CN116047099A

CN116047099A - Sample image scanning device

Info

Publication number: CN116047099A
Application number: CN202211586882.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 林冲; 卢江涛; 闫红力
Original assignee: Shenzhen Reetoo Biotechnology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Reetoo Biotechnology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-09
Filing date: 2022-12-09
Publication date: 2023-05-02

Abstract

The invention provides sample image scanning equipment, which comprises a buffer device, a slide scheduling device, a scanning device and a slide conveying device, wherein the buffer device is used for storing a sample image; the buffer device comprises a driving mechanism and a buffer seat for bearing the slide, wherein the buffer seat is provided with a buffer position, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the buffer seat to rotate so as to enable the slide on the buffer position to be switched between a vertical state and a horizontal state; the slide scheduling device is used for conveying the slide in the vertical state to the buffer storage position; the scanning device is provided with a first scanning position and a second scanning position and is used for scanning the slide of the first scanning position or the second scanning position; the slide conveying device is used for conveying the slide which is in the horizontal state on the buffer position to one of the first scanning position and the second scanning position and/or conveying the slide which is scanned on one of the first scanning position and the second scanning position to the buffer position. The sample image scanning device can improve the scanning detection efficiency of samples.

Description

Sample image scanning device

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of biological sample analysis, in particular to sample image scanning equipment.

Background

The sample image scanning equipment is equipment for automatically scanning slide to be detected after slide preparation, the sample image on the slide is shot through a microscope, a detection result is obtained through system analysis and judgment, diagnosis of diseases is assisted, scanning is short for microscopic scanning, and the slide to be detected after the sample is sampled and slide preparation is observed, analyzed and judged under the microscope. Wherein human excretions, secretions, exfoliated cells or human tissues, animal tissues, even plant cells, etc. can be used as the scanning object, often to assist in diagnosing diseases.

The existing sample image scanning equipment does not have a slide transfer function, a slide to be detected is usually loaded through a slide basket and transported to a scanning platform of the sample image scanning equipment through a transport mechanism to be scanned, the scanning platform usually needs 1-2 minutes to scan one slide, the transport mechanism needs to wait for the completion of slide scanning and then transport the scanned slide to the slide basket to unload the slide, and the transport mechanism can transport the next slide after the slide unloading is completed, so that the transport mechanism has long waiting time, long scanning flow time is caused, and the scanning test efficiency of the sample image scanning equipment is affected.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides sample image scanning equipment, which aims to improve the scanning detection efficiency of a sample.

The present invention provides a sample image scanning apparatus including:

the buffer device comprises a driving mechanism and a buffer seat for bearing the slide, wherein the buffer seat is provided with a buffer position, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the buffer seat to rotate so as to enable the slide on the buffer position to be switched between a vertical state and a horizontal state;

the slide scheduling device is used for conveying the slide in the vertical state to the buffer storage position;

The scanning device is provided with a first scanning position and a second scanning position and is used for scanning the slide of the first scanning position or the second scanning position;

and the slide conveying device is used for conveying the slide which is in the horizontal state on the buffer position to one of the first scanning position and the second scanning position and/or conveying the slide which is scanned on one of the first scanning position and the second scanning position to the buffer position.

In the sample image scanning device, the slide conveying device comprises an advancing mechanism, the driving mechanism is connected with the advancing mechanism, and the advancing mechanism drives the driving mechanism to reciprocate so as to enable the buffer seat to reciprocate.

In the sample image scanning device, the buffer seat comprises a clamping claw part and an opening and closing driving assembly, wherein the buffer seat is arranged on the clamping claw part, and the opening and closing driving assembly is used for driving the clamping claw part to open and close.

In the sample image scanning apparatus of the present invention, the slide conveying device includes a slide conveying mechanism and a power mechanism; the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to move relative to the buffer seat so as to convey the slide back and forth between the buffer position and a scanning position, and the scanning position comprises a first scanning position or a second scanning position.

In the sample image scanning device of the invention, the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to open and close and horizontally move relative to the buffer seat so as to convey the slide on the buffer seat to the scanning position and convey the slide from the scanning position to the buffer position.

In the sample image scanning apparatus of the present invention, the slide conveying mechanism has opposite closed and open ends in an advancing direction, the slide having a first end and a second end in the advancing direction; when the type of sample on the slide is a first type of sample, the power mechanism is configured to drive the slide transport mechanism horizontally forward toward the scan position such that at least a portion of the slide is received within a hollow region of the slide transport mechanism until the closed end abuts the first end and such that the closed end pushes the slide from the buffer position to the scan position; the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally advance towards the scanning position so that the opening and closing end can clamp the first end; after the opening and closing end clamps the first end, the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally retreat so as to drive the slide to horizontally retreat from the scanning position to the buffer position;

And/or the number of the groups of groups,

the slide transport mechanism has opposite closed and open ends along an advancing direction, the slide having a first end and a second end along the advancing direction; when the type of sample on the slide is a second type of sample, the power mechanism is for driving the slide transport mechanism horizontally forward toward the scan position to enable the open-close end to grip the first end; after the opening and closing end clamps the first end, the driving mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally advance so as to drive the slide to horizontally advance from the buffer position to the scanning position; the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally advance towards the scanning position so that the opening and closing end can clamp the first end; after the opening and closing end clamps the first end, the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally retreat so as to drive the slide to horizontally retreat from the scanning position to the buffer position;

and/or the number of the groups of groups,

the slide transport mechanism has opposite closed and open ends along an advancing direction, the slide having a first end and a second end along the advancing direction; the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally advance towards the scanning position so that the opening and closing end is abutted against the first end and pushing the slide from the buffer position to the scanning position; the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally advance towards the scanning position so that the opening and closing end can clamp the first end; after the opening and closing end clamps the first end, the driving mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally retreat so as to drive the slide to horizontally retreat from the scanning position to the buffer position.

In the sample image scanning apparatus of the present invention, further comprising:

and the slide dispatching device is used for conveying the slide to the slide identification device for identification and/or front and back identification, and then conveying the slide from the slide identification device to the cache position.

In the sample image scanning apparatus of the present invention, the buffer means further includes:

and the slide overturning mechanism is connected with one of the buffer seat and the driving mechanism and is used for driving the buffer seat to overturn after the slide is reversely placed so as to place the slide on the buffer position.

the slide identification device is used for carrying out identification and/or front and back identification on the slide in the vertical state on the identification position after the slide scheduling device conveys the slide in the vertical state to the buffer position, and the identification position is positioned on the movable stroke of the slide conveying device; after the slide identification device identifies that the slide is reversely placed, the slide turning mechanism is used for driving the buffer seat to turn over so as to place the slide on the buffer position; or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

When the scanning device recognizes that the slide is reversely placed, the slide conveying device is used for conveying the slide at the scanning position to the buffer position, and the slide turning mechanism is used for driving the buffer seat to rotate so as to place the slide at the buffer position.

In the sample image scanning apparatus of the present invention, the slide conveying device includes an advancing mechanism to which one of the slide turning mechanism and the driving mechanism is slidably connected.

the slide turning device is provided with a turning position; when the scanning device recognizes that the slide is reversely placed, the slide conveying device is used for conveying the slide at the scanning position to the buffer seat, the driving mechanism is used for driving the buffer seat to rotate so as to switch the slide on the buffer seat from a horizontal state to a vertical state, the slide scheduling device is used for conveying the slide in the vertical state on the buffer position to the turn-over position, and the slide turn-over device is used for rotating the slide on the turn-over position to be placed.

In the sample image scanning device, the sample image scanning device further comprises a controller, wherein the controller is in communication connection with the buffer device, the slide scheduling device, the scanning device and the slide conveying device, the scanning device comprises a scanning mechanism and a scanning platform capable of moving relative to the scanning mechanism, and the first scanning position and the second scanning position are both arranged on the scanning platform; if the first scanning position or the second scanning position is in a vacant state, the controller is configured to control the scanning platform to move so as to align the corresponding scanning position with the slide conveying device; controlling the slide conveying device to feed the slide positioned at the buffer position to the corresponding scanning position; and controlling the slide conveying device to release the slide after the slide reaches the corresponding scanning position.

The sample image scanning equipment provided by the invention has reasonable structural design, after the slide scheduling device conveys the slide to the buffer position, the slide conveying device can convey the slide on the buffer position to the first scanning position or the second scanning position so that the scanning device can carry out scanning analysis on the slide, the buffer position can buffer the slide, the functions of conveying and temporary transfer storage are achieved, the actions of different devices of the sample image scanning equipment can be carried out in parallel, the scanning flow time is saved, and the scanning detection efficiency and the equipment operation efficiency are improved. In addition, the first scanning position and the second scanning position can also buffer the slide, and the functions of conveying and temporary transfer storage are achieved, so that the actions of different devices of the sample image scanning equipment can be performed in parallel, and the scanning flow time is further saved.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure of embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for the description of the embodiments will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention, and other drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a sample image scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 (A) is a schematic view of a part of the structure of a sample image scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a transfer device and a part of a scanning platform are shown;

FIG. 2 (B) is a schematic view of a portion of a sample image scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 (A) is a schematic view of a portion of a sample image scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 (B) is a schematic view of a slide transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the slide transport device carries a slide thereon;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a portion of a sample image scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a portion of a sample image scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a portion of a sample image scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic view of a portion of a sample image scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals illustrate:

100. a sample image scanning device;

10. a buffer device; 11. a driving mechanism; 111. a second mounting base; 112. a second driving member; 113. a second transfer assembly; 12. a buffer seat; 121. caching bits; 122. a clamping claw part; 123. an opening and closing driving assembly; 13. slide turning mechanism; 131. a third mount; 132. a third driving member;

20. a slide scheduling device; 30. a scanning device; 311. a first scan bit; 312. a second scan bit; 32. a scanning platform; 33. a microscope assembly; 34. a camera assembly;

40. a slide transport device; 41. an advancing mechanism; 411. a first mount; 412. a first driving member; 413. a first transfer assembly; 42. a slide conveying mechanism; 421. a closed end; 422. an opening and closing end; 43. a power mechanism; 431. a first drive assembly; 432. a second drive assembly;

50. slide recognition means; 51. an identification mechanism; 52. a background plate;

200. a slide; 201. a first end; 202. a second end.

Detailed Description

The following description of the embodiments of the present invention will be made clearly and fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is evident that the embodiments described are some, but not all embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

The sample image scanning device provided by the embodiment of the invention is used for scanning and analyzing samples on a glass slide, wherein the samples comprise at least one of biological samples such as blood samples, urine samples, sputum samples, gynecological samples, liquid-based samples and the like. The sample image scanning apparatus photographs an image of a sample on a slide by a microscope, and obtains a detection result through observation, analysis and judgment, and the detection result can assist in diagnosing a disease.

Referring to fig. 1, in some embodiments, a sample image scanning apparatus 100 includes a buffer device 10, a slide scheduling device 20, a scanning device 30, and a slide transport device 40. The buffer device 10 includes a driving mechanism 11 and a buffer seat 12 for carrying a slide 200 (see fig. 2 (a)), where a buffer bit 121 is provided on the buffer seat 12 (see fig. 2 (a)). The driving mechanism 11 is used for driving the buffer seat 12 to rotate so as to switch the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 between a vertical state and a horizontal state. The slide scheduler 20 is configured to transport slides 200 in a vertical state to the buffer position 121. The scanning device 30 is provided with a first scanning bit 311 and a second scanning bit 312 for scanning the slide 200 of the first scanning bit 311 or the second scanning bit 312. The slide conveying device 40 is used for conveying the slide 200 in the horizontal state on the buffer position 121 to one of the first scanning position 311 and the second scanning position 312, and/or conveying the slide 200, which has been scanned on one of the first scanning position 311 and the second scanning position 312, to the buffer position 121.

The sample image scanning apparatus 100 of the above embodiment has a reasonable structural design, after the slide scheduling device 20 conveys the slide 200 to the buffer position 121, the slide conveying device 40 can convey the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 to the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312, so that the scanning device 30 performs scanning analysis on the slide 200, and the buffer position 121 can buffer the slide 200, so that the functions of conveying and temporary transferring and storing can be performed, so that the actions of different devices of the sample image scanning apparatus 100 can be performed in parallel, the scanning process time is saved, and the scanning detection efficiency and the apparatus operation efficiency are improved. In addition, the first scanning position 311 and the second scanning position 312 can also buffer the slide 200, and the functions of conveying and temporarily transferring and storing can be achieved, so that the actions of different devices of the sample image scanning device 100 can be performed in parallel, and the scanning flow time is further saved. In addition, the driving mechanism 11 is used for driving the buffer seat 12 to rotate, so that the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 is switched between a vertical state and a horizontal state, and therefore, the buffer device 10 not only can play a role of buffering the slide 200, but also can switch the state of the slide 200, the integration level and the structural compactness of the equipment are improved, and the volume and the occupied area of the whole machine are reduced.

In some embodiments, after the slide scheduling device 20 conveys the slide 200 in the vertical state onto the buffer position 121 of the buffer seat 12, the driving mechanism 11 is used to drive the buffer seat 12 to rotate so that the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 is switched from the vertical state to the horizontal state. After the slide 200 is transferred from the scanning position to the buffer position 121, the driving mechanism 11 is used to drive the buffer seat 12 to rotate so that the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 is switched from the horizontal state to the vertical state.

In some embodiments, after the slide 200 is transported to the scan position and before the slide 200 is transported from the scan position to the buffer position 121, the slide transport device 40 or the buffer mount 12 is unloaded and withdrawn from the position corresponding to the scan position, which includes the first scan position 311 or the second scan position 312. In this way, the scanner 30 can be prevented from interfering with or colliding with the slide conveyor 40 when the scanner 30 scans and detects the slide 200 at the scanning position. The position corresponding to the scanning bit may be the same as the scanning bit or may be different, for example, the position corresponding to the scanning bit is disposed opposite to the scanning bit interval.

Referring to fig. 2 (a) and 2 (B), in some embodiments, the slide conveying apparatus 40 includes an advancing mechanism 41, the driving mechanism 11 is connected to the advancing mechanism 41, and the advancing mechanism 41 drives the driving mechanism 11 to reciprocate the buffer seat 12. The driving mechanism 11 is connected with the advancing mechanism 41, so that the whole structure is compact, the integration level of the sample image scanning device 100 is improved, and the volume and the occupied area of the sample image scanning device 100 are reduced.

In some embodiments, the advancement mechanism 41 is configured to drive the drive mechanism 11 to reciprocate between a first position and a second position to enable the buffer mount 12 to reciprocate the slide 200 between a buffer position corresponding to the first position and a scan position (either the first scan position 311 or the second scan position 312). When the driving mechanism 11 is located at the first position, the buffer position on the buffer seat 12 can receive the slide 200 conveyed by the slide scheduling device 20, and the slide scheduling device 20 can also remove the slide 200 from the buffer position on the buffer seat 12. The second position corresponds to the scanning position, so that the driving mechanism 11 and the buffer seat 12 can directly convey the slide 200 on the buffer seat 12 to the scanning position under the driving of the advancing mechanism 41, and an additional moving and fetching mechanism is not needed to push or grab the slide 200 on the buffer seat 12 to the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312, so that the number of components and the time of a scanning process are reduced.

Illustratively, when the drive mechanism 11 is in the second position, the slide 200 on the buffer mount 12 is in the scan position.

The first location and the buffer bit corresponding to the first location may be the same location or different locations, and the second location and the scan bit may be the same location or different locations. For example, the first position is different from the buffer position corresponding to the first position, and the second position is different from the scanning position, so that the transfer device can realize the functions of transporting and transferring the buffer slide 200, and the action interference between the parts can be reduced. For example, the second position is different from the scanning position, so that the transfer device can be guaranteed to convey the slide 200 to the scanning position or remove the slide 200 from the scanning position, the probability that the buffer seat 12 and the scanning device 30 are easy to interfere in the process of conveying the slide 200 by the transfer device or in the process of scanning the slide 200 in the scanning position by the scanning device 30 can be reduced, and the normal operation of the buffer device 10 and the scanning device 30 is guaranteed.

Illustratively, the cache bit corresponding to the second location may be the same as or different from the second location. The cache bit corresponding to the second location may be the same as the scan bit or may be different.

Illustratively, during the reciprocation of the driving mechanism 11 between the first position and the second position, the buffer seat 12 reciprocates along with the driving mechanism 11, and the buffer position on the buffer seat 12 also reciprocates along with the driving mechanism 11. As such, when the drive mechanism 11 is in the first position, the buffer mount 12 is able to receive a slide 200 from the slide scheduler 20 or the slide scheduler 20 is able to transfer the slide 200 on the buffer mount 12; when the driving mechanism 11 is at the second position, the slide 200 on the buffer seat 12 is located at the scanning position (the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312), and the buffer seat 12 releases the slide 200.

Illustratively, when the slide 200 on the buffer mount 12 needs to be switched between the vertical state and the horizontal state, the driving mechanism 11 is used to drive the buffer mount 12 to rotate by at least 90 °, such as by an odd multiple of 90 °, for example, 90 °, 270 °, 450 °, or the like.

In some embodiments, after the slide scheduling device 20 delivers the slide 200 in the vertical state onto the buffer base 12, the driving mechanism 11 is used to drive the buffer base 12 to rotate so that the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 is switched from the vertical state to the horizontal state. After the slide 200 is transferred from the scanning position to the buffer position, the driving mechanism 11 is used to drive the buffer seat 12 to rotate so as to switch the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 from the horizontal state to the vertical state. Illustratively, after the slide 200 is transferred from the scanning position to the buffer position corresponding to the first position, the driving mechanism 11 is used to drive the buffer seat 12 to rotate so that the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 is switched from the horizontal state to the vertical state.

Illustratively, when a sample on the slide 200 needs to be scanned and analyzed, the slide scheduling device 20 conveys the slide 200 in the vertical state to the buffer seat 12 corresponding to the first position, and the driving mechanism 11 drives the buffer seat 12 to rotate so as to switch the slide 200 on the buffer seat 121 from the vertical state to the horizontal state, and at this time, the slide 200 on the buffer seat 12 is located in the buffer position corresponding to the first position; the advancing mechanism 41 then drives the drive mechanism 11 from the first position to the second position to move the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 from the buffer position corresponding to the first position to the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312. After the scanning analysis is completed on the sample on the slide 200, the buffer seat 12 loads (such as grabs or adsorbs, etc.) the slide 200 located at the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 (the slide 200 located at the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 is in a horizontal state), and the advancing mechanism 41 drives the driving mechanism 11 to transport from the second position to the first position so that the slide 200 located at the buffer seat 12 moves from the scanning position to the buffer position corresponding to the first position; then, the driving mechanism 11 drives the buffer tray 12 located at the corresponding first position to rotate to switch the slide 200 on the buffer tray 121 from the horizontal state to the vertical state, and then the slide scheduling device 20 takes out the slide 200 in the vertical state from the buffer tray 12 corresponding to the first position to other positions (such as a slide recovery bin or a recovery slide basket). It will be appreciated that the drive mechanism 11 includes a state switching motor for driving the buffer mount 12 to rotate, thereby switching the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 between the horizontal state and the vertical state.

Referring to fig. 3, the advancing mechanism 41 illustratively includes a first mount 411, a first driver 412, and a first transfer assembly 413. The first driving member 412 is disposed on the first mounting seat 411. The first transmission assembly 413 is in transmission connection with the first driving member 412, and the first transmission assembly 413 is in transmission connection with the driving mechanism 11 to drive the driving mechanism 11 to slide relative to the first mounting seat 411. In this way, the movement stroke of the driving mechanism 11 and the buffer seat 12 is simple, and the structure of the advancing mechanism 41 is simple and compact. Illustratively, the first driver 412 includes a forward motor. The first transfer assembly 413 includes at least one of a timing belt transfer assembly, a gear transfer assembly, and the like.

Illustratively, the driving mechanism 11 is capable of moving horizontally under the driving of the first driving member 412 and the first conveying assembly 413, so that the driving mechanism 11 reciprocates horizontally between the first position and the second position, and the buffer seat 12 reciprocates the slide 200 between the buffer position and the scanning position corresponding to the first position.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the driving mechanism 11 includes a second mounting base 111, a second driving member 112, and a second transmission assembly 113, where the second mounting base 111 is slidably connected to the first mounting base 411 of the advancing mechanism 41, the second driving member 112 is disposed on the second mounting base 111, and the second transmission assembly 113 is in transmission connection with the second driving member 112. The buffer seat 12 is in transmission connection with the second transmission assembly 113. Thus, the driving mechanism 11 has simple and compact structure, the motion stroke of the buffer seat 12 is simple, and the instrument transfer efficiency is improved. Illustratively, the second driver 112 includes a state switching motor. The second transfer assembly 113 includes at least one of a timing belt transfer assembly, a gear transfer assembly, and the like.

Illustratively, the second mount 111 and the first mount 411 are slidably connected by a chute and a slide rail.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the buffer seat 12 includes a clamping jaw 122 and an opening and closing driving component 123, where the buffer bit 121 is disposed on the clamping jaw 122, and the opening and closing driving component 123 is used to drive the clamping jaw 122 to open and close, so as to clamp or unclamp the slide 200. Illustratively, the opening and closing drive assembly 123 includes an opening and closing motor.

Referring to fig. 5 (a), in some embodiments, the slide transport device 40 includes a slide transport mechanism 42 and a power mechanism 43; the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 relative to the buffer station 12 to reciprocate the slide 200 between the buffer position 121 and the scan position. The scan bits include a first scan bit 311 or a second scan bit 312. It will be appreciated that the buffer seat 12 is stationary during the reciprocating movement of the slide 200 between the buffer position 121 and the scan position, and the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide conveying mechanism 42 to move relative to the buffer seat 12, so that the transfer of the slide 200 is achieved, and no additional load is required to drive the buffer seat 12 closer to the scan position or farther from the scan position, thereby reducing power consumption to some extent.

Illustratively, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 in motion relative to the buffer mount 12 such that the slide transport mechanism 42 reciprocates the slide 200 between the buffer position 121 and the scan position.

In some embodiments, the power mechanism 43 is also used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 empty and out of position corresponding to the scan position after the power mechanism 43 drives the slide transport mechanism 42 to transport the slide 200 to the scan position and before the slide 200 is transported from the scan position to the buffer position 121. In this way, the scanner 30 can be prevented from interfering with or colliding with the slide conveying mechanism 42 when the scanner 30 scans and detects the slide 200 at the scanning position.

Referring to fig. 5 (a), in some embodiments, the power mechanism 43 is configured to drive the slide conveying mechanism 42 to open and close and horizontally move relative to the buffer seat 12 to convey the slide 200 on the buffer seat 12 to the scanning position, and convey the slide 200 from the scanning position to the buffer position 121. In this way, in the process of reciprocally transporting the slide 200 between the buffer position 121 and the scanning position, the slide transporting mechanism 42 only needs to horizontally move except for the opening and closing movement, the slide 200 transported by the slide transporting mechanism 42 only needs to horizontally move together with the slide transporting mechanism 42, the movement stroke of the slide transporting mechanism 42 and the slide 200 thereon is simple, the slide 200 does not need to move along the slide transporting mechanism 42 in a direction other than the horizontal movement (such as does not need to do lifting movement in the height direction of the sample image scanning device 100), the transport of the slide 200 between the buffer position 121 and the scanning position can be completed, the stroke control of the slide transporting mechanism 42 and the slide 200 is convenient and simple, and the transport of the slide 200 between the buffer position 121 and the scanning position can be completed under the condition of the smallest possible movement stroke, thereby saving the time and the stroke space of the scanning flow, further improving the scanning detection efficiency and the running efficiency of the device, and reducing the occupied space of the instrument.

Referring to fig. 5 (a), in some embodiments, the slide scheduler 20 is configured to transport slides 200 in a vertical position to the buffer position 121 and to remove slides 200 in a vertical position from the buffer position 121. The slide transport device 40 is used to transport the slide 200 in a horizontal state between the buffer position 121 and the scanning position.

Referring to fig. 5 (a), in some embodiments, a power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 horizontally forward toward the scan position to push the slides 200 from the buffer position 121 to the scan position. The power mechanism 43 is also used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 to grip the slide 200 and to drive the slide 200 to horizontally retreat from the scanning position to the buffer position 121. As will be appreciated, when it is desired to carry the slide 200 to the scanning position for scanning detection, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide carrying mechanism 42 to advance horizontally in a direction approaching the scanning position, and when the slide carrying mechanism 42 advances horizontally until the slide carrying mechanism 42 contacts the slide 200 on the buffer position 121, if the slide carrying mechanism 42 advances horizontally further toward the scanning position, the slide carrying mechanism 42 pushes the slide 200 of the buffer position 121 to advance horizontally toward the scanning position together until the slide 200 advances to the scanning position. When the scanning device 30 completes the scanning analysis of the slide 200 at the scanning position, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 closed to clamp the scanned slide 200 at the scanning position. After the slide transport mechanism 42 is clamped to the scanned slide 200, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 to retract horizontally until the scanned slide 200 is in the buffer position 121, and the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 to open to unclamp the scanned slide 200 on the buffer position 121. It will be appreciated that in the initial state, the slide conveying mechanism 42 is spaced a predetermined distance from the buffer position 121, and the slide conveying mechanism 42 is located on the side of the buffer position 121 facing away from the scanning position, so as to prevent interference or collision between the slide conveying mechanism 42 and the buffer position 121.

In some embodiments, the slide transport mechanism 42 has opposite closed ends 421 and open ends 422 in the forward direction, and the slide 200 has a first end 201 and a second end 202 in the forward direction.

Referring to fig. 5 (B), in some embodiments, when the type of sample on the slide 200 is a first type of sample, the power mechanism 43 is configured to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 horizontally forward toward the scanning position such that at least a portion of the slide 200 is received within the hollow region of the slide transport mechanism 42 until the closed end 421 abuts the first end 201 and such that the closed end 421 pushes the slide 200 from the buffer position 121 to the scanning position. The power mechanism 43 is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism 42 to horizontally advance towards the scanning position so that the open and close end 422 can clamp the first end 201; after the open-close end 422 clamps the first end 201, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide conveying mechanism 42 to horizontally retract to drive the slide 200 to horizontally retract from the scanning position to the buffer position 121. In this way, when the slide 200 is conveyed from the buffer position 121 to the scanning position, the closed end 421 of the slide conveying mechanism 42 pushes the slide 200 forward without the slide conveying mechanism 42 holding the slide 200 forward, preventing fragments of the slide 200 to be detected. Particularly, when the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 on the scanning platform 32 has two opposite parallel clamping grooves, the two clamping grooves are respectively used for clamping opposite sides of one slide 200, and compared with the slide conveying mechanism 42 which clamps the slide 200 to advance, the slide 200 is less likely to be broken by pushing the slide 200 to the scanning position by adopting the closed end 421 of the slide conveying mechanism 42 in the embodiment. In addition, in the process of conveying the slide 200 from the scanning position to the buffer position 121, the open-close end 422 of the slide conveying mechanism 42 clamps the first end 201 of the slide 200, the open-close end 422 is not easy to interfere or collide with the scanning device 30 under the condition of limited space, and the conveying stroke of the slide conveying mechanism 42 is short, which is beneficial to improving the scanning detection speed of the slide 200.

Illustratively, the first type of sample comprises a blood sample and/or a micro-ecological sample comprising at least one of urine, sputum, gynecological sample, and the like.

In some embodiments, after the slide 200 is scanned, the power mechanism 43 is further configured to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 horizontally toward the scan position to enable the open and closed ends 422 to grip the first end 201; after the open-close end 422 clamps the first end 201, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide conveying mechanism 42 to horizontally retract to drive the slide 200 to horizontally retract from the scanning position to the buffer position 121.

Referring to fig. 5 (a), in some embodiments, when the type of sample on the slide 200 is a second type of sample, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 horizontally forward toward the scan position to enable the open and close end 422 to grip the first end 201; after the open-close end 422 clamps the first end 201, the driving mechanism 11 is used to drive the slide conveying mechanism 42 to horizontally advance to drive the slide 200 to horizontally advance from the buffer position 121 to the scanning position. The power mechanism 43 is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism 42 to horizontally advance towards the scanning position so that the open and close end 422 can clamp the first end 201; after the open-close end 422 clamps the first end 201, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide conveying mechanism 42 to horizontally retract to drive the slide 200 to horizontally retract from the scanning position to the buffer position 121. In the process of reciprocating the slide 200 between the scanning position and the buffer position 121, the open-close end 422 of the slide conveying mechanism 42 clamps the first end 201 of the slide 200 to advance or retreat, the open-close end 422 is not easy to interfere or collide with the scanning device 30 under the condition of limited space, and the conveying stroke of the slide conveying mechanism 42 is short, so that the scanning detection speed of the slide 200 is improved.

Illustratively, the second type of sample includes a liquid-based sample or the like. Illustratively, the coated area of the first type of sample on the slide 200 is larger than the coated area of the second type of sample on the slide 200. In this embodiment, the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 on the scanning platform 32 may not be provided with a slot for engaging the slide 200, so that the slide 200 to be tested is clamped and advanced to the scanning position, and the probability that the slide 200 is easy to collide with the scanning position during the process of inserting into the slot of the scanning position is reduced.

Referring to fig. 6-9, in some embodiments, the power mechanism 43 is configured to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 horizontally toward the scan position such that the open and close end 422 abuts the first end 201 and pushes the slide 200 from the buffer position 121 to the scan position. The power mechanism 43 is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism 42 to horizontally advance towards the scanning position so that the open and close end 422 can clamp the first end 201; after the open-close end 422 clamps the first end 201, the driving mechanism 11 is used to drive the slide conveying mechanism 42 to horizontally retract to drive the slide 200 to horizontally retract from the scanning position to the buffer position 121. In this way, when the slide 200 is transported from the buffer position 121 to the scanning position, the slide 200 is pushed to advance by the open-close end 422 of the slide transporting mechanism 42, so that the slide 200 does not need to be clamped by the slide transporting mechanism 42 to advance, and the probability that the slide 200 to be detected is easy to fragment is reduced. Particularly, when the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 on the scanning platform 32 has two opposite parallel clamping grooves, the two clamping grooves are respectively used for clamping opposite sides of one slide 200, and compared with the slide conveying mechanism 42 which clamps the slide 200 to advance, the slide 200 is less likely to be broken by the folding end 422 of the slide conveying mechanism 42 in the embodiment when the folding end 422 of the slide conveying mechanism 42 pushes the slide 200 to advance to the scanning position than when the folding end 422 of the slide conveying mechanism 42 clamps the slide 200 to advance to the scanning position. In addition, in the process of conveying the slide 200 from the scanning position to the buffer position 121, the open-close end 422 of the slide conveying mechanism 42 clamps the first end 201 of the slide 200, the open-close end 422 is not easy to interfere or collide with the scanning device 30 under the condition of limited space, and the travel of the slide conveying mechanism 42 is short, so that the scanning detection speed of the slide 200 is improved.

Illustratively, referring to fig. 6, the power mechanism 43 is configured to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 horizontally forward toward the scan position such that the closed open and closed end 422 abuts the first end 201. When the open/close end 422 abuts against the first end 201, the slide conveying mechanism 42 is further horizontally advanced toward the scanning position by the driving of the power mechanism 43, and the slide conveying mechanism 42 is horizontally advanced to push the slide 200 together to horizontally advance in a direction approaching the scanning position. The slide transport mechanism 42 pushes the slide 200 horizontally forward to the scanning position as shown in fig. 7. When the slide 200 needs to be taken out from the scanning position, the power mechanism 43 is further used to drive the slide conveying mechanism 42 horizontally forward toward the scanning position to a position corresponding to the first end 201 where the open-close end 422 can clamp the slide 200, and then the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the open-close end 422 to clamp the first end 201 of the slide 200, as shown in fig. 8. After the slide 200 at the scanning position is held at the first end 201 by the shutter end 422, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 horizontally back to the slide 200 at another position (e.g., the buffer position 121). When the slide transport mechanism 42 moves the slide 200 back to the position where the slide 200 is located at the buffer position 121, as shown in fig. 9.

Illustratively, the forward direction of the slide conveying mechanism 42 is the positive direction of the X direction shown in fig. 6, and the backward direction of the slide conveying mechanism 42 is the negative direction of the X direction shown in fig. 6.

In some embodiments, the power mechanism 43 is used to drive the slide transport mechanism 42 to reciprocate in a first direction to reciprocally transport the slide 200 between the buffer position 121 and the scan position. Illustratively, the first direction is a front-to-back direction of the slide transport device 40. Illustratively, the first direction is shown as the X direction shown in fig. 6. In this way, it is advantageous to reduce the extension dimension of the slide conveying apparatus 40 in the second direction, and more devices can be placed in the second direction in a limited space. Illustratively, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the plane in which the first direction and the second direction lie is perpendicular to the height direction of the slide transport device 40. Illustratively, the second direction is a width direction or a left-right direction of the slide conveyor 40. Illustratively, the second direction is shown as the Y direction shown in fig. 6.

Referring to fig. 5 (a), in some embodiments, the slide transport mechanism 42 includes an openable and closable jaw, the slide transport mechanism 42 having a closed end 421 and an openable end 422 in the forward direction. The power mechanism 43 includes a first driving unit 431 and a second driving unit 432, the second driving unit 432 is provided on the first driving unit 431, and the slide conveying mechanism 42 is provided on the second driving unit 432. The first drive assembly 431 is used to drive the jaws to move horizontally and the second drive assembly 432 is used to drive the jaws to open and close to clamp or unclamp the slide 200. Illustratively, the first drive assembly 431 includes a first drive motor and the second drive assembly 432 includes a second drive motor.

It will be appreciated that the scanning device 30 can normally perform analytical testing of the sample on the slide 200 only when the side of the slide 200 coated with the sample at the first scanning location 311 or the second scanning location 312 is facing upward (i.e., the front side of the slide 200). During the process of transporting the slide 200, the slide 200 transported to the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 has a risk of having the back surface of the slide 200 facing upwards, so that the slide 200 needs to be identified on the front surface and the back surface, if the slide 200 is identified to be reversed, the sample on the slide 200 needs to be analyzed and detected after the slide 200 is placed on the front surface, so that the slide 200 located in the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 is guaranteed to face upwards.

In some embodiments, the sample image scanning apparatus 100 further comprises a slide recognition device, and the slide scheduler 20 is configured to transport the slide 200 to the slide recognition device for identification and/or front-back recognition, and then transport the slide 200 from the slide recognition device to the buffer location 121. In this way, a guarantee is provided that the scanning device 30 can perform normal scanning analysis on the slide 200 at the scanning position.

Illustratively, the front and back identification may be determined by identifying information codes attached to the slide 200, or by identifying differences in the coating on the slide 200 when the slide 200 is placed in front of and in back of. In other embodiments, slide identification devices may also be used to identify the identity information of slide 200. Identification information can be determined by identifying the information code affixed to the slide 200.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the buffer apparatus 10 further includes a slide turning mechanism 13, where the slide turning mechanism 13 is connected to one of the buffer base 12 and the driving mechanism 11, and is used to drive the buffer base 12 to turn over to align the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 when the slide 200 is reversed. In this way, the driving mechanism 11 can switch the slide 200 on the buffer position 121 between the vertical state and the horizontal state, the buffer seat 12 can play a role of transferring the slide 200 (in some embodiments, can play a role of conveying the slide 200), and the slide turnover mechanism 13 can place the reversely placed slide 200, so that the buffer device 10 can realize multiple functions, and has high integration level, compact structure, and reduced volume and occupied area of the whole machine.

Referring to fig. 3, it can be appreciated that when the driving mechanism 11 is located at the first position, the buffer seat 12 or the buffer position 121 may have various postures, such as a horizontal posture, a vertical posture, and the like.

It will be appreciated that when the drive mechanism 11 is in the first position, the slide 200 on the buffer tray 12 may have at least one of a plurality of postures, such as a horizontal posture, a vertical posture, a set-up posture (a state in which the slide 200 is set up), a set-up posture (a state in which the slide 200 is set up in a set-up state), and the like.

In some embodiments, when the scanning device 30 recognizes that the slide 200 is inverted, the slide conveying device 40 is configured to convey the slide 200 at the scanning position to the buffer position 121, and the slide flip-over mechanism 13 is configured to drive the buffer seat 12 to flip over to place the slide 200 at the buffer position 121.

Referring to fig. 2 (B), in some embodiments, the specimen image scanning apparatus 100 further includes a slide recognition device 50. After the slide scheduling device 20 conveys the slide 200 in the vertical state to the buffer position 121, the slide identifying device 50 is used for identifying the identity and/or the front and back of the slide 200 in the vertical state at the identifying position, and the identifying position is located on the movable stroke of the slide conveying device 40. After the slide recognition device 50 recognizes that the slide 200 is reversely placed, the slide turning mechanism 13 is used to drive the buffer seat 12 to rotate so as to place the slide 200 on the buffer position 121.

It will be appreciated that the drive mechanism 11 may be in the first position or in other positions when the slide 200 is in the identification position. Illustratively, when the drive mechanism 11 is in the first position, the slide 200 in the upright position on the buffer mount 12 is in the identification position, such that when the drive mechanism 11 is in the first position, the buffer mount 12 is capable of receiving the slide 200 from the slide scheduler 20; the slide recognition device 50 can perform identity recognition and/or front and back recognition on the slide 200 on the buffer seat 12, and after recognizing that the slide 200 is reversely placed, the slide turnover mechanism 13 can drive the buffer seat 12 to rotate so as to place the slide 200 on the buffer position 121, and when performing front and back recognition on the slide 200 and placing the slide 200, the driving mechanism 11 is not required to be driven to move to other positions except the first position by the advancing mechanism 41, so that the scanning flow of the slide 200 is saved, and the scanning detection efficiency of the slide 200 is improved.

Referring to fig. 2 (B), in some embodiments, the slide recognition device 50 includes a recognition mechanism 51 and a background plate 52, the recognition mechanism 51 being disposed opposite and spaced apart from the background plate 52. In performing front-back identification and/or identity recognition of the slide 200, the slide 200 is positioned between the recognition mechanism 51 and the background plate 52. Illustratively, the recognition mechanism 51 includes an information code scanner or camera, or the like.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the slide transport device 40 includes an advancing mechanism 41, and one of the slide flipping mechanism 13 and the driving mechanism 11 is slidably coupled to the advancing mechanism 41. For example, the slide turning mechanism 13 is slidably connected to the advancing mechanism 41, the driving mechanism 11 is connected to the slide turning mechanism 13, and the driving mechanism 11 is connected to the buffer seat 12. For another example, the slide turning mechanism 13 is connected with the buffer seat 12, the driving mechanism 11 is connected with the slide turning mechanism 13, and the driving mechanism 11 is slidably connected with the advancing mechanism 41.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the slide turning mechanism 13 illustratively includes a third mounting base 131 and a third driving member 132 disposed on the third mounting base 131, the third driving member 132 is in transmission connection with the buffer base 12, and the third mounting base 131 is in transmission connection with the second conveying assembly 113. Thus, the slide turning mechanism 13 has a simple and compact structure, and the motion stroke of the buffer seat 12 is simple. Illustratively, the third drive 132 includes a slide flip motor.

In some embodiments, the specimen image scanning apparatus 100 further includes a slide flipping device (not shown) provided with a flipping position. When the scanning device 30 recognizes that the slide 200 is reversely placed, the slide conveying device 40 is used for conveying the slide 200 in the scanning position to the buffer seat 12, the driving mechanism 11 is used for driving the buffer seat 12 to rotate so as to switch the slide 200 on the buffer seat 12 from the horizontal state to the vertical state, the slide scheduling device 20 is used for conveying the slide 200 in the vertical state on the buffer position 121 to the turn-over position, and the slide turn-over device is used for rotating the slide 200 on the turn-over position to be placed. When the scanning device 30 recognizes that the slide 200 at the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 is reversed, the slide 200 is conveyed to the turn-over position by the slide conveying device 40 and the slide scheduling device 20 to correct the front and back of the slide 200 by the slide turn-over device so that the slide 200 is placed in front. After the slide 200 is placed by the slide turning device, the slide dispatcher 20 is used for conveying the slide 200 in the vertical state on the turning position to the buffer storage position 121, the driving mechanism 11 is used for driving the buffer storage seat 12 to rotate so as to switch the slide 200 on the buffer storage seat 12 from the vertical state to the horizontal state, and the slide conveying device 40 is used for conveying the slide 200 in the horizontal state on the buffer storage seat 12 to the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312.

Referring to fig. 1, in some embodiments, the slide scheduling device 20 may include a slide removal assembly (e.g., a robot, etc.). The slide 200 is gripped by the slide removal assembly and placed onto the buffer station 12. Scanning device 30 may include an imaging mechanism (not shown), a scanning platform 32, and an image analysis mechanism (not shown). The imaging mechanism includes a microscope assembly 33 and/or a camera assembly 34 for capturing cells of a sample coated on the slide 200. The scanning platform 32 is provided with a first scanning position 311 and a second scanning position 312, and the scanning platform 32 can move relative to the imaging mechanism so that the imaging mechanism can shoot a cell image of a specific area of the slide 200, and the image analysis mechanism is used for analyzing the cell image of the slide 200. The image analysis mechanism may be, for example, a processor capable of performing cellular image analysis.

It will be appreciated that the slide scheduler 20 has at least one degree of freedom. Illustratively, the slide scheduler 20 has three degrees of freedom, at least a portion of the slide scheduler 20 being movable in three mutually perpendicular directions of movement to transport slides 200, one of which is the height direction of the sample image scanning device 100.

Illustratively, the specimen image scanning apparatus 100 further includes a controller signally connected to the imaging mechanism, the scanning platform 32, the image analysis mechanism, the slide scheduler 20, the slide conveyor 40, the drive mechanism 11 and the buffer station 12, such that the controller controls these components to act. Illustratively, the controller includes a circuit board or control circuit, or the like.

It will be appreciated that the scanning device 30 can scan the slide 200 on the first scanning position 311 and the second scanning position 312, and the scanning platform 32 can move either the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 to a preset position corresponding to the buffer position 121 or the second position to ensure that the slide transport device 40 can transport the slide 200 to the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 or can remove the slide 200 from the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312.

In some embodiments, the controller is communicatively connected to the buffer device 10, the slide scheduling device 20, the scanning device 30, and the slide transporting device 40, the scanning device 30 includes a scanning mechanism and a scanning platform 32 movable relative to the scanning mechanism, and the first scanning position 311 and the second scanning position 312 are disposed on the scanning platform 32. Illustratively, the scanning mechanism includes the imaging mechanism of any of the embodiments described above and/or the image analysis mechanism of any of the embodiments. If the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 is in the empty state, the controller is configured to control the scanning platform 32 to move so that the corresponding scanning position is aligned with the slide conveyor 40; controlling the slide conveying device 40 to feed the slide located at the buffer position 121 to the corresponding scanning position; after the slides reach the corresponding scan positions, the slide transport device 40 is controlled to release the slides.

Illustratively, controlling the slide transport device 40 to feed slides located at the buffer locations 121 to corresponding scan locations includes: the slide conveyor 40 is controlled to push the slide located at the buffer position 121 to the corresponding scanning position.

In some embodiments, the sample image scanning apparatus further comprises a sample introduction device (not labeled) for storing and providing slides and a recovery device (not labeled) for recovering slides that have been scanned. The slide scheduling device 20 is used to acquire slides from the sample device and transfer them to the slide transport device 40 and/or to receive slides from the slide transport device 40 and transfer them to the recycling device. Illustratively, the sample injection device may include a slide sample injection bin or sample injection slide basket, etc., and the recovery device may include a slide recovery bin or recovery slide basket, etc.

It will be appreciated that the controller is communicatively connected to the sample injection device, the recovery device, the slide scheduler 20, the slide conveyor 40, and the scanner 30, and is configured to control the sample injection device, the recovery device, the slide scheduler 20, the scanner 30, and the slide conveyor 40 to perform multiple working states in combination or independently, and dynamically detect whether resources of the sample injection device, the recovery device, the slide scheduler 20, the scanner 30, or the slide conveyor 40 associated with any working state can be acquired during the process of performing any working state, and if so, acquire resources associated with the working state to continue to perform the working state, and if not, the controller changes to control to perform other working states.

In some embodiments, the plurality of operating states includes at least a first operating state in which the slide conveyor 40 is to place a slide into the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312, a second operating state in which the slide conveyor 40 is to remove a slide from the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312, a third operating state in which the slide scheduler 20 is to transfer a slide, a fourth operating state in which the slide scheduler 20 is to retrieve a slide, and a fifth operating state in which the scanning device 30 detects a scan.

In some embodiments, the controller includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and a third control unit, the first control unit configured to control execution of the first operating state and/or the second operating state; the second control unit is configured to control the third working state and/or the fourth working state to be executed, and the third control unit is configured to control the fifth working state to be executed; the first control unit, the second control unit and the third control unit independently and parallelly control and execute all working states.

The first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit may include a circuit board or a control circuit, respectively. The first control unit, the second control unit and the third control unit can also be integrated on the same circuit board.

In some embodiments, the controller controlling the execution of the first operating state comprises: detecting whether the resources of the scanning device 30 and the slide conveying device 40 can be acquired, and if so, acquiring the resources of the scanning device 30 and the slide conveying device 40 and detecting the state of the slide conveying device 40;

if the slide conveyor 40 is in a state to be fed in which the slide accommodated in the slide conveyor 40 is to be fed to the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312, detecting the state of the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312; if the first scanning position 311 or the second scanning position 312 is in the empty state, controlling the slide conveying device 40 to cooperate with the scanning device 30 to feed the slide to the corresponding scanning position; after feeding the slide to the corresponding scanning position, the slide carrying device 40 is set to the empty state, and the corresponding scanning position is set to the state to be scanned;

the resources of the scanning device 30 and the slide conveying device 40 are released.

In some embodiments, the scanning device 30 includes a scanning mechanism and a scanning platform 32 movable relative to the scanning mechanism, the first scanning position 311 and the second scanning position 312 are both disposed on the scanning platform 32, and the controller controls the slide conveying device 40 to cooperate with the scanning device 30 to feed slides to the corresponding scanning positions, including: controlling the movement of the scanning platform 32 to align the corresponding scan positions with the slide conveyor 40; controlling the slide conveyor 40 to push the slide accommodated in the slide conveyor 40 to the corresponding scanning position; after the slides reach the corresponding scan positions, the slide transport device 40 is controlled to release the slides.

In some embodiments, the controller controlling the execution of the second operating state comprises:

detecting whether the resources of the scanning device 30 and the slide conveying device 40 can be acquired, and if so, acquiring the resources of the scanning device 30 and the slide conveying device 40, and detecting the states of the slide conveying device 40, the first scanning position 311 and the second scanning position 312; when the slide conveying device 40 is detected to be in an empty state and at least one of the first scanning position 311 and the second scanning position 312 is in a state to be picked up, determining a corresponding scanning position and a state of a slide located in the corresponding scanning position, wherein the state of the slide comprises one of a state to be recovered and a state to be rotated; at least controlling the slide conveyor 40 to cooperate with the scanning device 30 to transfer slides to the slide conveyor 40, and setting the corresponding scanning position to an empty state; setting the slide conveying apparatus 40 to a recovery instruction state according to a state to be recovered, or setting the slide conveying apparatus 40 to a rotation instruction state according to a state to be rotated; releasing the resources of the slide transport device 40 and the scanning device 30.

In some embodiments, the controller controlling the execution of the third operating state comprises: detecting whether or not the resources of the slide conveyer 40 can be obtained when the slide conveyer 40 is detected to be in an empty state, and if so, obtaining the resources of the slide conveyer 40; controlling the slide conveyor 40 to move to the docked position; controlling the slide scheduler 20 to pick up at least one slide from the sample introduction position and transfer the slide to the junction position so that the slide carrier 40 receives the slide, setting the slide carrier 40 to a state to be fed; releasing the resources of the slide conveyor 40.

In some embodiments, the sample introduction device includes at least one movement mechanism for transporting a slide frame loaded with at least one slide to a sample introduction location. The controller controlling execution of the third operating state further includes: after acquiring the resource of the slide conveying device 40, acquiring the number of slides fed to the sample feeding position by the sample feeding device; when the moving mechanism is detected to transfer the slide frame to the sample injection position, detecting whether the resource of the moving mechanism can be acquired, and if so, acquiring the resource of the moving mechanism;

the number of slides is updated according to the number of slides picked up by slide scheduler 20 and the resources of the motion mechanism are released when the number of slides is less than or equal to the first threshold.

In some embodiments, the specimen image scanning apparatus further includes a slide identification device 50 disposed in correspondence with the slide transport device 40. The controller executing the third operating state further includes: after the slide transport device 40 receives the slide, the slide recognition device 50 is controlled to scan a preset barcode area on the slide to obtain corresponding barcode information, and the barcode information is stored in a preset barcode information record.

In some embodiments, the controller controlling the execution of the fourth operating state comprises: if it is detected that the slide conveyer 40 is in a state to be recovered, it is detected whether or not the resource of the slide conveyer 40 can be obtained, and if so, the resource of the slide conveyer 40 is obtained; controlling the slide conveyor 40 to move to the docked position; controlling the slide scheduler 20 to pick up a slide from the slide conveyer 40 located at the transfer position, transfer the slide to the recovery device, and set the slide conveyer 40 in an empty state; releasing the resources of the slide conveyor 40.

In some embodiments, the controller controlling the execution of the fifth operating state comprises: detecting whether the first scanning bit 311 and the second scanning bit 312 are in a state to be scanned, and detecting whether resources of the scanning device 30 can be acquired when at least one of the first scanning bit 311 and the second scanning bit 312 is in the state to be scanned, and acquiring the resources of the scanning device 30 if the resources can be acquired; controlling the scanning device 30 to perform image scanning operation on the slide located at the corresponding scanning position; after the image scanning operation on the slide is completed, setting the corresponding scanning position to be in a state of to-be-fetched, and setting the slide at the corresponding scanning position to be in a state of to-be-recovered; the resources of the scanning device 30 are released.

In some embodiments, the controller controls the scanning device 30 to perform an image scanning operation on slides at corresponding scan positions, including: scanning a preset bar code area on a slide to obtain a corresponding target bar code, and searching bar code information matched with the target bar code in a preset bar code information record; if the matched bar code information is found, the scanning device 30 is controlled to carry out recheck scanning operation on the slide; if no matching bar code information is found, the scanning device 30 is controlled to perform conventional scanning operation on the slide.

In some embodiments, the slide includes at least a first slide and a second slide, the controller further configured to: control performs a first operational state to feed a first slide to the first scan station 311; controlling the fifth operating state to perform detection scanning on the first slide, and controlling the third operating state to transfer the second slide to the slide conveyer 40 during detection scanning on the first slide; after the detection scan of the first slide is completed, control performs a first operational state to feed the second slide to the second scan station 312; control performs the second operating state to transfer the first slide to the slide conveyor 40; the control performs a fifth operating state to perform a detection scan on the second slide.

In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings are merely for convenience in describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more, unless explicitly defined otherwise.

It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless explicitly stated and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "mechanically coupled," and "coupled" are to be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected. Either mechanically or electrically. Can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be communicated with the inside of two elements or the interaction relationship of the two elements. The mechanical coupling or coupling of the two components includes direct coupling as well as indirect coupling, e.g., direct fixed connection, connection through a transmission mechanism, etc. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

It should be further understood that the term "and/or" as used in the present specification and the appended claims refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and includes such combinations.

The above disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different structures of the invention. The foregoing description of specific example components and arrangements has been presented to simplify the present disclosure. They are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the present invention may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples, which are for the purpose of brevity and clarity, and which do not themselves indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and/or arrangements discussed. In addition, the present invention provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the application of other processes and/or the use of other materials.

In the description of the present specification, reference to the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples," etc., means that a particular method step, feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the particular method steps, features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and substitutions of equivalents may be made and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the invention is subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sample image scanning apparatus, comprising:

2. A sample image scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide transport device comprises an advancing mechanism, the driving mechanism being coupled to the advancing mechanism, the advancing mechanism reciprocating the driving mechanism to reciprocate the buffer mount.

3. The sample image scanning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the buffer seat includes a clamping jaw portion and an opening and closing driving assembly, the buffer is disposed on the clamping jaw portion, and the opening and closing driving assembly is used for driving the clamping jaw portion to open and close.

4. The specimen image scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slide transport device includes a slide transport mechanism and a power mechanism; the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to move relative to the buffer seat so as to convey the slide back and forth between the buffer position and a scanning position, and the scanning position comprises a first scanning position or a second scanning position.

5. The sample image scanning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power mechanism is configured to drive the slide transport mechanism to open and close and move horizontally relative to the buffer seat to transport slides on the buffer seat to the scan position and transport the slides from the scan position to the buffer position.

6. The sample image scanning apparatus of claim 4, wherein said slide transport mechanism has opposite closed and open ends along an advance direction, said slide having a first end and a second end along said advance direction; when the type of sample on the slide is a first type of sample, the power mechanism is configured to drive the slide transport mechanism horizontally forward toward the scan position such that at least a portion of the slide is received within a hollow region of the slide transport mechanism until the closed end abuts the first end and such that the closed end pushes the slide from the buffer position to the scan position; the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally advance towards the scanning position so that the opening and closing end can clamp the first end; after the opening and closing end clamps the first end, the power mechanism is used for driving the slide conveying mechanism to horizontally retreat so as to drive the slide to horizontally retreat from the scanning position to the buffer position;

and/or the number of the groups of groups,

And/or the number of the groups of groups,

7. The sample image scanning device of any of claims 1-6, further comprising:

8. The sample image scanning device of any one of claims 1-6, wherein said buffering means further comprises:

9. The sample image scanning device of claim 8, further comprising:

10. The sample image scanning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the slide transport device comprises an advancing mechanism, one of the slide flip mechanism and the drive mechanism being slidably coupled to the advancing mechanism.

11. The sample image scanning device of any of claims 1-6, further comprising:

12. The sample image scanning apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the buffer, slide scheduler, scanning device, slide conveyor, the scanning device comprising a scanning mechanism and a scanning platform movable relative to the scanning mechanism, the first scanning position and the second scanning position being disposed on the scanning platform; if the first scanning position or the second scanning position is in a vacant state, the controller is configured to control the scanning platform to move so as to align the corresponding scanning position with the slide conveying device; controlling the slide conveying device to feed the slide positioned at the buffer position to the corresponding scanning position; and controlling the slide conveying device to release the slide after the slide reaches the corresponding scanning position.