Slide feeding unit for an automatic scanning microscope
US7327515B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/00138
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A slide feeding unit for a microscope includes a slide magazine having a base plate; a toothed rack secured to a magazine side wall; and slide guiding elements perpendicular to an open magazine side. The unit further includes a magazine moving mechanism having a magazine-receiving trough including opposite side plates. Two rotary shafts supported by the trough extend along the trough side plates. Magazine-advancing feeding gears are supported by the side plates and may mesh with the toothed magazine rack. Lifting gears, held in the side plates, have pins on which the magazine is supported when raised or lowered. Driving worm gears are rotated by the shafts and mesh with the lifting gears. The unit also includes a slide feeding device having a robot arm displaceable perpendicularly to the direction of advance of the magazine for removing a slide from the magazine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.