Abstract
The invention concerns a device and a method for generating an image of a biological sample on a glass slide for generating an inventory in an image database. The device comprises a receiving unit configured for receiving the biological sample on the glass slide, a camera configured for generating an image of the biological sample while being received by the receiving unit, a releasing unit configured for automatically releasing the glass slide from the receiving unit after generating the image by the camera. The camera is configured to generate the image such that the image of the biological sample on the glass slide comprises an overall image of the glass slide and the biological sample on the glass slide, wherein the releasing unit is configured for applying a mechanical force onto the glass slide received by the receiving unit for releasing the glass slide from the receiving unit.
Claims
1. A device for generating an image of a biological sample on a glass slide for generating an inventory in an image database, the device comprising a receiving unit configured for receiving the biological sample on the glass slide, a camera configured for generating an image of the biological sample while being received by the receiving unit, and a releasing unit configured for automatically releasing the glass slide from the receiving unit after generating the image by the camera, wherein the camera is configured to generate the image such that the image of the biological sample on the glass slide comprises an overall image of the glass slide and the biological sample on the glass slide, wherein the releasing unit is configured for applying a mechanical force onto the glass slide (115) received by the receiving unit for releasing the glass slide from the receiving unit.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the releasing unit comprises a release element and a piston configured for releasing the glass slide, when the mechanical force is applied, wherein the mechanical force is generated by the piston moving the release element.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the piston is a turnbuckle configured for adjusting the position of the release element.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a receiving opening configured for receiving the glass slide in the receiving unit, and a support unit for holding the glass slide in a predefined position in the receiving unit for generating the image by the camera.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the release element is configured for moving the glass slide out of the device along the support unit.
6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device further comprises a plate configured for guiding the release element towards the glass slide when releasing the glass slide, wherein a release opening formed in the plate is surrounded by the plate on three sides, wherein the glass slide is released by the release element through the release opening.
7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: at least a first light source for illuminating the glass slide, and a second light source for illuminating the glass slide, wherein the first light source is arranged and configured to illuminate a first main surface of the received glass slide, wherein the second light source is arranged and configured to illuminate a second main surface of the received glass slide.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the first light source and/or the second light source is a LED.
9. Device according to claim 7, wherein the camera is configured for generating a first image from the glass slide when illuminated by the first light source and a second image from the glass slide when illuminated by the second light source.
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the device further comprises an image processing unit configured for generating a combined image comprising the first image and the second image.
11. The device according to claim 7, wherein the device is configured to control the at least two light sources by a pulse width modulation.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the camera creates the image with a resolution in a range of three-times to seven-times resolution, preferably a five-times resolution.
13. A method for generating an image of a biological sample on a glass slide and generating an inventory in an image database, the method comprising: receiving the biological sample on the glass slide by a receiving unit of a device, generating an image of the biological sample on the glass slide by a camera of the device, while being received by the receiving unit, and automatically releasing the glass slide by a releasing unit of the device after the generating of the image by the camera, wherein the generating of the image of the biological sample on the glass slide comprises an overall image of the glass slide and the biological sample on the glass slide, wherein the releasing comprises applying a mechanical force onto the glass slide received by the receiving unit for releasing the glass slide from the receiving unit.
14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: illuminating a first main surface of the received glass slide by a first light source of the device, illuminating a second main surface of the received glass slide by a second light source of the device. generating a first image of the glass slide when illuminated by the first light source, and generating a second image of the glass slide when illuminated by the second light source.
15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: generating a combined image comprising the first image and the second image.
16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising using the generated image for generating the inventory of the image database.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] The aspects defined above and further aspects of the present invention are apparent from the examples of embodiment to be described hereinafter and are explained with reference to the examples of embodiments. The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to examples of embodiments, but to which the invention is not limited.
[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates a sidewall of the device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates a releasing unit used in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a releasing unit used in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a releasing unit used in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0055] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a releasing unit used in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0056] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0057] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a device (100) for generating an image of a biological sample on a glass slide (115) for generating an inventory in an image database. The device (100) comprises a receiving unit (110) configured for receiving the biological sample on the glass slide (115), a camera (102) configured for generating an image of the biological sample while being received by the receiving unit (110), a releasing unit (101) configured for automatically releasing the glass slide (115) from the receiving unit (110) after generating the image by the camera (102). The camera (102) is configured to generate the image such that the image of the biological sample on the glass slide (115) comprises an overall image of the glass slide (115) and the biological sample on the glass slide (115), wherein the releasing unit (101) is configured for applying a mechanical force onto the glass slide (115) received by the receiving unit (110) for releasing the glass slide (115) from the receiving unit (110). The device (100) comprises a housing, which in FIGS. 1 and 2 is indicated with a sidewall (111, 211). Inside the housing the receiving unit (110), the releasing unit (101) and the camera (102) are arranged. As can be seen in FIG. 1 the device (100) comprises a receiving opening for the receiving unit (110), wherein the receiving opening is configured for receiving the glass slide (115) in the receiving unit (110), wherein in this embodiment the receiving opening is arranged at the housing of the device (100). The device (100) may be able to perform the method for generating an image of a biological sample on a glass slide (115) and for generating an inventory in an image database. The method may comprise the steps of receiving the biological sample on the glass slide (115) by the receiving unit (110) of the device (100). The method and the respective step will be explained in detail with FIG. 7.
[0058] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, the device (100) further comprises at least a first light source (203) for illuminating the glass slide (115) and a second light source (204) for illuminating the glass slide (115). The first light source (203) is arranged and configured to illuminate the first main surface (116) of the received glass slide (115), wherein the second light source (204) is arranged and configured to illuminate the second main surface (117) of the received glass slide (115). In particular, the first light source (203) is arranged above the glass slide (115) and the second light source (204) is arranged below the glass slide (115). The first light source (203) and/or the second light source (204) is an LED. The device may further comprise a scattering unit (118) for reducing the reflection of the light source. The scattering unit (118) may be arranged between the first light source (203) and the glass slide (115). The scattering unit may also be arranged between the second light source (204) and the glass slide (115). It may also be possible to use two scattering units on each side of the glass slide (115), such that reflections of the light source on both sides of the glass slide (115) may be reduced. The scattering unit may be arranged in each embodiment of the present invention. The camera (102) is configured for generating a first image from the glass slide (115) when illuminated by the first light source (203) and a second image from the glass slide (115) when illuminated by the second light source (204). In particular, the camera (102) generates an image of the glass slide (115) from above, which means from the first main surface (116) when illuminated by the first light source (203). Further, the camera (102) generates an image of the glass slide (115) from above, from the first main surface (116) when illuminating the second main surface (117), i.e. the glass slide (115) from below. On the other hand, it may also be possible that the camera (102) may be movably arranged at the device (100), such that the camera may generate an image of the first main surface (116) of the glass slide, when the first main surface (116) is illuminated by the first light source (203), and the camera may generate an image of the second main surface (117) of the glass slide (115), when the second main surface (117) is illuminated by the second light source (204), or vice versa. The device (100) may further comprise a printed circuit board (213) configured for further processing the generated images and/or for analysis of the generated images. Therefore, the device (100) further comprises an image processing unit arranged e.g. at the printed circuit board (213), which image processing unit is configured for generating a combined image comprising the first image and the second image. The printed circuit board (213) may therefore be electrically connected with the camera (102) and the light sources (203, 204). Further, the device (100) is configured to control the at least two light sources (203, 204) by a pulse width modulation (212), in particular by a pulse width modulation module (212). Hence, the pulse width modulation module (212) may be electrically connected with the camera (102), the two light sources (203 and 204) and also with the printed circuit board (213). For example, the printed circuit board (213) may further comprise a storage or a memory for storing the generated images. Further, the printed circuit board (213) may comprise a data connection for providing the generated images to a database for creating an image database. On the other hand, the memory, the storage, of the printed circuit board (213) may be configured to form or create an image database in the device (100) itself. Moreover, the device (100) may comprise an interface configured to read out data, in particular, to read out image data. The interface may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board (213) or it may be arranged at the printed circuit board (213). In the device (100), the camera (102) creates the image with a resolution in a range of three-times to seven-times resolution, preferably five-times resolution. Hence, a simple conventional camera may be applicable for the image generation in the device (100).
[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates the releasing unit (101) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The releasing unit (101) comprises a release element (309) and a piston (not visible in FIG. 3, the piston can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6) configured for releasing the glass slide (115), when the mechanical force is applied, wherein the mechanical force is generated by the piston moving the release element (309). The device (100) further comprises a support unit (307) for holding the glass slide (115) in a predefined position in the receiving unit (110) for generating the image by the camera (102). In particular, the support unit (307) may be formed as a plate or a table onto which the glass slide (115) may be laid. The release element (309) is configured for moving the glass slide (115) out of the device along the support unit (307). Further, the support unit (307) may be formed in such a manner that it extends along the release direction of the glass slide (115) such that the glass slide (115) may be supported along the entire movement by the support unit (307). The device (100) further comprises a plate (305) configured for guiding the release element (309) towards the glass slide (115) when releasing the glass slide (115), wherein a release opening (340) is formed in the plate (305). The release opening (340) is surrounded by the plate (305) on three sides, wherein the glass slide (115) is released by the release element (309) through the release opening (340). Further, the support unit (307) may extend in the release direction beyond the plate (305) and the releasing opening (340). In other words, the support unit (307) extends further than the plate (305), i.e. is longer than the plate (305) in the direction of the release direction. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the release opening (340) is formed on one side of the plate (305), for example the front side, and the release element (309) is getting in contact with the glass slide (115) on the opposite side. In particular, the plate (305) is formed above the received glass slide (115), such that the glass slide (115) is spatially moved above the support unit (307) and below the plate (305). The plate (305) may be formed of acrylic material, wherein the material is chosen to be less reflective, such that less reflection on the glass slide (115) may be generated during the illumination by the light sources (203, 304). Further, the plate (305) may guide the release element (309) and preventing it from being inclined into the above direction. Hence, the release element (309) is guided by the plate (305) during it's towards movement into the direction of the glass slide (115). The glass slide (115) may have sharp edges, therefore the receiving unit (110), in particular the support unit (307), may be made of stainless steel for providing a high stability and a long lifetime. This arrangement maximizes the support of the glass slide, the insertion and the release of the glass slide (115).
[0060] Furthermore, the release element (309) may be moved through an opening (308) arranged on a backside of the receiving unit (110). The opening (308) for the release element (309) may be formed below the plate (305), wherein the plate (305) may form an upper wall of the opening (308). The opening (308) for the release element (309) may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the release element (309), such that the guiding of the release element (309) may be further improved.
[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates the releasing unit (101) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The releasing unit (101) may further comprise a guide rail (330) which may be configured for receiving a light source (204), wherein the light source (204) may be in a form of a LED plate. The material of the guide rail (330) may be duroplastic plastics for being light in weight. The LED plate can be easy pulled out through the guide rail (330), such that the LED plate may be easily cleaned.
[0062] Further, the plate (405) for guiding the release element (409) and which plate (405) comprises the release opening (440) may comprise inlet guide elements (441) arranged on each side of the release opening (440). The inlet guide elements (441) may narrow the release opening (440) such that the glass slide (115) may be prevented from being from being tilted during the insertion of the glass slide (115) onto the support (407). Therefore, these inlet guide elements (441) serve for a secure and easy insertion of the glass slide (115) onto the support unit (407).
[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates the releasing unit (101) from a side view according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein in this view the plate (305) is removed from the releasing unit (101). As can be seen from FIG. 5, when the plate (305) is removed, the release element (509) would not be guided and may be moved inclined. Further, the piston (514) is illustrated in this Figure, wherein the piston (514) may be a turnbuckle configured for adjusting the position of the release element (509). The piston (514) is connected with the motor (550), which moves the piston (514) and the connected release element (509) from a rest position to a release position. In this view of the releasing unit (101) the electrical connection of the LED panel representing one light source (204) is illustrated, wherein the LED panel may be electrically connected by a plug (551) to the printed circuit board (213) and/or to the pulse width modulation module (212).
[0064] FIG. 6 illustrates the releasing unit (101) from a top view according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In particular, the electrical connection (660) of the second light source (204) and the electrical connection (660) of the motor (550) is illustrated. The second light source (204) and the motor (550) may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board (213) of the device (100) and may also be electrically connected to the pulse width modulation module (212) of the device (100).
[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematically block diagram of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The device (100) may be able to perform the method for generating an image of a biological sample on a glass slide (115) and for generating an inventory in an image database. The method may comprise the steps of receiving the biological sample on the glass slide (115) by the receiving unit (110) of the device (100). This step is indicated in FIG. 7 using block S1, wherein step S1 may be the first step carried out by the method. Further, the method may comprise generating an image of the biological sample on the glass slide (115) by a camera (102 displayed in FIG. 2) of the device (100), while being received by the receiving unit (110). This step is indicated in FIG. 7 using block S2, wherein this step S2 may be the second step carried out by the method. The method may further comprise the step S3 of automatically releasing the glass slide (115) by a releasing unit (101) of the device (100) after the generating of the image by the camera (102). This step may be a third step carried out by the method. The generation of the image of the biological sample on the glass slide (115) comprises an overall image of the glass slide (115) and the biological sample on the glass slide (115). The release comprises the application of a mechanical force onto the glass slide (115) received by the receiving unit (110) for releasing the glass slide (115) from the receiving unit (110).
[0066] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
[0067] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0068] 100 device for generating an image of a biological sample on a glass slide
[0069] 101 releasing unit
[0070] 102 camera
[0071] 110 receiving unit
[0072] 111, 211 sidewall
[0073] 115 glass slide
[0074] 116 first main surface of the glass slide
[0075] 117 second main surface of the glass slide
[0076] 118 scattering unit
[0077] 203 first light source
[0078] 204, 404 second light source
[0079] 212 pulse width modulation
[0080] 213 printed circuit board
[0081] 305, 405 plate
[0082] 306 receiving opening
[0083] 307, 407 support unit
[0084] 308 opening for the release element
[0085] 309, 409, 509 release element
[0086] 330, 430, 530 guide rail
[0087] 340, 440 release opening
[0088] 441 inlet guide element
[0089] 514 piston
[0090] 550 motor
[0091] 551 light source connector
[0092] 660 electrical connection
