Method and apparatus for handling slides
AssigneeMikroscan Technologies
InventorsJeffrey Ross Gray, James Clail Crowe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for handling slides. The apparatus includes a carrier comprising a retention hole and a cartridge having a case coupled to one or more separators that together define a plurality of compartments each configured to accept the carrier. At least one of the separators comprises a guide hole, with all guide holes are disposed on a first axis. The retention hole of the carrier is aligned with the first axis when the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments. The cartridge also comprises a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.
Claims19
A system, comprising:
- a carrier comprising a retention hole, and
- a cartridge comprising:
- a case coupled to one or more separators that together define a plurality of compartments each configured to accept the carrier, wherein:
- at least one of the separators comprises a guide hole,
- all guide holes are disposed on a first axis, and
- the retention hole of the carrier is aligned with the first axis when the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments;
- and
- a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.
A system for handling slides, the system comprising:
- a carrier comprising a linear engagement feature and a notch,
- a cartridge having a compartment configured to accept the carrier, and
- a cartridge positioning system comprising:
- a structure,
- a platform movable coupled to the structure and configured to accept the cartridge, and
- an actuator movably coupled to the structure, the actuator comprising a rotary engagement feature configured to engage the linear engagement feature and a tab configured to interact with the notch when the carrier is accepted into the compartment and the carrier is accepted onto the platform,
- wherein:
- operation of the actuator in a first direction removes the carrier from the compartment, and
- operation of the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction inserts the carrier into the compartment.
A cartridge positioning system for positioning a cartridge, said system comprising:
- a drive rod comprising:
- a body having a first axis, and
- a groove formed in the body, the groove comprising a first portion that is not perpendicular to the first axis and a second portion that is perpendicular to the first axis, and
- a collar coupled to the drive rod, the collar comprising an element configured to engage the groove, wherein:
- rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged in the first portion of the thread causes the collar to move with respect to the drive rod along the first axis,
- rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged with the second portion of the thread causes the collar to remain stationary with respect to the drive rod along the first axis.
A drive rod for moving an element, the drive rod comprising:
- a body having a first axis, and
- a groove formed into the body, the groove comprising a first portion that is not perpendicular to the first axis and a second portion that is perpendicular to the first axis,
- wherein:
- rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged in the first portion of the thread causes the collar to move with respect to the drive rod along the first axis,
- rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged with the second portion of the thread causes the collar to remain stationary with respect to the drive rod along the first axis.
A system for handling a slide, the system comprising:
- a carrier comprising a retention hole, the carrier configured to accept the slide,
- a cartridge comprising a case coupled to one or more separators that together define a plurality of compartments each configured to accept the carrier, wherein:
- at least one of the separators comprises a guide hole,
- all guide holes are disposed on a first axis, and
- the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments of the cartridge when the retention hole is aligned with the first axis, and
- a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.
A cartridge for handling a carrier having a retention hole, said cartridge comprising:
- a case,
- one or more separators coupled to the case so as to define a plurality of compartments configured to accept the carrier, wherein:
- at least one of the separators comprises a guide hole,
- all guide holes are disposed on a first axis, and
- the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments of the cartridge when the retention hole is aligned with the first axis, and
- a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.
A carrier for use in a slide handling system having an actuator, the carrier comprising:
- a body,
- a notch formed in the body, and
- a linear engagement feature formed along an edge of the body,
- wherein the linear engagement feature and the notch are configured to engage with the actuator so that the actuator may move the carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.