DE102011003366A1 - Processing machine e.g. cover slipper, for processing samples applied on microscope slides, has controlling device equipped in such manner that extension and retraction of drawer unit are enabled at appropriate times - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine e.g. cover slipper (100), has a feeding device (200) receiving holding devices and feeding the machine with received microscope slides. The feeding device includes extendable- and retractable drawer unit with receiving containers for receiving the holding devices. An operating unit is connected with a controlling device, so that the extension and retraction of the drawer unit are initiated by the actuation of the operating unit. The controlling device is equipped in such a manner that the extension and retraction of the drawer unit are enabled at appropriate time.

Description

The present invention relates to a processing machine for processing samples applied to microscope slides according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The present invention will be described essentially in connection with coverslipping machines. However, it is in principle intended for all machines that are manually fed with holding devices (so-called "racks") for slides.

State of the art

In histology, different processing machines, such. As staining machines (Histostainer) and coverslipping (Coverslipper), used for sample processing. A stainer is, for example, in the DE 100 41 229 A1 described. Coverslippers are used to cover slides, on which, for example, tissue sections are located. It is known to apply a Eindeckmedium (a kind of liquid adhesive) dosed on the slide and then press on a cover glass for sealing. Such a glass cover machine is sold, for example, by the applicant under the name "Leica CV5030".

The DE 101 44 041 A1 describes a device for the automatic feeding of slides to a coverslipper. Such a device is sold by the applicant under the name "Leica ST5025". This device is installed between staining machines and coverslipping machines, thus forming a dyeing and Eindecksystem, as for example. In the DE 101 44 989 A1 is described.

Nevertheless, coverslipping machines as well as automatic staining machines still have the possibility of manual loading, whereby drawer systems are usually used. In this case, a pull-out unit ("drawer") is provided with a trough, in which there is usually solvent, into which, after pulling out, the racks with the microscope slides are inserted and which is subsequently pushed back into it.

The manual loading, however, is associated with disadvantages that are to be overcome.

Before the rack is placed in the coverslipper, it is usually stored in a solvent container (eg xylene or xylene substitute). This may be the last step in the stainer or a simple freestanding container outside. With manual loading, the operator removes the rack from the liquid supply, drains it accordingly and then brings one or more of these racks to the coverslipper. The loading then takes place via manual flaps or drawer solutions.

Sometimes it is necessary to lower the rack again, open the drawer or flap and then insert the rack into the device. Since this can still be wetted with solvent at this time, any unnecessary rack handling is disadvantageous and associated with harassment (eg smell).

Often, during manual loading, too sudden or too rapid opening or closing of the drawer spills solvent, which leads to contamination of the machine and also to an odor nuisance. Likewise, a complex cleaning is necessary.

Furthermore, it may happen that the drawer is pulled out while just inside the machine a rack is removed by a gripper from the tub or inserted into the tub, so that even damage to the machine and / or the rack may occur.

Also, the machine is difficult to see whether after opening the drawer actually a rack has been removed or used.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved opportunity for manual loading.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention, automatic processing machines are proposed for processing samples applied to microscope slides, in particular coverslipping machines or staining machines, with the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

The invention is based on the measure to automate the loading of a processing machine so that a manual loading of the processing machine without the problems described above is possible. For this purpose, on the one hand the charging device is motorized, so that the drawer is driven by the motor on demand of the operator and extended. For this purpose, the operator actuates an intended operating means, for example a pushbutton or a button. In the context of the invention, speed, acceleration and jerk of the drawer movement can be controlled so that spilling of a liquid is avoided. On the other hand, a control unit is provided and, preferably programmatically, set up so that it can retract and / or extend the Drawer only at appropriate times permits. A procedure of the drawer is thus prevented when no suitable time is present.

Advantages of the invention

The invention considerably simplifies the manual loading of a processing machine. The invention provides the possibility of controlled movement of the drawer unit. The movements can be controlled and configured so that the drawer opens or closes without jerking. The gentle movement ensures that a build-up or even spillage of a liquid contained in receptacles is avoided. The triggering of the drawer movement can be done very easily by the operator, even if he just carries racks. Preferably, an operating area with buttons for opening or closing the drawer is provided on the front of the device. If the operator spends the racks manually to the device, opening the drawer can be requested by lightly tapping the operating device. The device control checks whether the drawer can be opened at this time (eg not possible if racks are being moved by a handling unit ("gripper") in the area of the drawer) and then opens accordingly (or not). This combines comfort and safety aspects.

According to a preferred embodiment, for which protection is also sought separately, an automatic processing machine according to the invention comprises at least one readout device for reading at least one identification unit of a holding device received in the loading device. For a processing machine according to the invention are particularly holding devices, as described in the DE 100 10 140 A1 or in the unpublished DE 10 2010 062 543 are described. Such holding devices have one or two identification units, which preferably comprise RFID transponders. Preferably, at least one of the identification units provides identifications concerning the slides contained in the holding device and / or concerning a treatment in a dyeing or covering machine, as also in the US Pat DE 100 10 140 A1 is described. A preferred processing machine is set up to recognize when a holding device, which in particular has two different identification units, is not inserted correctly.

Advantageously, there is a display means arranged to indicate the presence and / or absence of a suitable time. If there is no suitable time, the loading device does not respond to an actuation of the operating means by extending or retracting the drawer unit. Preferably, in such a case, the display means is activated in order to signal to the operator that the drawer unit is currently locked. This gives the operator information that his user request is registered but can not be fulfilled. Thus, the assumption is avoided in the operator, the user request would not have been registered and / or the device would be defective. The display means may preferably be configured similar to a traffic light with a green light for "drawer unit free" and a red light for "drawer unit locked". The display means may comprise one element for several colors or even several elements for each color. The display means may also comprise a display on which freely definable text, symbols, pictograms, images, etc. can be displayed.

Preferably, the motor drive the drawer by means of a stepper motor, but there are also other motor solutions conceivable, such. B. a linear motor.

Preferably, the processing machine, here in particular the control device, is adapted to perform a processing of a recorded slide on the basis of information and / or instructions stored in an identification unit of the holding device receiving the slide. This may in particular dyeing or Eindeckparameter, such. Cover slip size, type of mounting medium, amount of mounting medium, act. This allows, for example, in so-called. Double road operation, the assignment to the required Eindeckstraße.

If two identification units are provided which contain different information, this can additionally serve to identify the orientation of the holding device. So incorrectly used holding devices can be detected and it does not come to a malfunction, for example, by the wrong side of the slide would be covered. Even if only one read-out device is provided, the correct orientation can be recognized on the basis of the information read out. If the device reads out "correct" information (for example the identifications described above concerning the slides contained in the holding device and / or concerning a treatment in a dyeing or covering machine), it is simultaneously recognized that the orientation is correct. If the device reads "wrong" information (eg "back"), it is recognized that the orientation is not correct. It is thus possible to detect the orientation of the holding device on the basis of a first identification unit, while information relating to a second identification unit is additionally available Covering and coloring and / or other data with respect to the holding device can be detected.

Information can also be used with particular advantage to uniquely identify the holding device. In this way - as described - the holding device can be assigned to a specific treatment in a machine. On the other hand, a kind of logbook can be guided via the holding device or the slides held therein. This is very advantageous in particular for the medical field, since it is comprehensible in this way what happened to the holding device or the slides when and where. The processing machine, here in particular the control device, is preferably set up to store processed processing of a recorded object carrier together with identification information stored in an identification unit of the holding device holding the object holder, preferably within the processing machine, in a connected processing unit and / or in the identification unit of the holding device receiving the slide. This can be easily created a logbook function.

According to a preferred embodiment, the read-out device is an RFID reader or RFID reader / writer. RFID transponders are very small units so they can be built into the fixture without complicating it or changing its shape. Another reason for the use of RFID transponders lies in the low manufacturing and procurement costs and their robustness and reliability, which in particular the applications in the medical field, where much is handled with chemicals, etc., improved.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one readout device is arranged so that it can read identification units of holding devices received in the loading device. Thus it can be detected immediately after a process of the drawer unit, whether their content has changed.

By reading one or more identification units, it can also be recognized, for example, whether the rack used is admissible. Once the drawer has been opened and closed, it is assumed that a rack has been used. If no new identification unit is detected after closing the drawer, either no new rack has been inserted or the rack used is not permitted (eg identification unit is defective). In this case, the operator, preferably via the display means, pointed to the situation and asked for correction. Thus, the reliability of the machine can be increased.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is illustrated schematically with reference to an embodiment in the drawing and will be described in detail below with reference to the drawing.

figure description

1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a processing machine according to the invention.

2 schematically shows the loading device of the automatic processing machine according to 1 ,

In 1 a preferred embodiment of a processing machine according to the invention here as a glass cover machine (in the following coverslipping) is shown schematically in a perspective view and a total of 100 designated. For better identification of the individual components of the coverslipper is shown without side wall.

The coverslipper 100 serves to stock samples applied to slides. A mounting medium and then a cover glass are applied to the slides. For this purpose, a Eindeckvorrichtung can be used, as for example in the DE 101 44 048 A1 is described.

The coverslipper 100 also has a charging device 200 , with reference to below 2 is explained in more detail. The loading device 200 has an extendable and retractable drawer unit 210 , in the present example two with a liquid such. As solvent, fillable receptacle 211 and 212 are provided. The receptacles 211 and 212 serve to accommodate holding devices, wherein in the example shown in the receptacle 211 a holding device 310 and in the receptacle 212 a holding device 320 is included.

Each of the holders 310 . 320 carries a number of slides 400 that usually have tissue slices that you want to cover. Furthermore, the holding devices have 310 and 320 each with two RFID transponders 311 and 312 respectively. 321 and 322 which contain information.

The loading device 200 also has an electric drive 220 that has an electric motor 221 and an associated linear guide 222 includes. The electric motor 221 is designed as a stepper motor and allows retraction and extension of the drawer unit 210 along the linear guide 222 , The electric drive 220 , here the electric motor 221 , is controlled by a control device (not shown). The control device is inside the coverslipper 100 arranged and expediently for controlling all functionalities of the coverslipper 100 program-technically furnished.

The loading device 200 is still with a here as a button 230 equipped control means, which is connected to the control device, so that by pressing the button 230 , an extension or retraction of the drawer unit 210 is initiated. In the preferred embodiment shown here is the button 230 from one as a light ring 240 surrounded trained display means which, depending on the state of the charging device 200 in different colors lights. Preference, it is provided that the light ring lights green when a retraction or extension of the drawer unit 210 by pressing the button 230 can be initiated. In addition, it is provided that the light ring 240 Red lights up when an inappropriate time is present and therefore the retraction and extension of the drawer unit 210 is blocked by the control unit. Pressing the button 230 causes in such a case no retraction or extension of the drawer unit 210 ,

The control unit is via the in the coverslipper 100 informed running processing steps, so that in particular for the retraction or extension of the drawer unit 210 determine appropriate times. In particular, a suitable time is not present when, with the drawer unit closed, a holding device is present 310 or 320 from the associated receptacle 211 respectively. 212 is removed. For the removal is within the coverslipper 100 a corresponding gripper (not shown) is provided, which removes the holding devices from the Ausnahmebehältern and the Eindeckvorrichtung supplies. An inappropriate time may still exist if other operations within the coverslipper 100 take place, where the drawer unit 210 should not be opened as possible. These may be, for example, (automatic) cleaning and / or disinfection processes.

In the preferred embodiment shown here, the charging device has 200 over two, each on a carrier 250 on the drawer unit 210 arranged readout facilities 251 and 252 , which are designed here as RFID readers. In the present example, an RFID reader is provided for each of the receptacles, in order to those on the holding device 310 respectively. 320 provided RFID transponder 312 respectively. 322 read. In the present embodiment, the RFID readers 251 and 252 so on the drawer unit 210 arranged that they only have the RFID transponders adjacent to them 312 respectively. 322 can read. In this way, the control unit in the coverslipper can be informed whether and, if so, which holding device is located in a receptacle. On the basis of the information stored in the RFID transponders then the processing operation in the coverslipper 100 be performed. Furthermore, a log or logbook can be made about the processing operations carried out. Finally, as explained in detail above, it can also be recognized if a holding device is inserted incorrectly into the receiving container.

In another preferred embodiment, however, it may also be provided that one or more read-out devices in the coverslipper 100 are arranged, that the RFID transponder during retraction and extension of the drawer unit 210 be passed past the readout devices, so that several identification units per holding device can be read. For example, it could be provided that the longitudinal extension of the receptacle is aligned transversely to the direction of movement, so as to pass identification devices of different holding devices on one and the same read-out device.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10041229 A1 [0003]
• DE 10144041 A1 [0004]
• DE 10144989 A1 [0004]
• DE 10010140 A1 [0016, 0016]
• DE 102010062543 [0016]
• DE 10144048 A1 [0031]

Claims (11)

Automatic processing machine for processing on glass slides ( 400 ) applied samples, in particular coverslipper or stainer, comprising a loading device ( 200 ) for receiving one or more holding devices ( 310 . 320 ) for slides ( 400 ) and for loading the processing machine ( 100 ) with the recorded slides ( 400 ), the charging device ( 200 ) a retractable and retractable drawer unit ( 210 ) with one or more receptacles ( 211 . 212 ) for receiving the holding devices ( 310 . 320 ), characterized by an electric drive ( 220 . 221 . 222 ) for extending and retracting the drawer unit ( 210 ), a control device for controlling the electric drive ( 220 . 221 ), an operating means ( 230 ), which is connected to the control device, so that by operating the operating means a retraction or retraction of the drawer unit ( 210 ), wherein the control device is set up in such a way that extension or retraction of the drawer unit ( 210 ) is allowed only at appropriate times. Processing machine according to claim 1, comprising a display means ( 240 ) arranged to indicate the presence and / or absence of an appropriate time. Automatic processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the display means ( 240 ) has a first illuminant that lights up when a suitable time exists, and / or a second illuminant ( 240 ), which lights up when there is no suitable time. Processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric drive ( 220 ) a stepper motor ( 220 ) having. Automatic processing machine according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one read-out device ( 251 . 252 ) arranged to comprise at least one identification unit ( 312 ; 322 ) from in receptacles ( 211 . 212 ) of the charging device ( 200 ) holding fixtures ( 310 . 320 ) can read. Processing machine according to claim 5, wherein the at least one read-out device ( 251 . 252 ) is arranged so that it is accessible to everyone in the receptacles ( 211 . 212 ) of the charging device ( 200 ) holding fixtures ( 310 . 320 ) at least one identification unit ( 312 ; 322 ) can read. Automatic processing machine according to claim 5 or 6, which is adapted to recognize when one of the receptacles ( 211 . 212 ) of the charging device ( 200 ) recorded holding device ( 310 . 320 ) is not inserted correctly. Processing machine according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the at least one read-out device ( 251 . 252 ) is arranged so that in at least one of the receptacles ( 211 . 212 ) of the charging device ( 200 ) recorded holding devices ( 310 . 320 ) during retraction and extension of the drawer unit so at the read-out device ( 251 . 252 ) are passed, that this several identification units per holding device ( 310 . 320 ) can read. Processing machine according to one of claims 5 to 8, which is adapted to a processing of a recorded slide ( 400 ) on the basis of information and / or instructions contained in an identification unit ( 312 . 322 ) the holding device receiving the microscope slide ( 310 . 320 ) are stored. Processing machine according to one of claims 5 to 9, which is adapted to a performed processing of a recorded slide ( 400 ) together with identification information stored in an identification unit ( 312 . 322 ) the holding device receiving the microscope slide ( 310 . 320 ) are stored, store. Processing machine according to one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the at least one read-out device ( 251 . 252 ) is designed as an RFID reader or RFID reader / writer.

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