Claims:
1. A mechanism (100) for positioning a sample slide (111) in a diagnostic device, the mechanism (100) comprising:
a platform, defined with at least one depression (102) on an upper surface, the at least one depression is configured with one or more slots (103), to accommodate the sample slide (111); and
a lever (104) positioned on the platform, the lever (104) is configured to displace between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) on the platform;
wherein, the lever (104) is adapted to engage the sample slide (111) for aligning the sample slide (111) with a reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103).

2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever includes engageable edges (107, 108), each of the engageable edges (107, 108) is defined with an inclined profile.

3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inclined profile of the engageable edges facilitates the lever (104) to apply a resultant contact force on the sample slide (111), such that a resolved line of action of force obtained from said resultant contact force is directed for aligning the sample slide (111) in X and Y direction with respect to the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103).

4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an actuable end of the lever (104) is connected to an actuator, such that the lever (104) is displaced between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) by the actuator.

5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuator is a motor.

6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sample slide (111) is insertable or ejectable from the one or more slots (103), when the lever (104) is at the first position (FP).

7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever (104) engages the sample slide (111), during displacement of the lever (104) from the first position (FP), to the second position (SP), for aligning the sample slide (111) with a reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103).

8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103) is a longer side of the one or more slots (103).

9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more slots (103) is defined with a guiding portion (110) on a side opposite to the reference side (105), wherein the guiding portion (110) is configured to allow movement of the sample slide (111) in a direction, during aligning of the sample slide (111) with the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103).

10. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the guiding portion (110) is at least one of a chamfer and a curved surface.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure in general relates to a field of biomedical science. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates a diagnostic device. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a mechanism for aligning and positioning a sample slide in the diagnostic device.

BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE

Generally, diagnostic devices such as but not limiting to microscopes, are used to analyze biological fluids such as blood, semen, urine, sputum and the like. The analysis may be performed for acquiring various information of the biological fluids such as, but not limited to cytology, cell concentration, cell motility, morphological features, and the like to detect abnormalities in a subject. Usually, the biological fluids that are to be analyzed is deposited on a microscopic slide i.e. a sample slide. Once the biological fluids are deposited, the microscopic slide may be suitably prepared for analysis. Further, in order to perform the analysis, the microscopic slide is secured or positioned in a slide holding region or on a stage of the microscope. Once the microscopic slide is positioned in a slide holding region, the stage is rotated by a predefined degree, such that the sample slide is picked up by a gripper arm or a robotic arm and, is positioned under a scanner unit for analyzing the sample. Also, in some cases, manual rotation and tilting of the stage may be carried out to bring in alignment and effectively adjust the field of view.

Conventionally, many forms of securements such as spring clips, sliding arms and the like may be used to securely hold the microscopic slide on the platform or in the slide holding region. These securements to hold the microscopic slide tend to fail or wear out over prolonged usage. Thus, these securements may lead to misaligning of the microscopic slide in the slide holding region. This mitigates the gripper arm or the robotic arm to securely pick the sample slide and position the sample slide under the scanner unit. This, results in incorrect analysis of the sample.

Considering the above, several attempts have been made in the art to align and secure the slide within the slide holding region. One such development includes, development of a mechanism, for holding the sample slide in the slide holding region. A lever may be provided which includes at least two arms, extending in a U-shaped configuration. Each of the arms of the lever engages with longitudinal and lateral sides of the sample slide, and thus displaces the sample slide in X and Y direction for aligning and locking the sample slide, with respect to predefined location in the slide holding region. In addition, it is required to rotated the stage either in clockwise or anticlockwise direction for correcting the rotational errors in alignment of the slide. As the conventional mechanism includes a number of arms for aligning the slide in X and Y directions, the mechanism is complex and, moreover requires rotation of the stage for correcting the rotational errors associated with the alignment of the slide. Also, the lever is not flexible for aligning sample slides with different dimension, and thus may demand for a different lever for change in dimensions of the sample slide.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of conventional system or method of preparing biological fluid for analysis are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the mechanism for aligning a sample slide as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a mechanism for positioning a sample slide in a diagnostic device is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a platform. The platform is defined with at least one depression on an upper surface. The depression is configured with one or more slots, for accommodating the sample slide. Further, the mechanism comprises a lever positioned on the platform. The lever is configured to displace between a first position and a second position on the platform and, is adapted to engage the sample slide for aligning the sample slide with a reference side of the one or more slot.
In an embodiment, the lever comprises engageable edges, the engageable edges is defined with an inclined profile.
In an embodiment, the inclined profile of the engageable edges of the lever, facilitates in applying a resultant contact force on the sample slide, such that a resolved line of action of force obtained from said resultant contact force is directed for aligning the sample slide in X and Y direction with respect to the reference side of the slot.

In an embodiment, an actuating end of the lever is connected to an actuator, such that the lever is displaced between the first position and the second position by the actuator. The actuator is one of a DC gear motor and a stepper motor.

In an embodiment, the sample slide is insertable or ejectable from the one or more slot, when the lever is at the first position, and the lever engages the sample slide during displacement from the first position to the second position, for aligning the sample slide with the reference side of the one or more slots.
In an embodiment, the reference side of the slot is a longer side of the one or more slot.
In an embodiment, the slot is defined with a guiding portion on a side opposite to the reference side, wherein the guiding portion is configured to allow movement of the sample slide in a direction, during aligning of the sample slide with the reference side of the one or more slot.
In an embodiment, the guiding portion is at least one of a chamfer and a curved surface.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a schematic top view of a mechanism for aligning a sample slide, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a lever of the mechanism of Figure 1.

Figure. 3 illustrates a schematic top view of the mechanism of Figure 1, showing the lever in a first position and the sample slide inserted within the one or more slots, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 4 illustrates another schematic top view of the mechanism of Figure 3, showing the lever in a second position, engaging the sample slide in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 5 illustrates another schematic top view of the mechanism of Figure 3, showing the lever in a first position and the sample slide of a bigger dimension, inserted within the one or more slots, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 6 illustrates another schematic top view of the mechanism of Figure 5, showing the lever in a second position, engaging the sample slide of bigger dimension, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the cartridge and the assay illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that, a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various features of the mechanism, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered to be part of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that the mechanism comprises a list of components does not include only those components, but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such device or apparatus. In other words, one or more elements in the mechanism proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses, a mechanism for positioning a sample slide in a diagnostic device. Conventional mechanisms for aligning the sample slide on a stage of the diagnostic device comprises a lever, which includes at least a pair of arms. Each of the pair of arms are configured to engage longitudinal and lateral sides of the sample slide, in order to displace the sample slide in X and Y direction for aligning the sample slide with respect to the reference point in the stage. Further, the stage of the diagnostic device is rotated in order to correct the errors in alignment of the sample slide for obtaining efficient field of view. This configuration of the mechanism is complex as it requires multiple arms for displacing the sample slide in X and Y direction. Further, it also demands for rotation of the stage, to correct the alignment errors, which is time consuming and complex. Moreover, the lever adapted in the conventional mechanism is not flexible to align sample slides of different dimensions. The present disclosure is directed to a mechanism to align the sample slide of varying dimensions in the diagnostic device in an efficient way.

The mechanism of the present disclosure may include a platform defined with at least one depression on an upper surface. The at least one depression may be defined with one or more slots. The one or more slots may be configured to receive and accommodate the sample slide. In an embodiment, the one or more slots may be defined with a guiding portion for guiding the sample slide during aligning in the one or more slots. Further, the mechanism includes a lever, which is positioned on the platform. The lever may be configured to displace between a first position and a second position on the platform. The lever, during displacement from the first position to the second position, may engage the sample slide, for aligning the sample slide to a reference side of the one or more slots.

During engagement of the sample slide by the lever, an engaged edge of the lever may apply or exert a resultant contact force on the sample slide, such that, a line of action of force obtained from the resultant force is directed towards a longer side of the sample slide. This, facilitates in aligning the sample slide in X and Y direction, with respect to the reference side of the one or more slots. Further, the guiding portion defined in the one or more slots facilitates in allowing movement of the sample slide in a direction i.e. in a direction towards the reference side of the one or more slots. Thus, the configuration of the mechanism facilitates in aligning the sample slide in a simple and efficient manner, without the need of multiple arms to move the sample slide in individual directions and, rotation of the stage for correcting alignment errors.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of figures illustrating a mechanism for aligning a sample slide in a diagnostic device. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from scope of the present disclosure.

Figure. 1, is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a schematic top view of a mechanism (100) for positioning a sample slide (111) in a diagnostic device [not shown]. The mechanism (100) may include a platform (101), having an upper surface. The upper surface of the platform (101) may be defined with at least one depression (102). In an embodiment, the at least one depression (102) may be configured with one or more slots (103). The one or more slots (103) may be configured to accommodate the sample slide (111), which is disposed in the at least one depression (102). In an embodiment, the one or more slots (103) may be configured to accommodate sample slides of different dimensions. Further, the mechanism (100) may include a lever (104), which may be movably positioned on the upper surface of the platform (101). The lever (104) may be configured to displace between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP)[as seen in Figure. 4], on the platform (101). Displacement of the lever (104) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) may facilitate the lever (104) in engaging a portion of the sample slide (111), thereby aiding in aligning the sample slide (111) with a reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103). In an embodiment, the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103) may be a longer side of the one or more slots (103). As apparent from Figure. 1, the one or more slots (103), configured in the at least one depression (102) may be provisioned with a guiding portion (110). In an embodiment, the guiding portion (110) may be an extension of the one or more slots (103) and may be off-set at a predetermined angle. The guiding portion (110) facilitates in locking degrees of freedom of the sample slide (111) and, allows movement of the sample slide (111) in a direction, towards the reference side (105), during aligning of the sample slide (111). As an example, the guiding portion (110) may be at least one of but not limiting to a chamfer and a curved surface, which may be defined on a side opposite to the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103).

Now referring to Figure. 2, which illustrates a perspective view of the lever (104). The lever (104) may include a body portion (106). The body portion (106) of the lever (104) may be defined with engageable edges (107, 108), which may be configured to engage the sample slide (111), in order to align the sample slide (111) with respect to the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103). In an embodiment, the engageable edges (107, 108) of the lever (104) may be a tip portion (107), and a longitudinal side portion (108). In an embodiment, the engageable edges (107, 108) of the lever (104), that engages the sample slide (111), may depend on the size of the sample slide (111). As an example, the tip portion (107) of the lever (104) may engage a smaller dimensioned slide and, the longitudinal side portion (108) of the lever (104) may engage a bigger dimensioned slide. In an embodiment, the engageable edges (107, 108) of the lever (104), may be defined with an inclined profile. The inclined profile of the engageable edges (107, 108) my facilitate in directing a resolved line of action of forces, which may be obtained from a resultant contact force, during engagement of the lever (104) with the slide, towards a longitudinal side of the sample slide (111), for aligning the sample slide (111) in both X and Y direction.

Further, as apparent from Figure. 2, an actuating end of the lever (104) may be configured with a cylindrical protrusion (109). The cylindrical protrusion (109) may be inserted into the platform (101) to facilitate in pivotally connecting the lever (104) to an actuator (not shown in figures), which in an embodiment, may be positioned beneath the platform (100). This pivotal connection of the lever (104) and the actuator, facilitates in displacing the lever (104) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP). In an embodiment, the actuator may be a motor, such as but not limiting to a DC gear motor and a stepper motor.

Turning now to Figure. 3, which illustrates the schematic top view of the mechanism (100), depicting the lever (104) in the first position (FP). In an embodiment, the lever (104) at the first position (FP), may facilitate in inserting and ejecting the sample slide (111) from the one or more slots (103) configured in the at least one depression (102) on the platform (100). In other words, the sample slide (111) may be inserted into the one or more slots (103), when the lever (104) is at the first position (FP). In an embodiment, the sample slide (111) positioned in the one or more slots (103) may contact the guiding portion (110) defined in the one or more slots (103).

Now, as seen in Figure. 4, once the sample slide (111) is positioned in the one of the one or more slots (103), the lever (104) may displace from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP). During displacing from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP), the lever (104) may engage at least a portion of the sample slide (111), which is positioned within the one or more slots (103). In an illustrative embodiment, the tip portion (107) of the lever (104), which is defined with an inclined profile, engages with at least a portion of the sample slide (111). As an example, the tip portion (107) of the lever (104), may engage a corner portion [i.e. intersection point of the longer edge and the shorter edge] of the sample slide (111). In an embodiment, the tip portion (107), upon engaging at least a portion of the sample slide (111) applies or imposes the resultant contact force on the sample slide (111). The inclined profile of the tip portion (thus, the edge which in engagement), may facilitate in directing the resolved line of action of forces, which is obtained from the resultant contact force towards a longer side of the sample slide (111). This facilitates the sample slide (111) to align in both X and Y direction with respect to the reference side (105) (thus, the longer side) of the one or more slots (103). In other words, the inclined profile of the tip portion (107) may facilitate movement of the sample slide (111) in both X and Y direction, with respect to the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103). In an embodiment, during aligning the sample slide (111) within the one or more slots (103) i.e. during movement of the sample slide (111) in X and Y direction within the one or more slot, a portion of the sample slide (111) may contact the guiding portion (110) defined in the one or more slots (103). The guiding portion (110) may facilitate in allowing movement of the sample slide (111) in one direction i.e. the guiding portion (110) may lock certain degrees of freedom of the sample slide (111) and, allows movement of the sample slide (111) in one direction towards the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103), for aligning the sample slide (111).

In an embodiment, the lever (104) at the second position (SP), may facilitate in locking the sample slide (111) in the aligned position, until the sample slide (111) in picked up by a gripper arm or a robotic arm [not shown in figures].

Turning to Figures. 5 and 6, which illustrates a schematic top view of the mechanism (100) in which a sample slide (111) of bigger dimension is positioned in the one or more slots (103), in accordance to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As apparent from Figure. 5, the lever (104) is at the first position (FP) on the platform (101). A sample slide (111) of larger dimension may be positioned in the one or more slots (103), when the lever (104) is at the first position (FP). Once, the sample slide (111) is positioned in the one or more slots (103), the lever (104) may be displaced from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP)[as seen on Figure. 6], by the actuator. During, displacement of the lever (104) from the first position (FP), towards the second position (SP), the lever (104) may engage at least a portion of the sample slide (111), which is positioned within the one or more slots (103). In an illustrative embodiment, the longitudinal side (108) of the lever (104), which is defined with an inclined profile, engages with the at least a portion of the sample slide (111). As an example, the longitudinal side (108) of the lever (104), may engage a corner of the sample slide (111). In an embodiment, the longitudinal side (108), upon engaging at least a portion of the sample slide (111) applies or imposes a resultant contact force on the sample slide (111). The inclined profile of the longitudinal side (108) (thus, engageable edge), may facilitate in directing the resolved line of action of forces, which is obtained from the resultant contact force, towards a longer side of the sample slide (111). This facilitates the sample slide (111) to align in both X and Y direction with respect to the reference side (105) (thus, the longer side of the one or more slots). In other words, the inclined profile of the longitudinal side (108) (thus, the engaging edge) facilitates the sample slide (111) to move in both X and Y direction within the one or more slots (103), with respect to the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103). In an embodiment, during alignment of the sample slide (111) within the one or more slots (103) i.e. during movement of the sample slide (111) in X and Y direction within the one or more slots (103), a portion of the sample slide (111) may engage the guiding portion (110) defined in the one or more slots (103). The guiding portion (110) may facilitate in allowing movement of the sample slide (111) in one direction i.e. the guiding portion (110) may lock certain degrees of freedom of the sample slide (111) and, allows movement of the sample slide (111) in one direction, for aligning the sample slide (111), with the reference side (105) of the one or more slots (103).

In an embodiment, configuration of the lever (104) facilitates in aligning the sample slides of different dimensions with respect to the reference side of the one or more slots (103).

In an embodiment, the lever (104) may be made of polymeric materials such as but not limiting to rubber.

In an embodiment, the diagnostic device may be but not limiting to a microscope.

In an embodiment, pivotal action of the lever (104) may facilitate in easy ingress and egress of the sample slide (111), from the one or more slots (102).

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral numerals:

Particulars Numeral

Mechanism 100
Platform 101
Depression 102
Slots 103
Lever 104
Reference side of the slot 105
Body 106
Engaging edge 107, 108
Protrusion 109
Guiding portion 110
Sample slide 111