Patent Publication Number: US-2012027649-A1

Title: Mounting media device

Description:
This Application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/195,995 filed Aug. 2, 2011 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/369,951 filed Aug. 2, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to microscopy and mounting media positioned between a slide and a cover slip used for specimens. The invention relates to a mounting media device having an automatic mode, a manual mode, and a semi-automatic mode thereby combining the techniques of automated and manual application of mounting media to specimens before placement of cover slips. 
     The present invention is discussed in the following largely with reference to microscopy related to tissue specimens of the medical industry, but the present invention is applicable to a variety of specimens within a variety of microscopy industries, each of which may utilize or benefit from a dual-mode mounting media device, for example, archaeology, biology, geophysics, materials science, life science, and others. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Use of mounting media is a common and effective way for preserving and protecting tissue specimens, as well as viewing the specimens with a microscope. A microscopic slide and a cover slip are used for a tissue specimen, which is positioned between the slide and cover slip. A cover slip is a thin flat piece of transparent material, usually glass or plastic. It is also known that fused quartz cover slips may be used where ultraviolet transparency is required such as for fluorescence microscopy. 
     The cover slip serves many functions, including keeping the specimen pressed flat and of even thickness on the slide, holding the specimen in place on the slide by its weight or by surface tension, and protecting the specimen from dust. Additionally, the cover slip protects the lens of the microscope from contacting the specimen. 
     In certain instances, the cover slip is sealed or glued to the slide by mounting media in order to prevent contamination and decay of the specimen. Typically, mounting media is applied to a specimen positioned on a slide before placement of the cover slip. A number of mounting medias are currently in use such as sealants, laboratory preparations, adhesives, clear nail polish, and “varlap”—an equal part mixture of Vaseline®, lanolin, and paraffin. 
     Applying mounting media to a specimen may be performed manually by hand, or in bulk by an automated machine. Current dispensers of mounting media come in many forms. Many automated dispensers sit on a surface such as a countertop and require the loading of a basket of slides in order for the mounting media to be applied to the specimen and then cover slipped. The bulk of current automated dispensers can handle multiple applications of mounting media at once and include a hydraulic arm along with a needle tip to dispense the mounting media. In addition these devices also place the cover slip on the slide. 
     There are certain situations when it is preferable to manually apply mounting media to a specimen before manually placing the cover slip. Typically, manually placing a cover is performed with specimens that are time sensitive or high risk, and also occurs with certain frozen or dermatological procedures. In these instances, setting up an automated dispenser for mounting media may be time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, specimens of a small sample size provide limited room for error—a risky situation should the automated dispenser malfunction. 
     Manually applying mounting media requires very few materials: a squeeze bottle containing mounting media such as sealant or glue, or a flask with a wooden applicator. However, there are disadvantages of manually applying mounting media to a specimen and manually placing a cover slip to a slide which include, for example, clogging of the sealant or glue, accidental spills, bubbles on slides—distorting architecture, and the sealant or glue drying up if not properly stored. 
     There is currently no dual-mode device available that combines the techniques of automated and manual application of mounting media to specimens. It would be desirable to have a device that includes two modes—automatic and manual, or a semi-automatic mode that includes a combination of these modes. The present invention satisfies this demand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a mounting media device for application of mounting media to a specimen positioned on a slide before placement of a cover slip. In one embodiment, the mounting media device includes a housing having a base, a tray component configured to receive one or more slides, and a mounting media transfer component. The tray component may be configured to be moveable on the base. The mounting media device may further include a dispenser component for dispensing mounting media to one or more of the slides and a control element for controlling the dispensing of the mounting media from the dispenser component to the slides. The mounting media transfer component may be controlled by the control element to transfer mounting media in increments to the dispenser component, which causes a deposit of mounting media in increments from the dispenser component to each of the slides. Moreover, the mounting media transfer component may be operated in a manual mode which operates upon a trigger being actuated, or in an automatic mode that operates based on a sensor signal being received by the control element. The control element can process the sensor signal and cause automatic operation of the mounting media transfer component based on the received sensor signal. 
     In one embodiment the mounting media device includes an enclosure element forming the housing, a foot pedal element included as part of the control element, a finger trigger element included as part of the control element, and an optical sensor included as part of the control element. The mounting media device also includes a container for supplying mounting media to the mounting media transfer component, a movable slide tray component for receiving one or more slides, a fan and filter assembly, a syringe component forming part of the mounting media transfer component, and a dispenser component having a needle tip. 
     In one embodiment, the syringe component may include a plunger member. The plunger member of the syringe component may reciprocate to create pressure on mounting media within the syringe and received from a container, such as a glass jar container. A first valve element and a second valve element may be positioned within the syringe component. The first valve element and the second valve element may be alternatively opened and closed to facilitate transfer of mounting media from the syringe component to the dispenser component. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, in a manual mode, the foot pedal element or the finger trigger element activates the syringe component thereby releasing the mounting media from the dispenser component onto a specimen positioned on a slide and aligned with the needle tip. In an automatic mode, one or more sensors such as optical sensors, push-button sensors, or magnetic sensors are activated which provides a signal causing the syringe component to release mounting media from the dispenser component. A trigger element such as a foot pedal or a finger trigger element may also be actuated to provide a signal causing the syringe component to release mounting media from the dispenser component. The mounting media may be any liquid, cream, liniment, oil, lotion, paste, wax, plastic, or gel. 
     The present invention may be a mounting media device having a switchable automatic mode and manual mode thereby combining the techniques of automated and manual application of mounting media in a semi-automated format. The device may perform each mode exclusively or in combination. 
     The housing may be formed of various materials including stainless steel, plastic or sheet metal, and may be of any configuration to hold one or more of the various components of the device described more fully below. In one embodiment, the housing is C-shaped. It is contemplated that the housing includes a filter door capable of being opened to receive a filter. The filter may be a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (“HEPA”) air filter, charcoal filter, or any other variety of filters that eliminate fumes from the air. 
     In another embodiment, the housing may include a fan and filter assembly that includes one or more air vents to ventilate and reduce the temperature of the mounting media device. In another embodiment, an external fan may attach to the housing to dry slides positioned on a tray component. 
     In yet another embodiment, the housing may further include one or more handle members to facilitate carrying of the mounting media device. In another embodiment, mounting brackets may be secured to the housing to mount the mounting media device to a structure. 
     In another embodiment, a bracket supporting one or more cups may secure to the housing. The one or more cups may include a first cup having a dye, a second cup having an alcohol, and a third cup having xylene. In other embodiments, the one or more cups may incorporate a stain line such as a hematoxylin and eosin stain line. In another embodiment, the one or more cups may incorporate a cytological stain line. In another embodiment, the one or more cups may incorporate a diff quick stain line. In yet another embodiment, the one or more cups may incorporate fluids for immunohistochemistry staining. 
     In a further embodiment, the housing may include a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) touch screen and a universal serial bus (“USB”) port element for providing a control element with a manual mode setting and/or an automatic mode setting. 
     In another embodiment, the housing may include a recessed area for a container. In another embodiment, the device may include a control element positioned on one side of the housing. 
     In yet another embodiment, the housing may include a base having a motorized track assembly. A track motor may automatically move the tray component based on commands from the control element. The tray component may include one or more slides that have central areas with specimens. The tray component may be positioned automatically in a central area of one of the slides to receive mounting media. After application of the mounting media to the slide, the track motor can automatically move the tray component to new position with a slide under the dispenser component to receive the next incremental amount of mounting media. This process may continue until all slides are automatically provided with mounting media in a central area of each slide. 
     In one embodiment, the tray component may hold up to 100 slides and have a manual mode for movement. In the manual mode of movement, the tray component can have slots that guide movement of the tray component. Upon an external force being applied to the tray component, the tray component can be repositioned relative to the dispenser component. In this manner, manual application of mounting media can be applied to a slide on the tray component by application of a trigger, such as the foot pedal element. 
     In another embodiment, the housing may have a syringe component mounted to the housing. In another embodiment, the mounting media device may include an arm member for holding and positioning of the dispenser component. In one embodiment the arm member may be a fixed arm member. In another embodiment, the arm member may be moveable or a robotic arm member. 
     In another embodiment, the mounting media device may include one or more mounting brackets secured to the housing to secure the mounting media device to a structure. In yet another embodiment, the mounting media device may include a reservoir element configured to receive a cleaning solvent such as xylene which may be positioned to receive the needle tip when the dispenser component is not in use. 
     In one embodiment, the syringe component may be a piston pump including a plunger member that fits snugly in a tube member. The syringe component may further include an electronic control in combination with mechanical gears to control movement of the plunger. The plunger member can be reciprocated along the inside of the tube member at a manual or automatic pre-programmed sequence. The reciprocation of the plunger may allow the syringe component to take in and expel mounting media through a pair of valve members at one end of the tube element. The syringe component may be of different sizes and made of glass, although any material is contemplated. It is also contemplated that the syringe component is disposable and may further be sterile for certain applications such as those that pertain to Deoxyribonucleic Acid (“DNA”). The syringe component may also be preloaded with mounting media for simplified use with the device. The syringe component may come in various amounts of sizes including those ranging from 0.5 ml to 1000 ml. The dispenser component may be at least partially enclosed by the housing and include a needle tip. The needle tip may be formed of plastic or metal materials. 
     In a manual mode, the syringe component, more particularly the syringe valve members and gear members, may be activated by a foot pedal element—a lever that is activated by a user&#39;s foot—to control the amount of pressure applied by the plunger to the mounting media provided to the dispenser component. A slide on the tray component may be positioned in conjunction with the needle tip to receive mounting media passed through the syringe component and the dispenser component. 
     The syringe component may include an electronic piston pump plunger mechanism to dispense mounting media from the syringe component and to the dispenser component. In other embodiments an air compressor, manual mechanism, or gravity mechanism is contemplated as an alternative pump or spray member to dispense mounting media from the syringe component. 
     The manual mode allows manual selection of an exact time sequence for syringe component operation, including speed of plunger member movement and amount of plunger member movement in precise increments as the plunger member moves in a direction to expel mounting media. 
     The mounting media device also includes an automatic mode. The automatic mode may have a pre-programmed time sequence for plunger movement. The speed of the plunger member may also be automatic. In one embodiment of the automatic mode, when the tray component is positioned and a signal is generated from one or more of a magnetic sensor, trigger switch, or optical sensor, then the syringe component provides mounting media to the dispenser component at a specified time sequence. The dispenser component then dispenses mounting media that is released from the needle tip onto a specimen positioned on a slide. A cover slip may then cover the specimen and a portion of the slide and the specimen may be viewed under a microscope. 
     The tray component may operate with either the manual mode or the automatic mode. The tray component may include an underlayer having tracks that allow movement of the tray component in different directions to permit positioning of slides under the needle tip. Thus, mounting media can be directly applied to the slide, preferably in a central location on a specimen positioned on the slide. 
     In one embodiment, a track motor automatically repositions the tray component along tracks based on data collected by one or more sensors. This allows each slide positioned on the tray element to be positioned under the needle tip prior to dispensing mounting media from the needle tip. In another embodiment, the tray component is configured to move when an external force is applied to the tray component. The movement of the tray component may be constrained by one or more tracks, and the tracks may allow the tray component to lock into place in certain positions for optimal application of mounting media to slides positioned on the tray component. The tray component may be formed of cardboard or any other material. The tray component may have an underlayer, an intermediate layer, and an upper layer. The upper layer may have recesses for receiving one or more slides. In one embodiment, the underlayer is plastic with a central pivoting point. In another embodiment, the underlayer may include roller bearings that allow unrestricted movement of the tray component. In one embodiment the underlayer is formed from brass, however any other type of metal may be used. The underlayer may further include springs or other biasing members that allow movement of the underlayer in certain directions based on the applied spring biases. 
     In one embodiment, the tray component may contain one to one hundred slides that are fitted in a recessed cardboard tray that securely holds each individual slide. The tray component may have an upper layer and an intermediate layer that mount directly and securely to an underlayer. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device that replaces a manual application of mounting media. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device that is lower in cost than conventional media mounting devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device that is triggered by a foot pedal element. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device that is automatically triggered by an optional sensor providing a signal to a control element. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device with preloaded syringe components having mounting media. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device with disposable syringe components. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device that is self-contained. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device that operates a syringe component at a low pressure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a media mounting device that has a filter for filtering the air. 
     Another object of the present invention is to have a media mounting device having a housing provided with a base and a tray component capable of being positioned on the base. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to the limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a mounting media device according to one embodiment the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a mounting media device having a tray component removed according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a mounting media device having a filter according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partial top view of a mounting media device including a fan and filter assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a partial side view of a mounting media device including a filter cover according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a rear panel of the housing of a mounting media device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an interior of the mounting media device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an interface of the syringe component of the mounting media device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an upper layer and an intermediate layer of a tray component according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates tracks of an underlayer of the tray component according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show one embodiment of a mounting media device  20 . The device  20  includes a housing  22 , a foot pedal element  24 , a trigger element  26 , a sensor  28 , a container  30 , and a tray component  32 . The device  20  also includes a fan and filter assembly  34  and a mounting media transfer component  36 . The mounting media transfer component  36  in this embodiment is a syringe component. The mounting media device further includes a dispenser component  38 , and a control element  40  which is best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     The foot pedal element  24 , trigger element  26 , sensor  28 , and syringe component  36  may be connected to the control element  40 . In one embodiment, signals provided from the foot pedal element  24 , trigger element  26 , and sensor  28  provide inputs to the control element  40  to determine whether the syringe component  36  is activated to reciprocate a plunger  42  toward and away from a collector  44 . Upon reciprocation of the plunger  42  away from the collector  44 , mounting media  46  within the container  30  is suctioned through a first tube  48  and a first valve  50  to the collector  44  and the syringe component  36 . Upon reciprocation of the plunger  42  toward the collector  44 , the first valve  50  is closed and prevents mounting media  46  from flowing to the container  30  and a second valve  52  is open and allows mounting media  46  to flow from the syringe component  36  through a second tube  54  to the dispenser component  38 . The second valve  52  is closed when the plunger  42  moves away from the collector  44  and mounting media again enters the collector  44  and syringe component  36 . The first valve  50  and second valve  52  may be mechanical one-way valves, or may be operated by the control element  40 . In one embodiment the control element  40  may alternately open and close the first valve  50  and the second valve  52  based on movement of the plunger  42 . 
     The device  20  may be operated in an automatic mode, a manual mode, or a combination of these modes. In the automatic mode, operation of the device  20  including activation of the syringe component  36  occurs automatically based on a pre-programmed schedule controlled by the control element  40 . In the manual mode, an operator may access the control element  40  to select the schedule for activation of the syringe component  36 . The operator may also actuate the trigger element  26  to cause an actuation of the syringe component  36 . In one embodiment, the control element  40  may be a computer or other hand-held computing device that communicates with the other components via a hard-wired connection or a wireless connection. 
     The dispenser component  38  includes a fastener  56  for securing the second tube  54  to the dispenser component  38 . The dispenser component  38  further includes a needle tip  58  for dispensing mounting media  46  to the tray component  32 . The dispenser component  38  may further have the sensor  28  secured thereto to determine the position of the needle tip  58  relative to a slide  60  positioned on the tray component  32  to allow dispensing of mounting media  46  to a specific location. Multiple slides  60  may be positioned on the tray component  32 . Each of the slides  60  has a central location having a specimen  62  deposited thereon. The sensor  28  can determine when the needle tip  58  is located above the central location of the slide  60  and provide a signal to the control element  40  indicating that dispensing of mounting media  46  may occur to secure the specimen  62  to the slide  60 . 
     The tray component  32  may be repositioned to place another slide  60  in a position under the needle tip  58  for receiving the mounting media  46 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , which shows the housing  22  with the tray component  32  removed, the housing  22  includes a pair of protrusions  64 . The protrusions  64  are formed on a base  66  of the housing  22 . The protrusions  64  may engage the tray component  32  and permit limited movement of the tray component  32  to position slides  60  under the needle tip  58 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the tray component  32  includes an underlayer  68  configured to engage the pair of protrusions  64 , an intermediate layer  70 , and an upper layer  72 . The upper layer  72  includes recesses  74  configured to receive one or more of the slides  60 . 
     The housing  22  may also include a recessed portion  76  that is configured to receive the container  30 . Preferably the recessed portion  76  provides a snug fit to limit movement of the container  30  during operation of the syringe component  36 . 
     The device  20  may further include a clamp  78  for securing the dispenser component  38  to the housing  22 . The clamp  78  may include a slotted portion  80  for adjusting the height of the clamp  78  and the dispenser component  38  above the tray component  32 . A fastener  82  can secure the clamp  78  to the housing  22 . 
     The container  30  may be formed of a variety of materials. In one embodiment, the container  30  is a glass jar. The tube  48  can be connected to the container  30  and receive mounting media  46  through an inner tube  84  that is located within the container  30  as best seen in  FIG. 2 . The container  30  may also include a pressure relief valve  86  for relieving pressure in the container  30  as mounting media  46  is suctioned from the container  30  and into the collector  44  and syringe component  36 . 
     The device  20  may also include a reservoir  88  and a stain mechanism  90 . The reservoir  88  may be positioned under the needle tip  58  when the device is not in use. The reservoir  88  may include a solution which prevents clogging of the need tip  58 . The stain mechanism  90  may include a bracket and cups configured to secure to the bracket. The containers may store stain fluids. By way of example, in one embodiment the cups could separately contain dye, alcohol, and xylene fluids. 
     The syringe component  36  may further include a gear assembly  92  to control movement of the plunger  42 . The gear assembly  92  may include a thumb screw  94  to further control air pressure provided to the syringe component  36 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an external fan  95  may attach to the housing  22  to dry slides  60  positioned on the tray component  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the device  20  may include one or more handle members  96  for transporting the device  20 .  FIG. 3  shows one side  98  of the housing  22  which includes an opening, shown generally as  100 . The opening  100  is configured for receiving a filter  102 . In one embodiment, the filter  102  is a charcoal filter that may remove fumes released when the mounting media  46  is dispensed to the slide  60 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 4 , a top surface  104  of the housing  22  is configured to receive a fan  106 . The fan  106  may be secured to the housing  22  by fasteners  108 . The fan  106  includes air vents  110  that facilitate airflow into and through the filter  102 . The filtered air then exits through the air vents  110 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a cover  112  that may be secured by fasteners  114  to the side  98  of the housing  22 . The cover  112  protects the filter  102  from dust or other contaminants and also prevents dislodging of the filter  102  from the housing  22 . 
     The housing  22  may be formed various materials. In one embodiment the housing  22  is generally C-shaped and formed of stainless steel and metal material. However, other materials are contemplated for forming the housing  22  as is known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 6  shows a rear portion of the device  20  including a removable panel  116 . The device  20  may be powered by one power cord at plug interface  118 . However, it is contemplated that more than one power cord may be used to power the device  20 . A power switch  120  may control power to the device  20 . An indicator  122  can provide a visual identifier to specify the current “power on” or “power off” status of the device  20 . 
     The device  20  may optionally include mounting brackets  124  for mounting the device  20  to a structure (not shown). The device  20  may also optionally include a control panel  126  that may include a LCD touch screen  128 . The control panel  126  may interface with the control element  40 . In an alternative embodiment, the control panel  126  may replace the control element  40  for operating the syringe component  36  and other components of the device  20 . Although the control panel  126  is positioned on the panel  116 , it is envisioned that the control panel  126  may be located anywhere on the housing  22 . 
     The control panel  126  may further include in one embodiment an automatic/manual switch  130  that selects the operating mode of the device  20 . Instead of the switch  130 , the device  20  may operate in manual mode with the foot pedal element  24 . The device may operate in automatic mode with the optical sensor, trigger element, or magnetic sensor providing a signal to the control panel  126 . In either of the manual mode and automatic mode, the control panel  126  may provide an exact time sequence to which the dispenser component  38  dispenses mounting media  46  and a specified air pressure provided to the syringe component  36  during dispensing of the mounting media  46 . The control panel  126  may provide a time sequence for reciprocation of the syringe component  36 . When the syringe component  36  is activated in the manual mode or the automatic mode, mounting media  46  from the syringe component  36  may be supplied to the dispenser component  38  at the programmed time sequence when the sensor  28  indicates that a slide  60  is positioned under the needle tip  58 . The control panel  126  may prevent dispensing of mounting media  46  when the sensor  28  indicates that the slide  60  is not properly positioned under the needle tip  58 . 
     The control element  40  may optionally be a laptop computer having a LCD display. In one embodiment, the control element  40  may display a numerical count up to the programmed time. The LCD display may provide a graphical user interface that configures all settings for the manual mode and the automatic mode. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the interior of the housing  22  of the device  20  according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , an air compressor  132  is mounted to a wall  134  of the housing  22 . The air compressor  132  may provide air at a specified pressure to the syringe component  36 . In one embodiment, the syringe component  36  may include a valve member that is activated by the foot pedal element  24  to control the amount of air pressure provided to the syringe component  36 . A track motor  136  may also be mounted to the wall  134 . The track motor  136  may operate a tray component  32  that is configured to be electrically driven. The interior of the housing  22  may also include power lines  138  for supplying power to the fan  106 . As best seen in  FIG. 8 , the syringe component  36  may include an interface  140  that receives communication lines  142  that provide information via a transmitter  144  to the control element  40  or optionally the control panel  126 . 
     In one embodiment, the manual mode allows control of the syringe component  36  and the dispenser component  38  if the foot pedal element  24  is depressed. More specifically, while the foot pedal element  24  is depressed, the release of air to the syringe component  36  is capable of being manually controlled. The mounting media  46  within the syringe component  36  is capable of being transferred from the syringe component  36  to the needle tip  58  and onto a specimen  62  as a single shot. The specimen  62  may then be manually covered by a cover slip (not shown). 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , one embodiment of a tray component  32  is illustrated.  FIG. 9  shows the upper layer  72  partially secured to the intermediate layer  70 . The upper layer  72  includes one or more apertures  146  configured to engage protrusions  148  of the intermediate layer  70 . The protrusions  148  cause the upper layer  72  to remain fixed to the intermediate layer  70 . The apertures  146  are sufficiently sized to permit removal of the upper layer  72 . In this manner, different sets of slides provided with separate upper layers may be quickly secured to the intermediate layer  70 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an underside  150  of the underlayer  68 . The underlayer  68  includes a plurality of tracks  152  that are configured to receive the pair of protrusions  64  shown in  FIG. 2 . When the tracks  152  are engaged by the protrusions, the underlayer  68  and hence the tray component  32  may be repositioned on the base  66  of the housing  22  to facilitate alignment of the slides  60  under the needle tip  58 . The tracks  152  are shown as longitudinal and transverse lines, however it is envisioned that the tracks can include a myriad of shapes and include indentations for facilitating alignment of the tray component  32  relative to the needle tip  58 . While the present underlayer  68  may be manually repositioned, it is envisioned that a motorized tracking system using ball bearings or other gearing mechanisms may be utilized to reposition the tray component  32 . 
     The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Those of skill in the art will recognize changes, substitutions and other modifications that will nonetheless come within the scope of the invention and range of the claims.