WO1996012170A1

WO1996012170A1 - Automatic slide handling and feeding apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1996012170A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/012627
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacob L. F. De Meijere; Karl Heinz Muth; Albrecht Weiss
Original assignee: Becton Dickinson And Company
Priority date: 1994-10-14
Filing date: 1995-09-29
Publication date: 1996-04-25
Also published as: AU3825295A

Abstract

The apparatus for automatically handling and feeding a plurality of specimen slides for analysis by an image cytometer includes at least two side racks (24, 26) movable in a vertical direction and a pair of extending arms (60) movable in a horizontal direction, whereby upon positioning of the extending arms (60) under one of the specimen slides and upon vertical movement of the rack (24, 26) supporting the slide, the slide is supported by the extending arms (60) so that upon horizontal movement of the extending arms, the slide is removed from the rack (24, 26). In this way, a minimum amount of space is needed for the apparatus, which can be integrated into the image cytometer. Also, the apparatus may include a locking mechanism (16) for locking the apparatus to a support (100), which preferably includes part of the flow cytometer.

Description

AUTOMATIC S TΩE HANDLING AND FEEDING APPARATUS

FTELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for handling and feeding slides, and more specifically relates to an apparatus for automatically handling and feeding a plurality of specimen slides to an imaging analysis apparatus, commonly referred to as an image cytometer, for analysis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that cell objects can be analyzed by an image cytometer to provide valuable information to assist physician and the like in the diagnosis prognosis of patients. In U.S. Patent No. 4,471,043 to Bacus for Method and Apparatus for Image Analyses of Biological Specimens, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein, cell samples previously attached to slides are analyzed by an operator using an image cytometer to quantitatively measure particular attributes of the cell objects and record a digital representation of the optical image. The measured attributes can be reported on a per object basis or on an accumulated basis, and the stored image representations can later be read from memory for review.

The arrangement and method of Bacus Patent No. 4,471,043 have been well received both for the reports generated and for the improvements in the use of operator time. Despite such success, a problem and limitation remains, i.e., the operator must still load individual slides for analysis. In addition, prior attempts at automating the process are cumbersome and require considerable space.

Thus, a need exists for a apparatus for automatically handling and feeding a plurality of slides, and especially a apparatus that can be used in combination with an image cytometer whereby individual slides can be automatically feed into the image cytometer for analysis. In addition, there has been a need for such an apparatus which could be integrated into existing image cytometers while requiring minimal space, thereby, improving the through time and automation of the total systems. /12170 PC17US95/12627

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In contrast to the prior devices discussed above, it has been found that the apparatus of the present invention particularly suited for automatically handling and feeding a plurality of slides for analysis by an image cytometer can be constructed in accordance with the present invention. In addition, the apparatus of the present invention can be used integrally with existing image cytometers.

The apparatus of the present invention for use with an image cytometer for automatically handling and feeding a plurality of specimen slides for analysis by the image cytometer includes support means and handling means. Specifically, the support means is for supporting a plurality of specimen slides and moving the slides in at least a generally downward vertical direction. The handling means is for supporting at least one of the specimen slides and moving the slide in at least a generally horizontal direction. In this way, upon positioning of the handling means beneath the one of the specimen slides and upon vertical movement of the support means in the downwardly direction, the slide is supported by the handling means so that upon horizontal movement of the handling means, the slide is removed from the support means.

In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the support means is adapted to include at least two racks mounted to the support means. In addition, the handling means is adapted to include at least two extending arms for supporting the specimen slide. Also, the apparatus further includes locking means for locking the apparatus in a fixed position, with the locking means adapted to include at least two outwardly extending pins engageable with corresponding hooks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, objects, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments along with the appended claims in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify corresponding components, and: Figure 1 is a perspective, schematic view of the apparatus of the present invention installed in an image cytometer;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support mechanism of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 without the slide racks mounted to the frame; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the support mechanism illustrated in Figure 2 with the slide racks mounted to the frame;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of the locking mechanism of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 mounted to the image cytometer;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of the slide handling mechanism of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged top view of the slide handling mechanism illustrated in Figure 5 with a slide therein; and

Figure 7 is a logic flow diagram depicting the various steps for handling and feeding the slides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The apparatus of the present invention for automatically handling and feeding a plurality of slides is illustrated in Figures 1-7 and generally designated as 10. The apparatus includes a rotateable support mechanism 12 and a slide handling mechanism 14. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a locking mechanism 16 for mounting and locking the apparatus in an image cytometer.

As illustrated in Figure 1, and in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3, the support mechanism 12 includes a rotateable frame 20, a base 22 and two racks 24, 26. In addition, the support mechanism includes a lead screw or spindle 28 and a follower member or carrier 30, with one end of the lead screw 28 being interconnected with a motor 32 by a pulley assembly 34 for rotating the lead screw to vertically move the follower member 30. In this way, the two racks 24, 26 are each mounted back-to-back to the follower member 30 so that rotation of the lead screw causes the racks to move upwardly and downwardly in a generally vertical direction.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 261 In addition, the support mechanism includes a motor 36 and a slip coupling 38 for rotating the frame 20 about the axis of the lead screw. In this way, upon completion of the analysis of the slides contained in one rack 24, the frame can be rotated to bring the other rack 26 in position. To limit rotation of the frame 20, the base 22 includes a rotation limiter 39.

In the preferred embodiment, each rack 24, 26 is adapted to include a plurality of slots 40 defined by outwardly extending supports 42 for supporting individual slides. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the racks are removably mounted to the follower member 30 so that the racks 24, 26 can be loaded with slides and then mounted. In this way, once the apparatus 10 is installed, racks can be replaced with new racks upon completion of the analysis of the slides, without having to remove the apparatus.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and in greater detail in Figure 4, the locking mechanism 16 includes two slots defined by extending members 50 for accommodating two pairs of pins 52A, 52B, and 54 A 54B extending from the base 22 of the apparatus. In addition, the locking mechanism 16 includes a pair of hooks 56 interconnection by a shaft 57 and engageable with pins 52 A 54 Also, to lock the support mechanism 12 in place, at least one lever 58 is associated with one of the hooks, to raise the hooks in locking engagement with the pins. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism is mounted to the base 100 of the microscope of the image cytometer to permit easy removal of the support mechanism 12, and where desired, use of the microscope in its original way.

In addition, the slide handling mechanism 14 illustrated in Figure 1, and in greater detail in Figures 5 and 6, preferably includes two outwardly extending arms 60 upon which an individual slide 44A may be supported. Also, the slide handling mechanism is adapted to horizontally move the slide 44 A from the support mechanism and position it between the microscope objective 102 and the condenser 104 of the image cytometer for analysis. In addition, to grip or otherwise hold the slide in place, the mechanism includes a motor, 66, an excentric pin 68, a pressing plate 70, and three pins 72A, 72B, 72C extending upwardly from the arms 60. In this way, activation of the motor 66 causes the plate 70 to press the slide 44A against the pins, with a rounded portion 70A and an angled portion 70B of the plate 70 and pins 71A, 71B, steering or otherwise directing the slide against the pins 72A, 72B, 72C. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the handling mechanism is supported or otherwise forms part of the stage of the microscope, whereby movement of the mechanism is accomplished through the X-Y spindles of the stage. However, it should be appreciated that to provide increased speed, the mechanism may be independently driven by a separate motor or the like to separate the movements necessary for scanning the slide during analysis from the movements necessary for handling and feeding the slide.

The space between the extending arms 60 is at a minimum greater than the width of the supports 42 so that the supports may freely pass between the extending arms upon vertical movement of the racks 26, 28. In addition, it should be appreciated that to provide increased flexibility, the arms 60 may be adapted to move toward and way from each other so that, for example, the supports 42 may pass between them.

The materials and components used for constructing the various mechanisms are not essential to the present invention and may be made from a variety of materials and selected from a number of sources as is well known to those skilled in the art. Normally, manufacturers of the present system will select the various materials and c'omponents, based upon price, availability and application, including whether the apparatus will be integrated into an image cytometer.

For example, the various racks may be made from machined aluminum. However, the overall shape of the apparatus, including the general shape of the frame, is significant to the present invention, which in the preferred embodiment is of generally circular shape to provide a compact device, which can include multiple racks, such as, for example, two, three, or more positioned about the lead screw in a generally back-to-back arrangement with the supports projecting outwardly. Operation and Use

The operation of the apparatus 10 of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1-6 will now be explained with reference to the flow diagram shown in Figure 7.

Initially, in the preferred embodiment, a plurality of slides are loaded into the racks 24, 26, and the support mechanism is brought into engagement with the locking mechanism 16 mounted on the image cytometer. Then the pair of arms 60 of the handling mechanism 14 move into place beneath one of the slides, and the rack 24 is vertically lowered, whereby the slide is supported by the arms. Next, the handling mechanism 14 moves horizontally to place the slide between the microscope objective 102 and condensor. After analysis of the slide, the handling mechanism 14 returns the slide to the rack 24, and the rack is raised vertically to remove the slide from the arms. Then the arms are moved horizontally away from the rack 24 and the process is repeated until all of the slides contained in the rack are analyzed, whereupon, the frame is rotated 180_ to bring the other rack 26 into position. Upon completion of the analysis of the slides in the racks 24, 26, the racks can be removed and new racks mounted or otherwise attached to the follower member 30.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the device of the present invention, it is to be understood that variations and modifications may be employed without departing from the concept and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims. The preceding description is intended to be exemplary and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined only by reference to the following claims.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an image cytometer for automatically handling and feeding a plurality of specimen slides for analysis by the image cytometer, comprising: support means for supporting a plurality of specimen slides and moving the slides in at least a generally, downward vertical direction; and handling means for supporting at least one of said specimen slides and moving the slide in at least a generally horizontal direction, whereby upon positioning of said handling means beneath said one of said specimen slides and upon vertical movement of said support means in the downwardly direction, said slide is supported by said handling means so that upon horizontal movement of said handling means, said slide is removed from said support means.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said support means is adapted to include at least two racks mounted to said support means.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said handling means is adapted to include at least two extending arms for supporting said specimen slide.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising locking means for locking said apparatus in a fixed position.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said locking means is adapted to include at least two outwardly extending pins engageable with corresponding hooks.

6. An apparatus for use with an image cytometer for automatically handling and feeding a plurality of specimen slides for analysis by the image cytometer, comprising: support means for supporting a plurality of specimen slides and moving the slides in at least a generally downward and upward vertical direction; handling means for supporting at least one of said specimen slides and moving the slide in at least a generally horizontal direction, whereby upon positioning of said handling means beneath said one of said specimen slides and upon vertical movement of said support means in the downwardly direction, said slide is supported by said handling means so that upon horizontal movement of said handling means, said slide is removed from said support means; and locking means for locking said support mechanism in a removably in a fixed position.