism is used for loading slides to be tested placed on the buffer device to slide placing positions of the testing platform, or the slide transfer device may include slide receiving containers, such as slide baskets or slide cassettes, for holding slides to be tested, and the loading mechanism is used for directly loading slides to be tested in the slide receiving containers to slide placing positions of the testing platform.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the slide transfer device can include a discharge platform for buffering the slides, the discharge mechanism being configured to discharge the slides onto the discharge platform from the slide placement locations of the testing platform, or the slide transfer device can include a slide recovery receptacle, such as a slide basket or slide cassette, configured to discharge the slides directly onto the slide recovery receptacle from the slide placement locations of the testing platform.

In the slide transfer device shown in fig. 5, the specimen output and input are located on different sides of the inspection platform, and the slide to be inspected and the slide already inspected can be placed in different containers, and therefore, contamination of the slide to be inspected can be avoided.

In a specific example, as shown in fig. 6, the slide transfer device includes a testing platform 1, an unloading platform 2, a loading mechanism 4, an unloading mechanism 3, and a loading platform 6, wherein a buffer device of the loading platform 6 is used for buffering a slide to be tested, the slide to be tested is placed on the loading platform in advance to wait, the loading mechanism 4 is used for loading the slide to be tested placed on the buffer device to a slide placing position of the testing platform 1 so as to shoot and test a sample in the slide by an imaging device, the unloading platform 2 is used for buffering the tested slide, the unloading mechanism 3 is configured for unloading the tested slide from the slide placing position of the testing platform to the unloading platform 2, when the sample detection of the slide placing position is completed, the unloading mechanism 3 unloads the tested slide on the slide placing position of the testing platform to the unloading platform 2, meanwhile, during the unloading process, the loading mechanism 4 loads a next slide to be tested on the loading platform 6 to the slide placing position of the testing platform 1, and the loading mechanism 4 and the unloading mechanism 3 synchronously operate to achieve the synchronous unloading and loading of the tested slide and the next slide to be tested, thereby increasing the slide loading speed.

In one example, as shown in fig. 6 and 7 in a continuation, the loading mechanism 4 includes a sample introduction assembly, e.g., a push claw 5, configured to load a slide to be tested placed in a buffer device or a slide receiving container to the testing platform, and a first drive assembly 41 for driving the sample introduction assembly, e.g., the push claw 5, to reciprocate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction to feed the slide to a slide placing position of the testing platform, e.g., to feed the slide from the loading platform 6 on the input side to the slide placing position of the testing platform in the first direction, and after the slide loading is completed, to return to the loading initial position in the second direction to wait for loading of the next slide to be tested. The first driving assembly 41 may include a motor and a timing belt, and the motor drives the timing belt to move while the timing belt drives the push pawl 5 to move.

In other examples, the sample feeding assembly of the loading mechanism 4 can also be realized by other types of devices for moving slides, for example, the sample feeding assembly can also be a robot arm, a pusher claw, a push plate, etc., preferably a component for pushing the slide to move horizontally.

In one example, continuing with fig. 6, the unloading mechanism 3 has a pushing member, such as a finger 7, capable of pushing the slide on the slide placing position of the detection platform 1 in a first direction, and the unloading mechanism 3 drives the pushing member to push the slide to be unloaded to the unloading platform in the first direction by a second driving member, and the path between the detection platform and the unloading platform can be an output path in the first direction.

In other examples, the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism 3 can also be realized by other types of devices for moving slides, for example, the pushing assembly can also be a robot arm, a pusher claw, a pusher plate, etc., preferably a part that pushes the slide to move horizontally.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, a first transfer channel 110 is provided in the detection platform 1, a slide placing position is provided in the first transfer channel 110, and the first transfer channel 110 has a first input opening 111 and a first output opening 112 which are oppositely provided. The first transfer passage 110 extends linearly and in parallel to the first direction X1 and penetrates the input side and the output side of the inspection stage.

In one example, the bottom of the detection platform 1 is configured as a carrier for supporting a slide, and the first transport channel 110 is configured as a first recess opening in the carrier. In other embodiments, the first conveying channel 110 may also be defined by two side walls extending upward from the bottom.

In this case, the slide can be moved in the first transport channel, for example, horizontally. For example, the loading mechanism 4 is configured to push the slide 12 to be tested into the first conveyance channel 110 in the first direction X1 from the input side of the inspection platform 1 through the first input opening 111 until the slide 12 to be tested reaches the slide placing position, that is, until the slide 12 to be tested completely occupies the slide placing position. And the unloading mechanism 3 is configured to push the slide 11 to move in the first transfer channel 110 in the first direction X1, thereby unloading the slide 11 from the slide placement position to the output side of the detection stage through the first output opening 112.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, a second transfer channel 201 configured to buffer the slide 11 is provided in the unloading stage 2 provided at the output side of the inspection stage 1. The second transfer channel 201 has a second input opening 202. At this time, the detection stage 1 and the unloading stage 2 are configured to cooperate when unloading the slide 11 so that the first output opening 112 of the first transfer channel 110 and the second input opening 202 of the second transfer channel 201 are aligned, so that the unloading mechanism 3 can push the slide 11 from the slide placing position into the second transfer channel 201 through the first output opening 112 and the second input opening 202 in the first direction X. That is, when unloading the slide 11, the first transfer channel 110 of the detection stage 1 and the second transfer channel 201 of the unloading stage 2 can be aligned with each other, for example, coaxially aligned with each other and aligned in height, so that the unloading mechanism 3 can push the slide 11 in the first direction X to move in the channel formed by the first transfer channel 110 and the second transfer channel 201.

In some embodiments, the second conveyance channel 201 extends linearly.

In one example, the bottom of the unloading platform 2 is also configured as a support for supporting the slide, the second transport channel 201 being configured as a second recess made in this support. In other embodiments, the second conveying channel 201 may also be defined by two side walls extending upwards from the bottom.

In some embodiments, the second transport channel 201 may also have a second output opening 203 opposite the second input opening 202 so that slides in the second transport channel 201 can be unloaded.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, a third transport channel 610 configured to buffer the slide to be tested 12 and having a third output opening 611 is provided in the loading platform 6 provided at the input side of the inspection platform 1. At this time, the inspection stage 1 and the loading stage 6 are configured to cooperate when the slide to be tested 12 is loaded so that the first input opening 111 of the first conveyance channel 110 and the third output opening 611 of the third conveyance channel 610 are aligned, so that the loading mechanism 4 can push the slide to be tested 12 buffered in the third conveyance channel 610 into the first conveyance channel 110 through the third output opening 611 and the first input opening 111 in the first direction X1 until the slide to be tested 12 reaches the slide placing position. That is, when loading the slide to be tested 12, the first transport channel 110 of the inspection platform 1 and the third transport channel 610 of the loading platform 6 can be aligned with each other, e.g., coaxially aligned with each other and in height, such that the loading mechanism 4 can push the slide to be tested 12 in the first direction X to move in the channel formed by the first transport channel 110 and the third transport channel 610.

In a preferred embodiment, the detection platform 1, the unloading platform 2 and the loading platform 6 are configured to cooperate when unloading a slide to be tested and loading a slide to be tested, such that the first transfer channel 110, the second transfer channel 201 and the third transfer channel 610 are simultaneously aligned to form a total transfer channel, so that the unloading mechanism 3 and the loading mechanism 4 can simultaneously push the slide to be tested 11 and the slide to be tested 12 to move in the total transfer channel along the first direction X1.

It is further preferred that the controller is configured to control the loading mechanism 4 and the unloading mechanism 3 such that the slide 12 to be tested is located in the first transfer channel 110 at the same time in part of the time when it is loaded and the slide 11 has been unloaded, as shown in fig. 4.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the slide is transported by forming the slide transfer channel to push horizontally, which facilitates simplifying the design of the transport mechanism, enabling a simple push assembly using mechanical force to push the slide horizontally. In addition, by conveying the slide in a pushing manner, namely unloading and loading the slide in a pushing manner, the unloading mechanism and the loading mechanism can be arranged on the upstream side of the detection platform relative to the slide placement position, so that the upstream space is fully utilized, the occupation of the downstream space of the crowded detection platform is reduced, and the overall size of the sample image analyzer is favorably reduced.

When the loading mechanism 4 loads and unloads the slide glass by the unloading mechanism 3, the slide glass may generally have a vertical arrangement as shown in fig. 8 and a horizontal arrangement as shown in fig. 9, and the arrangement of the slide glass is different, and the slide glass holding containers (such as a slide receiving container for the slide to be tested and a slide recovery container for the slide already tested), the sample introduction manner of the loading mechanism 3, and the slide glass output manner of the unloading mechanism 3 are also different.

The loading mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention may have a plurality of sample feeding modes (i.e., loading modes), including, but not limited to, the following listed modes, in one example, as shown in fig. 10, a slide to be tested in a slide receiving container holding the slide to be tested is placed vertically, the loading mechanism sample feeding component is, for example, a manipulator configured to clamp a slide to be tested and move upward to clamp the slide to be tested from the slide receiving container, and is configured to turn over the manipulator by a turning mechanism after the slide to be tested completely leaves the slide receiving container, so that a side of the slide to be tested clamped by the manipulator, on which a sample is smeared, faces upward, and then place the turned slide to be tested on a slide input module (e.g., a loading platform), and the loading mechanism then loads the slide to be tested placed on the slide input module onto a testing platform, which may be a microscope imaging testing platform, i.e., a testing platform for performing microscope imaging on the slide to be tested. Or, as shown in fig. 12, the slide input module may not be provided, the manipulator clamps a slide to be tested and moves upward to clamp the slide to be tested from the slide storage container, and the manipulator is configured to turn over by the turning mechanism after the slide to be tested completely leaves the slide storage container, so that the side of the slide to be tested clamped by the manipulator, on which the sample is smeared, faces upward, and then the turned slide to be tested is directly placed on the testing platform.

In another example, as shown in fig. 11, a slide to be tested in a slide receiving container containing the slide to be tested is horizontally placed, a loading mechanism sample feeding assembly, such as a push claw, is configured to push one slide to be tested to a slide input module (such as a loading platform), and the loading mechanism loads the slide to be tested placed in the slide input module to a testing platform, which may be a microscopic imaging testing platform, that is, a testing platform for performing microscopic imaging on the slide to be tested. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 13, the slide input module may not be provided, and the loading mechanism sample feeding assembly, for example, a push claw, directly pushes the slide to be tested to the testing platform.

The unloading mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention may have various ways of unloading the slide, including, but not limited to, the following listed ways, in one example, as shown in fig. 14, the slide needs to be vertically placed in the slide recovery container, then the robot of the unloading device grips the slide unloaded to the slide output module (e.g., unloading platform) and turns over the robot by the turning mechanism to make the gripped slide vertically, and then places the vertical slide in the slide recovery container, wherein the slide placed in the slide output module may be gripped by the robot from the slide placing position of the detection platform to the slide output module, or may be pushed to the slide output module by a pushing component of the unloading mechanism, such as a pusher claw.

In another example, the receiving slot of the slide recovery/staging module (e.g., slide recovery container) for holding the slide is extended in the horizontal direction such that it can only receive the horizontal slide, and the slide to be tested in the container is placed horizontally, as shown in fig. 15, the pushing component, e.g., finger, of the de-clamping mechanism pushes the slide to the slide output module and then to the slide recovery/staging module, or, as shown in fig. 16, the pushing component, e.g., finger, of the de-clamping mechanism directly pushes the slide to the slide recovery/staging module.

In one example, the unloading mechanism has a pushing assembly capable of pushing the slide on the slide placement location in the first direction; wherein, when controlling the unloading mechanism to unload the slide from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform along the first direction, the controller is configured to control the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to push the slide to move away from the slide placing position along the first direction until the pushing assembly and the slide completely pass the slide placing position (or cross the slide placing position), as shown in fig. 17, the slide 11 has moved away from the slide placing position of the detection platform along the first direction under the pushing of the pushing assembly until the pushing assembly and the slide 11 completely pass the slide placing position of the detection platform, and when the slide 11 is unloaded to the slide recovery container or the unloading platform under the pushing of the pushing assembly, the pushing assembly needs to return to the input side of the detection platform from the output side along the second direction (the return motion trajectory of the pushing assembly is shown by a dotted arrow in fig. 17) to wait for unloading of the next slide. Here, the unloading mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention further includes a driving assembly configured to drive the pushing assembly to move back and forth between the input side of the inspection platform and the output side of the inspection platform in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction.

However, during the return stroke of the pushing assembly, the slide placing position of the testing platform is already loaded with the next slide to be tested 12 (as shown in fig. 17) or the next slide to be tested 12 is being loaded onto the slide placing position of the testing platform (as shown in fig. 4), and if no avoidance is performed, the pushing assembly collides with the next slide to be tested 12, so that the testing and the slide conveying process cannot be smoothly performed, or even damages the slide to be tested, and therefore, in view of this problem, the unloading mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention further includes an avoidance assembly configured to prevent the pushing assembly from colliding with the next slide to be tested of the slide placing position when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to move in the second direction from the output side toward the input side, for example, when the pushing assembly passes the slide placing position of the testing platform in the second direction, it may pass under the imaging device, such as a lens, above the testing platform, so as not to collide with the next slide to be tested of the slide placing position, or may pass from the outer side of the slide placing position so as not to collide with the next slide to be tested. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if the speed requirement is not high, the avoidance component may not be provided, and the pusher component may transport the next slide to be tested to the slide placement position after unloading the read slide and returning the slide to the input side of the testing platform.

In one example, the avoidance assembly is configured to: when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to drive the slide on the slide placing position to move from the input side of the detection platform to the output side of the detection platform along the first direction, the pushing assembly is made to have a first height relative to the bottom of the slide placing position, and when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, the pushing assembly is made to have a second height relative to the bottom of the slide placing position, wherein the second height is at least one slide thickness higher than the first height, so that the slide to be detected on the slide placing position of the detection platform is avoided in the height direction, wherein the slide placing position can be a specific plane area of the detection platform, and the first height and the second height can be distances from the pushing assembly such as a pusher claw to the upper surface of the detection platform, or the slide placing position can also be a groove (the groove can play a limiting role) arranged in the specific area of the detection platform, and the slide to be detected can be placed in the groove, and the first height and the second height can be distances from the pusher assembly such as the pusher claw to the bottom surface of the groove.

Referring now to fig. 18-27, an unloading mechanism 20 including an avoidance assembly in an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As an example, as shown in fig. 18, the unloading mechanism 20 includes an avoiding assembly, a driving assembly and a pushing assembly 23, wherein the avoiding assembly may include a swingable member 22, the driving assembly is configured to drive the swingable member 22 and the pushing assembly 23 to move along a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the pushing assembly 23 is configured to push a slide on a slide placing position of the testing platform along the first direction, the slide carries a sample for testing, the sample may be any sample that needs to be prepared on the slide for microscopic observation, for example, the sample may include one or more of blood, bone marrow, tissue and urinary sediment. The pushing assembly 23 can be any assembly capable of pushing the slide to move, for example, the pushing assembly 23 can include fingers, a robot, etc.

In one example, as shown in fig. 19, the swingable member 22 may include a swing block 221 and a rotating shaft 222, the pushing assembly 23 is fixed on the swing block 221, the swing block 221 is configured to be capable of rotating around the rotating shaft 222 and driving the pushing assembly 23 to switch between a first height and a second height higher than the first height, wherein the second height is higher than the first height by at least one thickness of a slide, and when the pushing assembly moves in a second direction past a slide placing position of the detection platform after unloading is completed, the pushing assembly is at the second height, and therefore does not collide with the slide of the slide placing position of the detection platform, and can smoothly return to the input side to wait for downloading a next slide.

The pushing assembly 23 may be fixedly connected to the swing block 221 by any suitable means, for example, by screwing, welding, etc., or the swing block 221 may be integrally formed with the pushing assembly 23.

It is noted that the slide placing position may be a specific plane area of the detection platform, and the height of the pushing assembly relative to the bottom of the slide placing position of the detection platform, that is, relative to the height of the specific plane area, or the slide placing position may also be a groove provided in a specific area of the detection platform, and the height of the pushing assembly relative to the bottom of the slide placing position of the detection platform, that is, relative to the height of the bottom of the groove.

In one example, as shown in fig. 18 and 19, the unloading mechanism 20 includes a fixed member 21 and a guide rail 24, and the swing block 221 is mounted on the fixed member 21 through a rotation shaft 222, optionally, an axis of the rotation shaft 222 is located in a horizontal plane and perpendicular to an extending direction of the guide rail 24. The fixing member 21 is movably mounted on the guide rail 24, for example, the guide rail 24 may be a linear guide rail, a slider is disposed on the guide rail 24, and the fixing member 21 is mounted on the slider of the guide rail 24, so that the fixing member 21 can linearly move back and forth along the guide rail 24 under the driving of the driving assembly, and further, the swingable member and the like mounted on the fixing member 21 can also linearly move back and forth along the guide rail 24 along with the fixing member 21. The fixing member 21 may be a fixing plate or a fixing block, the bottom of the fixing member 21 may be mounted on a slider of the guide rail 24, and the shape of the fixing member 21 may be set reasonably according to the actual device requirements.

The driving assembly may be any driving device capable of driving the swingable member 22 and the pushing assembly 23 to move along the first direction and the second direction opposite to the first direction, for example, as shown in fig. 18, the driving assembly includes a motor 26 and a synchronous belt 25, the fixing member 21 is connected to the synchronous belt 25, the motor 26 drives the synchronous belt 25 to move along the first direction and the second direction, and the synchronous belt 25 drives the fixing member 21 to drive the swingable member 22 and the pushing assembly 23 to move along the first direction and the second direction on the guide rail 24.

Further, the drive assembly is also configured for: the pushing assembly 23 is driven to move along the first direction, the slide is pushed from the input side of the detection platform to be unloaded from the slide placing position of the detection platform to the output side of the detection platform at the first height, and the pushing assembly is driven to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, and the slide does not collide with the slide to be detected at the slide placing position at the second height.

In one example, as shown in fig. 21, when the swing block 221 swings to the upper limit position through the rotation shaft 222, the pushing assembly 23 is lifted to the second height, and when the swing block 221 swings to the lower limit position through the rotation shaft 222, the pushing assembly 23 is driven to return to the first height.

In one example, as shown in fig. 20, the swingable member 22 further includes a limiting member 28, and the limiting member 28 is configured to limit the pushing assembly 23 to be maintained at the first height when the swing block 221 swings the pushing assembly 23 to the first height, as shown in fig. 22, so that the pushing assembly is maintained at the first height to push the slide to move to be unloaded from the slide placing position to the output side when the slide is unloaded, thereby unloading the slide; and when the swinging block 221 rotates around the rotating shaft 222 to drive the pushing assembly 23 to swing to the second height, the pushing assembly 23 is limited to be maintained at the second height, as shown in fig. 21, so that when the pushing assembly returns from the output side to the input side through the slide placing position, the lowest end of the pushing assembly is located above the slide to be tested at the slide placing position, and does not collide with the slide, thereby avoiding the slide placing position to smoothly return to the input side, and waiting for unloading of the next slide.

In one example, as shown in fig. 20, the position limiting member 28 includes an elastic member, wherein the swingable member 22 further includes a first fixing pin 271 and a second fixing pin 272, wherein one end of the elastic member, such as a tension spring, is connected to the first fixing pin 271, the first fixing pin 271 is fixedly mounted on the fixed member 21, the other end of the elastic member is connected to the second fixing pin 272, and the second fixing pin 272 is mounted on the swing block 221.

In one example, the first fixing pin 271 is located above the second fixing pin 272, e.g., the height of the second fixing pin 272 relative to the bottom end of the swing block 221 is higher than the height of the first fixing pin 271 relative to the bottom end of the swing block 221.

In one example, the elastic member includes an extension spring further configured to: when the swinging block drives the pushing assembly 23 to swing to the third height, the axis of the extension spring (shown by a dotted line in fig. 23) intersects with the axis of the rotating shaft, at this time, the swinging block is in a critical state, as shown in fig. 23, the axis of the extension spring and the axis of the swinging block are in the same plane, the axis of the extension spring intersects with the axis of the rotating shaft, so that the moment generated by the extension spring is just zero and is in a theoretical dead point (also in a critical state), the swinging block swings upwards through the critical state under the action of external force and is stabilized at an upper limit under the tension of the extension spring, so that the pushing assembly is stabilized at the second height, and when the swinging block swings downwards through the critical state, the swinging block is stabilized at a lower limit, so that the pushing assembly is stabilized at the first height.

In an example, the third height is between the first height and the second height, and when the swinging block 221 drives the pushing assembly 23 to swing to the third height, the rotating shaft 222 is located between the first fixing pin 271 and the second fixing pin 272, that is, the axis of the rotating shaft intersects with the line connecting the first fixing pin 271 and the second fixing pin 272.

In another example, the function of the limiting component may also be achieved by a magnetic component, for example, the limiting component may include a first magnetic component (not shown), such as a magnet, for making the swinging block swing the pushing assembly to the first height and limiting the pushing assembly to be maintained at the first height; further, the limiting component may further include a second magnetic component, such as a magnet, the second magnetic component is configured to enable the swing block to drive the pusher dog to swing to the second height position and limit the pusher dog position to be maintained at the second height position, wherein the limiting component may further include only one of the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component, for example, the limiting component may further include only the second magnetic component and does not include the first magnetic component, and the swing block swings to the lower limit position by its own weight.

When the swinging block swings to a critical state, the swinging block can swing to the lower limit position to drive the pushing assembly to swing to the first height and limit the pushing assembly to be maintained at the first height through the magnetic attraction effect of the first magnetic part on the swinging block.

When the swinging block swings to a critical state, the swinging block can continuously swing to the upper limit position through the magnetic attraction effect of the second magnetic part on the swinging block so as to drive the pushing assembly to swing to the second height and limit the pushing assembly to be maintained at the second height.

Further, the unloading mechanism 20 also comprises a lift configured for: when the swingable component moves along the first direction, the swingable component, particularly the swinging block, can be enabled to pass through without swinging, or the swinging amplitude of the swingable component, such as the swinging block, is smaller than a threshold amplitude, so that the lifting amplitude of the pushing component is ensured to be smaller than the thickness of one slide, and the pushing component can still push the slide to be unloaded to the output side.

In one example, the elevator is further configured to: when the swinging component moves along the second direction and collides with the lifting component, the swinging block can be pushed to swing upwards to drive the pushing component to be lifted from the first height to the second height, so that the pushing component can not collide with a slide to be detected on a slide placing position of the detection platform when moving from the output side to the input side.

The lifting member may be any structure capable of achieving the above-mentioned function, for example, as shown in fig. 24, the lifting member includes a one-way stopper 29, a fixed end of the one-way stopper 29 is mounted on the bottom plate 211 of the unloading mechanism 20 through a rotating shaft 292, and a free end of the one-way stopper 29 is rested on the bottom plate 211. Optionally, one-way stop 29 has an upwardly projecting projection 291, said one-way stop 29 being configured for: as shown in fig. 25, when the swing block 221 passes the protrusion 291 in the first direction, the one-way stopper 29 is pushed to rotate around the rotation shaft 292, for example, clockwise by a certain angle, specifically, the second fixing pin 272 fixed to the swing block 221 hits the protrusion 291 to push the one-way stopper 29 to rotate around the rotation shaft 292, so that the free end of the one-way stopper 29 is lifted upward away from the bottom plate and the position of the protrusion 291 is lowered to pass the second fixing pin, and the pushing assembly 23 continues to unload the slide glass.

Illustratively, the bottom plate 211 of the unloading mechanism 20 mainly serves as a support, and components such as a guide rail, a fixing member, a swingable member, a pushing member, and the like may be located above the bottom plate, while components such as a motor may be fixed below the bottom plate.

In one example, the free end of the one-way stop 29 has a lateral projection 293 by which the free end of the one-way stop 29 rests on the base plate 211, which lateral projection may be integrally formed with the one-way monolithic block, or it may be fixed to the free end by means of welding or screwing, for example.

After the swingable member passes through the lifting member such as the one-way stopper 29 in the first direction, the lifting member such as the one-way stopper 29 may be reset by its own weight, for example, the center of gravity of the one-way stopper may be designed so that it can be reset by its own weight within the range of the rotation angle after the swingable member passes through and swings, or may be automatically reset by a resetting member such as a torsion spring or an extension spring to perform the function of one-way blocking.

In one example, as shown in fig. 24, a limiting member 210 is further disposed on a side of the swinging block 221 opposite to the pushing assembly 23, the limiting member 210 is fixed on the fixing member 21, the limiting member 210 may be fixed on the fixing member 21 by welding or screwing, or may be integrally formed with the fixing member 21, and the limiting member 210 is configured to limit a swinging direction of the swinging block so that the swinging block does not swing when the second fixing pin 272 on the swinging block collides with the protrusion 291, or to make a swinging amplitude of the swinging member, such as the swinging block, smaller than a threshold amplitude, so as to ensure that a lifting amplitude of the pushing assembly is smaller than a thickness of one slide, so that the pushing assembly can still push the slide to be unloaded to the output side.

In one example, as shown in fig. 26, when the swingable component moves in the second direction and passes through the protrusion 291 of the one-way block 29, the swing block can be pushed to swing upwards, specifically, when the swingable component moves in the second direction and passes through the protrusion 291 of the one-way block 29, the second fixing pin 272 fixed on the swing block collides with the protrusion 291, the one-way block 29 does not rotate around the rotating shaft 292 due to the blocking action of the bottom plate below the free end of the one-way block 29, so that the protrusion 291 pushes the second fixing pin 272 upwards, so as to push the swing block to swing upwards, and when the swing block swings to a critical state, the swing block can continue to swing upwards to the upper limit position due to the action of a limiting component such as an extension spring or a second magnetic component, so as to drive the pushing component to swing to the second height and maintain the second height. Optionally, the axis of the rotation shaft 292 is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the bottom plate of the unloading mechanism.

In one example, as shown in fig. 27, the unloading mechanism 20 further comprises a return 212, the return 212 being configured to: after the swing block 221 moves in the second direction past the slide placement location, the swing block 221 can swing downward and drive the pushing assembly 23 to switch from the second height to the first height, so that the pushing assembly can be used for unloading of a next slide.

In one example, the return 212 includes a blocking plate configured to: when the swing block 221 moves to the stop plate along the second direction, the swing block 221 is impacted on the upper part of the swing block 221 to swing downwards, so that the swing block goes beyond the critical state downwards and swings to the lower limit position, as shown in fig. 22, and the pushing assembly 23 is driven to return to the first height, so that the pushing assembly can be used for unloading the next slide.

The unloading mechanism 20 does not need to add extra power, and can change the spatial position of the pushing assembly during the unloading process (namely moving along the first direction) and the return process (namely returning from the output side to the input side along the second direction) through the swinging of the swingable part, so that the slide to be detected at the slide placing position of the detection platform is avoided during the return process, the detection of the slide to be detected is ensured to be smoothly performed, the unloading mechanism and other mechanisms (such as a loading device) can be operated in parallel, and the flow time is saved.

In another example, the unloading mechanism may also be implemented as the structure of the unloading mechanism 30 as shown in fig. 28 to 40.

The following is described with reference to the structure of the unloading mechanism 30 shown in fig. 28 to 40.

As an example, as shown in fig. 28, the unloading mechanism 30 of the present application includes a pushing assembly 31 for unloading a slide on a slide placement position of a testing platform, wherein the slide carries a sample for testing, the sample can be any sample that needs to be prepared on the slide for microscopic observation, for example, the sample can include one or more of blood, bone marrow, tissue and urinary sediment. The pushing assembly 31 can be any assembly capable of pushing the slide to move, for example, the pushing assembly 31 can include a pusher finger, a robot, and the like.

The detection platform is provided with an input side and an output side which are arranged oppositely, wherein the pushing assembly unloads the slide on the slide placing position of the detection platform, namely the pushing assembly pushes the slide on the slide placing position of the detection platform to leave the slide placing position from the input side of the detection platform and unloads the slide to the output side of the detection platform, and the pushing assembly needs to return to the input side from the output side after unloading is completed so as to wait for unloading of the next slide.

In one example, as further shown in fig. 28, the discharge mechanism 30 comprises an avoidance assembly comprising a track mechanism, which may comprise a first track 381 and a second track 382, wherein the second track 382 is positioned at a height higher than the height of the first track 381, i.e., wherein the height of the second track 382 relative to the bottom of the slide resting position of the inspection platform is higher than the height of the first track 381 relative to the bottom of the slide resting position.

It is noted that the slide placing position may be a specific plane area of the detection platform, and the first rail 381 and the second rail 382 may be a height relative to the bottom of the slide placing position of the detection platform, i.e., a height relative to the specific plane area, or the slide placing position may also be a groove provided in a specific area of the detection platform, and the first rail 381 and the second rail 382 may be a height relative to the bottom of the slide placing position of the detection platform, i.e., a height relative to the bottom of the groove.

In one example, the avoidance assembly further includes a switching mechanism configured to direct the pushing assembly to switch to the first track to have a first height relative to a bottom of the slide placement position when unloading the slide and to move along the first track from the input side of the testing platform toward the output side of the testing platform to unload the slide on the slide placement position, and to direct the pushing assembly to switch to the second track to have a second height relative to the bottom of the slide placement position after unloading is completed and to return from the output side to the input side without colliding with a next slide to be tested in the slide placement position, to perform a spatial position change of the pushing assembly during unloading (i.e., moving from the input side to the output side of the testing platform) and a return stroke (i.e., returning from the output side to the input side) to unload the slide on the slide placement position during unloading, to place the pushing assembly at the first height during the return stroke to thereby avoid the slide to be tested in the slide placement position of the testing platform during the return stroke, to ensure successful testing of the slide testing and to facilitate other slide loading mechanisms (e., save time for example, parallel loading and unloading mechanisms).

The difference in height between the first height and the second height is dependent upon the difference in height between the first track and the second track, and optionally the second height is at least one slide thickness higher than the first height, by which arrangement it is ensured that the pusher assembly can be positioned above a slide at a slide placement location when at the second height without colliding with the slide.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching mechanism can include a transmission member 36 connected to the pushing assembly 31, as shown in fig. 28, the transmission member 36 can be a roller or other member capable of moving along the first rail 381 and the second rail 382, the transmission member 36 can be configured to move along the first rail 381 and the second rail 382 to move the pushing assembly 31 along the first rail 381 and the second rail 382 to make the pushing assembly 31 at a first height to unload the slide on the slide placement position when moving along the first rail and to make the pushing assembly 31 at a second height to avoid the slide to be tested on the slide placement position when returning to the input side when moving along the second rail.

In one example, further comprising: and an up-and-down moving means for up-and-down moving the driving part 36 and the push assembly 31, for example, the up-and-down moving means raises the driving part 36 and the push assembly 31 when the driving part is switched from the first track to the second track, and lowers the driving part 36 and the push assembly 31 when the driving part 36 is switched from the second track to the first track.

The up-and-down moving component may be any structure capable of moving up and down the transmission component 36 and the pushing component 31, in one example, the up-and-down moving component may include a floating component 33 and an up-and-down moving component 35, the pushing component 31 is installed on the floating component 33, the transmission component 36 is installed on the floating component 33, and the floating component 33 is driven by the up-and-down moving component 35 to move up and down so as to drive the pushing component 31 and the transmission component 36 to move up and down.

In one example, as shown in fig. 28, the unloading mechanism 30 further includes a fixing member 34 and a guide rail 37, and the fixing member 34 is movably coupled to the guide rail 37. Further, the unloading mechanism 30 further comprises a driving assembly (not shown) which can be used for driving the fixed part 34 to reciprocate along the guide rail 37, wherein the guide rail 37 can be positioned below the first rail 381, and the guide rail 37 can be parallel to the first rail 381, and the first rail 381 and the second rail 382 are parallel. Alternatively, the driving assembly may be a motor, or may further include a timing belt connecting the fixing member and the motor, so that the driving assembly can drive the fixing member to move through the timing belt.

Further, as shown in fig. 28, the up-and-down moving means further includes a guide member 32, the guide member 32 is mounted on the fixing member 34, and the guide member 32 extends up and down to guide the floating member 33 to move up and down. The floating member 33 is located above the fixed member 34 and connected to the fixed member 34 by the guide member 32, and in one example, the guide member 32 may include a first guide shaft 321 and a second guide shaft 322, the first guide shaft 321 having one end penetrating the floating member 33 and the other end fixed to the fixed member 34, the second guide shaft 322 having one end penetrating the floating member 33 and the other end fixed to the fixed member 34, and the degree of freedom of the floating member in the plane direction is defined by the first guide shaft and the second guide shaft so as to be hardly rotated in the horizontal plane and so as to be movable only up and down along the guide member. The structure of the guide member 32 is merely exemplary, and it may be implemented by any other suitable structure.

In one example, the up-and-down moving member 35 includes an elastic member, the elastic member is disposed between the floating member 33 and the fixed member 34, an axis of the elastic member is parallel to an axis of the guide member 32, alternatively, the elastic member may be a compression spring, or the elastic member may also be a tension spring, and the floating member 33 is moved up and down along the guide member 32 relative to the fixed member 34 by the extension or contraction of the elastic member. Optionally, when the elastic member is an extension spring or a compression spring, the elastic member is sleeved on the guide member, for example, the second guide member 322.

In one example, the unloading mechanism 30 further includes a driving assembly (not shown) for driving the fixed part 34 to reciprocate along the guide rail 37, since the floating part 33 is connected with the fixed part 34, and the transmission part 36 and the pushing assembly 31 are both mounted on the floating part 33, so that the driving assembly drives the floating part 33, the transmission part 36 and the pushing assembly 31 to reciprocate along the guide rail 37 while driving the fixed part 34 to reciprocate along the guide rail 37, where reciprocating may refer to driving the fixed part to move along the guide rail 37 from the input side of the testing platform to the output side of the testing platform during unloading, and driving the fixed part to move along the guide rail 37 from the output side of the testing platform to the input side of the testing platform after unloading is completed.

In one example, the switching mechanism further comprises a first switching member configured to guide the transmission member located on the second rail to the first rail to simultaneously drive the pushing assembly to switch to the first rail, i.e., to move along the first rail, and to have a first height relative to a bottom of a slide placing position of the detection platform when the pushing assembly moves along the first rail, at which the pushing assembly is capable of pushing the slide on the slide placing position to move away from the slide placing position for discharge to an output side of the detection platform.

The first switching member may be any structure capable of performing a rail switching function, for example, as shown in fig. 29, the first switching member includes a first door panel 383 disposed between the first rail and the second rail, the first door panel 383 being configured to: the transmission member can be rotated to open to pass through the transmission member when moving along the second track 382 past the first door plate 383, and to close at least a portion of the passage between the first track and the second track when moving from the second track to the first track, so as to switch the transmission member located on the second track to the first track. In one example, the first door plate 383 is mounted on the first rail 381 or the second rail 382 by a first rotation shaft 384, and the first door plate 383 is configured to be rotatable about the first rotation shaft 384 between a first position and a second position, wherein the first door plate is flush with the first rail 381 when rotated to the second position so that the transmission member can pass through the first door plate, and the first door plate closes at least a portion of a passage between the first rail and the second rail when positioned in the first position so that the transmission member can be guided to move toward the first rail.

In one example, the first door panel 383 is further configured to be resettable from the second position to the first position to close at least a portion of the passage between the first and second rails, and optionally the first switching member further includes a first resetting member (not shown) for resetting the first door panel 383 from the second position to the first position, which may be a resetting member such as a tension spring or a torsion spring. Alternatively, the first door panel 383 may also remain normally closed, i.e., in the first position, under the influence of gravity, and thus may return to the first position from the second position by the influence of gravity.

In one example, the switching mechanism further comprises a second switching member for switching the driving member located on the first track to the second track so that the pushing assembly is at the second height, that is, after the pushing assembly pushes the slide to be unloaded to a slide recovery receptacle on the output side of the testing platform or an unloading platform for buffering the tested slide, the pushing assembly needs to return from the output side to the input side of the testing platform, and when the driving member drives the fixing member to bring the pushing assembly and the driving member to move along the first track from the output side to the input side, the driving member is switched to move along the second track by being guided by the second switching member so that the position of the pushing assembly is raised to be at the second height so as not to collide with the slide of the slide placing position when passing through the slide placing position of the testing platform, and then returns to the input side smoothly to wait for unloading of the next slide.

The second switching unit may be any structure capable of switching tracks, as shown in fig. 29, for example, the second switching unit includes a second door plate 386 arranged on the first track 381, and the second door plate 386 is configured to: when the transmission member passes through the second door plate 386 along the first rail 381, the second door plate 386 is pushed to be closed, that is, the second door plate 386 is flush with the first rail 381, and when the transmission member moves from the first rail 81 to the second rail 382, the second door plate 386 keeps a normally open state, so that the transmission member moves along the second door plate 386 to the second rail 382. Optionally, the second door 386 is mounted on the first track by a second rotating shaft 385, and the second door 386 is configured to be rotatable around the second rotating shaft 385 between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the second door 386 is flush with the first track 381 when rotated to the fourth position, the second door is rotated to a predetermined angle below the first track relative to the fourth position when in the third position, and a passage between the first track and the second track is opened to allow the transmission member to move upward along the second door to the second track when in the third position.

The second door panel may be kept in a normally open state under the action of gravity, and when the transmission component moves along the first track and passes through the second door panel, the second door panel is rotated to be closed, and after the transmission component passes through the second door panel, the second door panel may be reset to the third position by its own gravity, or the second switching component further includes a second reset component (not shown) for resetting the second door panel from the fourth position to the third position, and optionally, the second reset component may be an extension spring or a torsion spring or another suitable reset component.

As shown in fig. 30, when the driving member 36 moves from the input side of the detection platform to the output side of the detection platform, it moves along the second track 382 first, and when it moves to the first door plate 383, at which time the first door plate 383 remains in a normally closed state, it moves down along the first door plate 383 to the first track 381, in the process, due to the downward force applied by the first door plate, the floating member compresses the up-and-down moving member, and moves down along the guide member, so that the pushing assembly is at the first height, and then the driving member continues to move along the first track 381 to the output side of the detection platform, and the pushing assembly maintains the first height and pushes the slide away from the slide placing position when reaching the detection platform, and when the driving member 36 continues to move along the first track 381 to pass through the second door plate 386, as shown in fig. 31, the driving member 36 pushes the second door plate 386 to close, so that the pushing assembly is ensured to maintain at the first height, so that the slide is continuously unloaded.

When the unloading is completed, the driving assembly drives the fixed component to drive the transmission component and the pushing component to move from the output side to the input side of the detection platform to return to the initial position at the input side to wait for the next unloading, as shown in fig. 32, when the transmission component 36 moves along the first track 381 to pass through the second door plate 386, the second door plate 386 is kept in a normally open state, the transmission component 36 is switched from the first track 381 to the second track 382 under the guidance of the second door plate 386, in the process, the up-and-down moving component pushes the floating component to move upwards so as to raise the height of the pushing component to the second height, after the transmission component 36 is switched to the second track 382, the transmission component continues to move along the second track 382 under the driving of the driving assembly, when the slide passing through the placement position of the detection platform, the pushing component does not collide with the slide at the second height, so as to avoid the detection platform to return to the input side of the detection platform smoothly, and when the transmission component 36 continues to move along the second track 382 to pass through the first door plate 383, as shown in fig. 33, the transmission component pushes the first door plate to move downwards to pass through the first track 383, so that the transmission component can stop moving along the transmission component 36 to wait for unloading when the slide to move along the initial position, and wait for the slide to unload the slide.

The unloading mechanism of the embodiment of the invention realizes the unloading of the slide by the following processes: as shown in fig. 34, during the unloading process, the pushing assembly pushes the slide 311 from the detection platform 310 to the slide recovery container 312, such as the slide recovery box, and during the whole unloading process, the driving member 36 moves in the direction shown by the arrow in fig. 34, first, the driving member 36 moves from the input side to the output side of the detection platform from the initial position 391, as shown in fig. 35, when the driving member 36 is located at the initial position, the driving member 36 is located at the second track 382, and the pushing assembly 31 is located at the second height, and after the driving member 36 passes the first door plate 383, as shown in fig. 34 and fig. 36, the driving member 36 moves from the second track 382 to the unloading start position 392 of the first track 381, and when the pushing assembly 31 is lowered to the first height relative to the detection platform, under the driving of the driving assembly, the driving member 36 and the pushing assembly 31 continue to move along the first track 381, the pushing assembly 31 pushes the slide 311 away from the slide placement position of the detection platform at the first height, and when the driving member 36 passes the second door plate 386, the driving member 36 is automatically pushed to the second door plate 386 to push the slide 311 to the slide recovery container 312 to finish pushing assembly 311, as shown in fig. 386 (the unloading position 386, and unloading of the slide recovery box), and unloading container 311, as shown in fig. 32). It is noted that the initial position 391 and the unloading start bit 392 are located at the input side of the detection stage, and the unloading end bit 393 is located at the output side of the detection stage 310.

When the slide unloading is completed, the pushing assembly 31 and the transmission member 36 return from the output side to the input side, for example, from the unloading end position to the initial position, to prepare for the next unloading action, and the return stroke thereof is as follows: wherein, fig. 38 shows the motion trace of the transmission component 36 on the track, and under the driving of the driving assembly, the transmission component 36 moves to the second track 382 through the slope arranged on the first track or the second track when passing through the normally open second door panel 386, as shown in fig. 39, at this time, under the action of the up-and-down moving component 35, it makes the floating component drive the pushing component 31 to move upwards, so that the pushing component 31 is at the second height, thereby avoiding the interference with the inspection platform; when the transmission member 36 moves to the normally closed first door plate 383, the transmission member 36 automatically pushes the first door plate 383 (see fig. 40), and moves along the second track 382 to the initial position, and at this time, the first door plate 383 also automatically closes. Therefore, in the return process, the inspection platform is not required to avoid, the parallel of the flow is favorably realized, and the flow time is saved.

The unloading mechanism 30 is configured to implement, without adding additional power, a change in a spatial position of the pushing assembly during an unloading process (i.e., moving from the input side to the output side of the testing platform) and a return process (i.e., returning from the output side to the input side) by the first rail and the second rail and the switching mechanism, to enable the pushing assembly to be at the first height during the unloading process to unload the slide on the slide placing position, and to enable the pushing assembly to be at the second height during the return process to avoid the slide to be tested on the slide placing position of the testing platform during the return process, so as to ensure smooth testing of the slide to be tested.

In other examples, the avoidance assembly of the discharge structure may, in addition to enabling avoidance of the slide placement position in the height direction, enable avoidance of the slide placement position in the width direction, for example, as shown in fig. 41, the avoidance assembly of the discharge structure may be further configured to: when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to drive the slide to be tested on the slide placing position to move from the input side to the output side along the first direction, the distance between the pushing assembly and the central axis of the slide placing position along the first direction in the horizontal direction is a first width W1, and when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, the distance between the pushing assembly and the central axis of the slide placing position in the horizontal direction is a second width W2, wherein the second width W2 is at least half of the width of one slide larger than the first width W1, or the second width W2 is further at least half of the width of one slide placing position larger than the first width W1, so that the pushing assembly passes through the outer side of the slide to be tested when passing through the placing position when returning from the output side to the input side, and does not collide with the slide to be tested, or the lateral direction (i.e. the width direction of the slide) completely avoids the slide to be tested, so as to ensure that the slide to be not to be tested. It is to be noted that, in fig. 41, for the purpose of explaining the first width W1 and the second width W2, the shape of the pushing assembly is illustrated in a solid line when the pushing assembly unloads the slide in the first direction, and the shape of the broken line when the pushing assembly returns in the second direction, but it is understood that the shape of the pushing assembly illustrated in the figure is not intended to constitute a limitation on the specific shape of the pushing assembly.

The first width and the second width may be perpendicular distances between the pushing assembly and a central axis of the slide placing position along the first direction in the horizontal direction.

In addition to the above-mentioned avoiding manner, the pushing assembly can be controlled to move up and down or move transversely, for example, so that the pushing assembly does not collide with a next slide to be tested when the pushing assembly passes through the slide placing position of the detection platform in a return stroke.

It should be noted that the slide transfer device according to the embodiment of the present invention may have other components besides the above-mentioned mechanism, platform and assembly, and thus, the details are not repeated herein.

To sum up, slide conveyor's of this application loading mechanism loads slide from testing platform's input side with slide next slide to be tested and puts the position on the slide that testing platform put, and uninstallation mechanism will have the slide followed the slide is put the position and is unloaded along the first direction the testing platform's output side, input side and output side are located testing platform's different sides respectively to eliminate position restraint between them, be convenient for including this slide conveyor's for example the complete machine rational arrangement of reading the machine, improve the convenience of user operation, simultaneously because input and output different sides, slide recovery vessel and slide receiving vessel are different containers, consequently can avoid the pollution of mirror oil that the cyclic utilization leads to the slide of not reading. Furthermore, due to different input and output sides, the slide conveying device can load a next slide to be tested to the detection platform while unloading the tested slide from the detection platform, namely, the input and output synchronization is realized.

Next, referring to fig. 42, a sample image analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention is described, where the sample image analyzer includes the sample unloading device 30 in the foregoing embodiment, and the description of the sample unloading device 30 may refer to the description of the foregoing embodiment, and will not be repeated herein.

As an example, as shown in fig. 42, the specimen image analyzer 130 may include, for example, a cell image analysis device that can be used not only to photograph cells in a specimen but also to photograph, for example, crystals in urinary sediment, and the like.

The specimen image analyzer 130 comprises at least an imaging device 131, a slide moving device 132 and an image analyzing device 133, the imaging device 131 comprising a camera 1312 and a lens assembly 1311 and being adapted to photograph a specimen in a slide located at a slide placing position of the detection platform, such as to photograph cells or other viewed objects in the specimen, the slide moving device 132 being adapted to move the slide relative to the imaging device 131 such that the imaging device 131 photographs images of a specific area of the slide, such as a cell image, wherein the slide moving device 132 may comprise a detection platform and a drive device adapted to drive the detection platform to move such that the slide is moved relative to the imaging device 131. The image analysis device 133 is used for analyzing the image of the sample in the slide, and distinguishing the observed object (such as cells) in the sample by using an intelligent recognition algorithm.

In one example, a lens group may include a first objective lens, a second objective lens, and an eyepiece lens. The first objective lens may be, for example, a 10-fold objective lens, and the second objective lens may be, for example, a 100-fold objective lens. The lens group may further comprise a third objective lens, which may be, for example, a 40 x objective lens. The lens group may further include an eyepiece.

In one example, the specimen image analyzer 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a slide transfer device 138 for loading a slide to be tested to the testing platform and for unloading the slide photographed by the imaging device at a slide placing position of the testing platform, wherein the description of the slide transfer device 130 is not repeated herein with reference to the description in the foregoing.

The specimen image analyzer 130 further includes an identification device 134, a slide gripping device 135, and a slide recovery device 136. The identification device 134 is used for identifying the identity information of the slide to be tested, in one example, the slide clamping device 135 is used for clamping the slide to be tested from the slide receiving container to the identification device 134, so that the identification device 134 identifies the identity information of the slide to be tested, and the slide clamping device 135 is used for clamping the identified slide to be tested to the slide placing position of the detection platform, wherein the slide clamping device is a component of the loading mechanism of the slide conveying device 138. In another example, the slide gripping device 135 is configured to grip the slide to be tested from the slide storage container to the identification device 134, and grip the identified slide to be tested to the buffer device; and a loading mechanism of the slide transfer device 138 for loading the slide to be tested from the buffer device to the slide placing position of the testing platform for testing.

The slide recovery device 136 is used to place the slides under test. The unloading mechanism of the slide transfer device 138 is used to unload the detected slide to the slide recovery device 136, or unload the detected slide to an unloading platform for buffering the detected slide, and then the slide is clamped to the slide recovery device 136 by the slide clamping device 135.

In one example, the slide clamping device is configured to turn a slide to be tested in a vertical direction clamped by the slide clamping device to be in a horizontal direction. For example, the slide clamping device has a clamping unit and a turnover unit (not shown) for turning over the clamping unit to turn over the slide to be tested in a horizontal direction, wherein the slide is clamped by the clamping unit and is in a vertical direction, and the surface of the slide to be tested coated with the sample faces upward, so that the slide can be placed in the slide placement position or the buffer device of the testing platform.

The sample image analyzer 130 further includes a basket loading device 137 for loading a basket of slides loaded with smears to be detected, and the slide clamping device 135 is further configured to clamp the to-be-detected slides in the basket of slides loaded on the basket loading device 137 to the identification device 134 for identification information identification.

In one example, the sample image analyzer further includes an input device (not shown) which may be a device used by a user to input instructions, and may include one or more of a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, a microphone, and a touch screen, among others.

In this embodiment, the sample image analyzer may further include a Display device for displaying information input by a user or information provided to the user and various image user interfaces of the sample analyzer, where the image user interfaces may be formed by images, texts, icons, videos and any combination thereof, in this embodiment, the Display device may Display various visual data output by the processor, such as images taken by the imaging device, and the Display device may include a Display panel, and optionally, the Display panel may be configured in the form of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), and the like.

The sample image analyzer may further comprise a communication interface (not shown), which is an interface that may be any communication protocol known today. The communication interface communicates with the outside through a network. The sample image analyzer may transmit data with any device connected through the network in a certain communication protocol through a communication interface.

The sample image analyzer may further include other functional components, such as a memory, a processor (e.g., a CPU, a GPU, or other chips with computing capabilities), and the like, which are not described in detail herein.

The sample image analyzer provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises the slide conveying device, so that the sample image analyzer also has the advantages of the slide conveying device, slide loading and unloading can be simultaneously carried out through the slide conveying device, the time for front and back slides to move up and down the detection platform under the condition of continuous slide reading can be shortened, and the efficiency of continuous slide reading in unit time of the sample image analyzer is improved.

Next, referring to fig. 43, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a slide transfer method that is performed based on the aforementioned slide transfer device.

As an example, as shown in fig. 43, the slide transfer method of the embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps S421 to S424:

first, in step S421, the controller controls the loading mechanism to load a first slide onto a slide placing position of the detection platform from an input side of the detection platform in a first direction. The loading manner may refer to the description of the sample feeding manner of the loading mechanism in the foregoing embodiment, and is not described herein again.

Next, in step S422, the controller controls the imaging device to image-capture the first slide on the slide placement position of the detection platform, and the user observes the observed object in the specimen, such as cells or crystals in urinary sediment, by observing the captured image.

Next, in step S423, the controller controls an unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to an output side of the detection stage in the first direction. After the image of the sample on the first slide is taken, the next slide to be tested needs to be taken, so that the controller controls the unloading mechanism to unload the first slide taken by the imaging device from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform along the first direction, and the unloading process may refer to the related description in the foregoing embodiment and is not repeated herein.

Next, in step S424, the controller controls the loading mechanism to load a second slide onto the slide placing position from the input side of the detection platform in the first direction.

Alternatively, the unloading of the first slide and the loading of the second slide may be performed asynchronously, for example, step S423 may be performed first, and then step S424 may be performed, that is, after the unloading of the slide is completed, the next slide to be tested is loaded onto the testing platform, or step S424 may be performed while step S423 is performed, that is, when the controller controls the unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to the output side of the testing platform in the first direction, the controller controls the loading mechanism to load the second slide onto the slide placing position from the input side of the testing platform in the first direction, so that the unloading of the measured slide and the loading of the slide to be tested are performed synchronously, and the slide reading efficiency is improved.

In one example, when a plurality of slides to be tested need to be tested, during the period when the controller controls the unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to the output side of the testing platform along the first direction, the controller simultaneously controls the loading mechanism to load the second slide (i.e. the slide to be tested) from the input side of the testing platform to the slide placing position along the first direction, the controller controls the imaging device to image-photograph the second slide on the slide placing position of the testing platform, then the controller controls the unloading mechanism to unload the second slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to the output side of the testing platform along the first direction, and simultaneously controls the loading mechanism to unload the third slide from the input side of the testing platform to the slide placing position along the first direction, the slides to be tested are sequentially loaded while the slides to be tested are unloaded, and after image-photograph the slides by the imaging device, the slides to be tested are unloaded from the testing platform along the input side of the testing platform again while the next slide to be tested is unloaded to the slide placing position along the first direction, and the efficiency of the slides to be tested can be improved due to the efficiency of the slides being unloaded from the slide placing platform.

Therefore, after the controller controls the unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection stage in the first direction, the method further includes: the controller controls the driving component of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing component of the unloading mechanism to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, so that the pushing component waits for unloading of a next measured slide shot by the imaging device, such as a second shot slide.

In one example, the controller controls an unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placement position to an output side of the detection stage in the first direction, including: the controller controls a pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to push the first slide to move away from the slide placing position in the first direction until the pushing assembly completely passes the slide placing position (or passes the slide placing position) together with the first slide. As shown in fig. 17, when the pushed slide 11 has moved away from the slide placing position of the testing platform in the first direction under the pushing of the pushing assembly until the pushing assembly together with the slide 11 completely passes the slide placing position of the testing platform, when the slide 11 is unloaded to the slide recovery container or the unloading platform under the pushing of the pushing assembly, the pushing assembly needs to return to the input side of the testing platform in the second direction from the output side (the return movement locus of the pushing assembly is shown by a broken-line arrow in fig. 17) to wait for unloading of the next slide, however, during the return stroke, the slide placing position of the testing platform has been loaded with the next slide 12 (shown in fig. 17) or the next slide 12 is being loaded onto the slide placing position of the testing platform (shown in fig. 4), if no evacuation is performed, the pushing assembly may collide with the next slide 12, so that the testing and slide transporting processes cannot be performed smoothly, even damage the slide to be tested, and therefore, for the case of simultaneous loading and unloading, when the controller controls the driving assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing assembly to move the slide discharging mechanism from the first slide placing position to the slide placing position in the second direction, the slide loading platform, the slide loading mechanism (the first direction), thus controlling the slide loading mechanism to control method of the second slide loading stage to control the loading stage to perform the slide loading stage to control method of the first slide loading stage (the second slide loading stage) when the slide loading stage: the controller controls the avoidance assembly of the unloading mechanism to prevent the pushing assembly from colliding with the second slide of the slide placing position during the controller controls the driving assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to move from the output side toward the input side in the second direction.

In one example, the controller controls an unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placement position to an output side of the detection stage in the first direction, including: the avoiding assembly enables the bottom of the pushing assembly relative to the slide placing position to have a first height, and the pushing assembly can push the first slide to be unloaded when the pushing assembly is at the first height during the period that the controller controls the driving assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing assembly to push the first slide on the slide placing position to move from the input side to the output side along the first direction. Further, during the period when the controller controls the driving assembly to drive the pushing assembly to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, the avoiding assembly enables the pushing assembly to have a second height relative to the bottom of the slide placing position, so that the pushing assembly does not collide with the second slide of the slide placing position, wherein the second height is at least one thickness of the second slide higher than the first height, and the avoiding assembly enables the pushing assembly to avoid the slide to be tested (for example, the second slide) on the slide placing position of the detection platform in the height direction, so as to achieve avoiding the slide to be tested on the slide placing position of the detection platform in the height direction, ensure that the unloading of the tested slide and the loading of the slide to be tested are performed synchronously, shorten the conveying time, and improve the reading speed of the sample imager, wherein the slide placing position may be a specific plane area of the detection platform, and the first height and the second height may be distances from the pushing assembly, such as a pusher claw, to the upper surface of the detection platform, or the slide placing position may be a groove (the groove may serve as a groove) arranged in the detection platform, and the slide placing position may be a distance from the groove to the bottom of the slide to be placed in the groove, and the height of the slide to be a groove to be placed in the groove of the slide to be a distance from the groove to be placed in the groove to be a height of the groove to be placed in the detection platform.

The avoidance assembly can provide the second height to the bottom of the pushing assembly relative to the slide positioning location by any suitable method, for example, the avoidance assembly provides the second height to the bottom of the pushing assembly relative to the slide positioning location, including: the controller controls a driving assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive a swinging part of the avoiding assembly to collide with a pushing part of the unloading mechanism when moving along the second direction, so that the pushing part pushes a swinging block of the swinging part to swing upwards; when the swinging block of the swinging component drives the pushing component to swing to the second height, the limiting component of the swinging component limits the pushing component to be maintained at the second height, and the height of the pushing component relative to the slide placing position of the detection platform is raised through the swinging of the swinging block, so that when the pushing component moves from the output side to the input side to pass through the slide placing position, the pushing component cannot collide with a slide to be detected, such as a second slide, at the slide placing position.

Further, during the period that the controller controls the driving assembly to drive the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, when the pushing assembly completely passes through the slide placing position along the second direction and continues to move along the second direction to meet the return piece of the unloading mechanism, the return piece enables the swinging block of the swinging component to swing downwards and drives the pushing assembly to switch from the second height to the first height, so that the pushing assembly is maintained at the first height to wait for unloading of a next measured slide.

In another example, the controller controls an unloading mechanism to unload the first slide photographed by the imaging device from the slide placing position to an output side of the detection platform in the first direction, including: firstly, the controller controls the driving component of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing component of the unloading mechanism to move along a second track, and the moving direction of the pushing component is along the first direction; then, when passing through a first switching member of a switching mechanism, the first switching member guides the pushing assembly to be switched to a first track to be at the first height; the controller controls the driving assembly to drive the pushing assembly to move towards the output side continuously along the first track to push the first slide on the slide placing position to be unloaded to the output side when the pushing assembly touches the first slide, and the pushing assembly is at a first height when the pushing assembly is used for unloading the measured slide through the first switching component so as to push the measured slide to be unloaded at the first height.

Further, the controller controls the driving assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, and the controller comprises: the controller controls the driving component of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing component of the unloading mechanism to move from the output side to the input side along a first track; when passing a second switching member of the switching mechanism, the second switching member guides the pushing assembly to switch to the second track to be at the second height; the controller controls the driving assembly of the unloading mechanism to drive the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism to return to the input side along the second rail without colliding with a next slide to be tested at the slide placing position, and when the pushing assembly is located at the second height, the pushing assembly is located above the second slide when passing through the slide placing position, so that the second slide cannot be collided, the unloading of the tested slide and the loading of the slide to be tested are carried out synchronously, and the slide reading efficiency is improved.

In one example, the controller controls the loading mechanism to load a first slide from an input side of the detection platform in a first direction onto a slide placement location of the detection platform, including: the controller controls the slide clamping device to clamp the first slide from the slide receiving container to the identification device; the controller controls the recognition device to scan the identification code on the first slide to recognize the identity information of the first slide; the controller controls the slide gripping device to grip the identified first slide to a buffer device; the controller controls the loading mechanism to load the first slide placed on the buffer device from an input side of the detection platform onto a slide placement position of the detection platform in the first direction. The loading method of the first slide is also applicable to loading other slides to be tested, such as the second slide.

In another example, the controller controls the loading mechanism to load a first slide from an input side of the detection platform in a first direction onto a slide placement location of the detection platform, including: the controller controls a slide gripping device of the loading mechanism to grip the first slide from a slide storage container to an identification device; the controller controls the recognition device to scan the identification code on the first slide to recognize the identity information of the first slide; the controller controls the slide gripping device to load the identified first slide onto a slide placing position of the inspection platform. The loading method of the first slide is also suitable for loading other slides to be tested, such as a second slide.

In summary, according to the slide conveying method of the embodiment of the present invention, the slide can be input and output on different sides of the detection platform, so that the position constraints of the unloading mechanism and the loading mechanism are eliminated, the overall reasonable layout of the sample image analyzer (for example, a slide reader for shooting a sample at a slide placement position of the detection platform by an imaging device) including the slide conveying device is facilitated, and the convenience of the user operation is improved.

As shown in fig. 44 to 46, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a sample image analyzer 1000. The sample image analyzer 1000 includes a detection stage 1100, an image taking device 1200, an image analyzing device (not shown), a loading mechanism 1300, and an unloading mechanism 1400. The sample image analyzer 1000 further includes a housing 1500 in which at least the detection platform 1100, the image photographing device 1200, the loading mechanism 1300, and the unloading mechanism 1400 are accommodated.

As shown in fig. 47 and 48, a first transfer channel 1110, for example, a first groove, having a first bottom 1111 for supporting the slide 11 and

first side walls

1112 and 1113 for limiting both sides of the slide is provided in the detection platform 1100, and a slide placing place 1114 for receiving the slide 11 is provided at the first bottom 1111 of the first transfer channel. The first transport channel has a first output opening 1116 at the output side of the detection platform.

The image taking apparatus 1200 is used to take an image of a specimen on the slide 11 located at the slide placing position 1114 of the detection stage. In one example, the image capture device 1200 is fixedly disposed within the specimen image analyzer, and the testing platform 1100 is configured to be three-dimensionally movable such that, when capturing images of specimens on slides, the testing platform moves slides 11 that are secured to slide locations 1114 so that the fixedly disposed image capture device can capture different specimen areas on the slides 11.

An image analyzing device, not shown, is used to analyze the image captured by the image capturing device 1200 to obtain a sample analysis result.

The loading mechanism 1300 is configured to load a slide 12 to be loaded (which may also be referred to as a slide to be tested or a slide to be photographed) from an input side of the inspection platform 1100 to a slide placement position 1114 in the first transfer channel 1110.

The unloading mechanism 1400 is configured to push a slide 11 to be unloaded (which may also be referred to as a slide already taken or a slide already taken) on a slide placing position 1114 of the detection platform to move in a horizontal first direction X1 in the first transfer channel 1110 so as to unload the slide 11 to be unloaded from the slide placing position 1114 to an output side of the detection platform through the first output opening 1116.

In the present embodiment, the first transfer passage 1110 extends linearly and in parallel with the first direction X1.

In some preferred embodiments, the first transport path also has a first input opening 1115 at the input side of the inspection platform. The loading mechanism 1300 is configured to push the slide 12 to be loaded into the first transfer channel 1110 through the first input opening 1115 in the first direction X1 from the input side of the detection platform 1100 until the slide 12 reaches the slide seating position 1114 of the detection platform.

In an alternative embodiment, the loading mechanism 1300 can also be configured to place the slide 12 to be loaded vertically (top to bottom) onto the slide placement station 1114. For example, the loading mechanism 1300 may be configured as a robotic arm.

In some preferred embodiments, the sample image analyzer 1000 further includes a first driving device (not shown) for driving the detection stage 1100 to switch between the photographing state and the loading and unloading state. In the photographing state of the inspection platform, the image photographing device 1200 can photograph the slide 11 located on the slide placing position 1114, for example, the first driving device is configured to drive the inspection platform 1100 to move, for example, three-dimensionally (vertically and horizontally) with respect to the image photographing device 1200, so that the image photographing device can photograph different sample areas of the slide 11 fixed on the inspection platform; in the loading and unloading state of the detection stage, the first driving device is configured to stop after driving the detection stage 1100 to move to the loading and unloading position, so that the loading mechanism 1300 can load the slide 12 onto the slide placing position 1114 and/or the unloading mechanism 1400 can unload the slide 11 located at the slide placing position 1114.

As shown in fig. 49 and 50, the sample image analyzer 1000 may further include an unloading platform 1600 disposed at an output side of the detection platform 1100. In the unloading platform is provided a second transfer channel 1610, e.g. a second recess, configured for buffering slides 11 unloaded from the detection platform 1100 and having a second bottom 1611 for supporting the slides 11 and

second side walls

1612, 1613 for confining the sides of the slides. The second transfer channel also has a second input opening 1614. Here, the detection platform and the discharge platform are configured to cooperate when discharging the slide 11 such that the first output opening 1116 of the first transfer channel 1110 and the second input opening 1614 of the second transfer channel 1610 are aligned so that the discharge mechanism 1400 can push the slide 11 to be discharged from the slide placement position into the second transfer channel through the first output opening 1116 and the second input opening 1614 in the first direction X1. That is, when the inspection stage is in the loading and unloading state, the first transfer channel 1110 and the second transfer channel 1610 can be aligned with each other, for example, coaxially aligned with each other and aligned in height, when unloading the slide 11, so that the unloading mechanism 1400 can push the slide 11 to be unloaded in the first direction X to move in the channel formed by the first transfer channel and the second transfer channel.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the second transfer channel 1610 extends linearly.

In some embodiments, in the loading and unloading state of the inspection stage 1100, the inspection stage 1100 is driven by the first driving means so as to move to the unloading position in which the first transfer channel 1110 of the inspection stage 1100 is aligned with the second transfer channel 1610 of the unloading stage, so that the slide 11 in the first transfer channel 1110 can be unloaded into the second transfer channel 1610.

In some embodiments, the second transfer channel 1610 may also include a second output opening 1618 opposite the second input opening 1614.

In some embodiments, unloading platform 1600 is spaced a distance from inspection platform 1100 when first transfer channel 1110 and second transfer channel 1610 are aligned.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 49 and 51, the sample image analyzer 1000 may further include a loading platform 1700 disposed at an input side of the detection platform 1100, in which a third transfer channel 1710, e.g., a third groove, is disposed. The third transfer channel 1710 is configured to buffer slides 12 to be loaded and has a third bottom 1711 for supporting slides and

third side walls

1712, 1713 for restraining both sides of the slides. The third transfer channel also has a third output opening 1714. Here, the detection platform and the loading platform are configured to cooperate when loading slides 12 such that the first input opening 1115 of the first transfer channel 1110 and the third output opening 1714 of the third transfer channel 1710 are aligned so that the loading mechanism 1300 can push slides 12 to be loaded buffered in the third transfer channel 1710 through the third output opening 1714 and the first input opening 1115 into the first transfer channel 1110 in the first direction X1, as shown in fig. 52. That is, when the inspection stage 1100 is in the loading and unloading state, the first transfer channel 1110 and the third transfer channel 1710 can be aligned with each other, e.g., coaxially aligned with each other and aligned in height, when loading the slide 12, so that the loading mechanism 1300 can push the slide 12 to be loaded in the first direction X to move in the channel formed by the first transfer channel and the third transfer channel.

In the present embodiment, the third conveyance path 1710 may extend linearly and in parallel with the first direction X1.

In some embodiments, in the loading and unloading state of the inspection platform 1100, the inspection platform 1100 is driven by the first driving means so as to move to the loading position in which the first transfer channel 1110 of the inspection platform 1100 and the third transfer channel 1710 of the loading platform are aligned with each other, so that the slide 12 in the third transfer channel 1710 can be loaded into the first transfer channel 1110.

In some embodiments, when the first transport channel 1110 and the third transport channel 1710 are aligned with each other, the detection platform 1100 is at a distance from the loading platform 1700 that is less than the slide length.

In some preferred embodiments, the detection platform 1100, the loading platform 1700, and the unloading platform 1600 are configured to cooperate in loading slides 12 and unloading slides 11 such that the first transfer channel 1110, the second transfer channel 1610, and the third transfer channel 1710 are simultaneously aligned to form a total transfer channel, such that the loading mechanism 1300 and the unloading mechanism 1400 can simultaneously push slides 12 to be loaded and slides 11 to be unloaded in the total transfer channel to move at least relative to the first bottom portion in the first direction X1, as shown in fig. 53. Fig. 53 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of loading and unloading by the loading mechanism 1300 and the unloading mechanism 1400 in synchronization. Thereby, the unloading of the slide 11 and the loading of the slide 12 can be rapidly completed at the same time, and the detection speed of the specimen image analyzer can be improved.

That is, when the detection stage 1100 is in the loading and unloading state, the loading of the slide 12 and the unloading of the slide 11 can be simultaneously performed, and the unloading position and the loading position of the detection stage 1100 are the same position. The detection stage 1100 is driven by the first driving means so as to move to a loading position or an unloading position (i.e., the detection stage 1100 is placed in a loading and unloading state) in which the first transfer channel 1110 of the detection stage 1100 is simultaneously aligned with the second transfer channel 1610 and the third transfer channel 1710, so that the slide 12 in the third transfer channel 1710 can be loaded into the first transfer channel 1110 while the slide 11 in the first transfer channel 1110 can be unloaded into the second transfer channel 1610.

In some embodiments, the loading mechanism 1300 and the unloading mechanism 1400 can be configured to work in concert when loading and unloading slides, such that the slide to be loaded is in the first transfer channel 1110 at the same time as loading and the slide to be unloaded is partially time-free. This further accelerates the simultaneous mounting and dismounting of the slide glass 12 and the slide glass 11.

As shown in fig. 49 and 53, a bridging platform 1800 is further disposed between the detecting platform 1100 and the unloading platform 1600. At this time, the unloading mechanism 1400 is configured to unload the slide 11 to be unloaded from the first transfer channel 1110 into the second transfer channel 1610 via the bridge platform 1800 in the first direction X1. As shown in fig. 54 and 55, in fig. 54, the unloading mechanism 1400 pushes the slide 11 to be unloaded from the first transfer channel 1110 to the bridging platform 1800 in the first direction X1; in fig. 55, the unloading mechanism 1400 pushes the slide 11 to be unloaded from the bridge platform 1800 into the second transfer channel 1610 in the first direction X1. The addition of a bridging platform can allow for more flexibility in the placement of the unloading platform 1600, particularly in facilitating slide recovery as will be described further below.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 56, a fourth transport channel 1810, e.g., a fourth groove, is provided in the bridging platform 1800. The fourth transfer channel has a fourth bottom 1811 for supporting the slide and

fourth side walls

1812, 1813 for restraining the sides of the slide. The fourth routing channel 1810 also has a fourth input aperture 1814 and a fourth output aperture 1815 disposed opposite one another. Fourth input opening 1814 faces testing platform 1100, and fourth output opening 1815 faces unloading platform 1600. Here, the detection platform, the unloading platform and the bridging platform are configured to cooperate when unloading slides such that the first output opening 1116 of the first transfer channel 1110 is aligned with the fourth input opening 1814 of the fourth transfer channel 1810 and the fourth output opening 1815 of the fourth transfer channel 1810 is aligned with the second input opening 1614 of the second transfer channel 1610, so that the unloading mechanism 1400 can push slides 11 to be unloaded in the first direction X1 from the first transfer channel 1110 via the fourth transfer channel 1810 into the second transfer channel 1610.

In some embodiments, the detection platform, the unloading platform, and the bridging platform are configured to cooperate when unloading a slide such that the first transport channel 1110 is aligned with the fourth transport channel 1810 and at the same time the fourth transport channel 1810 is aligned with the second transport channel 1610.

In an alternative embodiment, the detection platform, the unloading platform, and the bridging platform are configured to cooperate when unloading slides such that the first transport channel 1110 is first aligned with the fourth transport channel 1810 such that the unloading mechanism 1400 pushes slides 11 to be unloaded from the first transport channel 1110 into the fourth transport channel 1810 in the first direction X1; the fourth transport channel 1810 is then aligned with the second transport channel 1610 so that the discharge mechanism 1400 pushes the slide 11 to be discharged from the fourth transport channel 1810 into the second transport channel 1610 in the first direction X1.

In a preferred embodiment, the bridge platform 1800 is fixedly disposed within the sample image analyzer 1000.

Of course, in other implementations, the bridge platform 1800 may also be configured to be movable. Time-sharing alignment of the fourth transport channel 1810 of the bridging platform with the first transport channel 1110 and the second transport channel 1610 can now be achieved.

In some embodiments, when the first transport channel 1110 and the fourth transport channel 1810 are aligned with each other, the detection platform 1100 is at a distance from the bridging platform 1800 that is less than the slide length. When the fourth transport channel 1810 and the second transport channel 1610 are aligned with each other, the bridging platform 1800 is at a distance from the unloading platform 1600 that is less than the slide length.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 46, the sample image analyzer 1000 may further comprise a light source 1940 disposed below the detection platform 1100. Here, a portion of the first bottom 1111 of the first conveying channel where the slide placing position 1114 is provided is configured to have a through opening or is configured to be transparent so that light emitted from the light source can be irradiated onto a slide located at the slide placing position. In the embodiment shown in fig. 47, the portion of the first bottom 1111 where the slide placing site 1114 is provided is configured to have a through opening, i.e., to be hollow.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 47 and 48, the first transfer channel 1110 may have a first vertical guide 1117 at an end on the side of the first input opening 1115, for guiding the slide in a vertical direction into the first transfer channel 1110. The provision of the first vertical guide portion increases the tilt adaptability at the time of slide loading, enabling the slide to be smoothly pushed in the vertical direction into the first transfer channel 1110. Especially, when the detection platform is at a certain distance from the loading platform, the slide can be ensured to enter the detection platform from the loading platform in a suspension manner.

In one specific example, as shown in fig. 47, the first vertical guide 1117 is configured as a slope provided on the end of the first bottom 1111 on the first input opening 1115 side.

Alternatively or additionally, the first transfer channel 1110 may have a first horizontal guide 1118 at an end on the side of the first input opening 1115. The first horizontal guide section is for guiding the slide glass in a horizontal direction (here, a width direction of the slide glass) into the first conveyance channel. The first horizontal guide can have, for example, a first bevel that is inclined at an acute angle to the longitudinal center axis of the first transport channel 1110, so that slides can be guided from the first feed opening 1115 into the first transport channel 1110 via the first bevel. Further, the first ramp is configured to be inclined at an acute angle relative to the first bottom 1111 to provide a vertical downward force to compress the slide as it is guided into the first transfer channel.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 47 and 48, two first horizontal guides 1118 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first transfer channel, which are inclined at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal middle axis of the first transfer channel to form a trumpet shape towards the loading platform.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 47 and 48, the detection platform may further have a first elastic pressing portion 1119, such as a spring. The first elastic pressing portion is used to press the slide glass located on the slide glass placing position 1114 in the vertical direction to prevent the slide glass from moving up and down during shooting.

In some embodiments, a vertical guide 11191 for guiding the slide in the vertical direction through the first elastic pressing portion 1119 in the first conveying channel may be provided on the first elastic pressing portion 1119. Thereby, the slide glass can be prevented from being caught by the first elastic pressing portion when moving in the first conveying passage, so that the slide glass can smoothly move past under the first elastic pressing portion.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 50, the second transfer channel 1610 may have a second vertical guide 1615 at an end on the second input opening 1614 side. The second vertical guide section is for guiding the slide glass in a vertical direction into the second conveyance channel. The provision of the second vertical guide 1615 increases the tilt adaptability at the time of slide unloading, enabling the slide to be smoothly pushed in the vertical direction into the second conveyance path. In particular when the testing platform or bridging platform is at a distance from the unloading platform, it can be ensured that the slide enters the unloading platform from the testing platform or bridging platform in a suspended manner.

In one particular example, the second vertical guide 1615 is configured as a slope provided on an end of the second bottom 1611 on the side of the second input opening 1614.

Alternatively or additionally, the second conveying channel may have a second horizontal guide 1616 at an end of the second input opening side. The second horizontal guide 1616 is for guiding the slide in the horizontal direction (here, the width direction of the slide) into the second conveyance channel. The second horizontal guide may, for example, have a second inclined surface inclined at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal mid-axis of the second transport channel to guide the slide into the second transport channel. The second ramps may, for example, be integrally formed on the

side walls

1612, 1613 of the second transfer channel.

In some embodiments, the offloading platform 1600 may further have a second resilient hold down 1617, such as a spring. The second elastic pressing portion is used for pressing the slide in the second conveying channel in the vertical direction so as to prevent the slide from scraping when the unloading platform moves.

As shown in fig. 51, an end of the third conveying passage 1710 on the third output opening 1714 side may have a third horizontal guide 1715. The third horizontal guide section is for guiding the slide from the third conveyance channel into the first conveyance channel. For example, the third horizontal guide 1715 may have a third ramp inclined at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal centerline axis of the third transport channel to guide the slide into the second transport channel. The third ramp may, for example, be integrally formed on the

side walls

1712, 1713 of the third conveying channel.

Preferably, at least a portion 1716 of the

third sidewalls

1712 and 1713 of the third transport channel 1710 is configured to be inclined at an obtuse angle to the third bottom 1711 so that slides can be guided from top to bottom into the third transport channel 1710.

Further, the third transfer channel 1710 has a stopper 1717 at an end disposed opposite to the third output port 1714 for preventing a slide from being carried out by the robot after being put into the third transfer channel 1710 by the robot.

Further, the third transfer channel 1710 also has a third input opening 1718 disposed opposite the third output opening 1714, the third input opening 1718 being for the loading mechanism 1300, and particularly the push claw 1310, to extend into the third transfer channel to push the slide to move in the third transfer channel. Further, a portion of the third bottom 1711 adjacent to the third input opening has a notch that enables the push pawl 1310 to move in the third transport channel to push the slide to move in the third transport channel.

As shown in fig. 56, in some embodiments, the fourth delivery channel 1810 has a fourth vertical guide 1816 at one end of the fourth input opening side 1814. The fourth vertical guide section is for guiding the slide glass in a vertical direction into the fourth conveyance channel. The provision of the fourth vertical guide portion 1816 increases the tilt adaptability at the time of slide unloading, enabling the slide to be smoothly pushed in the vertical direction into the fourth conveyance path. Especially when the bridging platform is at a certain distance from the detection platform, the slide can be ensured to enter the bridging platform from the detection platform in a suspension manner.

In a specific example, the fourth vertical guide portion 1816 is configured as a slope provided on the end portion of the fourth bottom portion 1811 on the fourth input opening 1814 side.

Alternatively or additionally, the fourth delivery channel 1810 has a fourth horizontal guide 1817 at an end on the fourth input opening 1814 side. The fourth horizontal guide portion 1817 serves to guide the slide into the fourth transfer channel in the horizontal direction (here, the width direction of the slide). For example, the fourth horizontal guide 1817 may have a fourth ramp inclined at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal central axis of the fourth transfer channel to guide the slide into the fourth transfer channel. The fourth inclined surface may be, for example, integrally formed on the

fourth side walls

1812, 1813 of the fourth conveying channel.

Further, the fourth transport channel 1810 narrows down on the fourth output opening 1815 side to constrain the position of the slide and improve its success rate into the unloading platform.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 52, loading mechanism 1300 includes a first sample pushing assembly 1310, such as a pusher jaw and drive assembly 1320. The first push assembly 1310 is configured to push the slide 12 placed in the third transfer channel into the first transfer channel of the detection platform, the driving assembly 1320 is configured to drive the first push assembly 1310 to reciprocate along the first direction X1 and a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the first push assembly 1310 pushes the slide 12 to be loaded to the slide placing position of the detection platform along the first direction X1, and after the loading of the slide 12 is completed, the first push assembly 1310 returns to the initial position along the second direction again to wait for the next slide to be loaded. The driving assembly 1320 may include a motor and a timing belt, and the motor drives the timing belt to move while the timing belt drives the first sample pushing assembly 1310 to move.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 49 and 53, the unloading mechanism 1400 includes a second push-like assembly 1410, such as a pusher jaw. The advantages of other embodiments of the unloading mechanism 1400 can be found in the above description of the

unloading mechanisms

3, 20 and 30, and will not be described in detail here.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 46 and 54, the specimen image analyzer 1000 may further include a slide recovery device 1910 for recovering the slide 13 photographed by the image photographing device 1200. A slide recovery device 1910 is disposed at the output side of the detection platform and includes a first support member 1911 and a first slide transport mechanism 1912. The first support member is used to carry, e.g., hold, slide recovery cassette 200. The first slide transport mechanism is used to transport slides on the unload platform 1600 into the slide recovery cassette 200 located on the first support member.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 57 and 58, the first slide transport mechanism 1912 includes a second drive 19125 for driving movement of the unload platform 1600. The second driving device is configured to drive the unloading platform 1600 to switch between the first state and the second state.

As shown in fig. 55, second transfer channel 1610 of unloading platform 1600 is aligned with first slide transfer channel 1110 of detection platform 1100 in the first state. For example, the second transfer channel 1610 of the unloading platform 1600 faces the detection platform 1100 with its second input opening 1614 in the first state so that the first transfer channel or the fourth transfer channel can be aligned with the second transfer channel in order to unload the slide 11 in the first transfer channel.

As shown in fig. 57 and 58, the second transfer channel 1610 of the unloading platform aligns the slide recovery cassette 200 positioned on the first support member 1911 in the second state. For example, the second transfer channel 1610 of the discharge platform 1600 faces the slide recovery cassette 200 positioned on the first support member with its second input opening 1614 or second output opening 1618 in the second state so that slides 11 in the second channel of the discharge platform can be recovered into the slide recovery cassette 200.

In some embodiments, a second drive 19125 is configured to drive rotation of the offloading platform to switch between the first state and the second state. For example, the second drive means are configured for driving the unloading platform to rotate by 90 ° when switching between the first state and the second state. Alternatively to this, the second drive means may also be configured for driving the unloading platform in translation so as to switch between the first state and the second state.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 57 and 58, the first slide transport mechanism 1912 includes a support plate 19121, a pushing member 19122, a vertical driving member 19123, and a horizontal driving member 19124. The pushing member 19122 is horizontally movably provided on the support plate 19121. Offloading platform 1600 is rotatably mounted on support plate 19121. The vertical drive member 19123 is used to drive the support plate 19121 in a vertical motion so that the second transfer channel of the discharge platform on the support plate aligns with the corresponding slot of the slide recovery cassette 200 on the first support member. A horizontal drive member 19124 is used to drive a push member 19122 to push the slide 11 on the discharge platform through the second transfer channel 1610, e.g., through the second input opening or the second output opening, into a corresponding slot of the slide recovery cassette 200 located on the first support member 1911.

Preferably, the first slide transport mechanism is configured to return the push-off platform 1600 from the second state to the first state after each slide recovery.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 45 and 46, the specimen image analyzer 1000 further includes a slide feeding device 1920. The slide feeding device 1920 is disposed on the input side of the detection platform 1100 and includes a second support member 1921 and a second slide transport mechanism 1922. The second support member 1921 is for supporting the slide magazine 300 and the second slide transport mechanism 1922 is for transporting slides located in the slide magazine 300 of the second support member 1921 into the third transfer channel 1710 of the loading platform 1700.

In one particular embodiment, the second slide transport mechanism 1922 is configured as a three-dimensionally movable robot having a gripper for gripping a slide to be loaded. Preferably, the gripping jaws are configured to be capable of being flipped to change the gripped slide from a vertical posture to a horizontal posture so that the gripped slide can be put into the third transfer channel 1710 in the horizontal posture.

In some embodiments, a second slide transport mechanism may be used as the loading mechanism 1300.

In some embodiments, the loading platform 1700 is configured to be horizontally movable, in particular, movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction X1. Here, the sample image analyzer 1000 may include a third driving device for driving the loading platform 1700 to move, the third driving device being configured to drive the loading platform 1700 to move between the first position and the second position. Wherein the third transfer channel of the loading platform 1700 receives slides transported by the second slide transport mechanism 1922 in the first position and aligns with its third output opening 1714 with the first input opening 1115 of the first transfer channel 1110 in the second position.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 51 and 52, a receiving slot 1719, different from the third transport channel 1710, is also provided in the loading platform 1700 for receiving slides. Further, the third driving means is configured to drive the loading platform 1700 to move to the third position such that the accommodation groove 1719 protrudes from the housing 1500 of the specimen image analyzer to receive the slide manually put therein. This enables the preferential detection of manually placed emergency slides.

For example, an opening is provided in the housing through which the receiving slot 1719 of the loading platform 1700 can protrude. In the embodiment shown in fig. 44, the opening is closed by a cover 1510.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 45 and 46, the specimen image analyzer 1000 further includes a cassette transfer device 1930 for inputting and outputting the slide cassette 300.

As shown in fig. 59, the cassette transfer devices 1930 may include an input assembly 1931, an output assembly 1932, a gripping assembly 1933, and a lifting assembly 1934. Wherein the second support member 1921 is disposed on the input assembly 1931.

The input assembly 1931 is provided for receiving the slide magazine 300 loaded with slides to be tested, and transferring the slide magazine 300 to the grip assembly 1933 along the third direction Y1. The third direction Y1 is preferably perpendicular to the first direction X1.

The output assembly 1932 is positioned to receive an empty slide magazine 300 and is positioned below the input assembly. The output assembly is configured to be movable in a fourth direction Y2 opposite the third direction Y1 to bring the empty slide magazine 300 into movement in the fourth direction Y2.

The grip assembly 1933 is provided for gripping the slide storage cassette 300 and is configured to be movable in the third direction Y1 and the fourth direction Y2.

The lift assembly 1934 is configured to receive an empty slide magazine 300 from the gripper assembly 1933 and transport the slide magazine 300 to the output assembly 1932 along a vertical direction Z1 perpendicular to the third direction Y1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for vertically transferring a slide housing cassette, which can input a slide housing cassette loaded with a slide to be tested through the input module 1931 at the upper stage, and can recover an empty slide housing cassette through the output module 1932 at the lower stage after the slide in the slide housing cassette is tested. Therefore, the advantage of small occupied space can be obtained, and the miniaturization of the instrument is facilitated.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 59, the cassette transfer device 1930 may further include a blocking assembly 1935 configured to block movement of the slide cassettes 300 on the input assembly 1931 in the third direction Y1.

In some embodiments, the clamp assembly 1933 is configured to be movable between a first input position and a first output position. The gripper assembly 1933 receives slide magazines 300 conveyed via the input assembly 1931 in a first input position and outputs slide magazines 300 to the lift assembly 1934 in a first output position.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 60, the input assembly 1931 can include a first belt 19311 movable in a third horizontal direction Y1, on which one or more slide magazines 300 can be placed. The first belt 19311 is used to move the slide storage cassette 300 placed thereon in the third horizontal direction Y1. The input assembly 1931 can also include a first sensor 19312, such as an opto-coupler sensor, for sensing whether the slide magazine 300 is present on the first belt 19311. For example, when the first sensor 19312 senses the presence of a slide magazine 300 on the first belt 19311, the gripping assemblies 1933 move to a first input position and the first belt 19311 operates to move the slide magazine 300 in the third horizontal direction Y1 into the gripping assemblies 1933 at the first input position.

In some embodiments, the front end 19313 of the input assembly 1931 is exposed outside of the housing 1500 of the sample image analyzer, as shown in fig. 44. That is, the front end 19313 of the input assembly 1931 is not surrounded by the housing, so that the user can place the slide storage cassette 300 containing slides to be tested, such as blood smears, on the first belt 19311 of the input assembly 1931.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 61, the clamping assembly 1933 includes an electromagnet 19331, a clamping block 19332, a magnetic attraction plate 19333, a compression spring 19334, and a receiving space 19336 for receiving the slide magazine 300, the compression spring disposed between the clamping block and the magnetic attraction plate. The receiving space 19336 is formed by two opposing

first side plates

193361, 193362 and a second side plate 193663 connecting the two first side plates. On the side opposite the second side plate is an entrance into the receiving space. The electromagnet 19331, the clamping block 19332, the magnetic attraction plate 19333, and the compression spring 19334 are mounted on one of the first side plates 193361.

When the electromagnet 19331 is energized, the electromagnet provides an attractive force to attract the magnetic attraction plate 19333, thereby tightening the clamping block 19332, and the compression spring 19334 is compressed between the clamping block and the magnetic attraction plate. At this point, slide magazine 300 can enter into receiving space 19336 of clamp assembly 1933. When the electromagnet 19331 is de-energized, i.e., when the electromagnet no longer provides an attractive force, the compression spring provides a return force to eject the clamping block, thereby clamping the slide magazine 300 in the receiving space 19336.

The clamping assembly with the electromagnet has the advantages of small occupied space and low cost.

In other alternative embodiments, clamping block 19332 may be tightened and loosened electrically or pneumatically instead of by an electromagnet and a magnetic attraction plate.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 61, the clamp assembly 1933 further includes a second sensor 19336, such as an opto-coupler sensor, for sensing whether a slide magazine 300 has entered the receiving space 19336. When the second sensor senses the presence of a slide storage cassette in the receiving space, the electromagnet 19331 is de-energized. The second sensor may be provided, for example, on the other first side plate 193362 opposite the first side plate 193361 on which the electromagnet is mounted.

Further, the grip assembly 1933 can also include a third sensor 19337 for sensing whether slides are present in the slide magazine 300 in the receiving space 19336. For example, when the third sensor 19337 senses that there are slides still in the slide magazine 300 in the receiving space 19336, the clamp assembly 1933 remains in the first input position, at which time the slides to be tested in the slide magazine 300 are transported, e.g., by the second slide transport mechanism 1922, into the third slide transfer channel of the loading platform 1700 in the first position. And when the third sensor 19337 senses that there are no slides to be tested in the slide magazine 300 in the receiving space 19336, the gripper assembly 1933 moves from the first input position to the first output position.

In one particular example, the third sensor 19337 can be configured as a bijective optocoupler. The light emitter 193371 and the light receiver 193372 of the counter-emitting optocoupler, for example, may be disposed on the

first side plates

193361 and 193362, respectively.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 62, the blocking assembly 1935 includes a blocking tab 19351, a hold down 19352, and a spring 19353 that are interconnected to one another. The hold-down member and the spring move the stop between the blocking position and the release position. The blocking piece 19351 serves to block the slide storage cassette 300 on the input assembly 1931 from moving in the third horizontal direction Y1 in the blocking position, and to release the blocking in the release position. For example, when the lower press member 19352 is not under downward pressure, the return force of the spring 19353 places the blocker 19351 in the blocking position; when the pressing member 19352 is pressed downward, the pressing member 19352 moves downward against the return force of the spring 19353, so as to drive the stopper 19351 connected thereto to move downward to the release position, thereby releasing the stopper.

In one particular example, hold down 19352 can be configured as a rotatable roller.

In some embodiments, the blocking assembly 1935 is disposed at a rear end 19314 of the input assembly 1931 opposite the front end 19313 and at a first input location of the grip assembly 1933. Thus, when the clip assemblies 1933 are moved to the first input position, the clip assemblies 1933 apply downward pressure on the hold down members 19352, causing the stop blocks 19351 to move downward to the release position, such that the slide magazines 300 on the input assemblies 1931 can move in the third horizontal direction Y1 into the receiving spaces 19336 of the clip assemblies 1933. When the clip assembly 1933 is moved away from its first input position, the pressure applied by the clip assembly to the hold down is released, causing the stop 19351 to move upward to the blocking position under the return force of the spring 19353.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 63, the lift assembly 1934 has a carrier 19341 for supporting the slide magazine 300 and a moving member 19342 that moves the carrier in the vertical direction Z1. The moving member 19342 includes a vertical guide rail in which the carriage 19341 is movable in the vertical direction Z1 and a vertical direction Z2 opposite to the vertical direction Z1, that is, between the second input position and the second output position in the vertical direction. In the second input position, the carrier 19341 is positioned in the receiving space 19336 of the clamp assembly 1933 to receive the slide magazine 300 therein; in the second output position, slide magazine 300 in carrier 19341 is positioned on output assembly 1932.

As shown in fig. 63, the carrier 19341 can include a plurality of support bars 193441, such as hooks, with a plurality of corresponding through slots 193664 provided in the second side plate 193663 of the clamp assembly 1933 for movement of the support bars in the receiving spaces 19336.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 60, the lift assembly 1934 can also have guide blocks 19343 for guiding the slide magazine 300 onto the output assembly 1932 as the carrier 19341 moves downward in the vertical direction Z1 to the second output position.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 60, the output assembly 1932 can include a second belt 19321 movable in a fourth horizontal direction Y2 on which one or more slide magazines 300 can be placed. Further, the output assembly 1932 can also include a fourth sensor 19322, such as an opto-coupler sensor, for sensing whether a slide magazine 300 is placed on the second belt 19321. When the fourth sensor senses that a slide storage box is placed in, the second belt is started to drive the slide storage box thereon to move to the front end 19323 of the output assembly 1932.

In some embodiments, the front end 19323 of the output assembly 1932 is exposed outside of the housing 1500 of the sample image analyzer, as shown in fig. 44. That is, the front end 19323 of the output member 1932 is not surrounded by the housing, so that the user can take out an empty slide storage cassette 300 from the front end 19323 of the output member 1932.

In some embodiments, the input assembly includes at least one first belt, a first driving wheel, a first driven wheel and a first motor, the at least one first belt is wound around the first driving wheel and the first driven wheel, the first motor drives the first driving wheel to rotate, and then the first driven wheel is driven to rotate by the first belt, at least one boss corresponding to the at least one first belt is formed on the first driving wheel, at least one boss corresponding to the at least one first belt is also formed on the first driven wheel, and the first belt is wound around the corresponding bosses of the first driving wheel and the first driven wheel; and/or output component includes that at least one second belt, second action wheel, second are followed driving wheel and second motor, at least one second belt twines on second action wheel and second are followed driving wheel, and second motor drive second action wheel rotates, and then drives the second through the second belt and follow the driving wheel rotation, the shaping has on the second action wheel with at least one boss that at least one second belt corresponds, on the second follow driving wheel the same shaping have with at least one boss that at least one second belt corresponds, the second belt twines on the corresponding boss of second action wheel and second follow driving wheel.

In a particular example, as shown in fig. 60, the input assembly 1931 includes two first belts 19311, a first drive pulley 19315, a first driven pulley 19316, and a first motor 19317. Two first belts 19311 are wound around the first driving wheel 19315 and the first driven wheel 19316, and the first motor 19317 drives the first driving wheel 19315 to rotate, so as to drive the first driven wheel 19316 to rotate through the first belts 19311.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 64, two bosses 193151 are formed on the first driving wheel 19315, two corresponding bosses (not shown) are also formed on the first driven wheel 19316, and the first belt 19311 is wound around the bosses of the first driving wheel 19315 and the first driven wheel 19316, so that two sides of the first belt are not stressed, and the first belt can be prevented from drifting on the first driving wheel and the first driven wheel at low cost.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 59 and 60, the output assembly 1932 includes two secondary belts 19321, a secondary drive pulley 19324, a secondary driven pulley 19325, and a secondary motor 19326. Two second belts 19321 are wound around the second driving wheel 19324 and the second driven wheel 19325, and the second motor 19326 drives the second driving wheel 19324 to rotate, so as to drive the second driven wheel 19325 to rotate through the second belts 19321.

Advantageously, two bosses are formed on the second driving wheel, two corresponding bosses are also formed on the second driven wheel, and the second belt is wound on the bosses of the second driving wheel and the second driven wheel, so that two sides of the second belt are free from stress, and the second belt can be prevented from drifting on the second driving wheel and the second driven wheel at low cost.

In some embodiments, the width of the lands is less than the width of the belt, for example the width of the lands is one-half or one-third of the width of the belt.

An exemplary workflow of the cassette transfer device 1930 of fig. 59 will now be described in conjunction with fig. 65.

As shown in fig. 65, in step S2000, the slide housing cassette 300 containing the slide to be tested is placed on the first belt 19311. Next, in step S2002, whether or not the slide storage cassette 300 is present on the first belt 19311 is detected by, for example, the first sensor 19312. When it is detected that the slide storage cassette 300 is present on the first belt 19311, the flow proceeds to step S2004, otherwise, the step S2002 is continued. In step S2004, the gripping assembly 1933 moves toward the first input position, at which point the gripping assembly 1933 depresses the blocker 1935 to place the blocker 19351 in the release position; after the clamp assembly 1933 is moved to the first input position, the electromagnet 19331 is energized to tighten the clamping block 19332. Then, in step S2006, the first belt 19311 moves the slide storage cassette 300 thereon into the receiving space 19336 of the grip assembly 1933. In step S2008, whether or not the slide storage cassette 300 is present in the receiving space 19336 is detected by, for example, the second sensor 19336. If it is detected that the slide magazine 300 is present in the receiving space 19336, step S2010 is entered, otherwise step S2008 is continued. In step S2010, when the electromagnet 19331 is de-energized, the compression spring 54 provides a return force to eject the clamping block 19332, thereby clamping the slide magazine 300 in the receiving space 19336. Next, in step S2012, whether or not there is a slide to be measured in the slide storage cassette 300 is detected by, for example, the third sensor 19337. If it is detected that there is a slide to be measured in the slide storage cassette 300, step S2014 is advanced, otherwise step 2016 is advanced. In step S2014, the clamp assembly 1933 is held in the first input position while the slide to be tested in the slide storage cassette 300 is transported into the third slide transfer channel of the loading platform 1700 at the first position, for example, by the second slide transport mechanism 1922. In step S2016, the gripper assembly 1933 moves the empty slide magazine 300 from the first input position to the first output position above the carrier 19341, at which time the spring 19353 causes the block 19351 to assume the blocking position. Next, in step S2018, the electromagnet 19331 is energized to pull the clamp block 19332 taut, so that the slide cassettes 300 in the receiving spaces 19336 fall on the carriers 19341 at the second input position. Then, in step S2020, the carrier 19341 moves down along the vertical rail to the second output position with the empty slide storage cassette 300. In step S2022, whether or not a slide storage cassette is placed on the second belt 19321 is detected by, for example, the fourth sensor 19322. If so, then in step S2024, the second belt 19321 is activated to move the loaded slide storage cassette away from the carrier until the front end 19323 of the second belt 19321 so that the user can remove the empty slide storage cassette.

The present invention also provides a sample image analyzer, which includes a detection platform 1100, an image photographing device 1200, an unloading mechanism 1400, a first support member 1911, a second support member 1921, and a loading mechanism 1300. A first transfer channel 1610 is provided in the inspection stage, which communicates the input side and the output side of the inspection stage, which are different from each other. The image shooting device is used for shooting the image of the sample in the slide at the slide placing position of the detection platform. The image analysis device is used for analyzing the image shot by the image shooting device. The unloading mechanism is configured to unload the slide already tested on the slide placing position of the testing platform to the output side of the testing platform through the first conveying channel. A first support member is disposed at an output side of the inspection stage and is for carrying a slide recovery cassette for recovering a slide already unloaded by the unloading mechanism. A second support member is disposed on an input side of the inspection platform and is for carrying a slide receiving cassette, other than a slide recovery cassette, for receiving slides to be tested. A loading mechanism is configured to load a slide to be tested from an input side of the testing platform to a slide placement location in the first transport channel.

As shown in fig. 66, the present invention also provides a slide conveying method applied to a specimen image analyzer. The sample image analyzer comprises a detection platform 1100, an image shooting device 1200, an unloading mechanism 1400 and an unloading platform 1600, wherein a first conveying channel 1110 is arranged in the detection platform 1100, a slide placing position is arranged in the first conveying channel 1110, and a second conveying channel 1610 is arranged in the unloading platform 1600.

The slide glass conveying method includes step S3000 and step S3002.

In step S3000, the detection stage 1100 is placed in a photographing state in which the detection stage 1100 is relatively moved with respect to the image photographing device 1200, so that the image photographing device 1200 photographs the current slide 11 located on the slide placing position.

After the image capturing apparatus 1200 completes capturing the current slide, step S3002 is executed. In this step, the inspection stage 1100 is placed in a loading and unloading state in which the inspection stage 1100 is moved to a loading and unloading position in which the first transfer channel 1110 of the inspection stage is aligned with the second transfer channel 1610 of the unloading stage, so that the unloading mechanism 1400 unloads the current slide 11 on the slide placing position into the second transfer channel 1610 of the unloading stage in the horizontal first direction X1.

Further, the specimen image analyzer further includes a loading mechanism 1300 and a loading platform 1700, and a third transfer channel 1710 for buffering the slide 12 to be photographed, i.e., the slide to be measured, is provided in the loading platform 1700. The slide conveying method further includes step S3004 of, in the loading and unloading position, that is, when the detection stage 1100 is located at the loading and unloading position, further aligning the first conveyance channel 1110 of the detection stage with the third conveyance channel 1710 of the loading stage, so that the loading mechanism 1300 loads the slide 12 to be photographed in the third conveyance channel to the slide placing position in the first conveyance channel in the first direction X1.

Step S3002 and step S3004 are preferably performed simultaneously, that is: in the loading and unloading state, the loading mechanism loads the slide 12 to be photographed in the first direction state while the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide 11 in the first direction.

In some embodiments, step S3002 includes: in the loading and unloading state, the second transfer channel 1610 of the unloading platform 1600 is aligned with the first transfer channel 1110 of the inspection platform 1100, so that the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide 11.

Further, as shown in fig. 67, after the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide to the second transfer channel of the unloading platform, the slide transport method further includes a step S3006 of aligning the second transfer channel 1610 of the unloading platform with the slide recovery cassette 200 so as to recover the current slide 11 in the second transfer channel into the slide recovery cassette.

Further, as shown in fig. 67, the slide conveying method further includes step S3008 of moving the loading platform 1700 to a slide receiving position to receive the slide 12 to be photographed, before step S3004. In step S3004, in the loading and unloading state, the loading platform is moved to a slide loading position different from the slide receiving position, so that the first conveyance channel 1110 of the detection platform is aligned with the third conveyance channel 1710 of the loading platform, and the loading mechanism 1300 loads the slide 12 to be photographed to the slide placing position.

In some embodiments, step S3002 includes: the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism pushes the current slide 11 to move away from the slide placing position in the first direction until the pushing assembly together with the current slide completely passes the slide placing position.

Further, as shown in fig. 68, after the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide into the second conveyance channel, the slide conveying method further includes a step S3010 of returning the pushing assembly to the input side of the detection stage in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Preferably, in step S3010, during the returning of the pushing assembly to the input side of the detection platform in the second direction, the pushing assembly is moved away from the slide placing position to avoid the slide on the detection platform to prevent the slide to be photographed from being obstructed from being loaded on the detection platform.

In a specific example, step S3002 may include causing the pushing assembly to push the current slide away from the slide placement location in a first direction at a first height or width (width may here be, for example, a minimum distance of a contact point of the pushing assembly with the slide to a central axis of the first channel), and step S3010 may include causing the pushing assembly to return to the input side of the detection platform in a second direction at a second height or width, wherein the second height is greater than the first height or the second width is greater than the first width, in particular the second height is at least one slide thickness greater than the first height.

In some embodiments, the pushing assembly is returned from the second height to the first height or from the second width to the first width after the pushing assembly has completely passed a slide placement location in the second direction.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 69, before step S3004, the slide conveying method further includes step S3012 in which: the slide clamping device clamps the slide to be photographed from the slide storage box 300 into the recognition device; the identification device scans the identification code on the slide to be shot so as to identify the identity information of the slide to be shot; the slide clamping device clamps the identified slide to be shot into a third conveying channel of the loading platform, so that the loading mechanism loads the slide to be shot in the third conveying channel to a slide placing position.

Although the example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the above-described example embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application thereto. Various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present application. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application as claimed in the appended claims.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus may be implemented in other manners. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical functional division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be omitted, or not executed.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the application may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and all of the processes or elements of any method or apparatus so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where such features are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Moreover, those of skill in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the application and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the application, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The usage of the words first, second and third, etcetera do not indicate any ordering. These words may be interpreted as names.

Claims

A slide transfer device, characterized in that the slide transfer device comprises:

a testing platform having a slide placement location for receiving a slide, the slide carrying a specimen for testing;

a loading mechanism configured to load a slide onto a slide placement position of the detection platform;

an unloading mechanism configured to unload the slide on the slide placing position of the detection platform;

a controller in communicative connection with the loading mechanism and the unloading mechanism and configured to:

controlling the unloading mechanism to push the tested slide to be unloaded from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform along a first direction; and

and controlling the loading mechanism to load a next slide to be tested on the slide placing position from the input side of the detection platform along the first direction.
The slide transfer device of claim 1, wherein the loading mechanism and the unloading mechanism are independent of each other.
The slide transfer device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to:

the loading mechanism is controlled to load a next slide to be tested onto the slide placing position during the control of the unloading mechanism to unload a slide already tested from the slide placing position.
The slide transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a first transfer channel is provided in the detection platform, the slide placement location being provided in the first transfer channel, the first transfer channel having a first input opening and a first output opening oppositely disposed;

the unloading mechanism is configured to push the slide to move in the first direction in the first transfer channel to unload the slide from the slide placement location to the output side of the detection platform through the first output opening;

the loading mechanism is configured to push a slide to be tested from an input side of the inspection platform into the first transfer channel in the first direction through the first input opening until the slide to be tested reaches the slide placement position.
The slide transfer device of claim 4, further comprising an unloading platform disposed on an output side of the detection platform, wherein a second transfer channel is disposed in the unloading platform, the second transfer channel being configured to buffer a measured slide, the second transfer channel having a second input opening;

the detection platform and the discharge platform are configured to cooperate when discharging a slide such that the first output opening of the first transfer channel and the second input opening of the second transfer channel are aligned so that the discharge mechanism can push a slide from the slide placement location into the second transfer channel through the first output opening and the second input opening in the first direction.
The slide transfer device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a loading platform disposed at an input side of the inspection platform, wherein a third transfer channel is disposed in the loading platform, the third transfer channel being configured to buffer slides to be tested, the third transfer channel having a third output opening;

the detection platform and the loading platform are configured to cooperate when loading slides to be tested such that the first input opening of the first transport channel and the third output opening of the third transport channel are aligned so that the loading mechanism can push slides to be tested buffered in the third transport channel in the first direction into the first transport channel through the third output opening and the first input opening.
The slide transfer device of claim 6, wherein the detection platform, the unloading platform, and the loading platform are configured to cooperate when unloading a slide and loading a slide to be tested such that the first transfer channel, the second transfer channel, and the third transfer channel are simultaneously aligned to form a total transfer channel, such that the unloading mechanism and the loading mechanism can simultaneously push the slide to be tested and the slide to be tested to move in the total transfer channel in the first direction.
The slide transfer device of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to control the loading mechanism and the unloading mechanism so that slides to be tested and slides already tested are located in the first transfer channel at part of the time simultaneously.
The slide transfer device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unloading mechanism has a pushing assembly capable of pushing the slide on the slide placement site in the first direction;

wherein the controller is configured to control a pushing member of the unloading mechanism to push the slide to move away from the slide placing position in the first direction until the pushing member completely passes the slide placing position together with the slide to be measured when the unloading mechanism is controlled to unload the slide from the slide placing position to an output side of the detection platform in the first direction.
The slide transfer device of any of claims 1-9, wherein the discharge mechanism further includes a drive assembly configured to drive the push assembly to move back and forth between the input side and the output side in the first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction.
The slide transfer device of claim 10, wherein the discharge mechanism further includes an avoidance assembly configured to prevent the pushing assembly from colliding with a next slide to be tested at a slide seating position when the drive assembly drives the pushing assembly to move in the second direction from the output side toward the input side.
The slide transfer device of claim 11, wherein the avoidance assembly is configured to:

when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to drive the slide on the slide placing position to move from the input side to the output side along the first direction, the pushing assembly is enabled to have a first height relative to the bottom of the slide placing position;

when the drive assembly drives the pushing assembly to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, the bottom of the pushing assembly relative to the slide placing position is made to have a second height, wherein the second height is higher than the first height by at least one slide thickness.
The slide transfer device of claim 12, wherein the avoidance assembly includes a swingable member, wherein,

the drive assembly is configured to drive the pushing assembly and the swingable member to move back and forth between the input side and the output side in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction;

the swinging component comprises a swinging block and a rotating shaft, the pushing component is fixed on the swinging block, and the swinging block is configured to rotate around the rotating shaft and can drive the pushing component to switch between the first height and the second height;

the drive assembly is further configured to: the pushing assembly is driven to move along the first direction, so that the slide is pushed to be unloaded from the detection position of the detection platform at the first height, and the pushing assembly is driven to move along the second direction from the output side to the input side, so that the pushing assembly does not collide with the next slide to be detected at the slide placing position at the second height.
The slide transfer device of claim 13, wherein the swingable member further comprises a stopper member configured to:

when the swinging block drives the pushing assembly to swing to the first height, the pushing assembly is limited to be maintained at the first height; and

and when the swinging block drives the pushing assembly to swing to the second height, the pushing assembly is limited to be maintained at the second height.
The slide transfer device of claim 13, wherein the discharge mechanism further includes a lift member and a return member,

the lifting member is configured to: enabling the swingable member to pass without swinging when the swingable member moves in the first direction; when the swingable component moves along the second direction and collides with the lifting piece, the swingable component can push the swinging block to swing upwards to drive the pushing component to lift from the first height to the second height;

the return member is configured to: the swing block can be swung downwards after moving in the second direction to pass through the slide placing position, and the pushing assembly can be driven to return to the first height from the second height.
The slide transfer device of claim 11, wherein the avoidance assembly comprises:

the device comprises a first rail and a second rail, wherein the position height of the second rail is higher than that of the first rail;

a switching mechanism configured to guide the pushing assembly to switch to the first rail to be at the first height when the slide is unloaded, and to move from the input side toward the output side along the first rail to unload the measured slide on the slide placing position, and to guide the pushing assembly to switch to the second rail to be at the second height after the unloading is completed, and to return to the input side along the second rail without colliding with a next slide to be measured of the slide placing position.
The slide transfer device of claim 16, wherein the switching mechanism includes a drive member coupled to the pushing assembly, the drive member configured to move along the first track and the second track to move the pushing assembly along the first track and the second track.
The slide transfer device of claim 11, wherein the avoidance assembly is configured to: when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to drive the slide on the slide placing position to move from the input side to the output side along the first direction, the distance between the pushing assembly and the central axis of the slide placing position along the first direction in the horizontal direction is a first width;

when the driving assembly drives the pushing assembly to move from the output side to the input side along the second direction, the distance between the pushing assembly and the central axis of the slide placing position in the horizontal direction is made to be a second width, and the second width is larger than the first width by at least half of the width of one slide.
A sample image analyzer, characterized in that it comprises:

the detection platform is internally provided with a first conveying channel, the first conveying channel is provided with a first bottom for supporting a slide and a first side wall for limiting two sides of the slide, a slide placing position for receiving the slide is arranged at the first bottom of the first conveying channel, and the first conveying channel is provided with a first output opening at the output side of the detection platform;

the image shooting device is used for shooting the image of the sample in the slide on the slide placing position of the detection platform;

image analysis means for analyzing the image captured by the image capturing means;

a loading mechanism configured to load a slide to be loaded into a slide placing position in the first conveying channel from an input side of the detection platform;

a discharge mechanism configured to push the slide to be discharged on the slide placing position of the detection platform to move in the first horizontal direction in the first transfer path so as to discharge the slide to be discharged from the slide placing position to the output side of the detection platform through the first output opening.
The sample image analyzer of claim 19, wherein the first transfer channel further has a first input opening at an input side of the detection platform;

the loading mechanism is configured to push a slide to be loaded from an input side of the detection platform in the first direction through the first input opening into the first conveyance channel until the slide to be loaded reaches a slide placement position of the detection platform.
The specimen image analyzer according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising an unloading platform provided at an output side of the detection platform, in which a second transfer channel is provided, the second transfer channel being configured to buffer the slide unloaded from the detection platform and having a second bottom for supporting the slide and a second sidewall for restricting both sides of the slide, the second transfer channel further having a second input opening;

the detection platform and the discharge platform are configured to cooperate when discharging slides such that the first output opening of the first transfer channel and the second input opening of the second transfer channel are aligned so that the discharge mechanism can push slides to be discharged in the first direction from the slide placement site into the second transfer channel through the first output opening and the second input opening.
The specimen image analyzer according to any one of claims 19 to 21, further comprising a loading platform disposed at an input side of the detection platform, in which a third transfer channel is disposed, the third transfer channel being configured to buffer slides to be loaded and having a third bottom for supporting the slides and a third side wall for limiting both sides of the slides, the third transfer channel further having a third output opening;

the detection platform and the loading platform are configured to cooperate when loading slides such that the first input opening of the first transport channel and the third output opening of the third transport channel are aligned, such that the loading mechanism can push a slide to be loaded buffered in the third transport channel in the first direction into the first transport channel through the third output opening and the first input opening.
The specimen image analyzer of claim 22, wherein the detection platform, the loading platform, and the unloading platform are configured to cooperate in loading and unloading slides such that the first transfer channel, the second transfer channel, and the third transfer channel are simultaneously aligned to form a total transfer channel, such that the loading mechanism and the unloading mechanism can simultaneously urge the slides to be loaded and unloaded to move in the total transfer channel in the first direction at least relative to the first bottom portion.
The specimen image analyzer according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further provided with a bridge platform between the detection platform and the unloading platform, the unloading mechanism being configured to unload a slide to be unloaded from the first transfer channel into the second transfer channel via the bridge platform in the first direction.
The specimen image analyzer of claim 24, wherein a fourth transfer channel is provided in the bridging stage, the fourth transfer channel having a fourth bottom for supporting a slide and fourth sidewalls for confining both sides of the slide, the fourth transfer channel further having oppositely disposed fourth input and output openings;

the detection platform, the discharge platform, and the bridge platform are configured to cooperate when discharging slides such that the first output opening of the first transfer channel is aligned with the fourth input opening of the fourth transfer channel and the fourth output opening of the fourth transfer channel is aligned with the second input opening of the second transfer channel, such that the discharge mechanism can push slides to be discharged in the first direction from the first transfer channel into the second transfer channel via the fourth transfer channel.
The sample image analyzer of any one of claims 19 to 25, further comprising a light source disposed below the detection platform;

the portion of the first bottom of the first transfer channel where the slide placing position is provided is configured to have a through opening or is configured to be transparent so that light emitted from the light source can be irradiated onto a slide located at the slide placing position.
The specimen image analyzer according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the first conveying channel has a first vertical guide portion at one end of the first input opening side for guiding a slide in a vertical direction into the first conveying channel; and/or

The first conveyance channel has a first horizontal guide portion at an end on the first input opening side for guiding a slide in a horizontal direction into the first conveyance channel.
The specimen image analyzer according to any one of claims 19 to 27, characterized in that the detection platform further has a first elastic pressing portion for pressing the slide on the slide placing position in a vertical direction.
The specimen image analyzer of claim 28, wherein a vertical guide portion for guiding a slide in a vertical direction in the first conveying passage past the first elastic pressing portion is provided on the first elastic pressing portion.
The specimen image analyzer according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the second transfer channel has a second vertical guide portion at one end of the second input opening side for guiding a slide in a vertical direction into the second transfer channel; and/or

The second conveying channel has a second horizontal guide portion at an end of the second input opening side for guiding the slide in a horizontal direction into the second conveying channel.
The sample image analyzer of any one of claims 21 to 30, wherein the unloading platform further has a second elastic pressing portion for pressing the slide located in the second transfer channel in a vertical direction.
The specimen image analyzer of any one of claims 22 to 31, wherein the third transfer channel has a third horizontal guide portion at an end of the third output opening side for guiding the slide from the third transfer channel into the first transfer channel; and/or

The third sidewall of the third transfer channel is at least partially configured to slope at an obtuse angle with the third bottom; and/or

The third transfer channel has a blocking portion at an end opposite to the third output opening.
The specimen image analyzer according to any one of claims 25 to 32, wherein the fourth transfer channel has a fourth vertical guide portion at an end of the fourth input opening side for guiding a slide in a vertical direction into the fourth transfer channel; and/or

The fourth conveying channel has a fourth horizontal guide portion at an end on the fourth input opening side for guiding the slide in a horizontal direction into the fourth conveying channel.
The sample image analyzer according to any one of claims 19 to 33, further comprising a first driving means for driving the detection stage to switch between a photographing state and a loading and unloading state;

in a photographing state of the detection stage, the first driving device is configured to drive the detection stage to move relative to the image photographing device so that the image photographing device performs image photographing on the slide placed on the slide placing position;

in a loading and unloading state of the detection platform, the first driving device is configured to stop after driving the detection platform to move to a loading and unloading position so that the loading mechanism can load the slide glass onto the slide glass placing position and/or the unloading mechanism can unload the slide glass positioned at the slide glass placing position.
The specimen image analyzer of any one of claims 19 to 34, further comprising a slide recovery device for recovering a slide photographed by the image photographing device;

the slide recovery device is disposed on an output side of the testing platform and includes a first support member for carrying a slide recovery cassette and a first slide transport mechanism for transporting slides on the discharge platform into the slide recovery cassette at the first support member.
The specimen image analyzer of claim 35, wherein the first slide transport mechanism further includes a second drive device for driving movement of the discharge platform, the second drive device being configured to drive the discharge platform to switch between a first state and a second state, the second transfer channel of the discharge platform being aligned with the first slide transfer channel of the detection platform in the first state and with the slide recovery cassette at the first support member in the second state.
The specimen image analyzer according to claim 36, wherein the first slide transport mechanism includes a support plate, a pushing member, a vertical driving member, and a horizontal driving member;

the pushing component is horizontally movably arranged on the supporting plate, the unloading platform is rotatably arranged on the supporting plate, and the second driving device is used for driving the unloading platform to rotate on the supporting plate;

the vertical driving component is used for driving the support plate to vertically move so that the second conveying channel of the unloading platform positioned on the support plate is aligned with the corresponding slot position of the slide recovery box positioned on the first support component;

the horizontal driving component is used for driving the pushing component to push the slide on the unloading platform to a corresponding slot position of the slide recovery box positioned on the first supporting component through the second conveying channel.
The specimen image analyzer of claim 36 or 37, wherein the first slide transport mechanism is configured to return the unloading platform from the second state to the first state after each slide recovery.
The specimen image analyzer according to any one of claims 22 to 38, further comprising a slide feeding device provided at an input side of the detection platform and including a second support member for carrying a slide storage cassette and a second slide carrying mechanism for carrying a slide in the slide storage cassette of the second support member into the third transfer channel of the loading platform.
The specimen image analyzer of claim 39, further comprising a third drive device for driving movement of the loading platform, the third drive device being configured to drive movement of the loading platform between a first position and a second position, the third slide transport channel of the loading platform receiving the slide transported by the second slide transport mechanism in the first position and being aligned with the first input opening of the first transport channel with its third output opening in the second position.
The specimen image analyzer of claim 40, wherein a receiving groove for receiving a slide, different from the third transfer channel, is further provided in the loading platform;

the third driving device is further configured to drive the loading platform to move to a third position, so that the receiving groove protrudes from the housing of the sample image analyzer to receive a manually placed slide.
The specimen image analyzer of any one of claims 19 to 41, further comprising a cassette transfer device for inputting and outputting slide cassettes, the cassette transfer device including an input assembly, an output assembly, a gripping assembly, and an elevating assembly;

the input assembly is configured to receive a slide receiving cassette loaded with slides to be tested and to transfer the slide receiving cassette to the gripper assembly in a third direction,

the output assembly is configured to receive an empty slide magazine and is disposed below the input assembly, and the output assembly is configured to be movable in a fourth direction opposite the third direction to cause the empty slide magazine to move in the fourth direction,

the gripping assembly is configured to grip a slide receiver and is configured to be movable in a third direction and a fourth direction;

the lift assembly is configured to receive an empty slide magazine from the gripper assembly and transport the slide magazine to the output assembly in a vertical direction perpendicular to the third direction.
The specimen image analyzer of claim 42, wherein the cartridge transport apparatus further includes a blocking assembly configured to block movement of a slide cartridge on the input assembly in a third direction.
The specimen image analyzer according to claim 42 or 43, wherein the clamping assembly includes an electromagnet, a clamping block, a magnetic adsorption plate, a compression spring, and a receiving space for receiving the slide receiving cassette, the compression spring being disposed between the clamping block and the magnetic adsorption plate;

the electromagnet is configured to provide an attracting force to attract the magnetic attraction plate when energized, thereby tensioning the clamping block and causing the compression spring to be compressed between the clamping block and the magnetic attraction plate so that the slide receiving cassette can enter the receiving space;

the compression spring is configured to provide a return force to eject the clamping block when the electromagnet is de-energized to clamp the slide receiver in the receiving space.
The sample image analyzer of claim 43, wherein the blocking assembly includes a blocking tab, a hold-down member, and a spring interconnected to each other, the hold-down member and the spring moving the blocking tab between the blocking position and the release position;

the blocking tab is configured to block movement of the slide receiver on the input assembly in the third horizontal direction in the blocking position and to unblock the blocking in the release position.
The sample image analyzer of any of claims 42 to 45, wherein the input assembly comprises at least one first belt, a first driving wheel, a first driven wheel, and a first motor, the at least one first belt is wound around the first driving wheel and the first driven wheel, the first motor drives the first driving wheel to rotate, and further drives the first driven wheel to rotate through the first belt, at least one boss corresponding to the at least one first belt is formed on the first driving wheel, at least one boss corresponding to the at least one first belt is also formed on the first driven wheel, and the first belt is wound around the corresponding bosses of the first driving wheel and the first driven wheel; and/or

The output assembly comprises at least one second belt, a second driving wheel, a second driven wheel and a second motor, wherein the at least one second belt is wound on the second driving wheel and the second driven wheel, the second motor drives the second driving wheel to rotate, the second driven wheel is driven to rotate through the second belt, at least one boss corresponding to the at least one second belt is formed on the second driving wheel, at least one boss corresponding to the at least one second belt is formed on the second driven wheel in the same manner, and the second belt is wound on the corresponding bosses of the second driving wheel and the second driven wheel.
A sample image analyzer, characterized in that it comprises:

a detection platform, wherein a first conveying channel is arranged in the detection platform, and the first conveying channel is communicated with an input side and an output side of the detection platform, which are different from each other;

the image shooting device is used for shooting the image of the sample in the slide at the slide placing position of the detection platform;

image analysis means for analyzing the image captured by the image capturing means;

an unloading mechanism configured to unload the slide already mounted on the slide mounting position of the detection platform to an output side of the detection platform through the first transfer channel;

a first support member provided on an output side of the detection platform and configured to carry a slide recovery cassette for recovering a slide already unloaded by the unloading mechanism;

a second support member provided at an input side of the inspection platform and configured to carry a slide storage cassette different from the slide recovery cassette, the slide storage cassette being configured to store a slide to be inspected;

a loading mechanism configured to load a slide to be tested from an input side of the inspection platform to a slide placement position in the first transfer channel.
A slide conveying method is applied to a sample image analyzer, the sample image analyzer comprises a detection platform, an image shooting device, an unloading mechanism and an unloading platform, wherein a first conveying channel is arranged in the detection platform, a slide placing position is arranged in the first conveying channel, and a second conveying channel is arranged in the unloading platform;

the slide conveying method includes:

placing the detection platform in a shooting state, and in the shooting state, relatively moving the detection platform relative to the image shooting device, so that the image shooting device shoots the current slide on the slide placing position;

after the image shooting device finishes shooting the current slide, the detection platform is placed in a loading and unloading state, the detection platform moves to a loading and unloading position in the loading and unloading state and stops relative movement with the slide image shooting device, and a first conveying channel of the detection platform is aligned with a second conveying channel of the unloading platform in the loading and unloading position, so that the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide on the slide placing position into the second conveying channel of the unloading platform along a horizontal first direction.
The slide transport method as claimed in claim 48, wherein the specimen image analyzer further comprises a loading mechanism and a loading platform in which a third transfer channel for buffering a slide to be photographed is provided;

the slide conveying method further includes:

in the loading and unloading position, the first transfer channel of the detection platform is further aligned with the third transfer channel of the loading platform, so that the loading mechanism loads the slide to be photographed in the third transfer channel to the slide placing position in the first transfer channel in the first direction.
The slide transfer method of claim 49, wherein in the loading and unloading state, the loading mechanism loads the slide to be photographed in the first direction state while the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide in the first direction.
The slide transport method of any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein in the loading and unloading state, the second transport channel of the unloading stage is aligned with the first transport channel of the inspection stage so that the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide;

the slide transport method further includes, after the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide to the second transfer channel of the unloading platform, aligning the second transfer channel of the unloading platform with a slide recovery cassette to recover the current slide in the second transfer channel into the slide recovery cassette.
The slide transport method of any of claims 49 to 51, further comprising: moving the loading platform to a slide receiving position to receive a slide to be photographed;

in the loading and unloading state, the loading platform is moved to a slide loading position different from the slide receiving position, so that the first transfer channel of the detection platform is aligned with the third transfer channel of the loading platform, and the loading mechanism loads the slide to be photographed to the slide placing position.
The slide transfer method of any of claims 48 to 52, wherein the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide in the first direction into the second transfer channel, comprising:

and the pushing assembly of the unloading mechanism pushes the current slide to move away from the slide placing position along the first direction until the pushing assembly and the current slide completely pass through the slide placing position.
The slide transfer method of claim 53, wherein after the unloading mechanism unloads the current slide into the second transfer channel, the slide transfer method further comprises:

returning the pusher assembly to the input side of the inspection platform in a second direction opposite the first direction.
The slide transfer method of claim 54 wherein the pusher assembly is positioned away from the slide seating location to avoid a slide on the inspection platform during the returning of the pusher assembly in the second direction to the input side of the inspection platform.
The slide transfer method of claim 55, wherein the pushing assembly urging the current slide to move in the first direction away from the slide placement location includes:

causing the pushing assembly to push the current slide to move away from the slide placement location in the first direction by a first height or a first width;

returning the pusher assembly to the input side of the inspection platform in the second direction, comprising:

returning the pusher assembly to the input side of the inspection platform in the second direction at a second height or a second width, wherein the second height is greater than the first height or the second width is greater than the first width.
The slide transfer method of claim 56, wherein the pusher assembly is caused to return from the second height to the first height or from the second width to the first width after the pusher assembly has completely passed the slide placement location in the second direction.
The slide transfer method of claim 49, wherein before the loading mechanism loads the slide to be photographed in the third transfer channel to the slide placing position, the method comprises:

the slide clamping device clamps the slides to be shot from the slide storage box into the identification device;

the identification device scans the identification code on the slide to be shot so as to identify the identity information of the slide to be shot;

the slide clamping device clamps the identified slide to be photographed into a third conveying channel of the loading platform, so that the loading mechanism loads the slide to be photographed in the third conveying channel to a slide placing position.