Automated Coverslipping Design to Prevent Image Disturbances in Tissue Scans Used for Neurological Disorder Diagnosis

Abstract

Our concept works to prevent image disturbances in pathology scans by automating the Coverslipping process. The design will reproduce the slide preparation process using robotic automation, applying the appropriate PBS solution and a coverslip. CND Life Sciences aids in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s through skin biopsy to successfully provide a diagnosis before clinical onset. Current Laboratory processes are extremely manual, with errors due to human variability. These errors cause delays and can result in the need for new biopsies, longer waits, and higher expenses for patients. These errors damage CND Life Science’s profit margin, and the prevention of them would be a significant ROI, demonstrating a large need for automated devices in the pathology laboratory market.

Our design seeks to fill this market with an automated Coverslipping process, ensuring slides are 95%+ readable with little to no need for technician input and preventing disruption of laboratory procedures outside of Coverslipping. Our device is designed to be a discrete entity, ensuring it is easily input into any laboratory without having to adjust other procedures. The device moves the slides automatically between each step of Coverslipping to avoid technician intervention. The device is consistent with a tight margin of errors, such that the vast majority of slides have no clinically significant sample damage. A linear rail will be utilized to move the slide throughout the machine and apply the coverslip. The dripper uses gravity and solenoid valves to ensure a uniform film of PBS solution is spread on the sample. Suction cups use a vacuum pump and a 45-degree contact angle to cover slip applications and prevent bubble accumulation.

Our design for manufacturing considered each component and its materials. We suspect the overall costs of production to be around $165, not including labor. We plan for our device to have a 20% profit margin.

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