GB1593064A - Automatic microscope specimen slide examination apparatus - Google Patents
Automatic microscope specimen slide examination apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB1593064A GB1593064A GB4895877A GB4895877A GB1593064A GB 1593064 A GB1593064 A GB 1593064A GB 4895877 A GB4895877 A GB 4895877A GB 4895877 A GB4895877 A GB 4895877A GB 1593064 A GB1593064 A GB 1593064A
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- Prior art keywords
- specimen slide
- specimen
- stage
- slide
- microscope
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B21/00—Microscopes
- G02B21/32—Micromanipulators structurally combined with microscopes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B21/00—Microscopes
- G02B21/34—Microscope slides, e.g. mounting specimens on microscope slides
Description
(54) AUTOMATIC MICROSCOPE SPECIMEN SLIDE
EXAMINATION APPARATUS
(71) I, MICHAEL PETER GEORGES, a citizen of the United States of America, of
Glendale Road, Walpole, Massachusetts, United
States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates, in general, to microscopes.
Microscopes are widely used for the examination of biological and mineral specimens and often, as in the medical field, it is desirable to regularly examine large quantities of specimens such as the blood of hospitalized patients. In such cases, electronic systems may be used to automatically examine and analyze the optical images of the microscope. Where electronics systems are used for rapid analysis of microscope specimen images it becomes desirable to automatically regularly and rapidly feed the specimens to the microscope optics. After analysis a specimen would be removed to make room for the next specimen and would be collected for either further examination, reference, record keeping or disposal.
A microscope specimen stage is the platform of the microscope which supports the specimen slide that carries the object to be examined.
If the object to be examined is to be viewed with transmitted light then it is necessary for the specimen stage or support to have a light transmissive opening in alignment with the microscope objective lens light path. The specimen stage has this opening for light transmission in or near its centre. In order that as much area of the specimen slide as possible to be viewed during examination of the specimen without sliding the specimen slide about the specimen stage this opening in the specimen stage is made as large as possible and exposes the full width of the specimen slide. If the specimen slide were pushed onto the specimen stage while the specimen stage were positioned in the light path of the microscope objective and condenser lenses the specimen slide would drop into this opening.
Specimen slides for use with microscopes at present are generally made of transparent glass.
This glass is extremely brittle and chips, abrades, and fractures very easily. What might otherwise be considered normal and safe procedures for handling and clamping most other materials are generally not satisfactory for glass microscope specimen slides. The scraping action and the abrasiveness of the glass edges will quickly deteriorate and make useless many of the metal and plastic surfaces contacted by it if excessive rubbing pressure is applied. Because of these scraping, chipping, fracturing and abrasive characteristics the glass microscope specimen slides must be handled gently and carefully. Heavy clamping of the glass surfaces and applying excessive surface and side pres sures on it should be avoided. When moving the specimen slide about, excessive rubbing of the glass edges against metal and plastic surfaces should be avoided.
However, no matter how it is avoided elsewhere, clamping and guiding of the gasss specimen slide cannot be avoided on the microscope specimen stage. If the specimen slide is to be seated securely and aligned properly it must be guided into position accurately and then clamped, but this clamping must be done as gently as possible.
In its broadest sense, the invention provides a microscope specimen slide positioning and examination apparatus comprising a storage magazine for storing a plurality of microscope specimen slides, means for moving the magazine to present a selected specimen slide to an entry or exit position relative thereto, transfer means for transferring the selected specimen slide to and from the magazine, a microscope slide stage structure adapted to receive a selected specimen slide when transferred by the transfer means and to register and retain said specimen slide without subsequent relative movement, positioning means for supporting said stage structure and for moving said stage structure and the specimen slide retained thereby in a geometric plane and a microscope optical viewing system arranged so that said movement of said positioning means permits optical examination of the specimen slide by said viewing system.
In a major embodiment the invention provides a bio-medical microscope specimen slide positioning apparatus adapted for use in automatic sequential examination of a group of microscope specimen slides and comprising: a storage magazine for storing a plurality of said microscope specimen slides in individual stacked relationship; means for said magazine operable for indexing a specimen slide to a specimen slide exit or entry position; specimen slide transfer means positioned relative to said storage magazine for removing and transporting from said magazine said specimen slide located in said magazine and positioned at said specimen slide exit or entry position; a microscope specimen slide stage for receiving a specimen slide from said magazine; means for positioning and retaining said specimen slide on said specimen slide stage; translation means for moving and positioning said stage with a specimen slide supported thereon in a geometric plane; and means for mounting to the apparatus a microscope optical viewing system in a disposition adjacent to said stage retained specimen slide such that by operation of said translation means said specimen slide can be moved about and positioned in the optical axis of said optical viewing system for optically examining the specimen on said specimen slide; said specimen slide transfer means including means positioned relative to said stage for removing said specimen slide from said stage after microscrope examination.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a biomedical microscope specimen slide positioning system adapted for automatic sequential examination of a group of specimen slides comprising: a transparent microscope specimen slide wherein a specimen to be examined is in use placed thereon and said specimen slide is operable for supporting, displaying and conveying said specimen; a storage magazine for storing a plurality of said microscope specimen slides; means for said magazine operable for indexing said specimen slide to a specimen slide exit or entry position; specimen slide transfer means positioned relative to said storage magazine for removing and transporting from said magazine said specimen slide located in said magazine and positioned at said specimen slide exit or entry position; a microscope specimen slide stage; translation means operable for moving and positioning said stage retained specimen slide about within a geometric plane; a microscope optical viewing system positioned near said stage retained specimen slide such that by activation of said translation means said specimen slide is moved about and positioned in the optical axis of said optical viewing system for optically examining the specimen on said specimen slide; a substage condenser lens system operable for focusing on and directing concentrated light through said stage retained specimen slide at the area of said specimen being examined and into said microscope optical viewing system; an objective lens assembly of said microscope optical viewing system positioned to receive the concentrated light directed through said stage retained specimen slide and into said microscope optical viewing system by said substage condenser lens system; and means for focusing said microscope optical viewing system on the specimen slide supported specimen when said specimen slide is retained by said stage; said specimen slide transfer means including means positioned relative to said stage for removing said specimen slide from said stage after microscope examination; and said microscope specimen slide stage being positioned to get and retain said specimen slide to be transferred from said magazine and including means at said microscope stage for providing for the passage of microscope illumi- nation past said stage and through said specimen slide at the area of said specimen being examined and into the microscope optical viewing system.
An embodiment of apparatus made in accordance with this invention automatically takes microscope specimen slides one at a time from a storage magazine and places them onto the microscope specimen stage in an area adjacent to the objective and condenser lens system and then the specimen stage moves horizontally and carries the specimen slide into the optical light path of the microscope objective lens for viewing. The viewing is generally done electronically without operator intervention except where the operator wishes to check or review a specific item. Once the specimen slide is in the optical light path of the microscope objective lens a signal generated by the microscope viewing electronics will activate the specimen stage assembly Z axis focusing control motor and move the microscope stage in a vertical direction unitl the specimen is in focus. Other signals generated by the system electronics will activate the X and Y axis positional control motors and accurately move the specimen slide about the horizontal examination plane and place the specimen in any position or series of positions required for examination of the specimen. Focusing of the specimen during these positional changes is automatically corrected by the microscope viewing electronics control signals if required.
The specimen slide is pushed onto the microscope specimen stage from the magazine in which slides are stored to a position in which the specimen slide selected from the magazine is adjacent to the microscope objective and condenser lens system and out of the optical light path. The large specimen stage opening in this adjacent position is bridged by a structural member temporarily positioned such that the specimen slide can be pushed onto the specimen stage without dropping through the opening when supported by the temporary filler.
After the specimen slide is seated the loaded specimen stage then moves into the light path of the objective and condenser lenses for viewing of the specimen while the filler stays behind and remains out of the optical field of view.
In the preferred embodiment described hereinafter the specimen slide is placed directly onto the microscope stage which is positioned in the loading area and waiting for the specimen
slide to arrive and be deposited upon it. An alternative would be for the specimen slide to be placed in the loading area when the microscope stage is not there but is elsewhere in an adjacent position. Then the microscope stage would move from this adjacent position to the specimen slide loading position and pick up and retain the waiting specimen slide.
Once the examination of the specimen is
completed the specimen slide is removed in
order to make room for the next one. The
specimen slide is put back into the magazine but could be channelled elsewhere if desired.
When the specimen slide has been placed back into the specimen slide magazine or otherwise removed from the specimen slide feed path then the magazine will automatically index to bring the next specimen slide into position for dispensing or feeding. The cycle is then continued and the next specimen slide is fed to the microscope specimen stage for observation.
After the examination of a particular series of specimen slides has been completed any individual specimen slide that requires re-examination can by either operator signals or by predetermined control signals be fed automatically back into the microscope viewing optics for further examination.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of the overall specimen slide storing, feeding and
X-Y-Z axis translation and positioning portions of a microscope slide positioning apparatus made in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 rotated couterclockwise approximately 120- including parts not shown in Figure 1 and showing the extent of "X" and "Y" axis motion in phantom.
Figure 3 is a left elevation view to Figure 2, partially broken away to show the Y and Z axis translation and positioning drives with the extent of Y axis motion shown in phantom.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with other parts broken away to show the extent of focusing or Z axis travel.
Figure 5 is a front elevation view of Figure 2 partially in section taken approximately along the line 5-5.
Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of
Figure 1 showing details of the specimen slide stage.
Referring now to the drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is orientated such that the specimen slide is always in a horizontal plane except where slight longitudinal tilting may be used during the specimen slide transfer. This constant horizontal position of the specimen slide makes optimum use of gravity for moving, locating, restraining, and holding the specimen slide in place. Heavy clamping is avoided and where clamping is required only light gentle pressures are applied. Also, excessive pressures in sliding the specimen slide into spring loaded clips or clamps are avoided since the rubbing action has a detrimental abrasive eroding action on the glass edges and corners and on the surfaces of the materials contacted. However, where spring loaded guides and clips are used light pressures and low incidence contact angles are used.
SPECIMEN SLIDE MAGAZINE INDEXING
ASSEMBLY
The specimen slide magazine indexing assembly generally designated 11 has a group of specimen slides 12 that are retained and grouped in a spaced apart relationship within a magazine 13. A control drive motor 14 indexes the magazine 13 successively so that the specimen slides 12 may be properly dispensed to the microscope specimen stage 35 in specific order or sequence. After examination the specimen slides 12 are returned to the magazine 13 in the embodiment shown.
After the transparent glass specimen slides 12 have been prepared with the object to be examined they are placed in the magazine 13 as shown. The magazine 13 may be designed to hold any convenient number of specimen slides, for example 60. The magazine is used primarily as a temporary storage station from which to dispense and recover specimen slides during the examination process but may also be used for long term storage.
Once loaded with prepared specimen slides 12 the magazine 13 is placed into a magazine support bracket 15 which is mounted on verti
cal ball bearing slides 20 and is in threaded
engagement with a lead screw 16 which may be
of the recirculating ball type driven by control
motor 14. Magazine 13 is secured in place by
suitable retaining means such as detents, not shown. When the magazine 13 is in place in the
magazine indexing assembly 11, the specimen
slides 12 within the magazine are in a horizon
tal plane. The specimen slides 12 are supported
loosely in grooves 17 formed on the interior of
the magazine 13, and, if desired, may be re
strained in the magazine by lightly tensioned
spring clips (not shown). These spring clips may
contact either the face or the edges of the speci
men slides (or both) when the specimen slides
are in the grooves 17. These grooves 17 are
open at one end at the front of the magazine to
permit discharge of the specimen slides 12 for transfer to the microscope stage 35. An elon
gated vertical opening 18 is provided in the rear
of the magazine 13 to permit a push bar 19 to
enter and contact the back edge of the selected
specimen slide 12 and slide it onto the specimen stage 35 of the microscope. The front of
the magazine 13 is open to allow the specimen
slide entry into and exit from the magazine, but a thin cover (not illustrated) may be placed on the front of the magazine after loading to act
as a dust cover and to prevent accidental spill
age during handling. This thin cover is slipped
off when the magazine is inserted into the
magazine support bracket and may be slipped
on again when the magazine is to be removed.
Magazine indexing is preferably electroni
cally controlled and programmed so as rapidly
to position each specimen slide for dispensing
in successive order or any other sequence by
the slide transfer mechanism.
Other specimen slide storage receptacles
than the described magazine may be used and
other specimen slide indexing or positioning
techniques such as a gravity feed may be used
for placing the specimen slides into the dis
pensing or feeding position. These alternative
methods however will generally lack the flexi
bility of the described system which permits
dispensing of specimen slides in any sequence
desired and which also permits review of any
number of previously examined specimen
slides and in any order desired.
SPECIMEN SLIDE TRANSFER MECHANISM
ASSEMBLY:
There are two specimen slide transfer mechanisms used, one to push the specimen
slide 1 2 from the specimen slide magazine 1 3 onto the microscope stage specimen slide seat
21 and 21' and the other to push the specimen
slide 12 back into the magazine 13 after it has been examined. An alternative transfer mech
anism could provide a single mechanism in a
push to load and then pull to unload arrange
ment instead of the present push to load and then push to unload arrangement.
After the specimen slide magazine 13 has indexed to a specimen slide dispensing position the push bar 19 enters through the rear opening 18 of the magazine 13 to contact the back edge of the specimen slide 12 and slides the specimen slide 12 into the microscope stage slide seat 21 and 21'. The push bar 19 which contacts the end of the specimen slide 12 has a channel shape with the flanges 23 of the channel pointing down. A cutout 22 makes the end of push bar 19 contact the specimen slide 12 at two points. The flanges 23 of the push bar channel section are longer than and overlap the thickness of the specimen slide 12 that they push against. This is to ensure full contact between the push bar and the end of the specimen slide. Grooves 24 are provided in the microscope specimen stage 35 to allow clearance of the push bar channel flanges 23.
Tulle pushing motion for the specimen slide 12 is essentially rectilinear and may be either essentially constant in speed or it may have a controlled acceleration upon starting the specimen slide transfer and a controlled deceleration upon bringing the specimen slide to rest at the end of its travel. Controlling the acceleration and deceleration of the specimen slide transfer is useful in minimizing the inertia effects of sudden starts and stops during the faster specimen slide transfer rates.
The push bar 19 may be actuated by any suitable linear motion device such as a scotch yoke or cam, rack and pinion gears or a screw and nut that is coupled to a drive means. In the embodiment shown, a partial scotch yoke 25 and partial revolution reversible drive motor 26 are used.
Insertion of the specimen slide 12 into the seated and retained position on the stage seats 21, 21' is the illustrated in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, there are provided a fixed edge guide 46 and spring clamping edge guide which is in the form of a bowed spring wire 48. The bowed spring wire 48 is slidably supported in transverse openings in posts 49 which are mounted on the projections of stage 35. Upon entry of a specimen slide one edge thereof contacts spring wire 48 with a low angle of incidence and the flexing of wire 48 urges the other edge of the specimen slide against fixed edge guide 46. The inserting motion proceeds until the slide engages end stop 27 which may be undercut at an angle 29 to hold down the specimen slide.
The specimen slide 12 is pushed up against the specimen stage slide end stop 27 with spring loaded means 28 provided in the scotch yoke drive 25 to allow the push bar 19 to push the specimen slide 12 firmly into the end stop 27 without crushing it or excessively impacting it.
After the push bar 19 has completed its forward push of the specimen slide 12 (and dwell if a swell is used), then a reverse drive by motor 26 reversed the direction of the push bar linear motion actuator 25 to move the push bar 19 back to its starting position.
To remove the specimen slide 12 from the microscope specimen stage 35 a corresponding push bar mechanism (operating left to right in
Fig. 2) comprises push bar 19', partial scotch yoke 25 and motor 26' energized as desired to return the specimen slide 12 to the magazine
13.
MICROSCOPE STAGE POSITIONER
ASSEMBLY
The microscope stage positioner assembly comprises a specimen slide stage 35 mounted on a precision motorized X-Y axis positioner assembly 34 for moving and positioning the specimen along a horizontal plane along with motorized up and down Z axis movement for specimen focusing.
The Y axis sliding member 36 of X-Y axis positioner assembly 34 is mounted for sliding motion in the Y direction relative to the combined Y axis stationary base and X axis sliding member 50 by means of roller bearing linear slides 37. The combined Y axis stationary base and X axis sliding member 50 in turn is mounted for motion in the X direction by means of roller bearing linear slides 38 mounted on a combined X axis stationary base and Z axis moving member 39. The precision crossed roller bearing linear slides 37, 38 provide for precision low friction linear motion when the
Y and X axis sliding members 36 and 50 are driven respectively by precision ball bearing screws 41, 42 which are rotated by stepping
control motors 43, 44 for power and position
control. The entire X-Y axis positioner assembly is supported on a Z axis positioner assembly 40 which is driven in the vertical direction as hereinafter described.
The specimen stage 35 protrudes out from the Y axis slide positioner sliding member 36 and has a wide opening 45 in its center shown occupied by filler 52 in Figures 1 and 6. Upon
Y axis motion to place the specimen slide 12 between the microscope condenser lens 9 and the microscope objective lens 10, the filler 52 remains behind and the opening 45 exposes the maximum area of the specimen slide transparent surface to illumination for optical observation.
The specimen stage 35 has an edge guide 46 and an end stop 27 which assist to constrain and position the specimen slide 12 during loading onto the specimen stage 35. The end stop 27 may have a slight inverted bevel 29 to help retain and push the specimen slide 12
downward against the stage support surfaces.
During transfer to the specimen stage 35 the
specimen slide 12 is guided into and clamped against the edge guide 46 and retained against end stop 27 by an elongated bow-shaped spring 48 which is mounted by slidably projecting through horizontal bore holes in posts 49 projecting upward from the protruding ends of specimen stage 35. As a specimen slide 12 is driven by push bar 19 the leading corner and edge engage the bow spring 48 at a low angle of incidence. Progression of the specimen slide 12 toward its seated position flexes the bow spring 48 by deflecting it from the path of one edge of the specimen slide 12, the other edge of which is referenced against the edge guide 46.
The bow spring 48 thus applies a small transverse force to the edge of the specimen slide 12 contact to maintain the specimen slide 12 position against edge guide 46. At the end of the travel of push bar 19, the specimen slide 12 is accurately positioned against end stop 27 and edge guide 46 and retained in that position by the slight pressure exerted by bow spring 48 against the free edge of the specimen slide 12.
An extended portion 51 of the combined X axis positioner stationary base and X axis positioner sliding member 50 has an upwardly extending surface 52 which serves as a bridge or filler for the specimen stage center opening 45. This filler 52 is functional only when the
Y axis positioner sliding member 36 is in its retracted position with the specimen stage 35 removed from the viewing area of the microscope objective lens 10. After a specimen slide 12 is loaded into position on the projecting supports that form the specimen slide seats 21 and 21' of specimen stage 35 the Y axis posi tioner, sliding member 36 is extended by Y axis drive motor 43 to move the specimen stage 35 outward and into the microscope objective lens viewing field. The filler 52 remains behind thereby uncovering the center opening 45 in the specimen stage 35 and exposing maximum specimen slide area to the optical viewing field.
This filler 52 in the specimen slide loading position prevents the specimen slide 12 from falling through the specimen stage opening 45 during the specimen slide loading and unloading operation.
After the specimen slide 12 is positioned between the microscope condenser lens 9 and objective lens 10, focusing is accomplished by raising and lowering the X-Y axis positioner assembly base 39. The base 39 is constrained to vertical motion by four rod guides 60 which project through linear recirculating ball bearings 61 which prevent any lateral motion but permit up and down Z axis movement. A horizontally moving inclined plane wedge 63 rides on roller bearing linear slides 64, 65 and is attached to an actuator screw 68 that is driven by a servo control motor 67. The wedge 63 vertically positions the Z axis positioner moving member 39 which is supported thereon by an under surface inclined to slide on the surface of the, wedge 63. A servo signal from the microscope optics electronics will activate the servo control meotor 67 to turn the screw 68 and drive the wedge 63 horizontally in or out therby raising or lowering the assembly comprising combined Z axis moving member and X axis stationary base 39, combined X axis sliding member and Y axis stationary base 50, Y axis sliding member 36 and specimen stage 35 for focusing. The servo control motor 67 may be geared for any desired speed reduction.
The condenser lens 9 is attached to the base
of the X axis positioner stationary base 39 by
bracket 69. This base 39 and thus the con
denser lens 9 does not move laterally in the
X-Y horizontal plane but does move up and
down in the Z axis direction with the focusing
adjustment.
An alternative to the horizontally moving
screw driven wedge used for focusing would be
for the X-Y axis positioner assembly to be
raised up and down for focusing directly by
either a vertical lead screw or rack and pinion.
The lead screw or rack and pinion might obtain
any additional motion reduction required for
fine or accurate focusing by being driven by a
gear train.
As previously described, the microscopic
examination of the specimen slide can take
place either visually or automatically by well
known techniques such as cell counting. For
this purpose the X and Y positioning systems
can be controlled manually or automatically.
Thus after focusing by operating the Z-axis
drive 67, the specimen slide carried by the stage
may be moved to any desired location relative
to the optical axis by actuation of the Y-axis
drive 43 and the X-axis drive 44. For auto
matic examination the drives 43, 44 would be energized under scan or other program control.
Upon completion of the examination of a specimen slide the horizontal positioning Y-axis drives returns the specimen slide on the stage to the position over filler 52 to permit push rod 19' to drive the slide back to storage position in the magazine 13, as previously described.
The operation of the disclosed embodiment will now be clear to those skilled in the art.
While a particular embodiment has been disclosed, many modifications thereof which, without being limited thereto, include those suggested herein, will be apparent and are to be considered as within the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.
WHAT I CLAIM IS:
1. A bio-medical microscope specimen slide positioning apparatus adapted for use in automatic sequential examination of a group of microscope specimen slides and comprising: a storage magazine for storing a plurality of said microscope specimen slides in individual stacked relationship; means for said magazine operable for indexing a specimen slide to a specimen slide exit or entry position; specimen slide transfer means positioned relative to said storage magazine for removing and transporting from said magazine said specimen slide located in said magazine and positioned at said specimen slide exit or entry position; a microscope specimen slide stage for receiving a specimen slide from said magazine, means for positioning and retaining said specimen slide on said specimen slide stage; translation means for moving and positioning said stage with a specimen slide supported thereon in a geometic plane; and means for mounting to the apparatus a microscope optical viewing system in a disposition adjacent to said stage retained specimen slide such that by operation of said translation means said specimen slide can be moved about and positioned in the optical axis of said optical viewing system for optically examining the specimen on
Claims (79)
1. A bio-medical microscope specimen slide positioning apparatus adapted for use in automatic sequential examination of a group of microscope specimen slides and comprising: a storage magazine for storing a plurality of said microscope specimen slides in individual stacked relationship; means for said magazine operable for indexing a specimen slide to a specimen slide exit or entry position; specimen slide transfer means positioned relative to said storage magazine for removing and transporting from said magazine said specimen slide located in said magazine and positioned at said specimen slide exit or entry position; a microscope specimen slide stage for receiving a specimen slide from said magazine, means for positioning and retaining said specimen slide on said specimen slide stage; translation means for moving and positioning said stage with a specimen slide supported thereon in a geometic plane; and means for mounting to the apparatus a microscope optical viewing system in a disposition adjacent to said stage retained specimen slide such that by operation of said translation means said specimen slide can be moved about and positioned in the optical axis of said optical viewing system for optically examining the specimen on said specimen slide; said specimen slide transfer means including means positioned relative to said stage for removing said specimen slide from said stage after microscope examination.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and further comprising a substage condenser lens system operable for focusing on and directing concentrated light through said stage retained specimen slide at the area of said specimen slide being examined and into said microscope optical viewing system: and an objective lens assembly of said microscope optical viewing system positioned to receive the concentrated light directed through the stage retained specimen slide and into said microcscope optical viewing system by said substage condenser lens system.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 and further comprising means for focusing said microscope optical viewing system on the specimen slide when said specimen slide is retained by said stage.
4. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said translation means serves to move said stage in a horizontal plane and there is provided further positioning means supporting said translation means and operable for moving said stage with a specimen slide supported therein vertically.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said positioning means comprises an X-Y axis table with an upper slide assembly and a lower slide assembly, each said slide assembly being composed of an upper movable member and a lower stationary member and said lower slide assembly supporting said upper slide assembly at a right angle to said lower slide assembly for slidable motion along rectangular co-ordinates.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 when appended to Claim 4, wherein said X-Y axis table is supported on and driven in the vertical direction by said further positioning means.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein said further positioning means comprises a horizontally moving inclined plane engaged with said X-Y axis table such as to impart vertical motion, said inclined plane being driven by a positioning control motor.
8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein said specimen slide stage comprises two horizontal projections extending from said upper movable member of said upper slide assembly of said X-Y axis table.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said specimen slide stage has a removable horizontal supporting structure to bridge the space in between said two horizontal projections and cooperate with said horizontal projections to temporarily form a continuous path for loading a specimen slide directly onto said specimen slide stage.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or Claim said horizontal supporting structure provides a substantially continuous horizontal surface with said horizontal projections.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 to Claim 10 wherein said horizontal supporting structure comprises a platform attached to said lower stationary member of said upper slide assembly of said X-Y axis table.
12. Apparatus according to any one of
Claims 9 to 11 wherein said two horizontal projections have aligned parallel grooves in the top surface thereof and a channel push bar is engageable with the end of a specimen slide and has flanges which extend into said grooves.
13. Apparatus according to any one of
Claims 9 to 12, wherein said specimen slide stage has side guides for engaging the edges of said specimen slide, clamping means and an end stop for said specimen slide.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein said clamping means has approximately the thickness of a specimen slide.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 13 or
Claim 14, wherein one of said side guides on said specimen slide stage is a spring loaded side guide for urging said specimen slide in line
against an opposed fixed side guide and holding
said specimen slide stationary after being seated against said end stop.
16. Apparatus according to any one of
Claims 13 to 15 wherein said side guides and said clamping means are composed of a fixed
edge guide and a spring loaded side guide sup
ported on said two horizontal projections for
engaging the edge of a slide projected onto said
specimen slide stage and for urging said speci
men slide against said fixed edge guide and holding said specimen slide stationary after
being seated against said end stop.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 15 or
Claim 16 wherein said spring loaded side guide and clamping means comprise a curved spring extending between said projections.
18. Apparatus according to Claim 15 or
Claim 16 wherein said spring loaded side guide
comprises an upwardly projecting post at the
end of each of said two projections, at least one
of said posts having a transverse opening there
through, and a bowed spring wire supported on
said posts and extending slidably through said
opening.
19. Apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein each of said posts has atransverse opening and said spring wire slidably extends
through said openings.
20. Apparatus according to any preceding
claim wherein said specimen slide transfer
means includes a bar for engaging the end of a
specimen slide.
21. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said storage magazine is vertical and has horizontal grooves for loosely retaining said specimen slides, an opening in one end of said grooves for entry and exit of said specimen slides, a stop at the other end of said grooves to position and retain said specimen slides and an opening in said storage magazine for said specimen slide transfer means to enter and engage and then project a specimen slide out of said storage magazine.
22. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said specimen slide transfer means for projecting a specimen slide out of said storage magazine has controlled smooth motion acceleration and deceleration means.
23. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said specimen slide transfer means further includes end means for pushing said specimen slide on said specimen slide stage back into said magazine.
24. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said storage magazine, said microscope specimen slide stage and said microscope optical viewing system (when mounted to the apparatus) are positioned directly adjacent to each other so as in use of the apparatus to enable transfer of the specimen slide projected form said magazine into the optical axis of said optical viewing system in a minimal span of distance.
25. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and including a supporting structure for use in transporting said specimen slide to the microscope specimen slide stage loading position and adapted so that, in use of the apparatus, said supporting structure remains behind as the loaded specimen slide stage moves the specimen slide, in use of the apparatus, into the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
26. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said specimen slide stage comprises one or more horizontal projections extending from said upper movable member of said upper slide assembly of said X-Y axis table and wherein said horizontal projections receive and support said specimen slide.
27. Apparatus according to Claim 26, and further including a supporting structure for use in transporting said specimen slide to the position that the specimen slide can be loaded, in use of the apparatus, to said horizontal projections of said specimen slide stage with said supporting structure remaining behind as the loaded horizontal projections carry the specimen slide into the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
28. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said specimen slide transfer means includes means for absorbing the overtravel motion so as not to break said specimen slide at the end of said specimen slide transfer movement of specimen slide stage.
29. Apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein said bar includes means for absorbing
the bar overtravel motion so as not to break
said specimen slide at the end of said specimen
slide transfer movement to said specimen slide
stage.
30. Apparatus according to Claim 29,
wherein said means for absorbing the bar over
travel motion is a spring.
31. A microscope specimen slide positioning
and examination apparatus comprising a storage
magazine for storing a plurality of microscope specimen slides, means for moving the magazine
to present a selected specimen slide to an entry
or exit position relative thereto, transfer means
for transferring the selected specimen slide to
and from the magazine, a microscope slide stage
structure adapted to receive a selected specimen
slide when transferred by the transfer means
and to register and retain said specimen slide
without subsequent relative movement, posi
tioning means for supporting said stage struc
ture and for moving said stage structure and
the specimen slide retained thereby in a geo
metric plane and a microscope optical viewing
system arranged so that said movement of said
positioning means permits optical examination
of the specimen slide by said viewing system.
32. A bio-medical microscope specimen slide
positioning system adapted for automatic se
quential examination of a group of specimen slides comprising: a transparent microscope
specimen slide wherein a specimen to be
examined is in use placed thereon and said
specimen slide is operable for supporting,
displaying and conveying said specimen; a
storage magazine for storing a plurality of said
microscope specimen slides; means for said
magazine operable for indexing said specimen
slide to a specimen slide exit or entry position;
specimen slide transfer means positioned
relative to said storage magazine for removing
and transporting from said magazine said speci
men slide located in said magazine and posi
tioned at said specimen slide exit or entry posi
tion; a microscope specimen slide stage; means
for positioning and retaining said specimen
slide on said specimen slide stage; translation
means operable for moving and positioning said
stage retained specimen slide about within a geometric plane; a microscope optical viewing system positioned near said stage retained specimen slide such that by activation of said translation means said specimen slide is moved about and positioned in the optical axis of said optical viewing system for optically examining the specimen on said specimen slide; a substage condenser lens system operable for focusing on and directing concentrated light through said stage retained specimen slide at the area of said specimen being examined and into said microscope optical viewing system; an objective lens assembly of said microscope optical viewing system positioned to receive the concentrated light directed through said stage retained specimen slide and into said microscope optical viewing system by said substage condenser lens system; and means for focusing said microscope optical viewing system on the specimen slide supported specimen when said specimen slide is retained by said stage; said specimen slide transfer means including means positioned relative to said stage for removing said specimen slide from said stage after microscope examination; and said microscope specimen slide stage being positioned to get and retain said specimen slide to be transferred from said magazine and including means at said microscope stage for providing for the passage of microscope illumination past said stage and through said specimen slide at the area of said specimen being examined and into the microscope optical viewing system.
33. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said focusing means comprises Z axis translation means operable for relative motion between said optical viewing system and said stage retained specimen slide along the optical axis of said optical viewing system to focus said optical viewing system on the specimen.
34. The system according to Claim 32 or
Claim 33 wherein said focusing means comprises Z axis translation means operable for moving and positioning said stage retained specimen slide along the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
35. The system according to any one of
Claims 32 to 34 wherein said translation means comprises X-Y axis translation means for translation along rectangular co-ordinates.
36. The system according to Claim 35 wherein said X-Y axis translation means comprises an X-Y axis motion actuator driving said stage retained specimen slide.
37. The system according to Claim 35 or
Claim 36 wherein said focusing means comprises specimen slide stage Z axis translation means operable for moving and positioning said stage retained specimen slide along the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
38. The system according to Claim 35 wherein said X-Y axis translation means comprises an X-Y axis motion actuator driving said stage retained specimen slide, said X-Y axis motion actuator comprising a Y axis slide assembly and a X axis slide assembly and each said slide assembly comprising a movable member and a stationary base, said X axis slide assembly being coupled to and driving said Y axis slide assembly at a right angle to said X axis slide assembly for imparting linear motion along rectangular co-ordinates.
39. The system according to Claim 38 wherein said focusing means comprises said
X-Y axis actuator driven in the Z axis direction by Z axis translation means and operable for moving and positioning said stage retained specimen slide along the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
40. The system according to Claim 38 wherein said focusing means comprises said X-Y axis motion actuator supported by and driven in the Z axis direction by Z axis translation means and operable for moving and positioning said stage retained specimen slide along the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
41. The system according to Claim 40 wherein said Z axis translation means comprises a transverse moving inclined plane engaged with said X-Y axis motion actuator such as to impart Z axis motion to said stage.
42. The system according to Claim 38 wherein said specimen slide stage is attached to said movable member of said Y axis slide assembly of said X-Y axis motion actuator and said stage includes two projections to get and retain said specimen slide.
43. The system according to Claim 42 wherein said specimen slide stage has a removable planar supporting structure to bridge the space between said two projections and cooperate with said projections temporarily to form an essentially continuous path for loading said specimen slide directly onto said specimen slide stage.
44. The system according to Claim 43 wherein said planar supporting structure provides a substantially continuous surface with said projections.
45. The system according to Claim 44 wherein said two projections and said surface have aligned parallel grooves in the top surface
thereof and said specimen slide transfer means includes a channel bar for engaging and moving
a specimen slide and the flanges of said channel
bar extend into said grooves.
46. The system according to Claim 43
wherein said removable planar supporting
structure comprises a structure attached to said
stationary base of said Y axis slide assembly of
said X-Y axis motion actuator.
47. The system according to Claim 43
wherein said two projections have aligned
parallel grooves in the top surface thereof and said specimen slide transfer means includes a
channel bar for engaging and moving a speci
men slide and the flanges of said channel bar extend into said grooves.
48. The system according to Claim 42 wherein said specimen slide stage has side
guides for engaging the edges of said specimen slide and clamping means and an end stop for said specimen slide.
49. The system according to Claim 48 wherein one of said side guides on said specimen slide stage is a spring loaded side guide for urging said specimen slide in line against an opposed fixed side guide and holding said specimen slide stationary after being seated against
said end stop.
50. The system according to Claim 49 wherein said spring loaded side guide and clamping means includes a curved spring.
51. The system according to Claim 42 wherein said specimen slide stage has side guides and clamping means approximately the thickness of a specimen slide and an end stop for a specimen slide.
52. The system according to Claim 38 wherein said specimen slide stage is attached to said movable member of said Y axis slide assembly of said X-Y axis motion actuator and said stage includes one or more projections to get and retain said specimen slide.
53. The system according to Claim 52 including a supporting structure for use in transporting said specimen slide to the position that the specimen slide is transferred to said projections of said specimen slide stage, said supporting structure remaining behind as said projections move the specimen slide into the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
54. The system according to Claim 38 wherein said focusing means comprises stage Z axis translation means operable for moving and positioning said stage retained specimen slide along the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
55. The system according to Claim 38 including a supporting structure for use in transporting said specimen slide to the position that the specimen slide is transferred to said specimen slide stage, said supporting structure remaining behind as the loaded specimen slide stage moves the specimen slide into the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
56. The system according to Claim 38 wherein said storage magazine has grooves for retaining said specimen slides, an opening in one end of said grooves for entry and exit of said specimen slides, a stop at the other end of said grooves to position and retain said specimen slides and an opening in said storage magazine for said specimen slide transfer means to enter and engage and then move a specimen out of said storage magazine.
57. The system according to Claim 38 including support means for said specimen slide during transfer of said specimen slide from said storage magazine to said specimen slide stage.
58. The system according to Claim 35 wherein said storage magazine has grooves for retaining said specimen slides, an opening in one end of said grooves for entry and exit of said specimen slides, a top at the other end of said grooves to position and retain said specimen slides and an opening in said storage magazine for said specimen slide transfer means to enter and engage and then move a specimen slide out of said storage magazine.
59. The system according to Claim 35 wherein said specimen slide stage includes one or more projections to get and retain said specimen slide.
60. The system according to Claim 35 including a supporting structure for use in transporting said specimen slide to the position that the specimen slide is transferred to said specimen slide stage, said supporting structure remaining behind as the loaded specimen slide stage moves the specimen slide into the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
61. The system according to Claim 35 including support means for said specimen slide during transfer of said specimen slide from said storage magazine to said specimen slide stage.
62. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said specimen slide transfer means includes a bar for engaging and moving a specimen slide out of said storage magazine.
63. The system according to Claim 62 wherein said specimen slide transfer means includes a bar for engaging said specimen slide and means for moving said specimen slide from
said specimen slide stage back into said maga
zine.
64. The system according to Claim 62
wherein said bar includes means for absorbing the bar overtravel motion so as not to break
said specimen slide at the end of said specimen
slide transfer movement to said specimen slide
stage.
65. The system according to Claim 64
wherein said means for absorbing the bar over
travel motion includes a spring.
66. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said specimen slide transfer means for removing and transporting a specimen slide from said storage magazine has controlled smooth motion acceleration and deceleration means.
67. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said storage magazine, said microscope specimen slide stage and said microscope optical viewing system are positioned directly adjacent to each other so as to transfer the specimen slide moved from said magazine to said stage and into the optical axis of said optical viewing system in a minimal span of distance.
68. The system according to Claim 32 including a supporting structure for use in transporting said specimen slide to the position where the specimen slide is transferred to said specimen slide stage, said supporting structure remaining behind as the loaded specimen slide stage moves the specimen slide into the optical axis of said microscope optical viewing system.
69. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said specimen slide transfer means includes means for absorbing the overtravel motion so as not to break said specimen slide at the end of said specimen slide transfer movement to said specimen slide stage.
70. The system according to Claim 71 wherein said means for absorbing the overt ravel motion includes a spring.
71. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said specimen slide stage includes one or more projections to get and retain said specimen slide.
72. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said specimen slide stage has side guides for engaging the edges of said specimen slide and clamping means for said specimen slide.
73. The system according to Claim 72 wherein one of said side guides on said specimen slide stage is a spring loaded side guide for urging said specimen slide in line against an opposed fixed side guide and holding said specimen slide stationary after being properly positioned.
74. The system according to Claim 73 wherein said spring loaded side guide and clamping means includes a curved spring.
75. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said specimen slide stage has side guides and clamping means for said specimen slide approximately the thickness of a specimen slide.
76. The system according to Claim 32 wherein said specimen slide is transferred from said storage magazine directly onto said specimen slide stage.
77. The system according to Claim 76 wherein said specimen slide is transferred from said storage magazine directly onto said stage such that said specimen slide, when located on said stage, is in a position directly adjacent to said microscope objective lens.
78. The system according to Claim 32 including support means for said specimen slide during transfer of said specimen slide from said storage magazine to said specimen slide stage.
79. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US74661776A | 1976-12-01 | 1976-12-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB1593064A true GB1593064A (en) | 1981-07-15 |
Family
ID=25001615
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB4895877A Expired GB1593064A (en) | 1976-12-01 | 1977-11-24 | Automatic microscope specimen slide examination apparatus |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5377541A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH618524A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2753223A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2373073A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1593064A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004110625A1 (en) * | 2003-06-12 | 2004-12-23 | Cytyc Corporation | Apparatus for removably retaining a slide within a cassette |
| US7829028B2 (en) | 2006-03-02 | 2010-11-09 | Remp Ag | Storage unit and transfer system for storing and providing biological samples |
| EP2301665A1 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2011-03-30 | Tecan Trading AG | Laser scanning microscope with magazine for test slides |
| CN108008527A (en) * | 2018-01-10 | 2018-05-08 | 华东师范大学 | A kind of full microscope microscopy instrument replaces glass slide system automatically |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS55107957A (en) * | 1979-02-13 | 1980-08-19 | Agency Of Ind Science & Technol | Analyzing method of blood image |
| JPS56108934A (en) * | 1980-02-01 | 1981-08-28 | Hitachi Ltd | Sample mounting device |
| JPS56147038A (en) * | 1980-04-18 | 1981-11-14 | Hitachi Ltd | Pretreatment for supravital stained specimen and automatic classifying apparatus using said pretreating method |
| JPS5752859A (en) * | 1980-09-16 | 1982-03-29 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co | Cell analyzer |
| JPS5754838A (en) * | 1980-09-18 | 1982-04-01 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co | Automatic specimen feeder |
| JPS6079320A (en) * | 1983-10-06 | 1985-05-07 | Ikegami Tsushinki Co Ltd | Preparation keeping device |
| FR2619932B1 (en) * | 1987-08-25 | 1991-08-30 | Suisse Electronique Microtech | DEVICE FOR FINE ADJUSTING A UNIT RELATIVE TO A REFERENCE SYSTEM AND USE OF THIS DEVICE |
| DE29712535U1 (en) * | 1997-07-16 | 1997-09-18 | Bodenseewerk Perkin Elmer Co | Sample delivery device |
| WO2004099787A1 (en) * | 2003-05-05 | 2004-11-18 | Visible Diagnostics A/S | An automatic sample transport system and use thereof |
| JP4871263B2 (en) * | 2005-03-17 | 2012-02-08 | 浜松ホトニクス株式会社 | Slide glass conveyor |
| DE102005042214A1 (en) * | 2005-09-05 | 2007-03-22 | Leica Microsystems Nussloch Gmbh | Receiving and transfer station for covered slides |
| KR101064966B1 (en) * | 2009-04-07 | 2011-09-16 | 김정우 | Slide for microscope automation microscope that equip slide loader that supply automatic movement |
| DE102011009502B4 (en) * | 2011-01-26 | 2017-11-02 | Leica Biosystems Nussloch Gmbh | Covering module for applying coverslips to slides |
| JP6022285B2 (en) * | 2012-09-28 | 2016-11-09 | シスメックス株式会社 | Specimen storage device, specimen storage method, and specimen inspection system |
| CN108226041A (en) * | 2018-03-22 | 2018-06-29 | 南京图思灵智能科技有限责任公司 | Slice handling system and pathological section scanner equipped with support component |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3738730A (en) * | 1971-07-06 | 1973-06-12 | Aerojet General Co | Microscope attachment |
| US3851972A (en) * | 1973-10-18 | 1974-12-03 | Coulter Electronics | Automatic method and system for analysis and review of a plurality of stored slides |
-
1977
- 1977-11-24 GB GB4895877A patent/GB1593064A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-11-29 DE DE19772753223 patent/DE2753223A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1977-11-30 FR FR7736083A patent/FR2373073A1/en active Granted
- 1977-11-30 CH CH1466077A patent/CH618524A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1977-12-01 JP JP14332777A patent/JPS5377541A/en active Pending
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004110625A1 (en) * | 2003-06-12 | 2004-12-23 | Cytyc Corporation | Apparatus for removably retaining a slide within a cassette |
| US7753457B2 (en) | 2003-06-12 | 2010-07-13 | Cytyc Corporation | Apparatus for removably retaining a slide within a cassette |
| US7829028B2 (en) | 2006-03-02 | 2010-11-09 | Remp Ag | Storage unit and transfer system for storing and providing biological samples |
| CN101029857B (en) * | 2006-03-02 | 2014-12-10 | 莱姆普股份公司 | Storage unit and transfer system for storing and providing biological samples |
| US9297728B2 (en) | 2006-03-02 | 2016-03-29 | Brooks Automation, Inc. | Storage unit and transfer system for biological samples |
| EP2301665A1 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2011-03-30 | Tecan Trading AG | Laser scanning microscope with magazine for test slides |
| US8149505B2 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2012-04-03 | Tecan Trading Ag | Laser scanner device with limited test part accessibility |
| US8508846B2 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2013-08-13 | Tecan Trading Ag | Slide transfer mechanism for a laser scanner device for imaging and measuring fluorescent samples having motorized slide transfer device |
| CN108008527A (en) * | 2018-01-10 | 2018-05-08 | 华东师范大学 | A kind of full microscope microscopy instrument replaces glass slide system automatically |
| CN108008527B (en) * | 2018-01-10 | 2023-07-25 | 华东师范大学 | Automatic glass slide replacing system of full-automatic microscope microscopic examination instrument |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CH618524A5 (en) | 1980-07-31 |
| FR2373073B1 (en) | 1984-04-06 |
| DE2753223A1 (en) | 1978-06-08 |
| JPS5377541A (en) | 1978-07-10 |
| FR2373073A1 (en) | 1978-06-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS | Patent sealed | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |