Our client approached us to assist in the development of an automated system to load and unload glass slides onto a microscope stage. The product is an ideal companion for high-throughput imaging applications, and suitable for the clinical diagnostic and life sciences markets.
Working with their team across the United Kingdom and United States, and with a specialist microscope stage manufacturer in Germany, we were responsible for the turnkey design, development and transfer to manufacture of the world’s first automated microscope slide loader.
The SL50 was designed to be controlled by existing software applications. Once connected, it automated the process of loading and unloading slides onto a compatible automated microscope stage.
Automating this process enables imaging functions to be carried out overnight, unattended and at remote locations. The instrument is also capable of enhancing many software applications such as digital imaging and archiving, telepathology, digital imaging for diagnosis, and rare event detection.
During development, we overcame various challenges including:
- Developing the mechanical automation to reliably operate in 24/7 laboratories
- Reliably handling slides of various sizes and quality
- Slide positioning accuracy to 3 µm
- Incorporating detailed end-user input in the design of Beta units to optimize the instrument design