JPWO2019166380A5 - - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is configured to be connected to a power system to receive electrical energy supply as a power consuming device (or load), and a sample slide on which a sample is present is taken out from a sample slide magazine and each sample is taken out. It was configured to perform an encapsulation process in which an encapsulation medium is placed on the slide and then a cover glass is arranged each time, and the encapsulated specimen slide is placed (loaded) in the specimen slide magazine or a further specimen slide magazine. , Regarding automatic encapsulation equipment.

In the pathology laboratory, several devices are used for sample processing. Here, among other things, automated devices are used.

First, the biological sample is fixed, dehydrated and impregnated with paraffin. These are usually performed using a so-called processor (processing unit). Upon processing in the processor, the biological sample is usually present in a closed cassette with a small opening for fluid exchange. Multiple cassettes are often placed together in a container and processed at the same time. An example of a processor is described and described, for example, in US7,722,811B2. In this processor, the processing of the sample is done in a retorte where various chemicals are pumped.

After impregnating the sample with paraffin, the sample is embedded in a paraffin block. This can be done, among other things, with an automatic embedding device, as described and described, for example in US9,671,322B2.

After embedding the sample in the paraffin block, further treatment with a microtome is performed, but the microtome cuts the paraffin block together with the embedded sample into thin slices, so-called "thin sections" (plural). ) Are formed, and these are individually placed on one specimen slide. An example of a microtome is depicted and described, for example, in US7,273,000B2. Usually, the paraffin block to be cut is tightened and fixed in the microtome sample holder, which moves up and down, guiding the sample onto the microtome knife. At that time, flakes of the sample are formed, each of which is placed on one specimen slide and then can usually be further processed by a staining device. An example of a dyeing apparatus is known from, for example, US6,821,072B2. In the staining step, each specimen slide passes through multiple tanks containing reagents.

After completion of the staining step, the stained flakes present on the specimen slide are covered with a cover glass (cover slip). This can be done, among other things, with automatic encapsulation equipment. An example of an automatic encapsulation device is similarly depicted and described in US6,821,072B2. In the case of the devices known from US 6,821,072B2, the two devices, the dyeing device and the automatic encapsulation device, are coupled to each other via a transfer station.

In the automatic encapsulation device, first, a liquid encapsulation medium is applied to the dyed flakes by a hollow needle, and a cover glass is placed on the liquid encapsulation medium. Mostly, an adhesive encapsulation medium, also referred to as "adhesive" in laboratory terminology, is used because it functions as an adhesive. The encapsulation medium must then be dried to prevent the cover glass from slipping on the specimen slide. The sample stained and encapsulated on the specimen slide is then observed using a microscope or a diagnostic microscope scanning device. An example of a scanning device is depicted and described in US7,133,543B2.

US 7,722,811 B2 US 9,671,322 B2 US 7,273,000 B2 US 6,821,072 B2 US 7,133,543 B2

During the above process, multiple specimen slides are often stacked or juxtaposed and housed together in a transportable specimen slide magazine, also known as a "Rack." These then undergo their respective processes in various devices.

Especially in the automatic encapsulation device, damage may occur to the sample or the automatic encapsulation device in the event of a power failure (power failure).

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic encapsulation device in which damage to a sample is largely eliminated at least in the event of a failure in the system power supply (supply of power or electric energy from the power system or power source). be.

This problem is solved by the type of automatic encapsulation device described at the beginning. That is, from the first viewpoint of the present invention, the sample slide is configured to be connected to the power system in order to receive the supply of electric energy as a power consuming device, and the sample slide on which the sample is present is taken out from the sample slide magazine. Each time, an encapsulation process is performed in which an encapsulation medium is placed on each sample slide and then a cover glass is placed, and the encapsulated sample slide is placed in the sample slide magazine or a further sample slide magazine. , An automatic encapsulation device is provided. The automatic encapsulation device includes an electric energy storage device and an electronic control device, and the electronic control device detects a failure in the electric energy supply from the power system (power supply), and if there is a failure, the electric energy storage device. To switch to the uptake of electrical energy from the vessel and to place (load) in the specimen slide magazine or additional specimen slide magazine after the specimen slides already coated with the encapsulation medium have been completely encapsulated. It is characterized in that it is configured to perform a safety routine that includes at least a safety step (Form 1) .
Further, from the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including the automatic encapsulation device of the present invention and a further automatic device for processing or testing / inspection of a biological sample. In the system, the additional automatic device is also configured to be connected to a power system to receive electrical energy supply as a power consuming device, the automatic encapsulation device and the further automatic device. Electrical connection so that electrical energy can be transmitted from the electrical energy accumulator of the automatic encapsulation device to the further automatic device and / or electrical energy can be transmitted from the additional automatic device to the automatic encapsulation device. Is formed or is configured to be able to form an electrical connection (form 9).

Here, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.
(Form 1) See the first viewpoint of the present invention.
(Form 2) In the automatic encapsulation device of the first embodiment, as a further safety step, the safety routine puts a specimen slide taken out from the specimen slide magazine but not yet coated with the encapsulation medium into the specimen slide magazine. It is preferred to include transporting it back.
(3) In the automatic encapsulation device of Form 1 or 2, the safety routine preferably comprises immersing a hollow needle useful for applying the encapsulation medium in a solvent bath as a further safety step.
(Form 4) In any of the automatic encapsulation devices of embodiments 1 to 3, the safety routine takes the specimen slide magazine and / or the additional specimen slide magazine as a further safety step for user retrieval. It is preferable to include transporting to an output unit (Ausgabe).
(Fifth) In any of the automatic encapsulation devices of embodiments 1 to 4, the safety routine includes at least one energy consuming device of the automatic encapsulation device that is not required to perform at least one safety step. It is preferable to include switching off during the execution of.
(Form 6) In the automatic encapsulation device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the safety routine brings the components of the automatic encapsulation device into a state in which restarting in the normal operation mode is possible without causing damage. It is preferable to include transfer.
(Form 7) In any of the automatic encapsulation devices of the first to sixth aspects, the automatic encapsulation device is configured to be able to switch back to the normal operation mode after the execution of the safety routine, and the control device is the power system. Configured to allow return switching only if there is no longer a fault in the supply of electrical energy from and / or if the electrical energy accumulator is in a preset or preset minimum charge state. It is preferable that it is.
(Form 8) In the automatic encapsulation device according to any one of the first to sixth forms,
a. After executing the safety routine, the control device is configured to automatically switch back to normal operation mode when it detects that there is no longer any failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system. thing,
b. After executing the safety routine, the controller detects that the controller no longer has a fault in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the electrical energy accumulator is preconfigured or configurable. It is configured to automatically switch back to normal operation mode when it is in the minimum charge state.
Is preferable.
(Form 9) See the second viewpoint of the present invention.
(Form 10) In the system of Form 9,
The additional automatic device includes an additional electrical energy accumulator,
The automated encapsulation device and the further automated device are such that electrical energy can be transmitted from the additional electrical energy accumulator to the automated encapsulation device and / or electrical energy is transferred from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device. It is preferred that an electrical connection is formed or configured to be able to form an electrical connection so that it can be transmitted.
(Form 11) In the system of Form 10,
The further automatic device is
a. It is configured to remove the sample (s) from the magazine (one), perform a processing process each time at least one processing step is performed, and then place the processed sample in the magazine or a further magazine. That
b. Having more electrical energy storage,
c. Having an additional electronic controller, provided that the additional electronic controller detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and, if there is a failure, takes up electrical energy from the additional electrical energy accumulator. It is configured to perform an additional safety routine that includes at least a safety step to switch to and to transfer the sample already subjected to the processing process to a safe position after it has been completely processed.
Is preferable.
(Form 12) In the system of Form 10,
The further automatic device is
a. Receives the samples (s) placed in the magazine (s), performs a processing process in which at least one processing step is performed for each of the samples placed in one magazine each time, and then together. Outputting a magazine containing multiple processed samples,
b. Having more electrical energy storage,
c. Having an additional electronic control device, provided that the additional electronic control device detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and, if there is a failure, the electrical energy from the additional electrical energy accumulator. To switch to uptake and to perform additional safety routines that include at least a safety step to completely process the magazine containing multiple samples and already undergoing the processing process and then transfer it to a safe position. Being configured,
Is preferable.
(Form 13) In any of the systems of Form 9 to 12,
a. The control device or the further control device of the further automatic device is configured to form the electrical connection, especially automatically, upon detecting a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system. Or,
b. Upon detecting a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and confirming the likelihood that the actual charge state of the electrical energy accumulator is insufficient to carry out the safety routine, the controller said. Being configured to form electrical connections, especially automatically, or
c. The additional control device of the additional automated device detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the actual charge state of the additional electrical energy accumulator is to perform the further safety routine. Once confirmed that it is likely to be inadequate, the electrical connection is configured to form, among other things, automatically.
Is preferable.
(Form 14) In any of the systems of Form 9 to 13,
a. The control device controls the transmission of electrical energy from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device and / or the transmission of electrical energy from the further automated device to the automated encapsulation device, particularly in a demand-compliant manner. It is configured to
b. Further controls of the further automated device include, among other things, the transmission of electrical energy from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device and / or the transmission of electrical energy from the further automated device to the automated encapsulation device. Being configured to control in a demand-adaptive manner,
Is preferable.
(Fifth) In any of the systems of embodiments 9-14, the control device and the further control device of the further automated device transmit electrical energy from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device and / or. It is preferred that the transmission of electrical energy from the further automated device to the automated encapsulation device is configured to be controlled together, especially in a demand-compliant manner.
(Form 16) In any of the systems 11 to 15,
a. The control device further provides data on the state of charge of the electrical energy accumulator and / or the remaining operating time of the electrical energy accumulator and / or the expected energy demand for executing the safety routine of the automated encapsulation device. It is configured to send to the controller, or
b. The additional control device is charged with the additional electrical energy accumulator and / or the remaining operating time of the additional electrical energy accumulator and / or the expected energy for executing the safety routine of the additional automated device. It is configured to send data about demand to the controller,
Is preferable.
(17) In any of the systems of embodiments 9-16, the further automated apparatus is preferably an automated scanner or automated embedding apparatus or an automated microtome or automated staining apparatus or automated processor or further automated encapsulation apparatus. ..

It has been recognized by the present invention that if the running operation is suddenly interrupted (stopped) by a power failure, the sample and / or the automatic encapsulation device can be extremely seriously damaged. It has been particularly recognized that damage can occur, especially on the surface or inside of the components of the automatic encapsulation device, or on a sample to which the cover glass has not yet been placed, because the encapsulation medium is completely dry.

Furthermore, it has been recognized that damage can occur if the automatic encapsulation device is stopped in an arbitrary (random) and undefined operating condition. This is especially possible if restarting from this state is not possible, for example because the parameter values required for control or identification of individual samples are lost, especially within the control software, or again. When starting is hindered for mechanical reasons. If the user attempts to access the sample being processed to remove it by removing a portion of the automatic encapsulation device that is stopped in an undefined operating condition, the automatic encapsulation device will be damaged or the automatic encapsulation device will be damaged. It can be inconvenient to be in a state where it cannot be restarted.

The present invention avoids a sudden stop of the automatic encapsulation device when a failure occurs in the energy supply from the power system (power supply). In this case, the present invention includes at least a safety step of completely encapsulating a specimen slide already coated with an encapsulation medium and then placing (loading) it in a specimen slide magazine or a further specimen slide magazine, and is not essential, for example. Intelligent safety routines are performed that can specifically include additional safety steps, such as temporary switching off of no components or implementation of protective measures for components of the automatic encapsulation device. These will be described in detail below.

For example, the safety routine can include, as a further safety step, returning the specimen slide that has been removed from the specimen slide magazine but has not yet been coated with the encapsulation medium back into the specimen slide magazine. In particular, it is preferred that the specimen slide magazine can then be transferred to an output section where the user can retrieve the magazine, for example to an output drawer. This allows the user to manually encapsulate, for example, a specimen slide in which flakes are arranged.

The automatic encapsulation device advantageously has a hollow needle that is attached to a storage container containing the encapsulation medium and is capable of applying (arranging) a preset amount of encapsulation medium onto the specimen slide each time. It is possible and the hollow needle is moved relative to the specimen slide, preferably along the longitudinal extension axis of the specimen slide, during application. To prevent the encapsulation medium from drying out in the hollow needle and clogging the hollow needle, the safety routine is to immerse the hollow needle in a solvent bath (tank) to help apply the encapsulation medium as a further safety step. That can be included in an advantageous manner. The solvent can be, for example, xylene. As already mentioned, it is advantageous that the hollow needle is configured to be electrically movable (by motor drive) in order to apply the encapsulation medium onto the specimen slide, and thus the hollow needle is advantageous. It is easily feasible to configure the electric control motion mechanism of the above so that it can be additionally immersed in a solvent bath (tank).

As described above, according to the present invention, the specimen slide already coated with the encapsulation medium is completely encapsulated and then placed (loaded) in the specimen slide magazine or a further specimen slide magazine. This advantageously prevents the already coated encapsulation medium from drying out before the cover glass is placed. The safety routine can advantageously include, as a further safety step, the additional specimen slide magazine, which is then transferred to the output section, eg, to the output drawer, for removal by the user. This has the special advantage that the user can remove the fully encapsulated specimen slide from the automatic encapsulation device despite the impaired power supply.

In particular to protect (do not damage) the energy accumulator of the automatic encapsulation device, the safety routine is at least not essential for the execution of at least one safety step during the execution of the safety step. It can include switching off one energy consuming device. For example, during the execution of a safety routine, a display, heating device, pump or transfer device, the surroundings (environment) that are important for these energy consuming devices to perform the safety steps of the safety routine or for the storage (protection) of the sample. If not required to retain (comply) with the parameters, it can be switched off until the end of the safety routine or for a shorter period (time section) during the execution of the safety routine. This, in an advantageous manner, ensures that the safety routine can be executed to the end in the event of a power supply failure while achieving (realizing) longer energy store uptime. The need to design the energy accumulator to be overly large in capacity is avoided in order to ensure (guarantee) that sufficient energy is available.

The control device is preferably configured to switch from the electrical energy accumulator to the uptake of electrical energy without interruption (stopping) if the supply of electrical energy from the grid is impaired. Such embodiments have the very special advantage of effectively avoiding even very short outages of operation of the automatic encapsulation device. This is because such an outage can also cause damage if, for example, restarting the automatic encapsulation device after such a brief outage is not possible without further intervention.

The safety routine preferably comprises putting the components of the automated encapsulation device into a state where restarting in normal operating mode is possible without damage. In this case, in particular, the processing parameters important for the processing of the sample and / or the data for the identification (identification) of the individual sample slides are particularly non-volatile so that these data can be accessed at restart. It is advantageous that the property can be configured to be stored (stored) in a data storage device. In this case, the data for identifying the specimen slides are, in particular, already encapsulated to ensure that only the unencapsulated specimen slides are encapsulated in the automatic encapsulation device after restarting in normal operation mode. It can be related to specimen slides.

In normal operating mode, the energy required to perform the steps required for the encapsulation process is, in this case, taken again from the power system to which the automatic encapsulation device is connected.

In one particular embodiment, the automatic encapsulation device is configured to be switchable back to normal operation mode after performing a safety routine, in which case the control device fails to supply electrical energy from the power system. It is configured to allow (allow) return switching only if it no longer exists and / or if the electrical energy accumulator is in a preset or preset minimum charge state. In particular, the controller can be advantageously configured to automatically switch back to normal operation mode when it detects that there is no longer any failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system after performing the safety routine. ..

One embodiment of the automatic encapsulation device according to the invention is configured to allow restart in normal operating mode only when the electrical energy accumulator is in a preset or preset minimum charge state. Especially safe and reliable. This embodiment has the special advantage that it is guaranteed that the safety routine can be newly executed even if the grid power supply is further disturbed.

After execution of the safety routine, the controller detects that the controller no longer has a fault in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the electrical energy accumulator is a preset or preset minimum charge state. In the case of [confirmed], one embodiment of the automatic encapsulation device configured to automatically return to the normal operation mode and switch to the normal operation mode is extremely advantageous. In this case, the minimum charge state is preferably capacity set so that the safety routine can be reliably executed in the event of a new failure of grid power supply.

Pathology laboratories often use multiple devices for the processing and analysis of biological samples, as described at the beginning. Against this background, a system comprising an automatic encapsulation device according to the present invention and a further automatic device for processing or inspecting a biological sample is extremely advantageous. This additional automatic device is also configured to be connected to the power system to receive electrical energy supply as a power consuming device, and the automatic encapsulation device and the further automatic device are the automatic encapsulation device for electrical energy. An electrical connection is formed or an electrical connection is formed so that the energy storage of the device can be transmitted from the energy storage device to the additional automatic device and / or the electric energy can be transmitted from the further automatic device to the automatic encapsulation device. It is configured to be possible.

Such a system has the very extraordinary advantage of being able to transmit electrical energy to the additional automated device, if necessary, for example so that safety routines can be performed in the additional automated device.

An automated device having the following configuration is exceptionally advantageous, very generally and according to its own concept of invention. That is, the automatic device is configured to be connected to a power system to receive electrical energy supply as a power consuming device, with samples (s) taken out of the (one) magazine and at least one processing step. An automated device for processing or inspecting a biological sample configured to perform the processing process performed each time and then place (load) the processed sample into the magazine or a further magazine. , It has an electrical energy storage device and an electronic control device, and the electronic control device detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system, and if there is a failure, switches to the intake of electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device. , And is configured to perform a safety routine that includes at least a safety step to completely process and transfer the sample already in the processing process to a safe location.

Transfer to a safe position can include, for example, placing (loading) the sample in a specimen slide magazine, in which case the specimen slide magazine is then further within the framework of the execution of the safety routine. It is particularly advantageous to be able to configure it to be transferred to an output section, eg, an output drawer, for removal by the user.

An automated device for processing or inspecting a biological sample can be configured as, for example, an automated staining (coloring) device. Especially in the case of automated dyeing equipment, the safety routine can be advantageously configured to include transitioning the transfer system to a safe state. Alternatively or additionally, the safety routine in the automatic staining device can include, in particular, storing (storing) the parameters of the currently running staining program in a particularly non-volatile data storage device. Thus, the parameters can be accessed by reading the data storage device, facilitating a restart. In addition, safety routines include specimen slide magazines in the process of transfer to avoid damage to the specimens and / or the specimens present on them and / or to prevent them from coming into contact with the wrong staining solution. It is advantageously possible to include, abstellen, safely (reliably).

For example, an automated device for processing or inspecting a biological sample can be configured as an automated processor (processing apparatus), an automated embedding device, an automated scanner, or an automated microtome. When configured in this way, as in particular when configured as an automated encapsulation device or an automated dyeing device, at least one of the safety steps exemplified for the automated encapsulation device or the automated dyeing device in this document. It is advantageous to execute each safety routine that is executed in a similar manner.

The automated devices described above each perform multiple process steps, some of which can result in loss or damage of their respective samples if the scheduled processing time is below or exceeded. Therefore, it is strict in terms of time (zeitkritisch). For example, drying a sample in a processor or automatic staining device or previously drying the encapsulation medium on a sample that has not yet been arranged with a cover glass in the automatic encapsulation device can lead to damage to each sample. In addition, there are process steps in which predetermined ambient (environmental) parameters, in particular temperature and / or pressure, must be maintained. In particular, there are various process steps in which the sample must be treated under a given pressure, especially at a pressure of less than 1 bar and / or at a minimum temperature, especially above 20 ° C. Failure to maintain (comply) with predetermined ambient (environmental) parameters can result in damage to each sample.

In light of these aspects, it is advantageously possible, according to the invention, for each safety routine of the automated device to perform the appropriate safety steps in order to avoid damage to the sample and the automated device. To this advantage, important parameters such as pressure and temperature eliminate sample damage at least until the end of the safety routine and / or an important process, especially with respect to restarting in normal operating mode. Processing) Data is to be retained to the extent (size) that it is temporarily stored.

For example, in an automatic encapsulation device or an automatic scanner, sample slides placed (loaded) in a sample slide magazine are automatically taken out individually and transferred to a processing station. In this case, it is important that the allocation relationship (association) between the specimen slide and each cassette compartment of the specimen slide magazine is not lost, or that the transfer process is completed. Especially in this regard, the temporary (intermediate) storage of relevant data is of particular advantage within the framework of the execution of safety routines.

Against this background, a system in which two automated devices for processing or inspecting biological samples are connected so that electrical energy can be transmitted from the energy accumulator of one automated device to the other automated device as needed. Is exceptionally advantageous, very generally and according to its own concept of invention. In this case, as shown above, it is possible and particularly advantageous that at least one of these automated devices is configured as an automated encapsulation device. However, this is not always essential for the realization of this unique invention idea. Rather, the system described above may have other additional automated devices in place of the automated encapsulation device. Connecting (coupling) two identical or different automated devices as described above in one system is quite generally advantageous. In this case, each of the automatic devices can be configured as an automatic scanner or as an automatic device for embedding a sample in a paraffin block, as an automatic dyeing device, as an automatic processor, or as an automatic encapsulation device. To that extent, the following description of a particular embodiment relating to a system comprising (one) automated encapsulation device does not include an automated encapsulation device but has multiple automated devices for processing or testing biological samples. Similarly, the system can be applied according to the present invention.

With respect to a system comprising an automatic encapsulation device according to the invention and at least one additional automatic device for processing or inspecting a biological sample, the further automated device comprises an additional electrical energy accumulator, and the automatic encapsulation device and further. The electrical energy can be transmitted from the automatic encapsulation device to the automatic encapsulation device and / or the electrical energy can be transmitted from the automatic encapsulation device to the further automatic device, especially to the further energy storage device. As such, it is advantageously possible that an electrical connection is formed or configured so that the electrical connection can be formed. Thus, the additional automated device can also perform safety routines as needed, in which case the additional automated device can utilize the energy from its own additional energy store, or above all, this. When the energy is not sufficient, it is advantageously achieved (realized) to be able to receive the supply of electrical energy from the energy accumulator of the automatic encapsulation device. On the contrary, in such a configuration, if the electrical energy of the energy accumulator of the automatic encapsulation device is insufficient to carry out the safety routine of the automatic encapsulation device, further automatic equipment may be added as needed. It is also possible to supply electric energy from the energy accumulator to the automatic encapsulation device.

In particular, with respect to the further automated device, the further automated device removes the sample from the magazine, performs a processing process in which at least one processing step is performed each time, and then transfers the processed sample to the magazine or further magazine. It is possible to place (load) in a very generally advantageous way. In particular, if the (further) automated device includes an additional electrical energy accumulator and an additional electronic control device, the additional electronic control device detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and there is a failure. Further safety routines, including at least a safety step to switch to the uptake of electrical energy from the additional electrical energy accumulator, and to completely process and transfer the sample already in the processing process to a safe location. It is exceptionally advantageous if it is configured to do so.

As already mentioned for the automatic encapsulation device, as for the further automatic device, the processing parameters important for the processing of the sample and / or the data for identifying the individual sample are obtained at the time of restart. It is advantageously possible to store (store) in a data storage device, especially non-volatile, so that the data is accessible. In this case, the data for identifying the sample can be, especially for the already processed sample, to ensure that only the unprocessed sample is processed after restarting in normal operating mode.

Alternatively, with respect to the further automated device, the further automated device receives the sample placed (contained) in the magazine and at least one processing step is performed for each sample placed (contained) in the magazine. It is also quite generally advantageous to perform the treatment step and then output the magazine containing the plurality of samples treated together. In this case, it is preferable that all the samples placed (contained) in the magazine are treated in the same and simultaneous manner during the treatment process. Further automated devices also have additional electrical energy accumulators and additional electronic controls in this embodiment, the additional electronic controls detecting failures in the supply of electrical energy from the power system. If there is a failure, switch to taking more electrical energy from the electrical energy accumulator, and completely process the magazine that contains multiple samples and has already been processed and transfer it to a safe position. It is advantageous to be configured to perform additional safety routines that include at least safety steps to do so.

For such additional automated equipment, the magazine and / or the processing parameters important for the processing of the samples contained in the magazine and / or the data for identifying the individual magazines and / or the individual samples are available. It is particularly advantageous that the data is stored (stored) in a data storage device, especially non-volatile, and that these data can be accessed at restart. In this case, the identification data can be particularly related to magazines that have already been processed to ensure that only unprocessed magazines are processed after restarting in normal operation mode.

For example, such a further automated device would continuously (sequentially) put various baths, especially dye reagents (chemicals), together with the sample (s) contained therein. It is advantageously possible to have an automatic dyeing device immersed in a bathtub containing. In this case, all magazines can pass through bathtubs (s) in the same processing flow (Abfolge). However, different magazines (s) are in different combinations (s) of tanks (s) because the samples placed (contained) in one magazine undergo a different staining process than the samples placed in another magazine. It is also advantageously possible to pass (process) through (plural). Especially in this case, the processing parameters important for the processing of the magazine and / or the samples contained therein and / or the data for identifying the individual magazines and / or the individual samples interfere with the grid power supply. If there is, it is important to store (store) it in a data storage device, especially non-volatile, in order to avoid problems especially at the time of restart.

A possible embodiment of the system according to the invention comprising an automated encapsulation apparatus and a further automated apparatus configured as an automated dyeing apparatus is particularly advantageous. In this case, the automatic encapsulation device and the automatic staining device can automatically transfer the sample slide magazine containing the sample for which the encapsulation process has been completed to the automatic staining device, and the automatic staining device can be used. Then, it is possible, in particular, to be linked to perform the staining process on the sample placed (contained) in the specimen slide magazine.

In this case, the controller of the automatic encapsulation device or the further controller of the further automated device may form an electrical connection, especially automatically, upon detecting a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system. Especially advantageous is possible.

When the controller detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and confirms the likelihood that the actual charge state of the energy accumulator is insufficient to carry out the safety routine, the electrical connection In particular, one embodiment that automatically forms is very advantageous. Alternatively or additionally, a further controller of the further automated device detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the actual charge state of the further energy accumulator performs a further safety routine. It is also possible to form electrical connections, especially automatically, if we confirm the likelihood that they are inadequate to do so.

In one advantageous embodiment, the control device transfers electrical energy from the automatic encapsulation device to the further automatic device and / or from the further automatic device to the automatic encapsulation device, particularly in a demand-compliant manner ( Control to meet demand). Alternatively, additional controls of additional automated devices are particularly demanding transmission of electrical energy from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device and / or transmission of electrical energy from the further automated device to the automated encapsulation device. It is also possible to control it adaptively.

In one very particularly advantageous embodiment of the system, the control device and the further control device of the further automated device are from the transmission of electrical energy from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device and / or from the further automated device. Control the transmission of electrical energy to the automated encapsulation device together (coordinated or collaboratively), especially in a demand-adaptive manner. Particularly in this case, the controller sends data about the charge state and / or expected remaining operating time (life) of the energy accumulator to the additional controller, and / or the additional controller is the additional energy accumulator. It is advantageously possible to send data about the state of charge and / or the expected remaining uptime of the additional energy accumulator to the controller.

The additional automated device may be, for example, an automated device or an automated dyeing apparatus or an automated processor (processing apparatus) or an additional automated encapsulation device for embedding a sample in an automatic scanner or paraffin block.

The subject matter of the present invention is exemplified and schematically described in the drawings and is described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the components having the same or the same function are generally added with the same drawing reference numbers even in different embodiments.
It should be noted that the surface reference reference numerals added to the scope of claims are solely for the purpose of assisting the understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiment.

The schematic diagram of one Example of the one automatic encapsulation device by this invention. Schematic of an embodiment of a system including an automated encapsulation device and a further automated device. Schematic of another embodiment of a system comprising an automated encapsulation device and a plurality of further automated devices.

FIG. 1 shows very schematically an embodiment of the automatic encapsulation device 1 according to the present invention. The automatic encapsulation device 1 has a power plug 2 and a connector cable 3 for connecting to a power system (or power supply) (not shown). In the automatic encapsulation device 1, the specimen slide 4 on which the sample is placed is taken out from the specimen slide magazine 5, the encapsulation medium 7 is applied (arranged) on each specimen slide 4 by the hollow needle 6, and then the cover glass 8 is provided. It is configured to be applied (placed) to the encapsulation process.

The hollow needle 6 can be electrically controlled (motor-driven control) by the manipulator 9 inside the housing 10 of the automatic encapsulation device 1. In particular, the hollow needle 6 is configured to move relative to the specimen slide 4, which should be encapsulated, so that the encapsulation medium 7 is dispensed into the specimen slide 4 when the encapsulation medium 7 is applied. There is.

The cover glass 8 to be applied (placed) is individually removed from the container (not shown) by a further manipulator 11 and transferred to the sample slide 4 currently being processed. After the application (placement) of the cover glass, the specimen slides 4 which have just been sealed are placed (loaded) in the further specimen slide magazine 29 .

In the normal operation mode, the energy required to perform the steps required for the encapsulation process is taken in (supplied) from the power system (power supply) to which the automatic encapsulation device 1 is connected via the power plug 2 and the connector cable 3. Will be).

The automatic encapsulation device 1 has an electric energy storage device 12 and an electronic control device 13. The electronic control device 13 is configured to detect a failure of the supply of electric energy from the power system to which the automatic encapsulation device 1 is connected by the sensor 14. When there is an obstacle, the control device 13 switches to the uptake (feeding) of electric energy from the electric energy storage device 12, and completely encloses the specimen slide 4 to which the encapsulation medium 7 has already been applied, that is, the cover glass 8. Is then placed and then a safety routine is performed that includes at least a safety step of properly (positioning) placement (loading) in the additional specimen slide magazine 29 .

The safety routine further comprises, as a further safety step, immersing the hollow needle 6 in a solvent bath (tank) 15 containing a solvent to prevent the encapsulation medium 7 from drying in the hollow needle 6.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a system including an embodiment of the one-automatic encapsulation device 1 according to the present invention. The automatic encapsulation device 1 is described only incompletely and schematically, and for better visibility, only the control device 13 including the power plug 2, the connector cable 3, the energy accumulator 12 and the sensor 14 is included. While illustrated, the remaining components of the automatic encapsulation device 1 are not shown.

The system further includes an additional automated device 16 that can be configured as, for example, a processor 24, an automated embedding device 25, an automated microtome 26, an automated staining device 27 or an automated scanner 28. The additional automated device 16 includes an additional energy accumulator 18 and an additional control device 19 with an additional sensor 17. The additional automatic device 16 is configured to be connected to a power system (power source) in order to receive the supply of electric energy as an energy consuming device (load), similarly to the automatic encapsulation device 1. It comprises a plug 20 and an additional connector cable 21.

The additional automated device 16 specifically removes the (not shown) sample from the (not shown) magazine and then performs each (each time) processing process in which at least one processing step is performed. , The processed sample can be configured to be placed (loaded) in a magazine or in a further magazine (not shown). A further automated device 16 is also configured to detect a fault in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and, if there is a fault, switch to further capture of electrical energy from the energy accumulator 18 and execute a safety routine. There is. The safety routine can advantageously include, among other things, the complete processing of the sample already being processed and then the transfer to a safe position.

The automatic encapsulation device 1 and the additional automatic device 16 allow electrical energy to be transmitted from the energy accumulator 12 of the automatic encapsulation device 1 to the further automatic device 16 and / or electrical energy from the further automatic device 16. That is, an electrical connection is formed via the supply line 22 so that the energy accumulator 18 can be transmitted to the energy accumulator 12 of the automatic encapsulation device 1.

Further, there is also a data connection unit 23 used by the control device 13 and the further control device 19 to exchange data regarding the actual charge state and / or the pre-calculated remaining operating time. These data store energy so that the automatic encapsulation device 1 and the additional automatic device 16 can perform their respective safety routines to prevent damage to the sample or device in the event of a system power supply failure. It is used to distribute the currently available energy of the vessel 12 and the additional energy accumulator 18 in a demand-adaptive manner.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a system that includes an automated encapsulation device 1 and a further automated device. Further automated devices are configured as a processor 24, an automated embedding device 25, an automated microtome 26, an automated staining apparatus 27, and an automated scanner 28. These automated devices each include an additional energy accumulator 18 and an additional control device 19, where the energy accumulator 12 and the additional energy accumulators 18 provide electrical energy available in the event of a system power supply failure. They are interconnected via a control device 13 or an additional control device 19 and a supply line 22 so that they can be demand-fittingly distributed among the automation devices 1, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. .. Demand-adaptive distribution of the available electrical energy of the energy accumulator 12 and the additional energy accumulator 18 so that each automated device 1, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 can fully perform its respective safety routines. Therefore, it is advantageous for data on charge status and expected energy demand (quantity) to perform each safety routine to be exchanged between automated devices 1, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

Here, a possible aspect of the present invention is added.
[Appendix 1] As a power consuming device, a specimen slide that is configured to be connected to a power system to receive electrical energy and has a sample on it is taken out from the specimen slide magazine and enclosed in each specimen slide. An automatic encapsulation device configured to perform an encapsulation process of arranging a medium and then a cover glass each time, and to arrange the encapsulated specimen slide in the specimen slide magazine or a further specimen slide magazine.
The automated encapsulation device includes an electrical energy accumulator and an electronic control device.
The electronic control device detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system, and if there is a failure, switches to taking in electrical energy from the electrical energy accumulator, and the encapsulation medium is already applied. It is configured to perform a safety routine that includes at least a safety step for placement in the specimen slide magazine or further specimen slide magazine after the specimen slides have been completely encapsulated.
[Appendix 2] In the above automatic encapsulation device, the safety routine returns the specimen slide taken out from the specimen slide magazine but not yet coated with the encapsulation medium into the specimen slide magazine as a further safety step. Includes transporting.
[Appendix 3] In the above automatic encapsulation device, the safety routine comprises immersing a hollow needle useful for applying the encapsulation medium in a solvent bath as a further safety step.
[Appendix 4] In the above automatic encapsulation device, the safety routine is an output unit (Ausgabe) for taking out the specimen slide magazine and / or the additional specimen slide magazine as a further safety step by the user. Including transporting to.
[Appendix 5] In the above automatic encapsulation device, the safety routine switches off at least one energy consuming device of the automatic encapsulation device that is not required to perform at least one safety step during the execution of the safety step. Including to do.
[Appendix 6] In the above-mentioned automatic encapsulation device, the safety routine includes moving the components of the automatic encapsulation device into a state where restarting in the normal operation mode is possible without causing damage.
[Appendix 7] In the above automatic encapsulation device, the automatic encapsulation device is configured to be able to switch back to the normal operation mode after the execution of the safety routine, and the control device supplies electric energy from the power system. It is configured to allow return switching only if the fault is no longer present and / or if the electrical energy accumulator is in a preset or preset minimum charge state.
[Appendix 8] In the above automatic encapsulation device,
a. After executing the safety routine, the control device is configured to automatically switch back to normal operation mode when it detects that there is no longer any failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system. ..
b. After executing the safety routine, the controller detects that the controller no longer has a fault in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the electrical energy accumulator is preconfigured or configurable. It is configured to automatically switch back to normal operation mode when it is in the minimum charge state.
[Appendix 9] A system including the above-mentioned automatic encapsulation device and a further automatic device for processing or testing / inspection of a biological sample.
The additional automatic device is also configured to be connected to the power grid to receive electrical energy supply as a power consuming device.
The automated encapsulation device and the further automated device are such that electrical energy can be transmitted from the electrical energy accumulator of the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device and / or electrical energy is automated from the further automated device. An electrical connection is formed or configured to be able to form an electrical connection so that it can be transmitted to the encapsulation device.
[Appendix 10] In the above system,
The additional automated device includes an additional electrical energy accumulator.
The automated encapsulation device and the further automated device are such that electrical energy can be transmitted from the additional electrical energy accumulator to the automated encapsulation device and / or electrical energy is transferred from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device. An electrical connection is formed or configured to be able to form an electrical connection so that it can be transmitted.
[Appendix 11] In the above system, the further automatic device is
a. It is configured to remove the sample (s) from the magazine (one), perform a processing process each time at least one processing step is performed, and then place the processed sample in the magazine or a further magazine. ing;
b. Has an additional electrical energy store;
c. It has an additional electronic controller, provided that the additional electronic controller detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and, if there is a failure, to take up electrical energy from the additional electrical energy accumulator. It is configured to perform additional safety routines, including at least a safety step to switch and to transfer the sample already subjected to the processing process to a safe position after it has been completely processed.
[Appendix 12] In the above system, the further automatic device is
a. Receives the samples (s) placed in the magazine (s), performs a processing process in which at least one processing step is performed for each of the samples placed in one magazine each time, and then together. Output a magazine containing multiple processed samples;
b. Has an additional electrical energy store;
c. It has an additional electronic control device, provided that the additional electronic control device detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and, if there is a failure, the uptake of electrical energy from the additional electrical energy accumulator. Configured to perform additional safety routines, including at least a safety step to switch to and to transfer the magazine containing multiple samples and already subjected to the processing process to a safe position after complete processing. Has been done.
[Appendix 13] In the above system,
a. The control device or the further control device of the further automatic device is configured to form, among other things, the electrical connection, particularly automatically, upon detecting a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system. ,
b. Upon detecting a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and confirming the likelihood that the actual charge state of the electrical energy accumulator is insufficient to carry out the safety routine, the controller said. It is configured or configured to form electrical connections, especially automatically.
c. The additional control device of the additional automated device detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the actual charge state of the additional electrical energy accumulator is to perform the further safety routine. Upon confirming the likelihood of inadequacy, the electrical connection is configured to form, among other things, automatically.
[Appendix 14] In the above system,
a. The control device controls the transmission of electrical energy from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device and / or the transmission of electrical energy from the further automated device to the automated encapsulation device, particularly in a demand-compliant manner. Is configured or
b. Further controls of the further automated device include, among other things, the transmission of electrical energy from the automated encapsulation device to the further automated device and / or the transmission of electrical energy from the further automated device to the automated encapsulation device. It is configured to control to meet demand.
[Appendix 15] In the above system, the control device and the further control device of the further automatic device are the transmission of electric energy from the automatic encapsulation device to the further automatic device and / or from the further automatic device. It is configured to control the transmission of electrical energy to the automated encapsulation device together, especially in a demand-compliant manner.
[Appendix 16] In the above system,
a. The control device further provides data on the state of charge of the electrical energy accumulator and / or the remaining operating time of the electrical energy accumulator and / or the expected energy demand for executing the safety routine of the automated encapsulation device. Configured to send to the controller, or
b. The additional control device is charged with the additional electrical energy accumulator and / or the remaining operating time of the additional electrical energy accumulator and / or the expected energy for executing the safety routine of the additional automated device. It is configured to transmit data regarding demand to the control device.
[Appendix 17] In the above system, the further automated device is an automated scanner or an automated embedding device or an automated microtome or an automated staining apparatus or an automated processor or an additional automated encapsulation device.

1 Automatic encapsulation device 2 Power plug 3 Connector cable 4 Specimen slide 5 Specimen slide magazine 6 Hollow needle 7 Encapsulation medium 8 Cover glass 9 Manipulator 10 Housing 11 Further manipulator 12 Energy accumulator 13 Control device 14 Sensor 15 Solvent bath (tank)
16 More automated devices 17 More sensors 18 More energy accumulators 19 More controls 20 More power plugs 21 More connector cables 22 Supply lines 23 Data connections 24 Processors 25 Automatic embeddings 26 Automatic microtomes 27 Automatic dyeing Device 28 automatic scanner
29 Further specimen slide magazine

Claims (17)

As a power consuming device, the sample slide (4) configured to be connected to the power system to receive the supply of electric energy and the sample is present on the sample slide (4) is taken out from the sample slide magazine (5), and each sample slide ( 4) The encapsulation medium (7) is placed on the encapsulation medium (7), and then the cover glass (8) is placed. An automatic encapsulation device configured to be placed in a slide magazine ( 29 ).
The automatic encapsulation device (1) includes an electrical energy storage device (12) and an electronic control device (13).
The electronic control device (13) detects a failure in the electric energy supply from the electric power system, and if there is a failure, switches to taking in the electric energy from the electric energy storage device (12), and the encapsulation medium. Safety including at least a safety step for placing the specimen slide (4) already coated with (7) in the specimen slide magazine (5) or the further specimen slide magazine ( 29 ) after being completely encapsulated. Being configured to execute routines,
An automatic encapsulation device featuring. In the automatic encapsulation device according to claim 1,
In the safety routine, as a further safety step, the specimen slide (4) taken out from the specimen slide magazine (5) but not yet coated with the encapsulation medium (7) is placed in the specimen slide magazine (5). To transport, to include,
An automatic encapsulation device featuring. In the automatic encapsulation device according to claim 1 or 2.
The safety routine comprises, as a further safety step, immersing a hollow needle (6) useful for applying the encapsulation medium (7) in a solvent bath (15).
An automatic encapsulation device featuring. In the automatic encapsulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
As a further safety step, the safety routine transports the specimen slide magazine (5) and / or the additional specimen slide magazine ( 29 ) to an output unit (Ausgabe) for user retrieval. To include,
An automatic encapsulation device featuring. In the automatic encapsulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The safety routine comprises switching off at least one energy consuming device of the automated encapsulation device (1) that is not required to perform at least one safety step during the safety step.
An automatic encapsulation device featuring. In the automatic encapsulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The safety routine comprises moving the components of the automated encapsulation device (1) into a state where restarting in normal operating mode is possible without causing damage.
An automatic encapsulation device featuring. In the automatic encapsulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
After executing the safety routine, the automatic encapsulation device (1) is configured to be able to switch back to the normal operation mode, and the control device (13) no longer has an obstacle in supplying electric energy from the power system. It is configured to allow return switching only if it does not and / or if the electrical energy accumulator (12) is in a preset or preset minimum charge state.
An automatic encapsulation device featuring. In the automatic encapsulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
a. After executing the safety routine, the control device (13) is configured to automatically switch back to the normal operation mode when it detects that the failure of the supply of electric energy from the power system no longer exists. is being done,
b. After executing the safety routine, the controller (13) detects that the controller (13) no longer has an interruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the electrical energy accumulator (12). Is configured to automatically switch back to normal operation mode when is in a preset or preset minimum charge state.
An automatic encapsulation device featuring. A system including the automatic encapsulation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a further automatic device (16) for processing or testing / inspecting a biological sample.
The additional automatic device (16) is also configured to be connected to the power grid to receive electrical energy supply as a power consuming device.
The automated encapsulation device (1) and the further automated device (16) are capable of transmitting electrical energy from the electrical energy accumulator (12) of the automated encapsulation device (1) to the further automated device (16). An electrical connection is formed or configured so that electrical energy can be transmitted from the further automated device (16) to the automated encapsulation device (1). ,
system. In the system of claim 9,
The additional automated device (16) includes an additional electrical energy accumulator (18).
The automated encapsulation device (1) and the further automated device (16) are such that electrical energy can be transmitted from the additional electrical energy accumulator (18) to the automated encapsulation device (1) and / or electrical energy. Is or configured to form an electrical connection so that it can be transmitted from the automated encapsulation device (1) to the further automated device (16).
A system featuring. In the system of claim 10,
The further automatic device is
a. It is configured to remove the sample (s) from the magazine (one), perform a processing process each time at least one processing step is performed, and then place the processed sample in the magazine or a further magazine. That
b. Having an additional electrical energy accumulator (18),
c. Having an additional electronic control device (19), provided that the additional electronic control device (19) detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and, if there is a failure, said further electronic energy storage. To switch from vessel (18) to the uptake of electrical energy and to perform additional safety routines, including at least a safety step to transfer the sample already subjected to the processing process to a safe position after it has been completely processed. Being configured,
A system featuring. In the system of claim 10,
The further automatic device is
a. Receives the samples (s) placed in the magazine (s), performs a processing process in which at least one processing step is performed for each of the samples placed in one magazine each time, and then together. Outputting a magazine containing multiple processed samples,
b. Having an additional electrical energy accumulator (18),
c. Having an additional electronic control device (19), provided that the additional electronic control device (19) detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and, if there is a failure, said further electronic energy storage. At least a safety step to switch to the uptake of electrical energy from the vessel (18) and to transfer the magazine containing multiple samples and already subjected to the processing process to a safe position after complete processing. It is configured to perform additional safety routines, including
A system featuring. In the system according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
a. When the control device (13) or the further control device (19) of the further automatic device (16) detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system, the electrical connection is made particularly automatically. Being configured to form or
b. The control device (13) detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the actual charge state of the electrical energy accumulator (12) is insufficient to carry out the safety routine. Upon confirmation of the prospect, the electrical connection is configured to form, among other things, automatically, or
c. The further control device (19) of the further automated device (16) detects a failure in the supply of electrical energy from the power system and the actual charging state of the further electrical energy accumulator (18) is said. The electrical connection is configured to form, among other things, automatically, given the likelihood that it will be inadequate to perform further safety routines.
A system featuring. In the system according to any one of claims 9 to 13.
a. The control device (13) transmits electrical energy from the automatic encapsulation device (1) to the further automatic device (16) and / or from the further automatic device (16) to the automatic encapsulation device (1). It is configured to control the transmission of electrical energy in a particularly demand-adaptive manner, or b. The further control device (19) of the further automated device is the transmission of electrical energy from the automated encapsulation device (1) to the further automated device (16) and / or from the further automated device (16). It is configured to control the transmission of electrical energy to the automated encapsulation device (1), especially in a demand-compliant manner.
A system featuring. In the system according to any one of claims 9 to 14,
Further control devices (19) of the control device (13) and the further automatic device (16) transmit electrical energy from the automatic encapsulation device (1) to the further automatic device (16) and / or. It is configured to control the transmission of electrical energy from the further automated device (16) to the automated encapsulation device (1) together, especially in a demand-compliant manner.
A system featuring. In the system according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
a. The control device (13) executes the charging state of the electric energy storage device (12) and / or the remaining operating time of the electric energy storage device (12) and / or the safety routine of the automatic encapsulation device (1). It is configured to transmit data regarding the expected energy demand to be transmitted to the further control device (19), or
b. The additional control device (19) is the charging state of the additional electrical energy accumulator (18) and / or the remaining operating time of the additional electrical energy accumulator (18) and / or the additional automatic device. It is configured to send data about the expected energy demand for executing the safety routine to the controller (13).
A system featuring. In the system according to any one of claims 9 to 16.
The further automated device (16) is an automated scanner (28) or automated embedding device (25) or automated microtome (26) or automated staining apparatus (27) or automated processor (24) or further automated encapsulation device. thing,
A system featuring.

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