EP4168809A1 - Procédé et appareil de balayage de supports d'objets à l'aide d'au moins deux scanners de supports d'objets - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil de balayage de supports d'objets à l'aide d'au moins deux scanners de supports d'objets

Info

Publication number
EP4168809A1
EP4168809A1 EP21736966.9A EP21736966A EP4168809A1 EP 4168809 A1 EP4168809 A1 EP 4168809A1 EP 21736966 A EP21736966 A EP 21736966A EP 4168809 A1 EP4168809 A1 EP 4168809A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
slide
slides
clipboard
feed unit
specimen
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21736966.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Gebing
Jürgen DEUSTER
Thomas Deuster
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP4168809A1 publication Critical patent/EP4168809A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/0099—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor comprising robots or similar manipulators
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/24—Base structure
    • G02B21/26—Stages; Adjusting means therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/34—Microscope slides, e.g. mounting specimens on microscope slides
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
    • G01N2035/00099—Characterised by type of test elements
    • G01N2035/00108—Test strips, e.g. paper
    • G01N2035/00128—Test strips, e.g. paper with pressing or squeezing devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
    • G01N2035/00099—Characterised by type of test elements
    • G01N2035/00138—Slides
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B2207/00—Coding scheme for general features or characteristics of optical elements and systems of subclass G02B, but not including elements and systems which would be classified in G02B6/00 and subgroups
    • G02B2207/123—Optical louvre elements, e.g. for directional light blocking

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a device for scanning specimen slides using at least two specimen slide scanners.
  • the slide loaded with the samples can be placed under a microscope and examined by a pathologist.
  • slide scanners which scan the slide, save the recorded data and make it available to the pathologist as a digital image on a screen.
  • Specimen slide scanners which have loading devices which can be loaded with a large number of individual specimen slides to be scanned.
  • Slide scanners are also known which have magazines specially designed for the respective scanner and which can be loaded with slides. The slide scanner can thus scan in the individual slides one after the other without the slide having to be individually inserted into the slide scanner before each scanning process.
  • sample series thus comprises all slides that are loaded with samples from a patient or with samples that are otherwise related to one another.
  • Joint archiving is advantageous because all samples of a series can be found in one place in the archive. This also has the advantage that, in the event that individual or all slides of a series have to be removed from the archive again for assessment, only one placeholder is necessary in the archive instead of many placeholders that would be necessary if the individual samples were one Series would have been archived separately in the archive.
  • Another disadvantage of the methods according to the prior art is that if a slide scanner that was loaded with the samples from a series fails, no further samples from this series are scanned and can be assessed until the slide scanner is repaired or another slide scanner is manually operated with the Samples of this series are loaded.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a method for scanning specimen slides which overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.
  • the object of the invention can thus be seen, among other things, in providing a method for scanning specimen slides in which no laborious loading and unloading of the specimen slide scanner is necessary and in which even if a specimen slide scanner fails, a subset of a sample series is scanned without the Slides have to be reloaded by hand.
  • a series of samples can be removed from the device and archived together in a simple manner and without further re-sorting.
  • the object of the invention can also include providing a device that enables the method according to the invention to be carried out.
  • a method for scanning slides using at least two slide scanners comprising the steps of a) loading a feed unit for slides with a large number of slides, each belonging to one of several sample series, b) transferring one slide each from the feed unit into each slide scanner not loaded with a slide c) carrying out a scan process for each loaded slide scanner, d) transferring each scanned slide from the respective slide scanner to a clipboard e) Providing a data record for each scan process for assessment, f) Transferring all slides of a sample series from the clipboard to a final file.
  • a feed unit in which the slides with the samples to be scanned are stored centrally until the scanning process, regardless of which of the slide scanners will carry out the scanning process.
  • the individual slide scanners are therefore not manually pre-loaded with a large number of slides that are scanned one after the other. Rather, the slide scanners are automatically loaded individually from the at least one central feed unit with the slide to be scanned. As soon as one of the slide scanners has completed the scanning process, the slide is removed and placed on the clipboard. A new slide can then be removed from the feed unit and placed in the slide scanner that was emptied last.
  • the order of the slides to be scanned can be changed at any time by exchanging individual slides in the feed unit without having to interrupt the process.
  • the scanning sequence can be set or changed without interrupting the process.
  • “slide” is understood to mean a carrier which contains the sample to be scanned.
  • the sample is usually arranged between a carrier glass plate and a cover glass or a transparent film.
  • the slide can also include a code that allows conclusions to be drawn about the sample and / or the sample series.
  • Each slide preferably comprises an individual code, preferably in the form of a machine-readable code.
  • “scanning of a slide” is understood to mean scanning the sample arranged on the slide.
  • the feed unit is a receiving device for a large number of microscope slides.
  • a feed unit is preferably provided which can be loaded with specimen slide holders in which the specimen slides are located.
  • the feed unit is designed to receive specimen slide holders.
  • the feed unit is preferably designed in such a way that specimen slide holders from different manufacturers and with a different number of slots can be accommodated randomly one after the other, the specimen slide being located in the specimen slide holders.
  • the feed unit has at least one base plate and at least one end wall. It is also provided according to the invention that the device comprises two or more feed units, so that different feed units can be used for different types of specimen slide holders.
  • the feed unit in particular the base plate, is preferably arranged at an angle such that a slide holder placed on the base plate slides against the front wall of the feed unit or against a slide holder already present in the feed unit due to the force of weight.
  • the base plate of the feed unit thus forms a beveled plane. In this way it is ensured that in the case of a feed unit loaded with specimen slide holders, a specimen slide holder is always in contact with the end wall.
  • the feed unit has the shape of a U-profile, in which at least one end is closed with an end wall.
  • the U-profile is preferably arranged in such a way that the specimen slide holder can be inserted into the profile from above.
  • One end with an end wall is preferably arranged lower than the other end, so that the base plate of the feed unit represents an inclined plane.
  • a slide holder is a holder in which several slides can be arranged essentially parallel to one another.
  • the slide holders preferably have slots for 3 to 50 slides each.
  • the specimen slides are preferably arranged in the slots in such a way that one narrow side of the specimen slide points upwards and the other narrow side downwards. The slides can be pulled out of the slide holder on the upper narrow side.
  • the step of transferring a slide from the feed unit into a slide scanner preferably includes a shaking step in which the slide, for example gripped by an industrial robot, is shaken before and / or during removal from the slide. Carrying out such a shaking movement has the effect that slides jammed in the specimen slide holder and / or stuck by adhesive residues from the lidding process can be removed without damage.
  • the specimen slide holder and the feed unit are preferably designed in such a way that the feed unit can only be loaded with specimen slide holders that are arranged in the intended orientation. This means that specimen slide holders can only be loaded into the feed unit if they are oriented so that a designated side of each specimen slide holder faces the front wall of the feed unit. This can be achieved in that one side of the slide holder has an elevation or a nose which can be brought into engagement with a corresponding protuberance or recess in the loading area of the feed unit.
  • the two outwardly directed sides of the specimen slide holder which are arranged in the feed unit parallel to the two side surfaces of the U-profile of the feed unit, differ from one another.
  • the two side surfaces of the U-profile of the feed unit also differ from one another.
  • the individual slides are manually or automatically inserted into a slide holder after staining the samples and the lidding process, so that all slides are one Slide holder are aligned in the same way.
  • the fixed orientation of the specimen slide holder within the feed unit ensures that all slides in the feed unit are aligned in the same way, so that it is not necessary to check how the specimen slide to be scanned is oriented. Which side of the slide holder is the intended side can thus be determined individually and depending on the implementation of the staining and lidding process.
  • the feed unit preferably has a hold-down device which is arranged in such a way that the first specimen slide holder arranged on the end wall of the feed unit cannot be removed from the feed unit in an upward direction. In this way, it is possible to prevent a slide holder that has not yet been completely emptied from being accidentally lifted when a slide is removed, as a result of which slides that have not yet been scanned could fall out and break.
  • the hold-down device is preferably a nose or protuberance arranged on the feed unit. To remove the specimen slide holder, it must first be moved from the end wall and thus the hold-down device in the direction of the other end of the feed unit so that it can then be removed from the feed unit upwards.
  • a specimen slide is preferably removed by an industrial robot from the first specimen slide holder resting on the end wall. Since, under certain circumstances, not all slots of the specimen slide holder are occupied by specimen slides, the industrial robot can tap the individual, possibly empty, slots one after the other until it reaches an occupied slot from which it can remove the specimen slide. In this way it is ensured that the specimen slides arrive in one of the specimen slide scanners in the order in which they are located in the specimen slide holder and that each specimen slide is scanned.
  • a sample series comprises two or more microscope slides, each of which contains samples from a patient or samples that are otherwise related to one another. Two or more such sample series are thus arranged in the feed unit.
  • the specimen slides arranged in the feed unit are removed from the feed unit, preferably in the present order, and placed in one of the unoccupied specimen slide scanners which carries out the scanning process.
  • the method according to the invention provides for the use of at least two slide scanners.
  • at least 2, but also 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more specimen slide scanners are used, depending on the number of specimen slides to be scanned.
  • the individual code of each slide that is transferred to a slide scanner is preferably recorded and stored in a database. It is also possible to save the information about which slide scanner was used to scan the slide.
  • the method according to the invention comprises one or more steps in which the slide code is scanned. It is also provided that after the code has been captured, the information about where the specimen slide is located is stored. It is preferably stored in which specimen slide scanner a specimen slide is inserted, at which position the specimen slide is placed in the clipboard and / or at which position the specimen slide is placed in the final shelf.
  • the slides, in particular their codes are preferably recorded by a separate scanner before being deposited in a slide scanner, in the clipboard and / or in the final deposit, so that the location or current position of each slide can be read out at any time.
  • step b) also includes scanning the slide code of this slide for each slide.
  • the coding of the slide preferably read, but the area on a slide is also identified in which the sample to be scanned, for example the tissue, is located. According to the invention, it is also preferably provided that only this region of a slide in which the sample to be scanned is arranged is scanned in one of the slide scanners.
  • the method can include the creation and storage of an overview image of the complete specimen slide, preferably by means of an overview scanner comprising at least one lighting unit and a camera.
  • the scanned slide is removed from the scanner and placed on the clipboard.
  • the clipboard is thus a device in which the slides are stored after the scanning process.
  • the slides are preferably stored in the order in which they are removed from the scanners and thus in the order in which they reach the clipboard, regardless of whether the slides were arranged in a different order in the feed unit.
  • the clipboard preferably comprises a plurality of slots or holders, into each of which a scanned slide can be inserted. There may be embodiments with 100, 1000, or more slots or clips on the clipboard.
  • the clipboard can thus have any number of slots or holders.
  • the clipboard preferably comprises a multiplicity of storage positions, with each storage position, that is to say each slot or holder, a specimen slide can accommodate. Each storage position can be identified via an individual identifier or coding.
  • the storage position of each slide stored here is preferably stored in a database.
  • all available slide scanners are loaded according to step b).
  • all available, loaded slide scanners carry out a scanning process in accordance with step c).
  • all available, loaded specimen slide scanners are unloaded in accordance with step d). In this way, all the slide scanners of the inventive device of the method are used and contribute to accelerating the scanning method.
  • a data record is made available for assessment for each scan process by one of the slide scanners.
  • the data record encodes, among other things, the image recorded by the slide scanner, which can be examined after it has been made available. Such an assessment is preferably carried out by a pathologist.
  • all slides of this series are transferred from the clipboard to the final file.
  • all the slides of a sample series are preferably transferred one after the other from the intermediate storage to the final storage.
  • the slides of a sample series are preferably placed one after the other in the final depository.
  • Each sample series is preferably stored in the final depository, sorted numerically, so that all the slides in a series are arranged numerically one behind the other in the final depository.
  • Step f) can be carried out for all sample series to which the slides with which the feed unit according to step a) belong.
  • the final depository is a storage device in which all slides of a sample series arranged in the clipboard can be deposited when the assessment of the sample series has been completed.
  • the end deposit can consist of several end deposits or partial end deposits.
  • Such a multi-part final depository enables a filled partial final depository to be exchanged for a new, empty partial final depository while the process is running, since another partial final depository is available for depositing the scanned slides during the change process.
  • a sample series or a multiplicity of sample series is preferably deposited in such a partial end deposit. All the slides of a series arranged in the final tray can be removed and archived together, or the partial final trays, which comprise one or more complete sample series, can be removed and archived.
  • sample series are scanned for third parties by means of the device, with these sample series having to be archived separately.
  • these sample series scanned for third parties can be stored separately from the other sample series in a separate partial end deposit.
  • the end deposit preferably has a plurality of identifiable partial end deposits.
  • the final deposit or each partial final deposit preferably has a multiplicity of final deposit positions for in each case a specimen slide, each final deposit position being able to be identified via an individual identifier.
  • the storage position in the final storage is preferably stored in a database for each slide stored here.
  • a slide is preferably removed from the feed unit as soon as a free slide scanner is available. In this way, all the specimen slides are preferably removed from the feed unit one after the other, scanned and stored in the clipboard. Each slide of the feed unit is thus preferably transferred to a slide scanner according to steps b), c) and d), scanned there and then transferred to the clipboard.
  • the specimen slides can be arranged in specimen slide holders in the feed unit.
  • the feed unit is loaded with slides arranged in slide holders and the method also comprises the steps of a ' ) removing the slide holder from the feed unit and a ” ) depositing the slide holder, preferably in a slide holder storage device, with steps a ' ) and a ” ) are preferably carried out by at least one industrial robot. Steps a ′ ) and a ” ) are preferably carried out after step a) when all slides of a slide holder have been removed.
  • the now empty specimen slide holder can thus be removed from the feed unit and the specimen slides of a further specimen slide holder arranged in the feed unit can be removed for scanning.
  • the downstream slide holders can automatically slide in the direction of the front wall. The automatic removal of the emptied slide holder creates space in the feed unit for loading the feed unit with further slide holders.
  • a check is preferably carried out to determine whether the specimen slides have been damaged. It can thus be ensured that a determination is made if a specimen slide part that was broken off during the loading or unloading process has remained in one of the specimen slide scanners.
  • the length of the slide is preferably checked.
  • the length check is preferably carried out mechanically.
  • the is particularly preferred Slides for length checking are guided past a switch, in particular a microswitch, in such a way that this is only triggered when the slide has the original length.
  • the slides that cannot be scanned by the slide scanner and / or for which the slide code is not readable and / or for which damage has been found not in the clipboard but in a separate collection device for defective slides.
  • the slides are placed in the clipboard in accordance with step d) in a random manner according to sample series.
  • a slide is randomly placed on the clipboard.
  • a slide is thus preferably pushed into a free slot in the clipboard, regardless of whether the adjacent slots are free or are occupied with slides from other sample series.
  • the order of the slides in which they are arranged in the clipboard can thus differ from the order of the slides in which they are arranged in the feed unit.
  • step f) the stored storage position in the clipboard is read out for all slides of the respective sample series and the slides are stored in the final storage, sorted according to sample series.
  • all slides of a sample series are arranged directly one behind the other in the final tray.
  • the focal plane is usually determined automatically by the software of the slide scanner. Since the samples arranged on the slides can have a surface topography, for example in the form of a structure, it regularly happens that the focal plane specified by the software is not optimally selected. It can also happen that certain sample areas that are important for the assessment are not scanned.
  • the fact that the scan was only performed inadequately is usually only determined during the assessment, for example when the pathologist examines the recorded image, at a point in time at which the specimen slides are already out of the device when using a device according to the prior art are removed and archived.
  • the method after step e) and before step f) also comprises the steps e ' ) transferring a slide from the clipboard into an unloaded slide scanner, e ” ) performing a new scan of the slide, e '" ) Transferring the rescanned slide to the clipboard.
  • the additional steps e ' ) to e '" ) ensure that an insufficiently scanned slide can be scanned again before it is placed in the final storage area.
  • this information can be transmitted to the device according to the invention so that the corresponding slide is then removed from the clipboard and transferred to an unoccupied slide scanner After the new scan has been carried out, the slide is transferred back to the clipboard.
  • the assessment is preferably carried out on a computer with a monitor on which assessment software is installed.
  • the computer can with the device according to the invention for scanning the slide after be connected to the method according to the invention and can transmit input information or control commands to the device.
  • the scan parameters for the scan process according to step e ” ) are determined after step e). It is thus possible that during the assessment on the represented scan of the specimen slide it can be determined which focal plane is to be used in the new scan according to step e ” ).
  • a focal plane can preferably be defined in the displayed image by defining three points that determine the focal plane. You can also specify which area of the slide is to be scanned. This information can be transmitted to the device according to the invention so that the corresponding slide can be removed from the clipboard and the slide scanner performing the scan can focus on this plane or this scan area.
  • step e) it is preferably determined for each data record whether the associated slide is to be scanned again according to steps e ' ) to e '" ).
  • Steps e ' ) to e "' ) can be for one, for several or for all slides in the clipboard are carried out.
  • step e ′ is carried out for a slide to be scanned again, primarily before step b), in which another slide is transferred from the feed unit into one of the slide scanners. In this way, a new data record from a new scan can be quickly made available for assessment.
  • At least one slide scanner differs from the other existing slide scanner (s).
  • scanners are used with lenses that differ, for example, with regard to magnification.
  • At least one slide scanner is preferably present which has an objective with a higher magnification than the majority of the other slide scanners. In this way it can be ensured that everyone Slide can be scanned with the appropriate slide scanner. This is particularly important if, for example, a new scanning process according to step e ” ) is to be carried out on a slide, for example if a specific area of the slide needs to be scanned in greater detail. In this case, you can select the slide scanner that offers the optimal level of magnification.
  • steps b), d), f), e ' ) and e '" is carried out by at least one industrial robot.
  • steps b ), d), f), e ' ) and e '" are carried out by at least one industrial robot.
  • steps b ), d), f) and, if present in the method, likewise steps e ' ) and e '" ) are carried out by at least one industrial robot.
  • Particularly preferred is one, several or all of steps b), d), f, e ' ) and e '" ) are carried out by a single industrial robot.
  • At least one industrial robot is understood to mean one or more programmable machines which alone or together can carry out the process steps provided for the industrial robot. If only a single industrial robot is used, it is designed in such a way that it can carry out all process steps for which the use of the industrial robot is intended.
  • the industrial robot preferably comprises a robot arm, a control device and a gripper.
  • the at least one industrial robot is an articulated arm robot.
  • the at least one industrial robot is preferably a 6-axis, a 7-axis or an 8-axis articulated arm robot.
  • the articulated arm robot preferably has a gripper for gripping the specimen slide.
  • a specimen slide is preferably also placed in a specimen slide scanner by the same articulated arm robot that removes the specimen slide from the feed unit, removed from the specimen slide scanner, transferred to the clipboard and the final depository.
  • the slide scanners are preferably arranged in such a way that the industrial robot can load and unload each slide scanner.
  • the slide scanners can be arranged in one plane.
  • the specimen slide scanners can be arranged next to one another as well as one above the other, so that a wall of specimen slide scanners is formed.
  • Several walls of specimen slide scanners can also be arranged around the industrial robot.
  • the method according to the invention comprises at least steps a) to f).
  • the method according to the invention can thus comprise further method steps.
  • step b) is repeated before step d) is carried out until each slide scanner is loaded with a slide.
  • Process steps b) to f) are preferably repeated until all slides have been removed from the feed unit and / or until the clipboard is completely emptied.
  • method step a) is carried out again at the same time as one of method steps b) to f).
  • the method according to the invention thus provides for the further loading of the feed unit with specimen slides while the method is running.
  • the method consists of steps a) to f), and optionally also of steps e ' ) to e " ) and / or a ' ), a " ), each step being able to be carried out several times.
  • information can be transmitted between the individual components of the device according to the invention, such as the slide scanners and the at least one industrial robot, or between the individual components and a central control device, so that the individual process steps are coordinated in time be able.
  • a slide scanner can output an information signal with the information that the scanning process has been completed. This signal can be converted into a control signal for the industrial robot that causes it to remove the corresponding slide from the slide scanner and insert it into a free slot in the clipboard or transfer it from the clipboard to the final shelf.
  • the control device can also be designed as part of the industrial robot itself.
  • an industrial robot immediately removes a slide from the feed unit and places this slide in the unloaded slide scanner or the slide scanner that was emptied last, regardless of this whether in the meantime another slide scanner has transmitted the information that the scanning process has been completed. In this way, the downtime of the slide scanner is reduced.
  • the specimen slide scanners can have a rotatable receptacle for specimen slides.
  • the receptacle is particularly preferably designed as a turntable which rotates through 90 ° about a vertical axis for loading.
  • Many specimen slide scanners according to the prior art have a receptacle for specimen slides, in which the specimen slides are to be inserted from the side, from a frontal view of the specimen slide scanner.
  • the slide holder is rotated for loading so that the slide can be inserted frontally into the holder.
  • the object of the invention is also to provide a device for scanning specimen slides according to the method according to the invention which overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.
  • a device for scanning specimen slides according to the method according to the invention comprising
  • the device comprises at least one industrial robot which is designed to carry out one, several or all of steps b), d) and f) and / or which is designed to carry out steps e ′ ) and e ′′ )
  • the device preferably comprises a single industrial robot which is designed to carry out all of steps b), d) and f), and / or steps e ' ) and e '").
  • the device thus preferably comprises only a single industrial robot, preferably a single articulated arm robot, for transporting the slide from the feed unit to a slide scanner, from a slide scanner to the clipboard, from the clipboard to the final shelf, and optionally from the clipboard to a slide scanner.
  • the device according to the invention is designed to carry out the method according to the invention.
  • the device thus enables the method to be carried out independently, continuously and without manual intervention, with data records being made available for assessment.
  • the device components A) to D) are preferably arranged on a base frame, so that a compact device is provided which is so mobile that it can be transported through door openings, for example, without dismantling.
  • the base frame is preferably provided with a cladding which surrounds the feed unit, the shelves and the specimen slide scanner.
  • a control panel and / or control elements can be provided for operating the device.
  • Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inventive
  • Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention in a schematic representation.
  • Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inventive
  • FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inventive
  • FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention in a schematic representation.
  • FIG. 6 shows a section of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention in a schematic representation.
  • FIG. 7 shows a section of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention in a schematic representation.
  • a device 1 for scanning specimen slides in a perspective view comprising a base frame 2 on which a feed unit 6 and several slide scanners 7, 8 and an industrial robot 13 in the form of an articulated arm robot are arranged.
  • the device is provided with a cladding 3 which is mounted on the base frame 2.
  • the device can be operated by means of a control panel 4 and with the help of control elements 5.
  • the device has a flap, shown here in the open state, which can be closed so that the working area of the industrial robot 13 is not accessible from the outside.
  • the feed unit 6 can be loaded from the outside with specimen slide holders, which are loaded with specimen slides, through a recess in the cladding in the area of the feed unit 6.
  • the articulated arm robot 13 can transfer the specimen slide arranged in the feed unit by means of a gripper 15 into the specimen slide scanners 7, 8 and the other specimen slide scanners not provided with reference numbers here. As soon as all the slides of a slide holder arranged in the feed unit 6 have been transferred to a slide scanner, the articulated arm robot 13 transfers the empty slide holder to the slide holder tray 18 with the aid of the gripper 15, which is accessible from the outside through a recess in the cladding 3.
  • Fig. 2 shows a device 1 according to the invention in a perspective view comprising six slide scanners 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 mounted on a side wall of the base frame After a scan has been carried out, slides can be temporarily stored in one of the six slide scanners 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 before the slides are scanned again or transferred to the final depository.
  • FIG. 3 shows a device 1 according to the invention in a side view with the specimen slide scanners 7, 9, 10, which can be loaded with specimen slides by the industrial robot 13.
  • the scanned slides can then be transferred to the clipboard 16. From the clipboard 16, the specimen slides can either be scanned again in one of the specimen slide scanners or transferred to the final tray 17.
  • Fig. 4 shows a device 1 according to the invention from a view from above.
  • the device 1 comprises the specimen slide scanners 7, 8.
  • the articulated arm robot 13 can remove specimens 14 from the feed unit 6 and transfer them to the specimen slide scanners 7, 8.
  • the scanned slides 14 can be transferred to the clipboard 16 by the articulated arm robot 13.
  • the slides 14 can be transferred from the intermediate storage 16 to the final storage 17.
  • the end deposit 17 is constructed in several parts, here in five parts.
  • the intermediate storage device 16 has a multiplicity of storage positions for one slide 14 in each case.
  • the slides 14 can be stored in a disordered manner according to the sample series. All slides 14 of a sample series that are randomly distributed in the intermediate storage 16 can be removed from the intermediate storage 16 one after the other by the articulated arm robot 13 and arranged one behind the other in the final storage 17.
  • all slides 14 of a sample series can be arranged in a partial final depository and can be removed together and, for example, archived.
  • FIG. 5 shows a device 1 according to the invention in a perspective view, in which a multiplicity of specimen slide scanners 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, an industrial robot 13 and an end tray 17 are shown.
  • a multiplicity of specimen slide scanners 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, an industrial robot 13 and an end tray 17 are shown.
  • an end tray 17 is shown.
  • Slide holder tray 18 can be seen, which is designed to empty
  • the device also comprises a collecting device for faulty specimen slides 19, into which the specimen slides are transferred which cannot be scanned, in which a defect has been found or whose codes cannot be read out.
  • FIG. 6 shows a detail view of a device 1 according to the invention, in which a feed unit 6 loading with specimen slides 14, an intermediate depository 16 and an end depository 17 are shown.
  • the feed unit 6 is designed as a two-part feed unit 6, each sub-feed unit 6 having a base plate arranged at an angle.
  • the feed unit 6 is designed to accommodate individual slides 14 or slide holders that are loaded with slides 14, to record. Slide holders that are placed in the feed unit 6 can slide against an end wall due to the force of weight.
  • FIG. 7 shows a partial representation of a device according to the invention.
  • a feed unit 6, an intermediate shelf 16 and an end shelf 17 are shown.
  • the feed unit 6 is designed to receive slide holders loaded with slides.
  • the clipboard 16 is designed to accommodate a multiplicity of specimen slides, each storage position of the clipboard 16 having an individual identifier.
  • the end tray 17 is also designed to accommodate a large number of microscope slides. While the slides in the intermediate storage 16 are generally not arranged according to sample series, the slides in the final shelf 17 are arranged according to sample series.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Microscoopes, Condenser (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de balayage de supports d'objets utilisant au moins deux scanners de supports d'objets, comprenant les étapes consistant à : a) charger une pluralité de supports d'objets sur une unité d'alimentation de supports d'objets, chaque support d'objet faisant partie d'une série d'échantillons appartenant à une pluralité de séries d'échantillons, b) transférer un support d'objet depuis l'unité d'alimentation vers tout scanner de support d'objet sur lequel aucun support d'objet n'est chargé, c) effectuer un processus de balayage pour chaque scanner de support d'objet chargé, d) transférer chaque support d'objet qui a été balayé depuis le scanner de support d'objet vers un tampon, e) fournir un ensemble de données pour chaque processus de balayage en vue d'une analyse, f) transférer tous les supports d'objets d'une série d'échantillons depuis le tampon vers une position finale.
EP21736966.9A 2020-06-18 2021-06-15 Procédé et appareil de balayage de supports d'objets à l'aide d'au moins deux scanners de supports d'objets Pending EP4168809A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102020116138.7A DE102020116138A1 (de) 2020-06-18 2020-06-18 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Scannen von Objektträgern unter Verwendung mindestens zweier Objektträgerscanner
PCT/DE2021/100510 WO2021254564A1 (fr) 2020-06-18 2021-06-15 Procédé et appareil de balayage de supports d'objets à l'aide d'au moins deux scanners de supports d'objets

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4168809A1 true EP4168809A1 (fr) 2023-04-26

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21736966.9A Pending EP4168809A1 (fr) 2020-06-18 2021-06-15 Procédé et appareil de balayage de supports d'objets à l'aide d'au moins deux scanners de supports d'objets

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20230221342A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4168809A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2023530014A (fr)
CN (1) CN115917328A (fr)
DE (1) DE102020116138A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2021254564A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019109962A1 (de) * 2019-04-15 2020-10-15 Thomas Deuster Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Scannen von Objektträgern
US11978191B1 (en) 2023-10-23 2024-05-07 Pramana, Inc. System and method of digitalizing a slide

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AUPR376101A0 (en) * 2001-03-15 2001-04-12 Vision Biosystems Limited Slide holder for an automated slide loader
US20120075695A1 (en) * 2010-09-23 2012-03-29 Deblasis Christopher A Holder for carrying and facilitating auto-loading of microscope specimen slides
US8388891B2 (en) 2010-12-28 2013-03-05 Sakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc. Automated system and method of processing biological specimens
EP3753041A4 (fr) * 2018-02-13 2022-03-23 bioMérieux, Inc. Systèmes de manipulation d'échantillons, spectromètres de masse et procédés associés

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WO2021254564A1 (fr) 2021-12-23
DE102020116138A1 (de) 2021-12-23
JP2023530014A (ja) 2023-07-12
CN115917328A (zh) 2023-04-04
US20230221342A1 (en) 2023-07-13

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