COVERSLIP DISPENSING DEVICE

Abstract

A portable battery operated coverslip dispensing device 50 includes an optical sensor 64. The optical sensor detects proximity, for example the proximity of a user's hand. The optical sensor is associated with a switch that operates the dispensing mechanism 8 in response to a signal from the optical sensor. When that signal has been received, the dispensing mechanism 8 moves the blade 10 through one cycle, i.e. the blade is moved from a start position (as shown in FIG. 1) to an extended position (at which point a coverslip has been moved to the dispensed position 60) and back to the start position. The dispense mechanism then stops. In order to dispense another coverslip the user must activate the optical sensor again.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a coverslip dispensing device, being a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a coverslip dispensing device, being a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 shows a doctor roller system for delivering pre-activating fluid to a coverslip, being a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a coverslip dispensing device 2 that has a base plate 4, which includes a rear portion 6 that has a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the base plate. Fixed to the rear portion is dispense mechanism 8 that includes dispense blade 10 and linear actuator 12.

The dispense blade 10 is connected to the linear actuator with a right-angled flange 14. The linear actuator imparts a horizontal displacement to the blade in the direction of arrow 16.

In use, a cartridge 18 containing a stack of coverslips 20 is positioned on the device 2 such that the lowermost coverslip 22 lies just above the base plate 4 (in fact, the coverslip 22 rests on coverslip support members formed at the bottom of the cartridge, for example as shown in FIG. 3).

The lowermost coverslip 22 is aligned with the dispense blade 10 and the cartridge 18 includes an opening 24 in its rear wall 26 so that the dispense blade can be moved against the rear circumferential face 28 of the coverslip 22. The horizontal motion of the dispense blade causes the blade end 30 to act on the rear circumferential face 28 thereby moving the coverslip 22 horizontally towards the front of the device in the direction of arrow 16.

The coverslip slides on top of the cartridge's coverslip support members (not shown) and moves with respect to the coverslips above it in the stack 20. The motive force provided by the dispense blade overcomes the friction between neighbouring coverslips and between the coverslip and the cartridge. Furthermore, stop member 32 is positioned in an opening 34 in the front wall 36 of the cartridge so as to define an dispenser opening 38. The size of this opening 38 is such the coverslips above the desired coverslip 22 are prevented from leaving the cartridge.

The stop member 32 is adjustable so as to change the size of the dispenser opening 38. For example, a larger opening would be needed for thicker coverslips.

When the dispense blade 10 is fully extended (i.e. when the coverslip has been dispensed), the blade end 30 is located in a position forward of the stop member 32. This means that the dispensed coverslip is entirely outside of the cartridge and stop member and can be easily removed from the machine by the user without having to slide the coverslip.

FIG. 2 shows a further example of a coverslip dispensing device according to the present invention. This device has the same dispense blade arrangement as the device shown in FIG. 1.

The device 50 has a base plate 52 to which is connected a dispense blade enclosure 54. A cartridge 18 containing a stack of coverslips is identical to the one described in FIG. 1. Located between the cartridge 18 and enclosure 54 is cartridge retainer 56. This helps to keep contaminants away from the coverslips and prevents the ingress of dust and dirt that could damage the dispensing mechanism. The cartridge retainer also serves to fix the cartridge in the desired position by providing an opening just large enough to receive the cartridge.

Attached to the retainer 56 is a stop member 32 that is identical to the one discussed with respect to FIG. 1. The stop member is attached to the retainer with a pair of screws 58. When the screws are loosened the stop member 20 can be moved up and down (e.g. parallel to the front wall 36 of the cartridge 18) so as to adjust the height of the dispenser opening 38 (not shown).

As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, when a coverslip has been transferred to the dispensed position 60 it lies entirely outside the cartridge, but also outside the retainer 56. This means that the dispensed coverslip 22 can be lifted from the device without any horizontal motion. This reduces the likelihood of damage to the coverslip, e.g. from scratches on the underside. Furthermore, it means that the entire upper surface of the coverslip is unobstructed so that a glass slide can be applied to the coverslip without having to move the coverslip.

In the dispensed position 60 the coverslip rests on support structure 62. In this embodiment the support structure comprises a block that extends upwards from the base plate 52. The block has a rectangular cross section although other shapes are possible. The shape of the support structure is such that the coverslip 22 is adequately supported and the coverslip overhangs the block along the entire length of the coverslip. The width of the block is about 15 mm, although other widths are possible.

The support structure 62 does not include any elements that cover or overhang the top surface of the coverslip. This means that it is possible to apply a slide or glass sheet directly on top of the coverslip without removing the coverslip from the dispensed position 60.

The device 50 includes an optical sensor 64. The optical sensor detects proximity, for example the proximity of a user's hand. The optical sensor is associated with a switch that operates the dispensing mechanism 8 in response to a signal from the optical sensor. When that signal has been received, the dispensing mechanism 8 moves the blade 10 through one cycle, i.e. the blade is moved from a start position (as shown in FIG. 1) to an extended position (at which point a coverslip has been moved to the dispensed position 60) and back to the start position. The dispense mechanism then stops. In order to dispense another coverslip the user must activate the optical sensor again.

The device 50 also includes an on/off power switch. The device is battery operated, although mains operation is possible in other embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a doctor roller system for use in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The doctor roller system 100 can be used with a device such as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, or with other devices, for example fully automated coverslippers. The doctor roller system is located in front of the stack of cartridges (in the dispensing direction) and applies a thin film of pre-activating liquid to a coated coverslip 22 as it moves from the stack to the dispensed position. In this embodiment the coverslip is coated on its upper face. The pre-activating liquid in this example is xylene, but other liquids can be used. The xylene is delivered from a reservoir at a controlled rate via tube 102 to a pair of contra-rotating rollers 104, 106. The rollers are arranged so that a thin layer of xylene 108 is applied to the larger application roller 106, which in turn deposits the xylene as a thin layer 110 on to the moving coverslip 22. In this way, the entire coated surface of the coverslip is covered with xylene. This pre-activation of the coated coverslip leads to reduced incidence of trapped air bubbles in the final assembled sample preparation.

The separation and/or tension between the two rollers 104, 106 can be adjusted so as to control the film 108 thickness on the application roller 106. The thickness of the film 110 applied to the coverslip can also be controlled by adjusting the position and/or tension of the application roller. The coverslip can be supported underneath by a further roller. In embodiments that employ a dispense blade to deliver the coverslip, the coverslip can be brought into the roller nip by the action of the blade.

These preferred embodiments have been described by way of example and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alterations can be made that are still within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A coverslip dispensing device having a non-contact sensor associated with a coverslip dispensing mechanism wherein activation of the sensor causes operation of the dispensing mechanism.

2. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensor is located on the exterior of the device.

3. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensor faces towards the front of the device in the coverslip dispensing direction.

4. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensor is an optical sensor.

5. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensor is a capacitative sensor.

6. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensor detects at least one of motion and proximity.

7. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is battery operated.

8. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the device includes means for connecting a battery to the device.

9. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is portable.

10. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 9, wherein the largest dimension of the device is less than 30 cm.

11. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 9, wherein the device weighs no more than 4 kg.

12. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes coverslip cartridge retaining means for locating a coverslip cartridge with respect to the device during use.

13. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 12, wherein the cartridge retaining means includes cartridge fixing means for fixing the cartridge to the device.

14. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge fixing means includes a resilient member.

15. A device according to claim 12, wherein the device includes a cartridge for holding coverslips.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a liquid delivery system for delivering a pre-activating liquid to at least 50% of the coated surface of a pre-coated coverslip.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the liquid delivery system delivers a pre-activating liquid to at least 75% of the coated surface of the coverslip

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the liquid delivery system delivers a pre-activating liquid to substantially all of the surface of the coverslip to which the coating has been applied.

19. A device according to claim 16, wherein the liquid delivery system includes a roller for applying the pre-activating liquid to the coverslip.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the liquid delivery system includes a doctor roller system.

21. A coverslip dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing mechanism transfers a coverslip from a start position to a dispensed position, the coverslip having top and bottom faces and circumferential faces connecting the top and bottom faces, wherein the dispensing mechanism contacts only a circumferential face of the coverslip during dispensing of the coverslip.

22. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coverslip dispensing mechanism is adapted to move a coverslip from a start position to a dispensed position; and the device includes a coverslip support structure that supports the coverslip in the dispensed position, wherein the entire upper surface of the coverslip is unobstructed when the coverslip is supported on the coverslip support structure in the dispensed position.

23. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coverslip dispensing mechanism is adapted to transfer a coverslip from a stack of coverslips to a dispensed position; and the device includes a coverslip stop means that prevents displacement of more than one coverslip at a time, wherein the coverslip stop means is adjustable so as to allow coverslips of different thicknesses to be transferred to the dispensed position.

24. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing mechanism is adapted to move a coverslip from a start position in a cartridge to a dispensed position so that in the dispensed position the entire coverslip is outside the cartridge.