Offering:
ENGR498-F2024-S2025
Sponsor requirements:
For this project, students will design and build a working prototype that is able to transfer microscope slides from an existing on-market instrument tray into another output rack. During transfer of each microscope slide from tray to rack, imaging will need to be performed to detect presence of a specific contaminant (a large reagent spot on the glass) as well as image a barcode. Once slides have been transferred, status of the slides and output rack will be reported.
The following are detailed project requirements:
1. The module shall accept HE600 trays populated with 20 slides.
2. The module should accept partially full HE600 trays (<20 slides).
3. The module should be able to indicate when the input is full.
4. The module shall have a means to report out the quality status of each slide.
5. The module shall correctly identify reagent spotting on the slides with an accuracy of 75%.
6. The module should be able to read a barcode on the slide label and report back appropriate barcode information to the system.
7. The module shall place all slides into the output rack in the same orientation.
8. The module shall not break more than 1 in 100 slides with 95% confidence.
9. The size of the module should not exceed the size of 16” wide x 11” tall x 18” deep and shall not exceed the size of 17” wide x 16” tall x 24” deep.
10. The prototype module should weigh less than 40 lbs and shall weigh less than 51 lbs.
11. The module shall use the same I/O and power connections as used on other modules housed in the parent instrument (components and specifications will be provided by RTD).
12. The module shall not exceed 3A current load at any time.
13. The module shall not require use of external compressed air, vacuum, or fluidics.
14. The module shall have mounting interface dimensions compatible with the parent instrument (specifications provided by RTD).
15. The output rack shall have an interface consistent with integration with the current robot end of arm tooling.
16. The system shall be able to complete a full transfer and imaging of 20 slides within 400 seconds.
The following are detailed project requirements:
1. The module shall accept HE600 trays populated with 20 slides.
2. The module should accept partially full HE600 trays (<20 slides).
3. The module should be able to indicate when the input is full.
4. The module shall have a means to report out the quality status of each slide.
5. The module shall correctly identify reagent spotting on the slides with an accuracy of 75%.
6. The module should be able to read a barcode on the slide label and report back appropriate barcode information to the system.
7. The module shall place all slides into the output rack in the same orientation.
8. The module shall not break more than 1 in 100 slides with 95% confidence.
9. The size of the module should not exceed the size of 16” wide x 11” tall x 18” deep and shall not exceed the size of 17” wide x 16” tall x 24” deep.
10. The prototype module should weigh less than 40 lbs and shall weigh less than 51 lbs.
11. The module shall use the same I/O and power connections as used on other modules housed in the parent instrument (components and specifications will be provided by RTD).
12. The module shall not exceed 3A current load at any time.
13. The module shall not require use of external compressed air, vacuum, or fluidics.
14. The module shall have mounting interface dimensions compatible with the parent instrument (specifications provided by RTD).
15. The output rack shall have an interface consistent with integration with the current robot end of arm tooling.
16. The system shall be able to complete a full transfer and imaging of 20 slides within 400 seconds.
Booklet description:
Histology labs remain one of the least automated environments in health care. Due to a shrinking pool of professionals, highly trained pathologists and histotechnicians are often required to perform these tedious and repetitive tasks, reducing their ability to focus on complex diagnostics. Additionally, tissue staining can leave residue on slides that can interfere with microscope analysis and digital scanning.
The team developed the Automated Slide Transfer System (ASTS) that combines the precision of a 3D printer with the functionality of a forklift to streamline laboratory workflow. ASTS accepts an input tray of up to 20 slides, individually removes and inspects each slide, detects excess reagent dots, reads barcode identifiers, and places slides into an output rack. It then generates a comma-separated values file containing barcode data and general slide quality information.
A Raspberry Pi 5 controls ASTS’s high-precision gantry system equipped with a custom-designed gripper for slide manipulation, offering 0.05 mm accuracy. A Blue Series M12 lens and a Raspberry Pi HQ camera analyze slides during transfer. This enables rapid barcode scanning and reagent detection. With adjustable gantry speeds of up to 1 ft per second, the system can process 20 slides in under 400 seconds.
By automating tedious histology tasks, the ASTS reduces workload, improves efficiency and enhances slide quality. This supports Roche’s mission of “doing now what patients need next.”
The team developed the Automated Slide Transfer System (ASTS) that combines the precision of a 3D printer with the functionality of a forklift to streamline laboratory workflow. ASTS accepts an input tray of up to 20 slides, individually removes and inspects each slide, detects excess reagent dots, reads barcode identifiers, and places slides into an output rack. It then generates a comma-separated values file containing barcode data and general slide quality information.
A Raspberry Pi 5 controls ASTS’s high-precision gantry system equipped with a custom-designed gripper for slide manipulation, offering 0.05 mm accuracy. A Blue Series M12 lens and a Raspberry Pi HQ camera analyze slides during transfer. This enables rapid barcode scanning and reagent detection. With adjustable gantry speeds of up to 1 ft per second, the system can process 20 slides in under 400 seconds.
By automating tedious histology tasks, the ASTS reduces workload, improves efficiency and enhances slide quality. This supports Roche’s mission of “doing now what patients need next.”
Booklet description finalized
Project video:
Sponsor Information
Organization:
Project number (Offering):
25025