POST-PROCESSING SLIDE PRINTER AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20080137185A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cytyc Corporation (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cytyc Corporation (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kruczynski, Peter, Patenaude, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/609,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20080137185A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/397
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 23/06 with rotary movement

Abstract

A slide printing system includes a printer comprising a slide stage and a print head, a first locking mechanism configured to hold a first slide-holding repository, and a slide handler configured to rotate about an axis for transporting a specimen slide from a slide-holding repository held in the first locking mechanism to the slide stage.

Claims

1. A slide printing system, comprising:

a printer comprising a slide stage and a print head;

a first locking mechanism configured to hold a first slide-holding repository; and

a slide handler configured to rotate about an axis for transporting a specimen slide from a slide-holding repository held in the first locking mechanism to the slide stage.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the print head is configured to print identifying indicia on a specimen slide.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the slide stage is movable relative to the print head.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the print head is movable relative to the slide stage.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a scanner configured to scan a barcode located on a specimen slide.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to identify an orientation of a specimen slide positioned on the slide stage.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second locking mechanism configured to hold a second slide-holding repository.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the print head is an ink jet print head.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the print head is configured to print a character selected from the group consisting of alpha text, numeric digits, barcodes, and graphics.

10. A slide printing system, comprising:

a printer comprising a slide stage and a print head, wherein the print head is configured to print identifying indicia on a specimen slide, and wherein the print head and slide stage are movable relative to one another;

a first locking mechanism configured to hold a first slide-holding repository;

a slide handler configured to rotate about an axis for transporting a specimen slide from a slide-holding repository held in the locking mechanism to the slide stage; and

a scanner configured to scan a barcode located on a specimen slide.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a sensor configured to identify an orientation of a specimen slide positioned on the slide stage.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a second locking mechanism configured to hold a second slide-holding repository.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the print head is configured to print a character selected from the group consisting of alpha text, numeric digits, barcodes, and graphics.

14. A method of printing identifying indicia on a specimen slide, comprising:

using an automated slide handler to remove a specimen slide from a first slide-holding repository and transport the specimen slide to a slide stage located in close proximity to a print head;

obtaining identifying indicia for the specimen slide; and

printing the identifying indicia on the specimen slide using the print head.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising scanning a barcode located on the specimen slide before obtaining the identifying indicia.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising using the automated slide handler to transport the specimen slide from the slide stage to the first slide-holding repository, after printing the identifying indicia.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the identifying indicia comprises one or both of a name and a record number.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising using the automated slide handler to transport the specimen slide from the slide stage to a second slide-holding repository, after printing the identifying indicia.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising positioning the first slide-holding repository in close proximity of the slide handler prior to removing a slide therefrom.