DE102013212411B4 - Method for printing on slides of histological samples - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for printing carriers for histological samples (4) by a base module (2) and at least one extension module (3, 3 '), the base module comprising at least one base pressure unit for printing carriers for histological samples (4), a control device and a connection means (21) for establishing a data connection between the base module (2) and the at least one extension module (3, 3 ') for printing carriers for histological samples (4), wherein the printing of the carrier for histological samples (4) by the expansion module (3, 3 ') by a control device of the base module (2) is controlled, characterized in that prior to performing the printing manually or automatically, the number of necessary for the printing expansion modules (3, 3') is determined.

Description

The invention relates to a method of printing carriers for histological samples by a base module and at least one extension module, the base module comprising at least one base pressure unit for printing carriers for histological samples, a control device and a connection means for establishing a data connection between the base module and the at least one Expansion module for printing substrates for histological samples, wherein the printing of the support for histological samples is controlled by the expansion module by a control device of the base module

Histological samples taken from a patient undergo a variety of treatment steps at different treatment stations in a histological laboratory before they are examined, for example under a microscope. In the process flow, it must be ensured that the samples can be assigned to the patient at any time. For this purpose, special printers are used in histological laboratories, which print, for example, cassettes and / or slides, in which the samples are housed, with patient-relevant data.

The printers used in histological laboratories are usually very different from the printers used in the home or office. Thus, the printers used in the histological laboratory preferably have to be designed in such a way that the printed text applied to them by cassettes or slides resists the reagents used in the treatment stations without the printed text smearing or becoming detached.

So-called batch printers are known from the prior art, by means of which a large number of cassettes or slides are printed in one job without the cassettes or slides being used immediately after the printing process. These printers have the disadvantage that they are large in size and therefore a printing of a single or a small number of cartridges or slides economically not useful. In addition, the cassettes or slides must be stowed after printing, which is not desirable due to the limited storage options in the histological laboratory.

In addition, so-called on-demand printers are known, by means of which cassettes or slides are printed only in the quantity that is actually needed. A disadvantage of these printers is that they are designed and / or designed so that they can not accomplish large volumes of printing, so that the printing process takes depending on the number of cassettes or slides to be printed correspondingly long. In addition, a disadvantage is that different on-demand printer types are not compatible with each other.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a method of printing carriers for histological samples which efficiently performs the printing operation in time and economic terms.

The object is achieved by the method of the type mentioned above, which is characterized in that before performing the printing manually or automatically, the number of expansion modules necessary for printing is determined.

The provision of a data connection between the base module and the expansion module via the connection means and the associated possibility that at least one control command of the control device can be transmitted to the expansion module offers the advantage that the entire printing process can be carried out efficiently. This is possible because the base module controls the printing of histological specimen slides by the expansion module.

Thus, it is possible to respond flexibly to the number of items to be printed for histological samples by the base module only controls a number of expansion modules necessary for the printing of the carrier for histological samples. Consequently, it is possible that both a large number of slides for histological specimens and a small number of slides for histological specimens can be printed quickly and reliably. It also eliminates the need to stow unnecessary carriers because it is ensured by the base module that always the required number of carriers is printed.

For the purposes of the invention, a carrier for a histological specimen is any component suitable for carrying a histological specimen. For example, the carrier may be a cassette, a cassette holder or a slide. The carrier may carry one or more samples.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the connection means may comprise a transmitter for wireless data transmission and / or a receiver for wireless data reception. Alternatively or additionally, the connection means may have an interface for connecting an electrical line, in particular a data line. The interface may be connected to an adapter to connect the aforementioned transmitter and / or receiver to the base module or the Expansion module to connect. Alternatively, the interface may be for connecting a bus system, such as a CAN bus.

By the connection means described above it is ensured that the base module and the expansion module can be arranged spatially separated from each other and a data communication between the base module and the expansion module can still take place. In particular, the embodiment in which the connecting means has a transmitter and / or receiver, offers the advantage that a data connection between the expansion module and the base module can be realized without cabling. The expansion module may be located adjacent to a treatment station, such as a microtome station. The base module can be designed such that the user can wear it.

The number of extension modules required for printing can be determined automatically. By the user, for example, enters the number of pieces to be printed carrier in the base module and the controller calculates the necessary number of expansion modules for printing. This ensures that only the number of expansion modules necessary for the printing process is used.

The input of the data in the base module can be done by an input means of the base module. The input means may be a touch screen, a keyboard mounted on the base module, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the base module may have an output means, such as a screen, via which the user information, such as a status of the printing process, error messages or the like, can be communicated. As a result, control and / or monitoring of the printing process via the base module is possible in a simple manner.

In a particular embodiment, the base module can be mechanically and / or magnetically, in particular directly, connected to a first expansion module. A second expansion module can be mechanically and / or magnetically, in particular directly, connectable to the first expansion module and / or base module. The connection between the base module and the first expansion module and / or the second expansion module and the first expansion module can be designed such that it can be solved again. In particular, the connection may be a plug connection. Thus, the user can easily connect the desired number of extension modules thereof to realize a printer that can quickly print the number of histological sample slides to be printed.

The connection means may be designed such that, in addition to establishing a data connection between the base module and the first extension module and / or between the second extension module and the first extension module, this device implements a mechanical fixation of the two components. The base module and / or expansion module can have at least one connecting means, in particular several. The expansion module may include a first connection means for establishing a data connection and / or for establishing a mechanical connection with the base module. Furthermore, the expansion module may have a second connection means for producing a mechanical connection between the first and second expansion module. In addition, the second connection means may serve to establish a data connection between the base module and the second connection means.

The base module may have at least one receptacle for receiving at least one support for histological samples. Furthermore, the base module may be configured such that the number of base pressure units corresponds to the number of shots. In particular, the base module can have two receptacles and accordingly two base pressure units. The receptacle can be designed such that it can accommodate different types of carriers or only similar carriers. This means that the receptacle can be designed such that it only receives cassettes or slides. Alternatively, the receptacle can be designed such that it receives cassettes and slides. The carriers, in particular both carriers, can be printed simultaneously by the basic printing unit, in particular the two basic printing units.

In addition to the connection means, the base module can have at least one data interface via which a device different from the expansion module can be connected to the base module. The data interface can be a USB port. The data interface ensures that the base module can be connected to a data processing device, such as a computer. As a result, the base module may include the entire device controller, including touch screen embedded PC, USB, Ethernet, or the like.

The controller of the base module may control the printing of the histological sample carriers by the base pressure unit. Furthermore, the control device in addition to the printing of the carrier by the base module, the printing of Controlling carriers through the expansion module. This means that the control device of the base module can control the entire printing process. Thus, all print jobs can be accepted by the base module and the base pressure unit and / or the respective expansion module can be controlled. In addition, diagnostics and status information can be bundled in the base module. The base module may comprise a volatile or non-volatile storage means in which inter alia the aforementioned data is stored.

The base module may include a pressure control unit for controlling the base pressure unit. The pressure control unit may serve to control only the base pressure unit and be connected to the control device of the base module. In this case, the control device of the base module controls the pressure control unit and, in particular, only the base pressure unit.

The expansion module may include an expansion printing unit for printing slides for histological samples. Furthermore, the expansion module can have at least one connecting means for establishing a data connection between the expansion module and the base module. An extension module designed in this way can be easily connected to the base module in order to realize a printer that can efficiently print the desired number of carriers for histological samples in terms of time and economy.

The expansion module may include an expansion module controller. The expansion module control device can communicate with the control device of the base module. The expansion module control device may be designed such that it itself controls the printing process of at least one, in particular a plurality, expansion modules, wherein a vote can be made with the control device of the base module. Alternatively or additionally, the expansion module may include a pressure control unit for controlling the expansion printing unit. The printing control unit of the expansion module can directly control the expansion printing unit and can only serve to control the expansion printing unit. Furthermore, the pressure control unit of the expansion module can be connected to the control device of the base module and / or the expansion module control device and receive the control commands from this.

The expansion module can be constructed identically to the base module with regard to the receptacles for receiving the carrier, so that reference can be made to the above explanations regarding the receptacles of the base module. In particular, in one embodiment, the expansion module may include a single receptacle and a single printing unit.

The individual expansion modules can be constructed the same, if, for example, a large number of the same carrier to be printed. Of course, it is alternatively also possible that the individual expansion modules are not constructed the same and differ in the number of shots and / or printing units from each other, for example, if carriers are to be printed different carrier type.

In addition, the expansion modules may differ in the design of the recording. Thus, the recordings can be designed such that a recording of an expansion module only cassettes and a recording of another expansion module can only record slides.

The printing control unit of the base module and / or the expansion module may be an ink jet printing unit or a photoelectric printing unit or an impact printing unit or a metal printing unit or a wax printing unit or a thermal printing unit.

A printer for printing carriers for histological samples has a, in particular single, base module and at least one extension module, which are connected to one another, in particular directly, in terms of data technology, in particular connected. The printer has the advantage that it has a modular design. Due to the modularity, it is possible to change the number of expansion modules connected to the base module according to the number of slides to be printed for histological samples and thus to ensure fast and reliable printing thereof.

The expansion module and the base module can print on similar carriers. In particular, the printing of the mutually different carriers can take place simultaneously or with a time offset. Alternatively or additionally, the expansion module and the base module can print different types of support for histological samples. In particular, the printing of the mutually different other types of carrier can take place simultaneously or with a time offset. By printing different carrier by the base module and the expansion module is to be understood that the expansion module, for example, a cassette and the base module, for example, receives a slide and printed.

In the drawing, the subject invention is shown schematically and will be described with reference to the figures below, wherein the same or equivalent elements are usually provided with the same reference numerals.

Showing:

1 FIG. 2: a schematic representation of a printer with a base module and two expansion modules according to a first embodiment, FIG.

2 : a schematic representation of a printer with a base module and two expansion modules according to a second embodiment.

An in 1 shown printer 1 according to a first embodiment has a single base module 2 and two expansion modules 3 . 3 ' on. The basic module 2 has a base module housing 20 on, which encloses a non-illustrated base pressure unit and a control device, not shown. Furthermore, the base module has 2 a connecting means 21 on, via which a data connection between the base module 2 and a first expansion module 3 will be produced. In addition, via the connecting means 21 a, in particular immediate, mechanical attachment of the base module 2 with the first expansion module 3 reached.

To realize the mechanical fastening, the connecting means 21 a lead 210 on top of the base module housing 20 protrudes.

In addition, the connecting means 21 an interface through which a data connection to a first expansion module 3 is feasible.

In addition, the basic module has 2 a recording 22 for holding a variety of slides for histological specimens 4 on. The base pressure unit, not shown, is within the base module housing 20 arranged such that a printing of the carrier 4 is possible.

The two expansion modules 3 . 3 ' have the same structure, so that the technical structure of only a single expansion module is described below.

The first expansion module 3 has a first, not shown, connecting means. The connecting means has a recess into which the projection of the base module for realizing the mechanical attachment to the first expansion module 3 intervenes. Furthermore, the first connection means has an interface, not shown, via which a data connection to the base module 2 is feasible.

The data connection between the base module 2 and the first expansion module 3 can be done by an electrical line, such as a data line. The line can be connected both to the interface of the base module 2 as well as at the interface of the first expansion module 3 be connected when the lead 210 of the base module 2 into the recess of the extension module 3 intervenes.

Furthermore, the first expansion module has 3 at its from the base module 2 side facing away from a second connecting means 31 on, which is the same structure as the connecting means 21 of the base module 2 , This means that the second connecting means 31 of the first expansion module 3 also a lead 310 and an interface for establishing the data connection. The expansion module 3 can via the second connecting means 31 with a second extension module 3 ' connected to a data connection and a mechanical connection to the second expansion module 3 ' manufacture.

The first expansion module 3 has an expansion enclosure 30 on, within which an extension pressure unit, not shown, is arranged. Furthermore, the first expansion module has 3 an extension recording 32 which was used to take up a vehicle for histological samples 4 serves.

To assemble the printer 1 becomes the first expansion module 3 in the direction of arrow P on the base module 2 attached. In particular, the first expansion module 3 moved so that the projection 210 of the base module 2 into the recess of the extension module 3 intervenes. After intervention, there is a data connection between the base module 3 and the expansion module 3 produced. In addition, the base module 2 and mechanically interconnecting the first expansion module.

Subsequently, the second expansion module 3 ' on the first expansion module 3 plugged in the direction of arrow P. This is done in such a way that the projection 310 of the first expansion module 3 in a recess, not shown, of the second expansion module 3 ' intervenes. After intervention, there is a data connection between the first and second expansion modules 3 . 3 ' and thus between the base module 2 and the second expansion module 3 ' realized. In addition, a mechanical attachment between the two expansion modules 3 . 3 ' reached. The result is in the assembled state of the printer 1 a data connection between the base module 2 and both expansion modules 3 . 3 ' realized.

The printing of the carrier 4 is through the in the base module 2 controlled control device controlled. This controls those in the base module 2 contained base pressure unit accordingly. In addition, the control device controls the in the two expansion modules 3 . 3 ' each included expansion unit. For this purpose, the control device outputs control commands via the connection means 21 . 31 to the respective expansion pressure units of the expansion modules 3 . 3 ' be transmitted.

2 shows a printer according to a second embodiment. The following will only focus on the differences between those in the 1 represented printer and the in 2 received printer, wherein the same components are provided with the same reference numerals.

A difference between the two printers is that the in 2 illustrated connecting means 21 a transmitter 23 via which a wireless communication with the two expansion modules 3 . 3 ' is possible. The connecting means 31 . 31 ' the two extension modules 3 . 3 ' each have a receiver 33 . 33 ' on top of that from the sender 23 received data and to the respective expansion printing unit 3 . 3 ' can transmit. The transmitter 23 is via a transmitter adapter 24 to the interface of the connecting means, not shown 21 connected and mechanically with the tab 210 . 310 , in particular directly connected. The recipients 33 . 33 ' are via a receiver adapter 34 to the interface of the connecting means, not shown 31 . 31 ' of the respective expansion module 3 . 3 ' connected and mechanically with the tab 310 . 310 ' , in particular directly connected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

printer

2

base module

3

expansion module

4

Carrier for histological samples

20

Basic module housing

21

Connecting means of the base module

22

admission

23

transmitter

24

sender adapter

30, 30 '

Expansion module housing

31, 31 '

second connection means of the expansion module

32, 32 '

Recording the expansion module

33, 33 '

receiver

34, 34 '

receiver adapter

210

head Start

310, 310 '

head Start

P

Direction of the first expansion module

P '

Direction of the second expansion module

Claims (9)

Method of printing on slides for histological samples ( 4 ) by a base module ( 2 ) and at least one expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ), wherein the base module comprises at least one base printing unit for printing on supports for histological samples ( 4 ), a control device and a connection means ( 21 ) for establishing a data connection between the base module ( 2 ) and the at least one expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ) for printing slides for histological samples ( 4 ), wherein the printing of the carrier for histological samples ( 4 ) through the expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ) by a control device of the base module ( 2 ) is controlled, characterized in that prior to performing the printing manually or automatically, the number of expansion modules necessary for printing ( 3 . 3 ' ) is determined. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the control device of the base module ( 2 ) a pressure control unit of the expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ) and / or the base module ( 2 ), wherein the pressure control unit, in particular only, the printing of the carrier for histological samples ( 4 ) by a base pressure unit or an extension pressure unit. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that similar carriers for histological samples ( 4 ) from the base module ( 2 ) and the expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ), in particular at the same time, and / or that other types of carrier for histological samples ( 4 ) from the base module ( 2 ) and the expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ), especially at the same time, to be printed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means ( 21 ) a transmitter ( 23 ) for wireless data transmission and / or a receiver for wireless data reception and / or an interface for connecting an electrical line, in particular a data line. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base module ( 2 ) with the expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ) is mechanically and / or magnetically, in particular releasably connected again. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base module ( 2 ) at least one recording ( 22 ) for receiving at least one support for histological samples ( 4 ) having. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Basic module having an input means for inputting data and / or an output means for outputting data. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base module ( 2 ) next to the connecting means ( 21 ) has at least one data interface over which one of the expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ) different device with the base module ( 2 ) and / or the basic module ( 2 ) has a pressure control unit other than the control device for controlling the base pressure unit. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expansion module ( 3 . 3 ' ) comprises an expansion module control device and / or a pressure control unit for controlling the extension printing unit.

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