Abstract: Control processes for a slide-scanning system comprising a carousel with a plurality of rack slots configured to receive slide racks via an exposed portion of the scanning system. In an embodiment, initializing the scanning system comprises automatically homing back-end and front-end components, wherein the front-end components comprise the carousel. An inventory of all slide racks in the carousel is automatically generated. If any slide rack was being processed by any back-end components, the slide rack is automatically unloaded into a corresponding rack slot. In addition, the carousel is automatically positioned to expose a starting subset of the rack slots within the exposed portion. This starting subset may comprise a maximum segment of adjacent empty rack slots.

Abstract: Control processes for a slide-scanning system comprising a carousel with a plurality of rack slots configured to receive slide racks via an exposed portion of the scanning system. In an embodiment, initializing the scanning system comprises automatically homing back-end and front-end components, wherein the front-end components comprise the carousel. An inventory of all slide racks in the carousel is automatically generated. If any slide rack was being processed by any back-end components, the slide rack is automatically unloaded into a corresponding rack slot. In addition, the carousel is automatically positioned to expose a starting subset of the rack slots within the exposed portion. This starting subset may comprise a maximum segment of adjacent empty rack slots.

Abstract: A stall detection system is provided that determines if a glass slide in motion during an automated process is at risk for being damaged and stops motion in the event of an unacceptable risk of damage. The system includes one or more motors configured to move a glass slide (directly or indirectly). The motors are configured to generate a load resistance value. The system includes one or more processors that monitor the load resistance value of a motor during motion and compares the load resistance value to a predetermined threshold resistance value to determine the risk of a glass slide being damaged. The predetermined threshold resistance value may correspond to a risk of slide breakage in response to a force applied to any surface of the slide, or a risk of losing a controlling grip on a slide rack, or a risk of a motor skipping a motor step.

Abstract: A stall detection system is provided that determines if a glass slide in motion during an automated process is at risk for being damaged and stops motion in the event of an unacceptable risk of damage. The system includes one or more motors configured to move a glass slide (directly or indirectly). The motors are configured to generate a load resistance value. The system includes one or more processors that monitor the load resistance value of a motor during motion and compares the load resistance value to a predetermined threshold resistance value to determine the risk of a glass slide being damaged. The predetermined threshold resistance value may correspond to a risk of slide breakage in response to a force applied to any surface of the slide, or a risk of losing a controlling grip on a slide rack, or a risk of a motor skipping a motor step.

Abstract: A power off delay system and method is configured to delay termination of electrical power to a digital pathology device in a power off condition. If the apparatus includes a UPS, the power off delay system and method delays termination of electrical power when a power switch is turned off and when a catastrophic power failure occurs. During the delay of the termination of electrical power, the digital pathology device is configured to control the scanning stage system and the glass slide conveyor system and the slide rack conveyor system to place each of these systems into a known state and position all glass slides into a known position prior to the termination of electrical power to the digital pathology device. This allows the digital pathology device to resume normal operation upon power up.

Abstract: A digital pathology scanning apparatus is configured to initiate a rescan of a portion of a sample responsive to detecting a mechanical vibration during image acquisition that exceeds a predetermined threshold. The digital pathology scanning apparatus includes a plurality of sensors and a processor that analyzes sensor data received during movement of a scanning stage supporting a sample during image acquisition. The processor is configured to identify a mechanical vibration imparted on the scanning stage during image acquisition and determine if the mechanical vibration exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the predetermined threshold is exceeded, the processor is configured to initiate a rescan of the portion of the sample being scanned at the time of the mechanical vibration.

Abstract: A digital pathology scanning apparatus is configured to initiate a rescan of a portion of a sample responsive to detecting a mechanical vibration during image acquisition that exceeds a predetermined threshold. The digital pathology scanning apparatus includes a plurality of sensors and a processor that analyzes sensor data received during movement of a scanning stage supporting a sample during image acquisition. The processor is configured to identify a mechanical vibration imparted on the scanning stage during image acquisition and determine if the mechanical vibration exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the predetermined threshold is exceeded, the processor is configured to initiate a rescan of the portion of the sample being scanned at the time of the mechanical vibration.

Abstract: A slide rack inventory and reinsertion system for use with a digital slide scanning apparatus is provided that determines, prior to scanning of glass slides in a slide rack, a status of each slot in the slide rack as properly occupied, improperly occupied, or empty. The system also determines whether a slide that has been removed from the slide rack for processing has been properly reinserted into the slide rack.

Abstract: Graphical user interface for managing a workflow of a slide scanning system. In an embodiment, the graphical user interface comprises a graphical representation of a carousel used by the scanning system. The graphical representation of the carousel comprises a graphical representation of each of a plurality of rack slots, configured to receive slide racks. The graphical representation of the carousel indicates a position of the carousel, and the graphical representation of each of the plurality of rack slots indicates a status of the represented rack slot and/or a slide rack within the represented rack slot.

Abstract: A slide rack gripper apparatus is provided that simultaneously conveys a plurality of glass slides in the protection of a slide rack within a digital slide scanning apparatus. The slide rack gripper apparatus conveys the plurality of glass slides from a slide rack carousel to a scanning stage for processing. The slide rack gripper includes a first motor attached to a base configured to drive a finger mount attached to the base along a first linear axis. The slide rack gripper apparatus also includes a second motor attached to the finger mount and configured to drive opposing gripper fingers attached to the finger mount along a second linear axis. The second motor is also configured to drive individual gripper fingers along a third linear axis to move the gripper fingers toward each other and away from each other to grasp or release a slide rack.

Abstract: A power off delay system and method is configured to delay termination of electrical power to a digital pathology device in a power off condition. If the apparatus includes a UPS, the power off delay system and method delays termination of electrical power when a power switch is turned off and when a catastrophic power failure occurs. During the delay of the termination of electrical power, the digital pathology device is configured to control the scanning stage system and the glass slide conveyor system and the slide rack conveyor system to place each of these systems into a known state and position all glass slides into a known position prior to the termination of electrical power to the digital pathology device. This allows the digital pathology device to resume normal operation upon power up.

Abstract: A digital slide scanning apparatus slide rack carousel allows continuous loading and unloading of slide racks into the carousel while the digital slide scanning apparatus is simultaneously digitizing glass slides. The slide rack carousel includes a base having an interior portion of its upper surface at an angle. The slide rack carousel also includes plural rack spacers extending upward from the base and adjacent rack spacers define a rack slot. Each rack spacer also includes a rack stopper on each side such that adjacent rack spacers have rack stoppers facing each other. The rack stoppers prevent a slide rack from moving further toward the center of the carousel than desired.

Abstract: A power off delay system and method is configured to delay termination of electrical power to a digital pathology device in a power off condition. If the apparatus includes a UPS, the power off delay system and method delays termination of electrical power when a power switch is turned off and when a catastrophic power failure occurs. During the delay of the termination of electrical power, the digital pathology device is configured to control the scanning stage system and the glass slide conveyor system and the slide rack conveyor system to place each of these systems into a known state and position all glass slides into a known position prior to the termination of electrical power to the digital pathology device. This allows the digital pathology device to resume normal operation upon power up.

Abstract: A slide rack gripper apparatus is provided that simultaneously conveys a plurality of glass slides in the protection of a slide rack within a digital slide scanning apparatus. The slide rack gripper apparatus conveys the plurality of glass slides from a slide rack carousel to a scanning stage for processing. The slide rack gripper includes a first motor attached to a base configured to drive a finger mount attached to the base along a first linear axis. The slide rack gripper apparatus also includes a second motor attached to the finger mount and configured to drive opposing gripper fingers attached to the finger mount along a second linear axis. The second motor is also configured to drive individual gripper fingers along a third linear axis to move the gripper fingers toward each other and away from each other to grasp or release a slide rack.

Abstract: A scanning stage with opposing edges to secure a slide during scanning and guide the slide during unloading. In an embodiment, the system includes a reference edge with a surface facing a first edge of the slide and an opposing edge with a surface facing a second edge of the slide. The opposing edge is controlled by a processor to engage the second edge of the slide and press the first edge of the slide against the reference edge surface. The opposing edge surface is parallel to a side of a slide rack slot into which the slide will be inserted during unloading. The system also includes an assembly having a pull bar configured to pull the glass slide from the scanning stage into the slide rack slot while the first edge of the slide is simultaneously being pressed against the reference edge surface by the opposing edge surface.

Abstract: A digital slide scanning apparatus includes a safety light curtain that operates to disable the motor that rotates the carousel when the presence of an object (e.g., the fingers of an operator) is detected within a predetermined area of the carousel. The light curtain also operates to disable the motor that rotates the carousel when an improperly positioned glass slide or slide rack is detected. The digital slide scanning apparatus also includes a multi-color status indicator for each rack slot that indicates the rack slot location of an improperly positioned glass slide or slide rack.

Abstract: A power off delay system and method is configured to delay termination of electrical power to a digital pathology device in a power off condition. If the apparatus includes a UPS, the power off delay system and method delays termination of electrical power when a power switch is turned off and when a catastrophic power failure occurs. During the delay of the termination of electrical power, the digital pathology device is configured to control the scanning stage system and the glass slide conveyor system and the slide rack conveyor system to place each of these systems into a known state and position all glass slides into a known position prior to the termination of electrical power to the digital pathology device. This allows the digital pathology device to resume normal operation upon power up.

Abstract: A stall detection system is provided that determines if a glass slide in motion during an automated process is at risk for being damaged and stops motion in the event of an unacceptable risk of damage. The system includes one or more motors configured to move a glass slide (directly or indirectly). The motors are configured to generate a load resistance value. The system includes one or more processors that monitor the load resistance value of a motor during motion and compares the load resistance value to a predetermined threshold resistance value to determine the risk of a glass slide being damaged. The predetermined threshold resistance value may correspond to a risk of slide breakage in response to a force applied to any surface of the slide, or a risk of losing a controlling grip on a slide rack, or a risk of a motor skipping a motor step.

Abstract: A digital pathology apparatus includes a housing with a rail system that allows the housing to slide off of the apparatus to expose the internal elements of the apparatus for easy maintenance. The housing includes a latch and sensor system that securely latches the housing in the closed position and senses when the housing is opened so that the moving parts of the apparatus can be safely stopped to avoid potential injury. The housing also includes electromagnetic shielding on a minimal portion of its interior surface to reduce electromagnetic radiation emanating from the apparatus. The digital pathology apparatus also includes a speakerless audio system that engages with a portion of the interior surface of the housing that is not covered with electromagnetic shielding. The speakerless audio system provides an audio user interface while maintaining a contiguous surface on the housing to cover the digital pathology apparatus.

Abstract: Control processes for a slide-scanning system comprising a carousel with a plurality of rack slots configured to receive slide racks via an exposed portion of the scanning system. In an embodiment, initializing the scanning system comprises automatically homing back-end and front-end components, wherein the front-end components comprise the carousel. An inventory of all slide racks in the carousel is automatically generated. If any slide rack was being processed by any back-end components, the slide rack is automatically unloaded into a corresponding rack slot. In addition, the carousel is automatically positioned to expose a starting subset of the rack slots within the exposed portion. This starting subset may comprise a maximum segment of adjacent empty rack slots.