Patent ID: 9201234
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An automated slide scanning system, the system comprising: an illumination system to illuminate an object carried on a slide and to produce a returning light; a slide dispenser being configured to hold a plurality of slide holders, each of the slide holders comprising a plurality of slides, the slide holders being stacked vertically within the slide dispenser; a motorized scanning track having a first end attached to the slide dispenser and a second end, the scanning track having a retainer means connected to the scanning track to grab and pull the slide holder out of the slide dispenser onto the scanning track, the scanning track configured to move such slide holder in one direction along a X-axis; a focusing unit with a focusing tube, the focusing unit configured to provide a sub-micron, backlash free, vertical movement of the focusing tube and a leverage to magnify a range of such vertical movement, the focusing unit comprising: a motorized scanning stage configured to support the focusing unit, the scanning stage having a drive mechanism configured to move the scanning stage along with the focusing unit, back and forward, in Y direction; a slider holder receiver attached to the second end of the scanning track and configured to receive the scanned slide holders; at least one image detector to capture said returning light and to produce a plurality of images at various focus depths; and a controller to synchronize the drive of the scanning track, the drive of the scanning stage and the drive of the focusing unit to provide an automated scanning of the plurality of slides in each of the slide holders.