KR20210122083A - Automatic slide scanning system - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic slide scanning system is disclosed. The automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment comprises: a cassette for sequentially withdrawing or receiving a plurality of slides; a stage on which the slide drawn from the cassette is seated; an image scanner that scans the set scan area; and a transport module for transporting the slide along a movement path circulating the cassette and the stage. An object according to an embodiment is to provide the automatic slide scanning system capable of automatically supplying and scanning slides.

Description

Automatic slide scanning system {AUTOMATIC SLIDE SCANNING SYSTEM}

The description below relates to an automatic slide scanning system.

Recently, as public interest in disease prevention and early diagnosis has increased, the demand for health examinations is rapidly increasing. The health checkup aims to detect various diseases. In order to accurately determine whether a specific cancer, for example, diseases such as cervical cancer, a cell pathology test is performed.

Cell staging uses a sample slide, which is manufactured by applying a sample taken from a patient's body, that is, a sample thinly and uniformly on the slide, and then covering the sample with another slide.

The examiner observes each specimen slide with examination equipment such as a microscope to determine whether the patient has a disease or not. Since the examination of the sample slide is performed manually by the examiner, as the demand for health examination increases, the number of examination of the sample slide by the examiner per unit time increases. This phenomenon causes a shortage of time that the examiner can devote to confirm the specimen slide, and ultimately causes a problem in lowering the accuracy of the examiner's determination of the specimen slide.

Therefore, there is a need to develop a device capable of quickly and accurately scanning a plurality of specimen images and manufacturing the image at a low cost.

The content described as the above background art is possessed or acquired by the inventor in the process of derivation of the present invention, and cannot necessarily be acknowledged as a known art disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the present invention.

An object according to an embodiment is to provide an automatic slide scanning system capable of automatically supplying and scanning slides.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic slide scanning system capable of rapidly and continuously supplying a plurality of slides to a scan area for performing slide inspection.

The problems to be solved in one embodiment are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A slide automatic scanning system according to an embodiment includes: a cassette for sequentially drawing out or receiving a plurality of slides; a stage on which the slide drawn from the cassette is seated; an image scanner that scans the set scan area; And it may include a transfer module for transferring the slide along a movement path circulating the cassette and the stage.

The transport module includes: a first conveyor for transporting the slide along a first path from the cassette toward the scan area; and a second conveyor for transporting the slide from the scan area along a second path toward the cassette, wherein the first conveyor and the second conveyor have different heights relative to the ground, and are manufactured in a state viewed from the top. At least a portion of the first path and the second path may be disposed to overlap.

The first conveyor may be positioned above the second conveyor, the stage may be disposed in the scan area, the slide may be supplied from the first conveyor, and the scanned slide may be transported to the second conveyor.

The transfer module is disposed between the stage and the second conveyor, further comprising a transfer conveyor for transferring the slide from the stage to the second conveyor, the stage is disposed at a higher position than the second conveyor, The transfer conveyor may be disposed to be inclined downward from the stage to the second conveyor.

The transfer conveyor may be disposed below the stage, and the stage may have a bottom surface of which is opened and closed so that the slide after scanning is carried out to the transfer conveyor.

The stage includes a support surface that supports the lower surface of the slide and is tiltable about a rotational axis parallel to the ground, and the slide, on which scanning is completed through the tilting operation of the support surface, is carried out from the stage to the second conveyor. can be

The first conveyor may be disposed to be inclined downwardly from the cassette toward the stage.

The stage may be operated to elevate to be connected to any one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor in a state in which the slide is seated.

The stage is installed on the upper end of the first conveyor, and the first conveyor may have a through hole penetrating the surface so that light is irradiated to the stage from the lower side.

The automatic slide scanning system may further include a cassette holder supporting a plurality of the cassettes and rotating about an axis perpendicular to the ground to connect one of the cassettes to the transfer module.

The automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment may continuously scan a plurality of slides by transferring the slides to pass through a scan area positioned between a pair of cassettes.

The automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment may perform a stable scanning operation by continuously transferring a plurality of slides and locating only one slide in the scan area.

The automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment may automatically supply and scan a plurality of slides.

Effects of the automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The following drawings attached to the present specification illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention, so the present invention is limited to the matters described in such drawings It should not be construed as being limited.
1 is a perspective view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment.
2 is a side cross-sectional view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is an operation diagram illustrating an operation of a stage according to an exemplary embodiment.
4 is an operation diagram illustrating an operation of a stage according to an embodiment.
5 is a side cross-sectional view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment.
6 is a side cross-sectional view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment.
7 is a side cross-sectional view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in the description of the embodiment, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the components from other components, and the essence, order, or order of the components are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component is between each component. It will be understood that may also be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

Components included in one embodiment and components having a common function will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, a description described in one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment, and a detailed description in the overlapping range will be omitted.

1 is a perspective view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an operation diagram illustrating an operation of a stage according to an embodiment .

1 to 3 , the automatic slide scanning system 1 according to an embodiment may scan a plurality of slides S continuously.

In one embodiment, a sample may be applied to the slide S. The sample applied to the slide S may be observed by an image scanner 14 to be described later. In one embodiment, the slide (S) may include an upper glass and a lower glass. A sample to be scanned may be applied between the upper glass and the lower glass of the slide S. Since the slide S is formed of a transparent material, it is possible to secure an identification area for the sample applied therein to be observed. In an embodiment, identification means such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, an electronic code, or a radio frequency (RF) tag may be formed in the identification area of the slide S. The identification means may include various types of identification information, for example, information about the patient who provided the sample, the manufacturing date of the slide S, and various information such as the application date of the sample.

In an embodiment, the automatic slide scanning system 1 may automatically scan a plurality of slides S. The automatic slide scanning system 1 may automatically perform a process of sequentially supplying a plurality of slides S to a scan area, and sequentially collecting a plurality of slides S on which scanning is completed. In an embodiment, the automatic slide scanning system 1 may include a cassette 100 , a stage 11 , a transfer module 12 , an image scanner 14 , and a light source 15 .

The cassette 100 may mount a plurality of slides (S). For example, the cassette 100 may be mounted with a plurality of slides S along the height direction, and the mounted plurality of slides S may be withdrawn or accommodated in the withdrawing position and the receiving position, respectively. The cassette 100 may sequentially withdraw a plurality of mounted slides S, and sequentially accommodate the scanned slides S. The cassette 100 includes a pull-out unit 101 for withdrawing the slide S to a transfer module 12 to be described later, and a accommodating unit 102 for accommodating the slide S transferred through the transfer module 12. can do. In one embodiment, the lead-out unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 may be respectively formed at different points of the cassette 100 . In this case, the lead-out part 101 may be formed at a higher position than the accommodating part 102 with respect to the ground.

In one embodiment, the cassette 100 may be disposed in the cassette 100 holder 10 . A plurality of cassettes 100 may be disposed in the cassette 100 holder 10 . In one embodiment, the cassette 100 holder 10 may rotate about a central axis A1 perpendicular to the ground. A plurality of cassettes 100 disposed in the cassette 100 holder 10 may be radially disposed with respect to the central axis of the cassette 100 holder 10 . According to the rotation operation of the cassette 100 holder 10 , one cassette 100 among the plurality of cassettes 100 may be connected to a transfer module 12 to be described later. The cassette 100 holder 10 connects another cassette 100 to the transfer module 12 through a rotation operation when scanning of the slide S mounted on the cassette 100 connected to the transfer module 12 is completed. can do it

In an embodiment, the slide S to be scanned may be seated on the stage 11 . The stage 11 may be located in a scan area in which scanning of the slide S is performed. Accordingly, scanning of the slide S can be performed on the stage 11 . In an embodiment, the stage 11 may be disposed on a transport path of the slide S through the transport module 12 .

In an embodiment, when scanning of the slide S seated on the stage 11 is completed, the scanned slide S may be unloaded from the stage 11 and a new slide S may be loaded. The stage 11 may be disposed on a transport path of the slide S through a transport module 12 to be described later. In other words, the slide S may be withdrawn from the cassette 100 and accommodated in the cassette 100 again via the scan area on the stage 11 . In one embodiment, the stage 11 may be disposed at a higher position than the second conveyor 122 of the transport module 12 to be described later.

In an embodiment, the stage 11 may include a platen 110 and a support 112 .

The support 112 may support the lower surface of the slide S transferred to the scan area. The support 112 may be stepped inward with respect to the platen 110 . Accordingly, in a state in which the slide S is positioned on the support 112 , both sides of the slide S may be supported by the platen 110 . According to such a structure, the position of the slide S can be prevented from being shifted in the state where the slide S is located in the scan area. The support 112 may rotate relative to the platen 110 . For example, the support 112 may perform a tilting operation by rotating about a rotation axis parallel to the ground. When the support part 112 tilts to be inclined with respect to the ground in a state in which the slide S is supported, the slide S may be carried out while sliding from the support part 112 by its own weight. The slide S carried out from the support 112 may be carried out to the second conveyor 122 of the transfer module 12 to be described later. More details on this will be provided later.

In one embodiment, the support 112 may pass the light irradiated by the light source 15 to be described later to the slide (S). For example, the support 112 may be formed of a transmissive material through which light is transmitted. On the other hand, the support 112 may include a through hole (not shown) formed through the surface. In this case, the through hole may be formed to have a narrower width than the slide (S).

The transfer module 12 may transfer the slide S. The transport module 12 may transport the slide S along a transport path that circulates the cassette 100 and the scan area. In a state in which the stage 11 to be described later is disposed in the scan area, the transfer module 12 may transfer the slide S between the cassette 100 and the stage 11 . The transfer module 12 includes a first conveyor 121 for transferring the slide S from the cassette 100 to the scan area, a second conveyor 122 for transferring the slide S from the scan area to the cassette 100, and , it may include a transfer conveyor 123 .

The first conveyor 121 may transport the slide S along the first path D1 from the cassette 100 toward the scan area. When the stage 11 is disposed in the scan area, the first conveyor 121 may be disposed between the cassette 100 and the stage 11 . In one embodiment, the first conveyor 121 is connected to the lead-out part 101 of the cassette 100, and the stage in a state in which the slide S drawn out from the cassette 100 is supported through the lead-out part 101. (11) can be transferred.

The second conveyor 122 may transport the slide S along the second path D2 from the scan area toward the cassette 100 . When the stage 11 is disposed in the scan area, the second conveyor 122 may be disposed between the cassette 100 and the stage 11 . In this case, the second conveyor 122 is connected to the accommodating part 102 of the cassette 100 , and the accommodating part 102 of the cassette 100 is supported while the slide S taken out from the stage 11 is supported. can be transferred to

The first conveyor 121 and the second conveyor 122 may have different heights with respect to the ground. Based on the state viewed from the top, the first conveyor 121 and the second conveyor 122 may be arranged such that at least a portion of the first path D1 and the second path D2 overlap. In an embodiment, the first conveyor 121 may be located above the second conveyor 122 . In a state where the stage 11 is arranged in the scan area, the first conveyor 121 supplies the slide S to be scanned to the stage 11 , and the second conveyor 122 completes the scan from the stage 11 . The slide (S) may be supplied.

The transfer conveyor 123 may be disposed between the stage 11 and the second conveyor 122 . For example, the transfer conveyor 123 may be disposed below the stage 11 . The transfer conveyor 123 may be disposed inclined with respect to the ground. In this case, the transfer conveyor 123 may be disposed to be inclined downward from the stage 11 to the second conveyor 122 as shown in FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, when the transfer conveyor 123 is located on the lower side of the stage 11 , the slide S according to the tilting operation of the support part 112 may be carried out from the support part 112 to the transfer conveyor 123 . .

In one embodiment, the first conveyor 121, the second conveyor 122, and the transfer conveyor 123 includes a plurality of rollers 1241 and a conveyor belt 1242 that rotates while being wound around the rollers 1241 for rotation. can do. In this case, on the outer surface of the conveyor belt 1242, a step portion 1243 that is stepped inward so that the slide S can be seated may be formed. The slide S may be transferred while being seated on the step portion 1243 .

The image scanner 14 may scan the slide S. The image scanner 14 may be disposed above the scan area and scan the set scan area. When the stage 11 is located in the scan area, the image scanner 14 may scan the slide S seated on the stage 11 . In an embodiment, the image scanner 14 may be an area camera that scans a two-dimensional area of the slide S. In an embodiment, the image scanner 14 may photograph a scan area and generate a two-dimensional image of the scan area. In this case, the image scanner 14 may store the two-dimensional image of the generated scan area in a memory (not shown).

In an embodiment, the image scanner 14 may generate a plurality of 2D images in one unit scanning area. For example, the plurality of 2D images generated by the image scanner 14 may be images obtained by photographing the scan area at different focus points, that is, focus variable images. In this case, the plurality of 2D images generated by the image scanner 14 may be stored in the memory, and the plurality of 2D images stored in the memory may generate one 3D image of the scan area. However, the above description of the image scanner 14 is only an example, and the image scanner 14 may be a line camera that linearly scans a scan area.

In an embodiment, the image scanner 14 may move in first and second directions parallel to the ground and perpendicular to each other. Accordingly, the image scanner 14 may scan the slide S located in the scan area while moving along a plane parallel to the ground. In an embodiment, the image scanner 14 may move vertically with respect to the stage 11 . In this case, the focus at which the image scanner 14 captures the slide S may be adjusted.

The light source 15 may be disposed below the stage 11 , for example, below the scan area. The light source 15 may radiate light from the lower side of the stage 11 to the image scanner 14 positioned above the stage 11 . In a state in which the slide S is seated in the scan area, the light irradiated from the light source 15 may pass through the slide S and be irradiated to the image scanner 14 .

Hereinafter, an operation process of the automatic slide scanning system 1 according to an embodiment will be described. In describing the operation process of the automatic slide scanning system 1, one slide S will be mainly described.

The slide S may be drawn out to the first conveyor 121 through the draw-out unit 101 of the cassette 100 . The slide S may be transported along the first path D1 toward the scan area while being supported by the first conveyor 121 . The stage 11 may be positioned in the scan area. In an embodiment, the support part 112 of the stage 11 may be disposed at the same height as the first conveyor 121 . The slide S transported through the first conveyor 121 may be loaded onto the stage 11 and then seated on the support 112 . The slide S seated on the support 112 may be scanned by the image scanner 14 .

In an embodiment, when scanning of the slide S seated on the support 112 is completed, the support 112 may tilt downwardly toward the ground as shown in FIG. 3B . In this case, the slide S may be carried out while sliding from the support 112 by its own weight. Thereafter, the slide S is introduced into the transfer conveyor 123 located below the stage 11 , and may be transferred to the second conveyor 122 according to the operation of the transfer conveyor 123 . Thereafter, the slide S may be transported along the second path D2 toward the cassette 100 in a state supported by the second conveyor 122 . After the slide S reaches the cassette 100 , it may be accommodated in the cassette 100 through the receiving part 102 of the cassette 100 .

4 is an operation diagram illustrating an operation of a stage according to an embodiment.

The stage 11 ′ according to an exemplary embodiment may transport the slide S on which scanning is completed through an opening/closing operation of the bottom surface to a transfer conveyor (eg, the transfer conveyor 123 of FIG. 2 ). In an embodiment, the stage 11' includes a platen 110' and a pair of support members 1121' that are rotatably connected to the platen 110' and form a bottom surface of the stage 11'; 1122'). The pair of support members 1121 ′ and 1122 ′ rotates about an axis parallel to the ground with respect to the platen 110 ′, thereby selectively opening and closing the bottom surface of the stage 11 ′. A pair of support members 1121' and 1122' support the lower surface of the slide S by closing the bottom surface of the stage 11' during the scanning process for the slide S, and scanning the slide S When this is completed, the bottom surface of the stage 11 ′ may be opened through a rotation operation. In this case, the slide S may be taken out from the stage 11 ′ through the open bottom surface.

5 is a side cross-sectional view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the automatic slide S scanning system 2 according to an embodiment may include a cassette, a transport module 22 , a stage 21 , and an image scanner.

The transfer module 22 includes a first conveyor 221 for transferring the slide S along a first path D1 from the cassette toward the scan area, and a slide along a second path D2 from the scan area toward the cassette ( It may include a second conveyor 222 for transporting the S), and a transport conveyor 223 for transporting the slide S from the stage 21 disposed in the scan area to the second conveyor 222 .

In an embodiment, the first conveyor 221 may be disposed to be inclined downward from the cassette toward the stage 21 , that is, along the first path. For example, the first conveyor 221 may be disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the ground. In this case, the stage 21 may be disposed at a lower position than the first conveyor 221 . According to this structure, in the process of the slide (S) being carried into the stage 21 from the first conveyor 221, the slide (S) collides with the side surface of the stage 21, the first conveyor 221 and It is possible to prevent a phenomenon of being caught between the stages 21 .

6 is a side cross-sectional view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the automatic slide scanning system 3 according to an embodiment may include a cassette 301 , a transfer module, and a stage 31 .

Cassette 301 may take out the slide (S) to the transfer module, or accommodate the slide (S) from the transfer module. The transfer module includes a first conveyor 321 for transferring the slide S drawn from the cassette 301 along a first path D1 toward the scan area, and a second path from the scan area toward the cassette 301 ( It may include a second conveyor 322 for transporting the slide (S) along the D2).

The first conveyor 321 and the second conveyor 322 may have different heights with respect to the ground. For example, the first conveyor 321 may be located above the second conveyor 322 . However, unlike this, the first conveyor 321 may be located below the second conveyor 322 . The first path D1 and the second path D2 formed by the first conveyor 321 and the second conveyor 322 may overlap each other based on a state viewed from the top.

The stage 31 is disposed in the scan area, and may receive the scan target slide S from the first conveyor 321 or may transport the scanned slide S to the second conveyor 322 . The stage 31 supports the slide (S), and can lift and lower so that the height of the slide (S) with respect to the ground is adjusted. In one embodiment, the stage 31 is connected to the platen 313 and the platen 313 and includes a support 312 that lifts and lowers along the height direction D3 in a state in which the slide S is supported. can In one embodiment, the support part 312 can be operated to lift and lower the platen 313 so as to be connected to any one of the first conveyor 321 and the second conveyor 322 in a state in which the slide S is supported. have. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the support 312 receives the slide S in a state connected to the first conveyor 321 , and is connected to the second conveyor 322 through a lifting operation after scanning is completed. The slide S can be taken out.

7 is a side cross-sectional view of an automatic slide scanning system according to an exemplary embodiment.

In one embodiment, the slide S automatic scanning system 4 may include a cassette 401 , a transport module, a stage 41 , an image scanner 44 , and a light source 45 .

The transport module may transport the slide S along a transport path circulating between the cassette 401 and the scan area in which the scan of the slide S is performed. The transport module may include a plurality of conveyors integrally connected along the transport path. The conveyor is a first conveyor connected to a supply conveyor 423 receiving the slide S drawn from the cassette 401, one side connected to the supply conveyor 423 and the other side connected to the stage 41 disposed in the scan area. 421, a second conveyor 422 with one side connected to the stage 41 and the other side extending to the cassette 401, and a recovery conveyor 424 connecting the second conveyor 422 and the cassette 401. may include In one embodiment, the stage 41 may be integrally connected to the first conveyor 421 and the second conveyor 422 by being formed in the form of a conveyor.

In an embodiment, the supply conveyor 423 , the first conveyor 421 , the stage 41 , the second conveyor 422 , and the recovery conveyor 424 may be integrally connected. According to this structure, the slide S is a cassette 401 and The slide S may be transported in a carousel manner that circulates the scan area.

Each of the plurality of conveyors may include a light transmitting portion penetrating the surface so that light may be transmitted therethrough. The light irradiated from the lower side of the conveyor through the light transmitting part may be irradiated to the slide S seated on the upper part of the conveyor.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above description by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the described techniques are performed in an order different from the described method, and/or the described components of structures, devices, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components or equivalents are used. Appropriate results can be achieved even if substituted or substituted by

S: slide
100: cassette
110: stage
120: transfer module

Claims (10)

A slide automatic scanning system comprising:
a cassette for sequentially withdrawing or receiving a plurality of slides;
a stage on which the slide drawn from the cassette is seated;
an image scanner that scans the set scan area; and
and a transport module for transporting the slide along a transport path circulating the cassette and the stage. According to claim 1,
The transfer module is
a first conveyor for transporting the slide along a first path from the cassette toward the scan area; and
and a second conveyor for transporting the slide along a second path from the scan area toward the cassette,
The first conveyor and the second conveyor have different heights with respect to the ground, and are arranged such that at least a portion of the first path and the second path overlap when viewed from above. 3. The method of claim 2,
The first conveyor is located above the second conveyor,
The stage is disposed in the scan area, the slide is supplied from the first conveyor, and the slide automatic scanning system for scanning is carried out to the second conveyor. 4. The method of claim 3,
The transfer module further comprises a transfer conveyor disposed between the stage and the second conveyor, transferring the slide from the stage to the second conveyor,
The stage is disposed at a higher position than the second conveyor,
The transfer conveyor is disposed to be inclined downward from the stage to the second conveyor. 5. The method of claim 4,
The transfer conveyor is disposed below the stage,
The stage is capable of opening and closing a bottom surface of the stage so that the slide on which scanning is completed is carried out to the transfer conveyor. 4. The method of claim 3,
The stage is
Supporting the lower surface of the slide and comprising a tiltable support part about a rotation axis parallel to the ground,
The slide scanning is completed through the tilting operation of the support part is carried out from the stage to the second conveyor, slide automatic scanning system. 4. The method of claim 3,
The first conveyor,
an automatic slide scanning system disposed inclined downwardly from the cassette toward the stage. 4. The method of claim 3,
The slide is raised and lowered through the operation of the stage in a state seated on the stage, automatic slide scanning system. According to claim 1,
The transport module transports the slide along the transport path, and includes a conveyor in which a light transmitting portion penetrating a surface is formed so that light can be transmitted therethrough. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a cassette holder supporting the plurality of cassettes and rotating about an axis perpendicular to the ground to connect one of the cassettes to the transfer module.

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