US20130222444A1 - Color printer system for histological specimen slides and cassettes - Google Patents

Abstract

A color printer for histological specimen containers such as slides and cassettes includes a specimen container receiving structure to receive histological specimen containers having a print zone, an ink receiving structure to receive a multi-colored ink source, a printhead, a drive mechanism to drive specimen containers received by the container receiving structure with respect to the print head, and a control system. The control system is responsive to specimen data representative of histological specimens and controls the drive mechanism and the printhead, including causing the print head to transfer multiple colors of ink from the ink source and print specimen information in color on the print zones of specimen containers. In one embodiment of the invention the specimen data includes color data representative of a color that identifies specimen information, and the control system causes the printhead to print the specimen information in color as a function of the color data. In another embodiment the control system causes the printhead to print specimen information in the form of a color bar as a function of the color data, and to print specimen information in the form of text and a bar code in black.

Description

BACKGROUND
• The present invention relates to color printers and printing methods for histological specimen containers such as slides and cassettes.
• Printers for printing information on containers such as slides and cassettes used to process histological specimens (e.g., tissue biopsies) are generally known and commercially available. These printers print information in the form of text and bar codes in monochrome (i.e., using black ink). Slides and cassettes having different color backgrounds are sometimes used in the printers, and the color of the slides and cassettes can be selected to represent information such as the type of tissue on the container. During printing applications of these types, slides and cassettes of different colors can be switched in and out of the printer. Some printers are configured with several slide and cassette inputs, and supplies of slides and cassettes having different colors can be loaded into these printers. Operators of printers of these types need to stock slides and cassettes having the different color backgrounds.
• There remains a continuing need for improved printers for histological sample containers. In particular, there is a need for printers and methods that are efficient to operate and perform, and that enable information to be accurately printed on the containers.
SUMMARY
• The present invention is a color printing system for histological specimen containers. The system is efficient to operate and capable of accurately printing specimen information in color on containers such as slides and cassettes.
• One embodiment of the invention is a histological specimen container printer that includes a specimen container receiving structure to receive histological specimen containers having a print zone, an ink receiving structure to receive a multi-colored ink source, a print head, a drive mechanism to drive specimen containers received by the container receiving structure with respect to the print head, and a control system. The control system is responsive to specimen data representative of histological specimens to control the drive mechanism and the print head, including causing the print head to transfer multiple colors of ink from the ink source and print specimen information in color on the print zones of specimen containers. In some embodiments of the invention the specimen data includes color data representative of a color that identifies specimen information, and the control system causes the print head to print the specimen information in color as a function of the color data.
• Another embodiment of the invention is a method for operating a color printer to print specimen information on histological specimen containers. The method includes actuating a color printer as a function of specimen data representative of specimen information to apply multiple colors of ink and print the specimen information in color on the print zones of the specimen containers. In some embodiments the specimen data includes color data representative of colors that identify specimen information, and actuating the color printer includes printing the specimen information in color as a function of color data. In other embodiments actuating the color printer includes printing specimen information in the form of color bars as a function of the color data. In still other embodiments actuating the color printer includes printing specimen information in the form of bar codes. In yet other embodiments actuating the color printer includes printing specimen information in the form of text as a function of the color data.
• Another embodiment of the invention is a histological sample container printer that includes a sample container receiving structure to receive histological sample containers having a frosted or white print zone, a thermal print head, a sample container drive mechanism to drive the sample containers from the sample container receiving structure with respect to the print head, an ink receiving structure to receive a multi-color thermal print ribbon having a set of primary (e.g., yellow, magenta and cyan) and optionally black ink color blocks spaced along a length of the ribbon, a print ribbon drive mechanism to drive the print ribbon with respect to the print head, a data port for receiving sample data representative of histological sample information, and a control system coupled to the print head, sample container drive mechanism, print ribbon drive mechanism and data port. The control system operates to control the sample container drive mechanism to move the print zone of sample containers back and forth with respect to the print head, to control the print ribbon drive mechanism to advance the print ribbon and locate the color blocks with respect to the print head, to control the print head as a function of the sample data and cause the print head to heat and transfer ink from one or more of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink blocks and print a color block representative of the sample information at a first location on the print zone of the sample containers, to control the print head as a function of the sample data and cause the print head to heat and transfer ink from the black or a primary color ink block and print a bar code representative of the sample information at a second location on the print zone of the sample containers, wherein the second location is spaced from the first location, and to control the print head as a function of the sample data and cause the print head to heat and transfer ink from the black or a primary color ink block and print text representative of the sample information at a third location on the print zone of the sample containers, wherein the third location is spaced from the first and second locations. In some embodiments the data port receives sample data representative of histological sample information including sample type information, and the control system causes the print head to print a color block, bar code and/or text in a color representative of the sample information.
• Another embodiment of the invention is a method for printing sample information on a histological sample container. The method includes receiving data representative of histological sample information, receiving a histological sample container having a print zone with a flat, thermal ink-receptive surface, receiving a multi-color thermal print ribbon having primary (e.g., yellow, magenta and cyan) and optionally black ink color blocks spaced along a length of the ribbon, advancing the print ribbon to a stationary position with respect to a thermal print head to locate a first of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink color blocks with respect to the print head, driving the sample container to move the print zone by the stationary print head and print ribbon, actuating the print head as a function of the data while driving the sample container to heat and transfer ink from the one of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink blocks and print a color bar at a first location on the sample container print zone, optionally repeating the steps of advancing the print ribbon, driving the sample container and actuating the print head to transfer ink from a second of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink blocks and print the color bar at the first location on the sample container print zone, optionally repeating the steps of advancing the print ribbon, driving the sample container and actuating the print head to transfer ink from a third of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink blocks and print the color bar at the first location on the sample container print zone, advancing the print ribbon to a stationary position with respect to the thermal print head to locate the black ink or a primary color ink block with respect to the print head, driving the sample container to move the print zone by the stationary print head and print ribbon, and actuating the print head as a function of the data to heat and transfer ink from the color block and print a bar code at a second location on the sample container print zone, wherein the second location is spaced from the first location. In some embodiments receiving a slide includes receiving a slide having a print zone with a white or frosted finish. In still other embodiments actuating the print head to print ink from the black or primary color ink block further includes actuating the print head as a function of the data to print text at a third location on the sample container print zone, wherein the third location is spaced from the first and second locations.
• Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method for operating a thermal printer to print sample information on a histological sample container. The method includes receiving at the printer data representative of histological sample information, loading into the printer a histological sample container having a print zone with a flat, thermal ink-receptive surface, loading into the printer a multi-color thermal print ribbon having primary color (e.g., yellow, magenta and cyan) and optionally black ink color blocks spaced along a length of the ribbon, causing the print ribbon to advance to a stationary position with respect to a thermal print head and locate a first of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink color blocks with respect to the print head, causing the sample container to be driven to move the print zone by the stationary print head and print ribbon, causing the print head to be actuated as a function of the data while the sample container is being driven to heat and transfer ink from the one of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink blocks and print a color bar at a first location on the sample container print zone, optionally repeating the steps of causing the print ribbon to advance, causing the sample container to be driven and causing the print head to be actuated to transfer ink from a second of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink blocks and print the color bar at the first location on the sample container print zone, optionally repeating the steps of causing the print ribbon to advance, causing the sample container to be driven and causing the print head to be actuated to transfer ink from a third of the yellow, magenta and cyan ink blocks and print the color bar at the first location on the sample container print zone, causing the print ribbon to advance to a stationary position with respect to the thermal print head and locate the black or a primary color ink block with respect to the print head, causing the sample container to be driven to move the print zone by the stationary print head and print ribbon, and causing the print head to be actuated as a function of the data to heat and transfer ink from the ink block and print a bar code at a second location on the sample container print zone, wherein the second location is spaced from the first location.
• Another embodiment of the invention is a histological sample container. The container comprises a member having a sample-receiving region and a print zone with a flat, ink-receptive surface, a color bar formed by overlaying layers of primary (e.g., yellow, magenta and cyan) thermal transfer or other types of ink bonded to the base at a first location on the print zone, a bar code formed by a layer of black or color thermal transfer or other type of ink bonded to the base at a second location on the print zone, wherein the second location is spaced from the first location, and text formed by a layer of black thermal transfer or other type of ink bonded to the base at a third location on the print zone, wherein the third location is spaced from the first and second locations.
• Another embodiment of the invention is a set of consumable components for a histological sample container printer. The set includes a multi-color thermal print ribbon or other carrier having a plurality of primary color (e.g., yellow, magenta and cyan) and optionally black ink (e.g., color blocks spaced along a length of the ribbon), and histological sample containers, each container having a sample-receiving region and a print zone with a sufficiently flat surface to enable thermal or other transfer and bonding of the yellow, magenta, cyan and/or black ink from the print ribbon or other carrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a top sectional view of a histological specimen slide printing system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, taken on line1-1 inFIG. 2
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the slide printing system shown inFIG. 1, taken on line2-2 inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a slide printed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention by the printing system shown inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an operational sequence that can be used with the printing system shown inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 5 is a side view of the printing system shown inFIG. 1, with a cover carrying the printer in an open position.
• FIG. 6 is a front end view of the printing system shown inFIG. 1, with the slide cassette removed.
• FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the slide cassette shown inFIG. 1
• FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a print ribbon that can be used in the printing system shown inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the printing system shown inFIG. 1 with the cover open.
• FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a molded tissue cassette in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, shown with a lid attached to a base in an open position.
• FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the cassette taken along line11-11 inFIG. 10, showing the lid in a partially closed position during the initial closing and before fracturing a hinge member.
• FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the cassette taken along line11-11 inFIG. 10, showing the lid moved further toward a closed position relative to a cassette base.
• FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the cassette taken long line13-13 inFIG. 10, showing the lid in a partially closed position.
• FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the cassette taken along line11-11 inFIG. 10, showing the lid in a fully closed position and illustrating the fracturing of the hinge caused by the initial closing.
• FIG. 15 is a front isometric view of a molded tissue cassette in accordance with another embodiment of the invention showing a print-receptive, information display panel.
• FIG. 16 is an isometric view from a rear side of the cassette shown inFIG. 15.
• FIG. 17 is an isometric view from the bottom of the cassette shown inFIG. 15, showing support ribs or gussets for supporting the display panel on which information is to be printed.
• FIG. 18 is a detailed sectional view of the cassette taken along line18-18 inFIG. 16.
• FIG. 19 is a detailed sectional view of the cassette taken along line19-19 inFIG. 18
• FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a cassette printer in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the inside of the lid of the printer shown inFIG. 20, showing the printhead assembly.
• FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the printer shown inFIG. 20, with the lid removed and showing the cassette index assembly and print ribbon receiving structure.
• FIG. 23 is another isometric view of the inside of the lid of the printer shown inFIG. 20, showing the printhead assembly.
• FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of the lid and printhead assembly.
• FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the hopper shown inFIG. 20, showing the front side.
• FIG. 26 is an isometric view of the hopper shown inFIG. 20, showing the back side.
• FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the printer shown inFIG. 20, with the lid removed and showing the cassette index assembly and the latches for engaging the hopper.
• FIG. 28 is a detailed top plan view of the back of the printer shown inFIG. 20, showing the opening in the cover and the hopper and cassette loading rod.
• FIG. 29 is a side plan view of the cassette loading rod shown inFIG. 20.
• FIG. 30 is an isometric view of the loading rod shown inFIG. 29, showing the front side.
• FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the loading rod shown inFIG. 29, showing the back side.
• FIG. 32 is a detailed side view of the inside of the printer shown inFIG. 20, showing the loading rod being inserted into the hopper while retaining the cassettes.
• FIG. 33 is a detailed side view of the inside of the printer shown inFIG. 20, showing the loading rod latched into the printer and releasing the cassettes.
• FIG. 34 is an isometric view of the cassette index assembly shown inFIG. 22, with a cassette in a position after picking.
• FIG. 35 is an isometric view of the cassette index assembly shown inFIG. 34, with the cassette in a position after printing.
• FIG. 36 is an isometric view of the cassette index assembly shown inFIG. 34, with the cassette in a position being reset.
• FIG. 37 is an isometric view of the cassette index assembly shown inFIG. 34, with the cassette in a position after being reset.
• FIG. 38 is an isometric view of the cassette index assembly shown inFIG. 34, showing a side opposite the side shown inFIG. 34.
• FIG. 39 is an isometric view of the printer shown inFIG. 20, with the lid removed and showing the cassette index assembly and print ribbon receiving structure.
• FIG. 40 is an isometric view of the printer shown inFIG. 20, with the lid removed and showing the print ribbon receiving structure.
• FIG. 41 is an isometric view of the printer shown inFIG. 20, with the lid removed and showing the print ribbon receiving structure.
• FIG. 42 is an isometric view of a print ribbon that can be used in the printer shown inFIG. 20.
• FIG. 43 is a front end plan view of the printer shown inFIG. 20, with the lid removed.
• FIG. 44 is a block diagram of the electrical subsystem of the printer shown inFIG. 20.
• FIG. 45 is a detailed isometric view of an output tray and stop in accordance with another embodiment of the printer shown inFIG. 20.
• FIGS. 46 and 47 are side views of the output tray and stop shown inFIG. 45, with the stop shown in up and down positions, respectively.
• FIGS. 48-51 are top plan, end plan, side plan and isometric views, respectively of the base of the output tray shown inFIGS. 45-47.
• FIG. 52 is an isometric view of the stop of the output tray shown inFIGS. 45-47.
• FIG. 53 is a sectional view of the output tray stop, taken along line53-53 inFIG. 52.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOverview
• Color histological specimen container printers in accordance with the invention are described below in connection withFIGS. 1-53. One embodiment of the printer invention is acolor slide printer10 described in connection withFIGS. 1-9.Slide100, a specimen container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention that can, for example, be color printed using theslide printer10, is described in connection withFIG. 3. Another embodiment of the invention is acolor cassette printer200 described in connection withFIGS. 20-53.Cassette500, a specimen container in accordance with the invention that can, for example, be color printed using thecassette printer200, is described in connection withFIGS. 10-14. Yet another embodiment of a specimen container in accordance with the invention,cassette600, can also be color printed using thecassette printer200 and is described in connection withFIGS. 15-19.
Color Slide Printer10
• A colorslide printing system10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can be described generally with reference toFIGS. 1-5. As shown,slide printing system10 includes anouter cabinet12 in which components are mounted, and the cabinet includes across support wall14 extending between and suitably supported onside walls16. Theside walls16 are used for rotatably supporting various drive rollers and other components. A medical slide cartridge indicated generally at18 (also sometimes referred to as a cassette or magazine) is a rectangular container that holds a plurality of individual slides100. Theslides100 can be of a desired type, and can be clear or opaque and they will have a finish on at least portions of one surface that will accept ink from a thermal printer that has a multi-colored ribbon. A frosted finish in the area to be printed is suitable.
• Thecartridge18 is a self-contained unit that can be loaded withslides100 from the bottom or can have a suitable access cover, and it can be slid in and out of theouter printer housing12 through a provided opening, and between side guides (FIG. 1) and rested on thesupport wall14. As can be seen, the cartridge size is selected to support a number ofslides100 in a stack (usually100), and thebottom wall22 of thecartridge18 has afeed opening24 defined therein formed, by terminating thebottom wall22 so it is spaced from an inner orinfeed end wall25. Theend wall25 is terminated with abottom edge26 spaced slightly above the top plane of thebottom wall22, so that when acartridge18 is positioned in the print housing, as shown inFIG. 2, aninput feed roller28 will support the bottommost slide100 (theroller28 projects above wall14), and hold the end of the slide position so that the bottom slide will clear thebottom edge26. Theinput feed roller28 will withdraw thebottom slide100 through theopening24 when the feed roller is powered.
• Theinput feed roller28 is driven by asuitable motor32 from acentral control system34 which comprises a microcontroller that can be programmed for sequencing the various components being controlled in a desired manner and which coordinates the printing on theslide100 for identification.
• Provided slide guides35 will support aslide100 after it is moved by theinput feed roller28 underneath thewall edge26, and theinput feed roller28 will provide an impetus to move the slide along theguides35 until it is grasped by drive rollers indicated at38 and40. At least one of the drive rollers, forexample drive roller40 is driven by amotor42 that is also controlled by thecontrol system34. Theslide100 being fed is grasped between thedrive rollers38 and40 and is moved across aslide position sensor37 onto a printerprinthead platen roller46 that is driven by amotor48 fromcontrol system34. Theslide position sensor37 provides a position signal to controlsystem34 so thedrive rollers38 and40 are driven to properly position theslide100 relative to the printhead.
• Printhead platen roller46 is independently mounted between theside walls16 of the housing, and above the platen roller there is a thermal printer indicated at50 that includes athermal printhead52 that will print on an upper surface of a slide, for example, theslide100A shown inFIG. 2 between thedrive rollers70 and72 and supported on theprinthead platen roller46. Theprinter50 is carried on acover49 that can be opened as shown inFIG. 5, and the printer is supported on thecover49 for movement toward and away fromprinthead platen roller46 when thecover49 is closed. Alever51 is pivoted at apivot51A and has anend finger51B that engages a crossbar on theprinter50 frame. Acam53 is positioned to act on a cam follower51C on thelever51 to lift the printer and printhead when the cam is rotated by amotor55. Themotor55 is controlled bycontrol system34.
• Theslide100A is moved beneath a multi-color thermal print ribbon indicated at54 which is fed from a ribbon supply roller56 mounted between theside walls16 and which passes under theprinthead52. The print ribbon supply roller is driven by asuitable motor59. Theribbon54 is a known ribbon with blocks of heat transferable color along its length in a known sequence, namely yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). Theribbon54 passes across aprint ribbon sensor58 that provides signals indicating the start of each block of color on the ribbon to thecontrol system34.Guide rollers57 are also provided for theribbon54 between the supply roller56 and theprinthead52. Theribbon54, after it has been used for printing onto theslide100A, is taken up on a print ribbon take uproller62, that can be driven with asuitable motor64 controlled by thecontrol system34.
• Prior to printing, theprinthead52 is raised by operatingcam53 to lift the printer and theslide100A will be moved forwardly toward a pair ofdrive rollers70 and72 again, at least one of which is driven, for example by schematically illustratedmotor74 coordinated with thecontrol system34. It should be noted that while individual drive motors for the feed rollers and platen roller are shown for illustration purposes, the rollers that are timed or coordinated can be driven by one motor and a gear train shown generally at71 inFIG. 5.
• As theslide100A is printed (as shown inFIG. 1), it should be understood that it will be moved back and forth bydrive rollers70 and72 andplaten roller46 under control of thecontrol system34. Printing occurs adjacent one end of the slide as shown inFIG. 3 so thedrive rollers70 and72 are usable for moving theslide100A while it is being printed on. Theprinthead52 has enough lateral width so that the printing can take place along the lateral width of the slide wide enough to include the information necessary. Theprinthead52 is lifted when needed for moving theslide100A to reposition it.
• After theslide100A has been printed by printing a colored bar90 (SeeFIG. 3), abar code92 andidentification text94, the slide is driven through thedrive rollers70 and72 under the power ofmotor74, and it is dropped into a storage facility. In this form, the printed slide is dropped onto aconveyor belt76 that is mounted over first andsecond end rollers78 and80. The end of the conveyor supported byroller80 is located back underneath theslide cartridge18. Theroller80 can be driven by asuitable motor82 controlled by thecontrol system34, or can be driven by thegear train71.
• The printed slides carried on the upper length of theconveyor belt76 will be dropped into a slide output tray orbin84 that is mounted in a suitable manner at an incline underneath theslide holder cartridge18. The slides that have been printed have been shown at86 in a stack.
• Thecartridges18 could be loaded with different types of slides if desired, for example, if a party wanted to use colored slides with a monochrome ribbon instead of color ribbon with white or clear slides, the slide cartridge allows the user to easily switch slide colors without handling the slides. Multiple cartridges could be used to store multiple colors, which can be easily identified and switched while keeping them dust and fingerprint free.
• In use, the administrator of the company that was using the slide identification system of the present disclosure would set up some variables for their system, for example, an automated color selection where a particular color identifies a particular tissue. For example, liver tissue could be blue; kidney tissue could be green; heart tissue could be red; lung tissue could be black and so on. The data input33 into the software of thecontrol system34 can be manually input or read from another source, and used to identify the type of slide that was to be printed, and also for each particular slide the data would include in the software the text that was to be printed and the identification bar code that is to be printed on the slide. Then, the software would automatically select the slide identification color, based on the input data and the printhead would be operated to print the strip or identifyingblock90 on the one end portion of the slide such as that shown inFIG. 3, and then the data relating to the specimen that would be placed on the slide is printed astext94 andbar code92 for identification. This can be done in a black color, so the slide information would be in two colors.
• The thermal printer permits the color identifier bar or block90 to be printed easily in a selected color and then the information about the tissue sample on the slide can be printed in a different color, such as black.
• The ability to print the identifying color for the type of tissue that would be placed on the slide at the same time that the bar code is placed on eliminates errors in identifying the color code to be used.
• FIG. 3 illustrates atypical slide100A after printing and mounting a specimen thereon having the identifyingcolor bar90 shown in one portion of the slide and the printeddata94, including abar code92 that is printed in black and adjacent to the color bar and with aspecimen96 that is keyed to the information on the slide mounted on the slide. Thespecimen96 can be covered by aslip cover98 and retained on the slide in a known manner where desired.
• FIG. 6 is a front end view of one embodiment of the theprinting system10, withslide cartridge18 removed from thecabinet12 to show thecartridge receiving area31. As shown, anelectrical contact23 is mounted on awall27 at the back of thecartridge receiving area31. Theelectrical contact23 is coupled to thecontrol system34.FIG. 7 is an illustration of aslide cartridge18 with itsaccess cover19 open and showing theslides100 stacked therein. The illustrated embodiment of thecartridge18 has amemory chip43 mounted to its back wall. Thememory chip43 is mounted to thecartridge18 at a position that will enable the memory chip to electrically contact or otherwise be coupled for data transfer with theelectrical contact23 on theprinting system10 when the cartridge is inserted into theenclosure12.
• FIG. 8 is an illustration of aprint ribbon assembly61 that can be used with theslide printing system10. As shown, theprint ribbon assembly61 includes supply spool63, take-upspool65, and multi-colorthermal ink ribbon54. The composition of thermal ink ribbons such as54 is generally known. As described above, in one embodiment of the invention theribbon54 has a plurality of primary color ink blocks (e.g., yellow, magenta and cyan) and black ink blocks (not separately shown inFIG. 8) spaced in repeating sequences along its length. Rotatably mounted to the supply spool63 is ahub67. A printribbon memory chip69 is mounted to thehub67 in this embodiment.FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of theprinting system10 where the printribbon supply hub45 includes anelectrical contact73 configured for electrical coupling to thememory chip69 on the supply spool63. Theprint ribbon assembly61 is loaded onto the print ribbon receiving structure by mounting the supply spool63 to thesupply hub45, and mounting the take-upspool65 to the take uphub47. Thememory chip69 on the supply spool63 is electrically coupled to the ribbonsupply chip contact73 when the supply spool63 is mounted to thesupply hub45.
• When theprinting system10 is switched ON thecontrol system34 can access information on the slidecassette memory chip43 through electrical contact33, and can access information on the ribbonsupply memory chip69 through theelectrical contact73. Information stored on the slidecassette memory chip43 can include, for example, one or more of slide type and the number of slides remaining in thecartridge18. Similarly, information stored on the ribbonsupply memory chip69 can include ribbon type, the number of images remaining on theribbon54, production date and/or batch no. Other or additional types of information can be stored onmemory chips43 and69 in other embodiments. Information on thememory chips43 and69 is used to control the operation ofprinting system10, and can be updated after print operations. For example, if the information onmemory chips43 or69 indicates that the supply of slides or ribbon is exhausted, thecontrol system34 will not execute a requested print operation. Information stored onmemory chips43 or69 representative of the number of remaining slides and the number of images remaining on theribbon54 can be updated following each print operation. If the types of slides and print ribbon loaded into the printer are not compatible, the unsuitable combination can be identified and an informational message can be provided and/or printing can be discontinued to reduce errors.
• In summary, the printer will have an input area that holds unprinted slides with a frosted area (typically white) used to record data. The slides will be contained in a cartridge that will hold slides. An input feed roller will drive one slide out of the cartridge and move it towards the printhead. A slide position sensor will locate the slide as it exits the cartridge and allow the controls to control the drive rollers to precisely locate the printable area of the slide under the printhead. The ribbon drive motor will then advance the multiple color panel ribbon until the leading edge of the first color panel of the sequence (typically yellow in a YMCK ribbon) is positioned under the printhead as well. A ribbon sensor detects the transition between the color blocks on the ribbon and allows the control system to indicate to the printer the location of each color block on the ribbon relative to the printhead. When both the slide and the ribbon are in the proper location, the printhead will be lowered and the drive rollers and the platen roller will advance the slide as the first color panel is printed. The printhead will be raised by a cam, the slide will back up until the leading edge is under the printhead and the color ribbon will be advanced until the leading edge of the next panel is under the printhead. Then the printhead will lower and the drive rollers will advance the slide as the second color panel on ribbon is printed. This process will repeat for the remaining color panels. Once all of the color panels have completed printing, the drive rollers will advance the slide until it exits the printhead area and is transferred to a conveyor belt which will move the slide to the output hopper located on the front of the machine directly under the input cartridge.
• The data for the slide can either be manually entered at a computer or a histology tissue cassette with a bar code containing all pertinent information that can be scanned to obtain the required data to be reprinted on slides.
• The sequence of operations inFIG. 4 shows the steps in the process using the colored ribbon for printing.
• The invention provides for a printing system that includes a cartridge for holding a number of medical slides or histological slides on which tissue samples or other medical samples are to be placed, and which will be provided to a printer that will print in color on the slide for further identification of the class of tissue or sample that is to be placed onto the slide, as well as printing information about the specimen on the slide. This includes printing a bar code and/or text containing the data necessary for use of the slide, such as case number, patient name, year, issue class, priority rating etc. The slides will be prepared with an ink receptive surface, such as frosting the areas where there will be printing.
• The slides are loadable in a cartridge so that they can be handled without getting fingerprints on the slides themselves, and multiple cartridges can be used, each to store slides for a different classification of specimens to be mounted on slides. The cartridges then can be easily identified as to the class of the specimen and the cartridge switched while keeping the slides dust and fingerprint-free.
• The printer utilizes a series of drive rollers for carrying slides individually from the cartridge, and feeding them into a print station that includes a platen roller that supports the slide for printing and a printhead that prints the information on a surface opposite from the platen roller. The slide can be moved back and forth by suitable drive rollers for multi-color printing, or black and white printing, and when the information has been printed into the slide, the slide is removed from the print station (the printhead is lifted away from the slide as it is moved for printing and out of the print station) and then the slide is transferred to an output bin. The finished slide transfer device includes a conveyor belt that will receive the slides and transport the printed slides to a bin. Other types of storage can be provided as well.
• The printhead is controlled by suitable software that will print an identifying color mark, in a bar or strip form onto the slide, and then the data that is required, including a text and the bar code for identification is printed on the slide, and this is generally done in black printing. A control system is used for coordinating various movements with the printing operations, including controlling the lifting and lowering of the printhead, the motors for the slide drive rollers, and the platen roller for multiple pass printing to print the desired identification information on the slide.
• Although described in connection with embodiments of a thermal printer, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be implemented in still other embodiments. For example, other embodiments of the invention can be implemented in inkjet, laser or other printers. One or more single color ink ribbons can be used instead of the multiple color panel ribbon. The printhead can be a separate printhead for each ink ribbon instead of the single printhead shown in the illustrated embodiment. Any and all of the fields of information on the slides can be printed in any desired color, and the printed color can be selected to represent information such as tissue type and source (e.g., the text and/or bar code can also be printed in color). Printing can also be done in one, two, three or more colors on each slide, with sequentially printed slides having the same or different printed colors. The printer can also be used with other slides, such as slides having a colored printing area.
Cassette500
• A histological tissue carrying cassette in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and indicated at500 can be described with reference toFIGS. 10-14. As shown,cassette500 includes a base511 having abottom wall512 that has a number ofopenings514 formed therein and which provide for drainage. Thebottom wall512 is surrounded by four upright side walls when a rectangular configuration is utilized, including a pair ofside walls516, arear wall518 and afront wall520.
• A tissuesample holding compartment522 is thus formed by theside walls516,rear wall518 andfront wall520. Therear wall518 has aguide opening526, and there is generally aU-shaped wall524 formed on the interior of the compartment to shield theopening526 in the rear wall. Additionally, a partial offsetwall portion527 is provided in alignment with aslot528 in one of theside walls516, as shown. Theslot528 provides a structure of feeding thecassettes500 from a stack into a processing station. In the embodiment of thecassette printer200 described below, for example, theslot528 is configured to be slidably engaged by a cassette loading rod that can hold a stack of the cassettes and be releasably inserted into the printer.
• Alid530 is molded as a unit with thebase511 and after molding is integrally attached to an upper edge of therear wall518 with a thin (reduced thickness of material)frangible hinge532 formed during molding. Thefrangible hinge532 extends across the upper edge of therear wall518, except in locations where there are recesses for guide projections or lugs that will be explained. Thelid530 has arim534 that will fit inside theupright walls516,520 and518 of thebase511, and there is aflange536 that surrounds therim534 and will rest on the top edges of the respective upright walls of the base. One side of thefrangible hinge532 is molded to the upper edge ofwall518 and the other side of the frangible hinge is molded to the mating or adjacent edge of thelid530. The frangible hinge has a defined, selected length between the edge ofwall518 and the mating edge of thelid530.
• Thelid530 is provided with perforations orslots538, which correspond generally in alignment with theslots514 in thebottom wall512 of thebase511.
• In addition, aflange540 on the end of thelid530 opposite from thehinge532 is of size to fit over the top of thefront wall520, and carries alatch dog542 that will fit into alatch receptacle544 in the top side of the front wall, as shown inFIG. 10.
• The rear portion of thelid530, adjacent thefrangible hinge532 has a projectingguide finger546 that is curved and configured to fit into theopening526 in therear wall518 as the lid is closed, as will be further shown. Thelid530 also has guide projections or lugs548 at the rear edge, that will fit intoopenings550 formed on a flange on the upper edge of therear wall518 to maintain the lid in position when it is initially closed, and also when it is subsequently closed after having been removed. Thelugs548 keep thelid530 from sliding forward once thehinge532 is fractured. There are guide projections or lugs549 formed on the lid corners near thehinge532 that will pass to the interior of therear wall518, as shown inFIG. 13. These guide projections or lugs549 keep thelid530 from sliding backward. Thelugs548 and549, in conjunction, also insure that thelid530 will stay square with the base511 during closure, and as thelatch dog542 enters theopening544 and latches under asuitable shoulder surface544A on thefront wall520 below theopening544.
• Thefrangible hinge532 is separated into four width segments, interrupted by the openings orapertures550 and anaperture553 by thecenter guide finger546. Thefrangible hinge532 includes athin section533 of molded plastic, and for example it could be in the range of 0.014 inches thick, and the hinge also includes aflange556 extending outward from therear wall518 of the base and aflange portion558 on the adjacent edge of the lid that is in line with and joins theflange536 around the perimeter of the lid.
• Thefront wall520 has afront panel560 integrally molded with the upper edge of the front wall and inclined relative to the upright wall. Thepanel560 is supported withsuitable gussets562 extending back to thefront wall520. The upwardly facingsurface564 of thepanel560 is molded smooth, so that it can be used for printing on the surface to identify the specimen or tissue sample that is contained in thecompartment522 of thebase511.
• It can be seen that the flange556 (See e.g.,FIGS. 11-13) extends rearwardly from therear wall518, and has asurface portion566 that slopes downwardly from the plane defined by the upper edges of the side and end walls of thebase511. The upper wall edges define a plane and are indicated at567 inFIGS. 11 and 12.
• As shown inFIGS. 11,12 and13, as thelid530 is hinged from the position shown inFIG. 10 to a closed position during its first closing, thehinge532 will fold as shown inFIG. 11, and the guide finger orprojection546 will pass into the space defined by theU-shaped wall524, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. When thelid530 reaches its position as shown inFIG. 12 as it is closed, it can be seen that aportion536A ofsurface536 on the underside of the flange at the rear or hinge end of the lid will come to rest on thesurface566, and that thesurface536A is inclined so that when it comes to rest onsurface566 thelid530 is not fully closed, and thehinge532 is still intact.
• During the closing process, as also shown inFIG. 13, which is a sectional view at a different location fromFIGS. 11 and 12, thelugs548 on thelid530 will slide to a position where they are to the exterior of therear wall518, and will prevent thelid530 from sliding forwardly as it is closed. Thelugs549 will prevent thelid530 from sliding rearwardly. Also, for side to side guiding, there arelugs570 at opposite corners of the lid adjacent the latching end, or front end, and these will fit within the space between theside walls516 to keep the cover oriented relative to the base during closure and as thefront latch dog542 moves to a latched position.
• As thelid530 is moved between the positions shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, theflange portion558 will rock or pivot on theupper surface566 of theprotrusions556 on the base, and the surfaces are configured to create a tension force in thethin section533 of thehinge532 as theflanges556 and558 move apart as the lid is closed. When thelid530 is completely closed as shown inFIG. 14, thefrangible hinge532 has ruptured under tension loads because of the configuration of the mating surfaces566 and536A that spaces the ends of theflanges556 and558 joined to frangible hinge532 a greater distance than the length of the molded,thin hinge material533 between the wall and lid edges. The lid is thus positively physically separated from thebase511 and is no longer connected to the base by a hinge. Thelid530 is, however, held by theguide finger546 sliding along a curved surface defining theopening526 in therear wall518, as also shown inFIG. 14.
• It should be noted that the tension force put on thefrangible hinge532 can be large and controlled because of the leverage that is generated by the contact of thejunction line574 at the edge ofsurface536A that forms a fulcrum to cause the outer edge of the lid to move vertically relative to the base as the lid closing motion continues from the position inFIG. 12 to the position of the lid inFIG. 14. The outer end of theflange558 portion is lifted relative to theflange556 and the tension force in the hinge as it is stretched is sufficient to rupture thehinge section533. The distance between the outer tip of theflange portion558, which is shown at580 inFIG. 14, and the outer tip of theprotrusion556, shown at582, is greater than the length of thehinge section533 so that the positive tension force will cause a rupture reliably and without any likelihood of having the hinge not separate completely when the lid is initially closed to its position shown inFIG. 14.
• Thelatch dog542 has asurface542A that will fit under ashoulder544A on thefront wall520, just below theopening544, after the latch dog has been passed through theopening544 in the ledge at the upper edge of thefront wall520.
• The unitary molded cassette can be used for mounting tissue samples, and has a lid that can be integrally molded with the base, through a hinge that will reliably rupture when the lid is moved to its first closed position. Removing the lid from the base as a separate unit after the initial closure merely requires unlatching the latch dog from under the ledge of the front wall, and then lifting the lid as guided by theguide finger546 and the surfaces of theopening526.
• The lid can easily be replaced again by placing the lid rear portion so that theguide finger546 passes into the recess formed by thewall524, and then through theopening526, as it is pivoted closed. Thelugs548,549 and570 serve to position thelid530 as it is closed.
• In summary, one embodiment of the invention is a molded tissue cassette comprising a base having a compartment for holding tissue samples and a lid for covering the compartment that is initially unitarily molded to an upper edge of one wall of the base with a molded frangible hinge. The lid is constructed so that the frangible hinge will be fractured under tension loading as the lid is first hinged to its position to cover and overlie the compartment. The lid has a surface that rests on the upper surface of the one wall of the base and forms a pivot as the lid is first closed to create a tension load in the frangible hinge to fracture or rupture the hinge in tension, and also has suitable molded guides cooperating with portions of the base to precisely guide the lid into the closed position. The guides and a latch dog will precisely hold the lid in position after it has been removed from the base as a separate part and is replaced after the hinge is fractured.
Cassette600
• A histologicaltissue carrying cassette600 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention can be described with reference toFIGS. 15-19. As shown,cassette600 includes abottom wall612 that has a number ofopenings614 formed therein, which provide for drainage. Thebottom wall612 is surrounded by four upright side walls, when the rectangular configuration is utilized, including a pair ofside walls616, arear end wall618, and afront end wall620. The four upright walls are secured to, and molded integrally with thebottom wall612 from a suitable plastic.
• Acompartment622 is formed in relation to a rear wall with a generalU-shaped wall624. In the space defined by the size of theU-shaped wall624, there areopenings626. The rear wall also hashorizontal ledges628 at the top edge defining aslot630 between the ledges.
• Thefront wall620 has a moldedfront panel634 attached and integrally molded with an upper edge of thefront wall620. Thepanel634 is inclined at substantially a 45° angle relative to theupright wall620, and has anupper surface636 on which printing to identify the tissue sample that would be held in the cassette is placed. The printing can include a bar code, and text that identifies the tissue sample as to its type and source, and can include information relating to tests to be performed, for example.
• Panel634 is a print-receptive panel on which information is placed, and in order to print satisfactorily, particularly with thermal printing heads, thesurface636 must be flat, as well as smooth. In order to accomplish a flat,smooth surface636 from a molded plastic cassette made out of suitable plastic, without further finishing, the present invention optimizes the size and placement of the ribs relative to the thickness of thepanel634 to support the panel. As shown,panel634 is supported with a plurality ofribs640 that, as shown inFIG. 17, are secured to the front surface of thefront wall620, and then also supports a rear surface of the print-receptive panel634.
• In prior cassettes, it has been found that as the plastic cools after molding, the panel will tend to bend and warp for a variety of reasons. In many cassettes the side walls are continued forwardly at the same thickness to support the printable panel at the ends of the panel, and thus at least these end supports are relatively thick.
• When combined with thinner support ribs between the side walls, the print-receptive panel is supported by walls of varying thickness. Because walls of different thickness shrink different amounts when cooling after molding, the print-receptive panel will be necessarily pulled out of flat. Also, where a wall of substantially the same thickness as the print-receptive panel joins the panel at its end, thus forming an “L”, cooling after molding tends to pull the walls toward each other, thus also tending to pull the panel out of flat.
• Some prior cassettes also have ribs that are too thick relative to the thickness of the print-receptive panel. In these cassettes, the extra plastic present behind the print-receptive panel at the locations of the ribs causes the plastic to sink, or indent, in these areas during cooling after molding.
• Typically, prior cassettes also do not have enough ribs to adequately support the print-receptive panel for thermal printing. Many only have two ribs and others do not have any. When the print head moves across these inadequately supported print-receptive panels, the pressure needed for good-quality printing cannot be generated, even if the print receptive panel is flat prior to printing.
• No known prior cassettes have a sufficient number of closely spaced ribs of substantially equal thickness for satisfactorily supporting the print-receptive panel for thermal printing.
• The present invention involves a structure in which theribs640 are a selected thickness relative to the thickness of the print-receptive panel634, and a plurality of more than two are spaced across the entire width of the cassette, which is the length of the panel, and at locations that provide adequate support. This will yield a flat, smooth, andprintable surface636 on thepanel634.
• Thecassettes600 generally, for standard uses, run approximately 1.1 inches in width, that is along the length of thepanel634. Theribs640 have a thickness that is in the range of 32% to 59% of the thickness of thefront panel620. Generally, ribs that are 60% or less in thickness do not generate indents on the adjoining wall. In this case, the front panel, as shown by thedouble arrows644 inFIG. 18, has a thickness of 0.04 inches, and the thickness of the ribs or gussets, as shown bydouble arrows646 inFIG. 19 range between 0.013 and 0.024 inches. The difference in thickness of the ribs is due to draft, which is necessary to allow the cassette to be ejected easily from the mold.
• For adequate support of the front panel, a spacing of 0.2 inches between center lines of theribs640 has been found to be satisfactory with the thicknesses provided and with a cassette width of 1.1 inches.
• Using ribs that are substantially equal in thickness, carefully selecting the ratio of the thickness of the ribs to the thickness of the print-receptive panel, and providing a plurality of closely spaced ribs sufficient in number to rigidly support the print receptive panel provides asurface636 on the print-receptive panel634 that will be flat and smooth enough for printing without further machining or finishing after molding and cooling.
• A lid or cover (not shown) is placed over the top of the cassette after the tissue sample has been put in place.
• The plastic molded cassette, as disclosed therefore provides for a low cost cassette that can be used for containing tissue samples and which can be printed upon using thermal printing technology for identification purposes without further manufacturing procedures.
• In summary, one embodiment of the invention is a molded tissue cassette comprising a cavity formed by four upright walls around a perforated bottom wall. One of the four walls has an integral molded print-receptive panel that is connected to the top edge of the one wall and is inclined outwardly and downwardly and is spaced from the upright adjacent wall.
• The panel provides an upwardly facing surface for printing information about the tissue sample contained in the cassette. The information is readily readable by automated equipment, as well as being visible to a person looking at stacks of the cassettes in storage, for example.
• The print-receptive panel is supported relative to the adjacent upright wall with a plurality of molded ribs or gussets that are spaced along the length of the panel. The ribs or gussets are all substantially the same thickness, and the thickness of the ribs or gussets selected is such that upon cooling they do not cause uneven shrinkage that leaves indents on the outer surface of the panel directly opposite the ribs or gussets. The number and spacing of the ribs or gussets is selected to insure that the panel does not warp along its length when cooling or in subsequent use.
• Using only substantially equal thickness ribs or gussets to support the print-receptive panel, properly selecting the thickness of the ribs or gussets in relation to the thickness of the print-receptive panel being supported, and providing a plurality of the ribs or gussets sufficient to support the panel for thermal printing, insures that after cooling of the molded plastic, a flat and smooth panel surface for printing is provided without subsequent processing, such as grinding, polishing or sanding. Since ribs or gussets of differing thickness will shrink different amounts in the molding process, they must be substantially the same thickness to achieve a flat print-receptive panel. Also, ribs or gussets that are too thick relative to the print-receptive panel that they support will cause indents in the panel directly opposite the ribs or gussets due to uneven cooling and therefore uneven shrinkage.
• Althoughcassette600 is described as a separate embodiment fromcassette500, features of these two cassette embodiments are combined in other embodiments of the invention. For example, the print panel and support gussets of thecassette600 are incorporated into thecassette500 in other embodiments of the invention. Similarly, the lid and frangible hinge of thecassette500 can be incorporated into thecassette600. Other variations will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, although described as unitary molded members, other embodiments of the cassettes can be assembled from separately manufactured components.
Color Cassette Printer200
• Acolor cassette printer200 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention can be described in connection withFIGS. 20-53. As shown inFIG. 20,cassette printer200 has anenclosure202 that includes abase204, anaccess lid206 on the top of a front end of the enclosure and acover208 on the top of a back end of the enclosure. Anopening210 in thecover208 receives ahopper212 andcassette loading rod214. Specimen cassettes such ascassettes500 and600 and variations described above (not shown inFIG. 20) are fed into theprinter200 through thehopper212 andloading rod214. Cassettes with color printed specimen information are outputted from theprinter200 at aslide216. As shown, anoperator control panel218 is also located on the front end of theprinter200.Cassette printer200 can be used to print information on any of a wide variety of cassettes including, but not limited to those described herein.
• The operation ofcassette printer200 can be briefly described in connection withFIGS. 20-24.Lid206 is pivotally mounted to theenclosure202, and as shown inFIG. 21 includes aprinthead assembly220 having athermal printhead222 mounted to its interior side.Lid206 can be raised to provide access to acassette index assembly224 and a color printribbon receiving structure226 within theenclosure202 as shown inFIG. 22 (the lid is not shown inFIG. 22). When thelid206 is in the closed position, theprinthead222 is positioned at a printing position with respect to thecassette index assembly224. During a printing operation thecassette index assembly224 picks a cassette from theloading rod214 and drives the cassette in a reciprocal manner along a printing path with respect to theprinthead222. Theprinthead222 transfers multiple colors of ink from anink ribbon418 and prints specimen information in color on the cassette print zones. When the printing operation is completed theindex assembly224 outputs the printed cassette from theprinter200 by pushing the cassette to theoutput slide216.
• Lid206 andprinthead assembly220 can be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS.21 and23-24. As shown, thelid206 includes atop panel228 and afront panel230 supported by amain frame231 formed bybrackets232. Ashaft234 extending between thebrackets232 pivotally mounts thelid206 to theenclosure202.Latch members235 on the ends of thebrackets232 releasably engage theenclosure202 to hold the lid closed206 with theprinthead assembly220 positioned at the print position with respect to thecassette index assembly224. Theprinthead assembly220 includes asubframe221 formed by a pair ofbrackets236, each of which is pivotally mounted to one of themain frame brackets232 by apivot mount238. Thesubframe brackets236 havetabs240 that extend throughslots241 in themain frame brackets232 to limit the range of motion of theprinthead assembly220 with respect to thelid206, and thereby also limit the range of motion of theprinthead222 with respect to thecassette index assembly224. The position of theprinthead222 is generally fixed with respect to thecassette index assembly224 in theprinter200 during printing operations. However, in the illustrated embodiment of theprinter200 the configuration of thesubframe brackets236 on themain frame brackets232 enables the printhead to move over a relatively short distance (e.g., about 0.040 inches in one embodiment) to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and to enable a controlled printhead force to be applied between the printhead and cassettes during the printing operations as described below.
• Crossbar242 extends between and is mounted to thesubframe brackets236.Printhead pivot plate244, which includes abase260 and spaced aparttabs262, is mounted to thecrossbar242 by a y-axis pivot mechanism246 that allows the pivot plate and components described below including theprinthead222 mounted to the pivot plate to rotate with respect to thecassette index assembly224 about a y-axis that is parallel to the printing path. The y-axis pivot mechanism enables theprinthead222 to accommodate variations in the planar position of the print zone of the cassettes and remain flat and parallel to the print zones during printing operations. In the embodiment shown the y-axis pivot mechanism246 includes a y-axis pivot pin248 that extends through thecrossbar242, apin capture plate250 and ascrew252. Other y-axis pivot mechanisms can be used in other embodiments of the invention (not shown). Mounted to themain frame brackets232 and positioned above theprinthead assembly220 is ahood254. A print force bias member, which is aspring256 in the illustrated embodiment, is positioned in a compressed state in arecess258 of thecrossbar242, between the crossbar and thehood254. The printforce bias spring258 thereby applies a printhead force that urges theprinthead assembly220 andprinthead222 in a generally downward or z-direction toward thecassette index assembly224 with respect to thehood254 andlid206. One embodiment of the invention uses a printhead force of about 1.3 lbs, but this force can vary depending on a range of factors such as the size of the printhead (which is e.g., 14 mm in one embodiment of the invention). Other embodiments of the invention (not shown) include other approaches for generating the printhead force during printing operations.
• Printhead mount bar264 is mounted between thetabs262 ofprinthead pivot plate244 for rotational movement about an x-axis by pivot pins266. An x-axis adjustment mechanism including an x-axis bias member, which is aspring268 in the illustrated embodiment, and anadjustment screw270, adjustably fixes the position of theprinthead mount bar264 about its rotational axis. As shown, the x-axis bias spring is positioned in a compressed state in arecess272 of theprinthead mount bar264, between the printhead mount bar and thebase260 of theprinthead pivot plate244. Theprinthead222 is mounted directly to a printhead mount plate274 (e.g., by screw276). Theprinthead mount plate274 is mounted to and supported from theprinthead mount bar264 by a pair of standoff mounts278 that extend between the printhead mount bar and the printhead mount plate on opposite sides of theprinthead222. By rotating theadjustment screw270, theprinthead222 can be rotated and positioned about an x-axis to adjustably fix the printhead heater line (not visible) at an optimized printing position. Other embodiments of the invention (not shown) have other x-axis adjustment mechanisms, or no x-axis adjustment mechanism if adjustment of the printhead heater position is not needed. Still other embodiments of the invention (not shown) include other structures for mounting theprinthead222. For example, theprinthead222 can be mounted more directly to thepivot plate244.
• Across member284 extends between and is mounted to themain frame brackets232 at a location opposite theprinthead222 from theprinthead mount bar264.Ribbon deflector286 is mounted to thecross member284 adjacent to theprinthead222, and has a curvedlower edge288 to position theprint ribbon418 as it passes the printhead. A pair ofribbon guide rollers290 and292 also extend between and are rotatably mounted to themain frame brackets232.Ribbon rollers290 and292 guide theprint ribbon418 on the side of theprinthead222 opposite theribbon deflector286.
• Acircuit board294 having aconnector296 is mounted to thelid206 with the connector located directly above (in the z-direction) theprinthead222. Theelectrical cable298 extending from theprinthead222 is connected to theconnector296. The electrical cable is configured to have one or more loops300 (one is shown in the illustrated embodiment) between theconnector296 andprinthead222. Because thecable298 extends substantially only in the z-direction above theprinthead222 and hasloop300, the force exerted by the cable on theprinthead assembly220 is relatively low and generally centered on the rotational y-axis of the printhead so as to minimize interference with the printhead assembly.
• Across member302 extends between and is mounted to thesubframe brackets236 at a location between theribbon rollers290 and292. Acircuit board304 is mounted to thecross member302 and has anoptical sensor306 mounted thereto.Optical sensor306 is located to detect light emitted by LEDs429 (shown, e.g., inFIG. 43) and transmitted through theprint ribbon418. As described in greater detail below, the detected light signals produced bysensor306 are used by theprinter control system434 to track the color panels on theprint ribbon418 and to detect the end of the print ribbon.
• Hopper212 and the manner by which it is releasably mounted to theprinter200 can be described with reference toFIGS. 25-28. As shown, thehopper212 is a tubular member formed from a pair of spaced-apartU-shaped members308 secured together on one side bybrackets309 to provideelongated slots310 and311 on the front and back sides, respectively. Thehopper212 has a cross sectional shape that receives the cassettes in the configuration of the cassettes when loaded on the loading rod214 (e.g., with the cassette lid open and the lid and cassette base generally flat or planar as shown inFIG. 28). As described in greater detail below, theslot311 on the back side of thehopper212 functions as a structure for releasably receiving and engaging thecassette loading rod214. The bottom of thehopper212 has anopening312 on the front side. Thehopper212 extends through theopening210 in thecover208 and is releasably engaged to structures within theenclosure204 with the bottom end and opening312 located adjacent to thecassette index assembly224.
• In the illustrated embodiment, a releasable latch structure includes one or more first members such aspins314 on the bottom of the hopper212 (four are shown in the illustrated embodiment) and one or more second members such as pin-receivinglatches316A and316B that are mounted tobracket318 in theenclosure base204.Pins314 cooperate with latches316 to securely retain thehopper212 in position in theprinter200, yet to allow the hopper to be inserted into and removed from the printer by hand without the use of tools.
• As perhaps best shown inFIGS. 27 and 40, latches316A and316B each have a pair of pinchingfingers317 joined together at neck ends319A and319B. The pairs offingers317 are separated byslots321 having expandedpin receiving openings323. The open ends of theslots321 also have taperedguide openings325 that extend into thepin receiving openings323. In one embodiment, each pair oflatches316A and316B is formed as a one-piece plastic member with the neck ends319 of each pair joined to amount plate327. When thehopper212 is inserted into theprinter200, thefingers317 will flex as the hopper pins314 are guided into theopenings323 throughguide openings325. The compliant and resilient nature of thelatches316A and316B cause thefingers317 to engage the hopper pins314 in theopenings323. In one embodiment of the invention, the neck ends319B connecting fingers317 oflatches316B are wider than the neck ends319A connecting fingers317 oflatches316A.Latches316B are therefore less compliant, and can more accurately locate the end of thehopper212 adjacent to thepicker plate398 than the end of the hopper engaged bylatches316A. The accuracy and robustness of the cassette picking operations (described below) is thereby enhanced.
• As perhaps best shown inFIG. 26, anelectrical contact320 is mounted on the back side near the bottom ofhopper212, and as discussed below is configured for electrical coupling to amemory chip348 on thecassette loading rod214. Other embodiments of the hopper212 (not shown) do not include structure for engaging the cassette loading rod. Still other embodiments of the printer200 (not shown) do not include ahopper212, or the hopper is fixedly mounted to the printer.
• Loading rod214 and the manner by which it is releasably mounted to theprinter200 can be described with reference toFIGS. 28-33. As shown, theloading rod214 is an elongated member having a cassette engaging structure in the form of a T-shapedmember322 extending along the length of its front side, a hopper engaging structure in the form of a T-shapedmember324 extending along the length of its back side, acassette retaining structure326 on a printer end, and arod retaining structure328 on the printer end. The T-shapedmember322 provides a pair ofslots330 that extend along the length of theloading rod214. The T-shapedmember322 andslots330 are configured to engage the feed structures on the cassettes and generally constrain movement of the cassettes in a transverse direction with respect toloading rod214, and to allow a plurality of stacked cassettes to slide long the length of the rod to thecassette retaining structure326. Similarly, the T-shapedmember324 provides a pair ofslots332 that extend along the length of the loading rod. Theloading rod slots332 are configured to engage the portions of the hopperU-shaped members308 on opposite sides of thehopper slot311, enabling theloading rod214 and cassettes thereon to be slid into thehopper212, yet be generally constrained from movement in a direction transverse to the hopper. Other embodiments of the loading rod (not shown) do not include a hopper engaging structure. The illustrated embodiment ofloading rod214 includes amemory chip348. Thememory chip348 is mounted to theloading rod214 at a position that will enable the memory chip to electrically contact or otherwise be coupled for data transfer with theelectrical contact320 on thehopper212 when the loading rod is inserted into theprinter200. Other embodiments of the loading rod (not shown) have other cassette engaging structures and/or no hopper engaging structure.
• Thecassette retaining structure326 includes aresilient tab334 having atooth336 and anactuation finger338. When thetab334 is in its unbiased or neutral position shown inFIGS. 29 and 32, thetooth336 extends into theslots330 and under the end-most cassette on theloading rod214, and prevents the cassettes from sliding off the printer end of the loading rod.Finger338 functions as a release member. When theloading rod214 is fully inserted into theprinter200 as shown inFIG. 33, thefinger338 engages atab340, and deflects thetab334 in a direction that retracts thetooth336 from under the cassettes, allowing the cassettes to slide off theloading rod214 and onto thecassette index assembly224. Other embodiments of theloading rod214 include other cassette retaining structures (not shown), such as for example atab334 that is not resilient, and/or an active mechanism for enabling the removal of cassettes from the rod. In yet another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the tab of the cassette retaining structure includes a more flexible hinge, and brackets extend generally transversely from the tab at locations above and below the hinge. A spring is mounted between the brackets to bias the tooth to the cassette retain position at which it extends under the end-most cassette on the loading rod. When this embodiment of the loading rod is inserted into the printer, the finger deflects the tab and tooth against the bias force of the spring.
• Therod retaining structure328 includes aresilient tab342 and a tapered engagingmember344. When thetab342 is in its unbiased or neutral position shown inFIG. 32, themember344 is positioned so that it will engage abracket346. As theloading rod214 is inserted into theprinter200, themember344 engages thebracket346 and is deflected with thetab342. When theloading rod214 is fully inserted into the printer as shown inFIG. 33, the resilient nature of thetab342 urges the tab toward its neutral state and causes themember344 to engage thebracket346. Therod retaining structure328 thereby securely retains theloading rod214 within theprinter200, yet allows the loading rod to be inserted into and removed from the printer by hand without the use of tools. Therod retaining structure328 also provides a downward (toward the printer) force that causes the deflection oftab334 and the release of the cassettes on theloading rod214. Other embodiments of the loading rod (not shown) include a different or no rod retaining structure.
• Cassette index assembly224 and aspects of its operation can be described with reference toFIGS. 22,27 and34-38. As shown, theindex assembly224 includes acarriage support350, acarriage drive352, acarriage354 and apicking mechanism356.Carriage support350 includes a pair of spaced apart and generally horizontally orientedrods358 extending between and mounted to brackets such as360. Therods358 are positioned to define a support surface that extends at an angle with respect to the y-axis and to support the cassettes at an angle that will position the print panels of the cassettes in the proper printing orientation with respect to theprinthead222 as the cassettes are driven along the printing path past the printhead. In the illustrated embodiment,rods358 are positioned to define a support surface at an angle of about 45° with respect to printing path, to locate the print panels of the cassettes in a generally horizontal plane corresponding to the horizontally orientedprinthead222 described above (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 21 and 24).Carriage354 includes acassette carrier362 mounted to therods358 for reciprocal motion along the printing path that extends in the y-direction. Thecarrier362 includes apush bar370 and asupport shelf364 having aprint area366, resetarea368 andtab372.Support shelf364 is a generally elongated member that supports the back walls of the cassettes when the bases of the cassettes are resting on therods358. Thereset area368 of theshelf364 is displaced downwardly in a vertical direction from theprint area366, and is therefore also spaced from theprinthead222 by a greater distance than theprint area366. The vertical distance between thereset area368 and theprint area366 is also greater than the range of movement of theprinthead222 in the z-direction allowed by thesubframe brackets236 andtabs240. A slopingtransition area374 joins theprint area366 and therest area368 of theshelf364. Aneject finger410 extends forwardly (i.e. in a downstream direction) from thecarrier362.
• Carriage drive352 includes astepper motor376 that is coupled by a drivelinkage including gears388 and390 to a first pulley (not shown) on a first or input end of theindex assembly224, upstream from theprinthead222. Asecond pulley392 is located on a second or output end of theindex assembly224, downstream from theprinthead224. Adrive belt394 extends aroundpulley392 and the first pulley, and is coupled to thecarriage354.Motor376 can thereby drive thecarriage354 on thecarriage support350 in a reciprocal manner along the print path.
• Picking mechanism356 includes acarriage396 that is mounted torods358 for reciprocal motion and apicker plate398 mounted to thecarriage396. A biasing member such as aspring359 that extends betweentab361 on thepicker mechanism carriage396 andtab363 on thecarriage support350 biases thepicking mechanism carriage396 in the first direction toward the output end of thecarriage assembly224. Thecarriage396 is driven in the second direction against the bias force of the spring by thecarriage354 as described in greater detail below.
• Reset bracket400 overlays therods358 at a reset location that is upstream from theprinthead222. As shown, thereset bracket400 includes acassette engaging member402 havingdeflection wings404 on its opposite sides. Anend406 of themember402 is pivotally mounted to thecassette index assembly224 so as to enable thecassette engaging member402 to move in a direction generally perpendicular to the support surface defined by therods358. Thewings404 on thereset bracket400 cause the bracket to deflect upwardly, away from therods358, when engaged by a cassette. Motion of thereset bracket400 is sensed by areset bracket sensor408. As described in greater detail below, thereset bracket400 releasably engages cassettes during reset strokes of theindex assembly224, and causes the cassettes to move between thereset area368 and theprint area366 of thecarrier362.Sensor408 senses the presence of cassettes engaged by the reset bracket, and provides signals representative of the sensed cassettes to thecontrol system434 described in greater detail below.
• A thermalprint ribbon assembly412 that can be used withprinter200 can be described with reference toFIG. 42. As shown, theprint ribbon assembly412 includessupply spool414, take-upspool416, and multi-colorthermal ink ribbon418. The composition of thermal ink ribbons such as418 is generally known. In one embodiment of the invention theribbon418 has a plurality of primary color ink blocks (e.g., yellow, magenta and cyan) and black ink blocks (not separately shown inFIG. 42) spaced in repeating sequences along its length. Rotatably mounted to the take-upspool414 is ahub420. A printribbon memory chip422 is mounted to thehub420.
• The printribbon receiving structure226 for receiving and driving theprint ribbon assembly412 can be described with reference toFIGS. 39-43. As shown, the printribbon receiving structure226 includes a pair of supply spool mounts424 rotatably supported toward the back of theprinter200 and a pair of take-up spool mounts426 rotatably supported toward the front of the printer. One of both the supply spool mounts424 and the take-up spool mounts426 are driven by ribbon drive motors428 (shown e.g., inFIG. 44) mounted in theenclosure base204. One of the supply spool mounts424 includes anelectrical contact430 configured for electrical coupling to thememory chip422 on thesupply spool414. Theprint ribbon assembly412 is loaded onto the printribbon receiving structure226 by mounting thesupply spool414 to the supply spool mounts424, and mounting the take-upspool416 to the take-up spool mounts426. Thememory chip422 on thesupply spool414 is electrically coupled to the ribbonsupply chip contact430 when the supply spool is mounted to the supply spool mounts424. Abracket427 supporting a pair ofribbon sensor LEDs429 is mounted to the carriage index assembly224 (shown, e.g., inFIG. 27). As shown inFIG. 24, after theprint ribbon assembly412 is mounted to the printribbon receiving structure226 and thelid206 is closed, theprint ribbon418 is guided between thesupply spool414 and take-upspool416, and past theprinthead222, byrollers290 and292 andribbon deflector288, and passes between theLEDs429 and theribbon sensor306.
• Theelectrical subsystem432 forprinter200 is illustrated inFIG. 44. As shown, theelectrical subsystem432 includes a microprocessor-basedcontrol system434 that is coupled to external devices such as a computer (not shown) through aninterface port436. Thecontrol system434 is also coupled toribbon sensor306,printhead222,control panel218,tray sensor438,ribbon drive motors428, ribbonsupply chip contact430, loadingrod chip contact320,input sensor441 and resetbracket sensor408. In one embodiment of the invention, the specimen data is generated on a system such as a PC (not shown). The operator interface and software used to configure the specimen data for print jobs is run on the PC in this embodiment, and the specimen data is received byprinter200 through theinterface port436. For example, the specimen data received atinterface port436 can include color data representative of colors that identify specimen information such as, for example, the type of tissue in the cassette or the tissue source (e.g., clinic location), and the colors that the fields (e.g., color bar, text and bar code) are to be printed. In another embodiment of the invention thecontrol system434 is programmed to select the colors that the fields are to be printed based on the information received through the interface port (e.g., the control system selects the color yellow based on the knowledge that the tissue is a liver biopsy sample). Other portions of thecontrol system434 then receive this generated specimen data and control the printer accordingly.
• The operation ofprinter200 can be described generally with reference toFIGS. 20-44. During setup, thehopper212 is latched into theenclosure202 and aloading rod214 containing a supply of unprinted cassettes is loaded into the hopper and latched into the printer in the manner described above. When theloading rod214 is inserted, a lower-most cassette on loading rod slides off of the rod onto a staging area440 (shown e.g., inFIG. 33). The presence of a cassette on thestaging area440 is detected by theinput sensor441 that is coupled to thecontrol system434. If no cassette is detected on the staging area440 (e.g., the supply of cassettes is exhausted or the cassettes are jammed on the loading rod214),control system434 can respond accordingly (e.g., by providing a responsive display and discontinuing printing operations). In the illustrated embodiment ofprinter200, the cassettes are held in a generally horizontal orientation on thestaging area440.Lid206 is opened during setup to present access to the printribbon receiving structure226. After theprint ribbon assembly412 is mounted to the printribbon receiving structure226 thelid206 is closed to locate theprint ribbon418 at the printing position with respect to theprinthead222 in the manner described above. As discussed above, theprinter200 is also connected to a computer or other device (not shown) through theinterface port436 to receive cassette print job information including data representative of the specimen information to be printed on the cassettes during print operations.
• Printer200 is turned on by actuating an ON/OFF switch on thecontrol panel218. When switched ON, thecontrol system434 accesses information on the loadingrod memory chip348 throughelectrical contact320, and accesses information on the ribbonsupply memory chip422 through theelectrical contact430. Information stored on the loadingrod memory chip348 can include, for example, one or more of cassette type and the number of cassettes remaining on theloading rod214. Similarly, information stored on the ribbonsupply memory chip422 can include ribbon type, the number of images remaining on theribbon418, the production date and batch no. Other or additional types of information can be stored onmemory chips348 and418. Information on thememory chips348 and418 is used to control the operation ofprinter200, and can be updated after print operations. For example, if the information onmemory chips348 or418 indicates that the supply of cassettes or ribbon is exhausted, thecontrol system434 will not execute a requested print operation. Information stored onmemory chips348 and422 representative of the number of remaining cassettes and the number of images remaining on theribbon418 can be updated following each print operation.
• In one embodiment of the invention, thecarriage354 is moved to a fully retracted or home position when the printer is turned on. By this action thecarriage354 urges thepicking mechanism356 to a retracted position against the bias force ofspring359 with thepicker plate398 located behind the cassette on the staging area440 (shown e.g., inFIG. 33). Print operations are initiated upon the receipt of print job requests. Themotor376 then drives thecarriage354 to the picked position shown inFIG. 34. This movement of thecarriage354 releases thepicking mechanism carriage396 from its retracted position and causes thepicker plate398 to move through a picking stroke during which the picker plate pushes the cassette on thestaging area440 off the staging area and in the first direction toward thecarrier362 of thecassette index assembly224. This picking stroke causes the base of the cassette to fall under the force of gravity onto theprint area366 of theshelf364, with the bottom wall of the base resting on the support surface formed by therods358 and the back wall of the base resting on the shelf (shown e.g., inFIG. 34). The print zone on the cassette is thereby positioned to pass by theprinthead222 during the print operation at a printing position (i.e., with the print zone at a position with respect to the printhead that enables printing onto the print zone). Another cassette will slide off theloading rod214 and drop onto thepicker plate398 during the picking stroke. During the remaining portions of the print operation described below, thepicking mechanism356 remains in the picked position with thepicker plate398 supporting a cassette above thestaging area440.
• After picking, thecassette carriage354 is driven from the picked position through a printing stroke. During the printing stroke thepush bar370 pushes the cassette in the first or downstream direction, while the cassette is located on theprint area366 of theshelf364, past thereset bracket400 and past theprinthead222 to a print stroke end position (shown e.g., inFIG. 35). As the cassette is driven past thereset bracket400 thedeflection wings404 cause the bracket to be lifted up and to ride over the cassette, and thereby not interfere with the motion of the cassette during the printing stroke. In connection with the printing stroke thecontrol system434 actuates theribbon drive motors428 to position an ink panel of the selected color of theprint ribbon418 over theprinthead222 before the cassette is driven past the printhead. Signals received fromribbon sensor306 are used by thecontrol system434 to assure that the selected color panel of theink ribbon418 is positioned over theprinthead222. During the printing stroke thecontrol system434 actuates theprinthead222 as a function of the specimen data to heat and transfer ink from theprint ribbon418 and to print the specimen information onto the print zone on the cassette.
• The specimen information printed on the cassette can be the same as or similar to that printed byslide printer10 and described above. For example, a color bar can be printed at a first location, a bar code can be printed at a second location, and text can be printed at a third location. These information fields can be printed in any of a wide variety of colors using the ink available on theprint ribbon418. For example, the selected color(s) can be any one or more of the colors of the primary and black ink panels, or colors available from any combination of the colors of the primary and black ink panels. The colors can, but need not be, selected to represent sample information such as the tissue type or the source of the tissue. A bar code or other information field intended for machine-reading can, for example, be printed in black ink to maximize its contrast with the print zone background.
• If the requested print operation includes multiple color printing (e.g., a magenta color bar and/or magenta text and a black bar code, or a color bar having a color formed by a combination of two or more primary and/or back colors), thecontrol system434 actuates theribbon drive motors428 to position the appropriate color ink panel of theprint ribbon418 adjacent to theprinthead222, and drives the carriage through a reset stroke and another printing stroke. During the reset stroke thecarriage354 is driven in the second or upstream direction. As thecarriage354 is driven in the second direction, the side wall of the cassette on the front end near the print panel (i.e., the upstream side) will engage the back of the printhead222 (i.e., the downstream end of the printhead) and stop the motion of the cassette with respect to the printhead. With continued motion of thecarriage354 the cassette will then slide on theshelf364 from theprint area366, across thetransition area374 and over thereset area368. Because thereset area368 is vertically displaced from theprint area366, the cassette will drop down onto the reset area of theshelf364 under the force of gravity (shown e.g., inFIG. 36). Other embodiments of the invention (not shown) have other structures such as active mechanisms for moving cassettes from the print area to the reset area. As described above, theprinthead222 andcarriage354 are configured in such a manner that when the cassette is on thereset area368, the cassette is below the printhead to space the print zone of the cassette from the printing position, and provide clearance between the cassette print zone and the printhead during the reset strokes. With continued motion in the second direction during the reset stroke thecarriage354 causes thetab372 on theshelf364 to engage the cassette, and to drive the cassette in the second direction back under and past theprinthead222.
• During this portion of the reset stroke the cassette will engage thedownstream deflection wing404 on thereset bracket400, and deflect the reset bracket upwardly over the cassette. At the end of this portion of the reset stroke the cassette is located under thereset bracket400, with the reset bracket resting on the cassette and the cassette on thereset area368 of the shelf and thepush bar370 spaced from the upstream side wall of the cassette. During a subsequent portion of the reset stroke thecarriage354 is again driven in the first direction. The force of thereset bracket400 on the cassette is sufficient that during this motion of thecarriage354 the cassette will remain positioned under the reset bracket, and slide from thereset area368 up thetransition area374 and onto the print area366 (i.e., as shown inFIG. 37). A printing stroke of the type described above is then repeated to print specimen information in the second color. Thecontrol system434 can actuate theribbon drive motors428 to advance theprint ribbon418, and to drive thecarriage354 in reciprocal manner through additional reset and printing strokes, to print specimen information in third or third and fourth colors if specified by the requested print operation. Other embodiments of the invention (not shown) include other mechanisms for providing clearance by moving the cassettes around the generally fixed position printhead between different color print strokes.
• Following the completion of the final printing stroke thecontrol system434 drives thecarriage354 through an eject stroke. During a first portion of the eject stroke thecarriage354 is driven in the forward direction to such an extent that the printed cassette is pushed off of therods358. At this position the cassette rotates on thecarriage shelf364, and the base of the cassette drops onto the eject finger410 (shown e.g., inFIG. 22) and the lid of the cassette rises to a position downstream of a sideplate tab365 (shown e.g., inFIG. 39). During a second portion of the eject stroke the carriage is moved in the second direction to urge the upstream side wall of the cassette into engagement with thecarriage bracket360, to urge the upstream side wall of the lid into engagement with thesideplate tab365, and to withdraw theeject finger410 from under the cassette. The action of this portion of the eject stroke causes the base of the printed cassette to drop off of theeject finger410 and onto aledge442 between thecarriage354 and the slide216 (shown e.g., inFIG. 43), with the upstream end of the cassette base still resting on thecarriage354. Thecarriage354 is then driven in the forward direction through another portion of the eject stroke to engage theeject finger410 with the upstream side wall of the printed cassette, and to push the cassette from theledge442 over theslide216. The printed cassette will then move down theslide216 and exit theprinter200.Control system434 will discontinue print operations iftray sensor438 is actuated, indicating that theslide216 is full of printed cassettes. Following the completion of the eject stroke thecarriage354 is driven back to its home position if another cassette print job is pending. As thecarriage354 is driven back to its home position it urges pickingmechanism356 back to its retracted position which causes thepicker plate398 to be withdrawn from under the next cassette, and causes the cassette to drop onto thestaging area440.
• Anoutput tray450 that can be included in some embodiments of theprinter200 is illustrated inFIGS. 45-47. In the illustrated embodiment, theoutput tray450 includes a base452 that is mounted to thebase204 of theenclosure206 below theslide216, and astop454 on the end of thebase452. Thebase452 is slidably mounted with respect to theslide216, and is shown in the extended position inFIGS. 45-47. The base452 can also be moved to a retracted position (not shown) with thestop454 located at the bottom ofslide216. Thestop454 can be moved by an operator without the use of tools between an up position shown inFIG. 46 and a down position shown inFIG. 47. When in the up position thestop454 will retain printed cassettes on thebase452 and/orslide216. When thestop454 is in the down position cassettes will be able to slide off of thebase452 and/orslide216.
• A pivotal latch structure that includes ashaft456 on thestop454 and ashaft receiving structure458 on the base452 can be described with reference toFIGS. 48-53. As shown, theshaft receiving structure458 includes one ormore hooks460 and one ormore tongues462 extending from the distal end of the base452 at transversely spaced positions. The illustrated embodiment includes a pair ofhooks460 and asingle tongue462 between the hooks. Other embodiments (not shown) can include other arrangements ofhooks460 andtongues462. Thehooks460 andtongue462 define a rotational axis and are configured to receive theshaft456 on thestop454. Theshaft456 includescylindrical sections464 that rotatably mate with thehooks460 andflat surfaces466 at locations corresponding to the location of thetongue462. When thestop454 is in the up position, thetongue462 is engaged with one of theflat surfaces466 to releasably retain or latch the stop in the up position. Similarly, thetongue462 can engage another of theflat surfaces466 to releasably latch thestop452 in the down position.
• Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, some embodiments of the claimed invention can be implemented in ink jet, laser or other printers in addition to the thermal printers described herein.

Claims (33)

1. A histological specimen container printer, including:

a specimen container receiving structure to receive histological specimen containers having a print zone;

an ink receiving structure to receive a multi-colored ink source;

a print head;

a drive mechanism to drive specimen containers received by the container receiving structure with respect to the print head; and

a control system responsive to specimen data representative of histological specimens to control the drive mechanism and the print head, including causing the print head to transfer multiple colors of ink from the ink source and print specimen information in color on the print zones of specimen containers, wherein the specimen data includes color data representative of a color that identifies specimen information, and the control system causes the print head to print the specimen information in color as a function of the color data.

2. (canceled)

3. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 and further including a color selecting system to select the color data as a function of the specimen data that identifies the specimen information.

4. The specimen container printer ofclaim 3 wherein the color selecting system selects the color data as a function of specimen data identifying tissue type.

5. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein the control system causes the print head to print the specimen information in the form of color blocks.

6. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein the control system causes the print head to print the specimen information in the form of bar codes.

7. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein the control system causes the print head to print the specimen information in the form of text.

8.-13. (canceled)

14. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein:

the print head is a thermal print head; and

the ink receiving structure is a thermal ink source receiving structure.

15.-17. (canceled)

18. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein the specimen containers are slides.

19. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein the specimen containers are cassettes.

20. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein:

the specimen container receiving structure includes a carrier-receiving structure to receive a carrier holding a plurality of specimen containers and having a memory device storing information about the specimen containers held by the carrier;

the printer further includes a container carrier data port for data communication with the memory device on a carrier received by the carrier-receiving structure; and

the control system is coupled to the carrier data port, receives container information from the memory device through the data port, further controls the printer as a function of the received container information, and provides updated container information to the data port for storage on the memory device.

21. The specimen container printer ofclaim 20 wherein:

the ink receiving structure receives an ink source having a memory device storing information about the ink source;

the printer further includes an ink source data port for data communication with the memory device on an ink source received by the ink receiving structure; and

the control system is coupled to the ink source data port, receives ink source information from the memory device through the data port, further controls the printer as a function of the received ink source information, and provides updated ink source information to the data port for storage on the memory device.

22. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein:

the ink receiving structure receives an ink source having a memory device storing information about the ink source;

the printer further includes an ink source data port for data communication with the memory device on an ink source received by the ink receiving structure; and

the control system is coupled to the ink source data port, receives ink source information from the memory device through the data port, further controls the printer as a function of the received ink source information, and provides updated ink source information to the data port for storage on the memory device.

23. The specimen container printer ofclaim 1 wherein the control system causes the print head to transfer multiple colors of ink from the ink source and print color blocks representative of the specimen information at first locations on the print zones of the specimen containers.

24. The specimen container printer ofclaim 23 wherein:

the specimen data includes specimen type information; and

the control system causes the print head to print color blocks in colors representative of the specimen types.

25. The specimen container printer ofclaim 23 wherein the control system causes the print head to print bar codes representative of the specimen information at second locations on the print zones of the specimen containers, wherein the second locations are spaced from the first locations.

26. (canceled)

27. The specimen container printer ofclaim 25 wherein the control system causes the print head to print text representative of the specimen information at third locations on the print zones of the specimen containers, wherein the third locations are spaced from the first and second locations.

28. (canceled)

29. The specimen container printer ofclaim 24 wherein the control system causes the print head to print text representative of the specimen information at second locations on the print zones of the specimen containers, wherein the second locations are spaced from the first locations.

30.-49. (canceled)

50. A method for operating a color printer to print specimen information on histological specimen containers, including actuating a color printer as a function of specimen data representative of specimen information to apply multiple colors of ink and print the specimen information in color on the print zones of the specimen containers, wherein the specimen data includes color data representative of colors that identify specimen information, and actuating the color printer includes printing the specimen information in color as a function of color data.

51. (canceled)

52. The method ofclaim 50 wherein actuating the color printer includes printing specimen information in the form of color bars as a function of the color data.

53. The method ofclaim 52 wherein actuating the color printer includes printing specimen information in the form of bar codes.

54. The method ofclaim 53 wherein actuating the color printer includes printing specimen information in the form of text.

55. The method ofclaim 50 wherein actuating the color printer includes printing specimen information in the form of text.

56. The method ofclaim 55 wherein printing the specimen information in the form of text includes printing text in color as a function of the color data.

57. (canceled)

58. The method ofclaim 50 wherein actuating the printer includes actuating a thermal print head to heat and transfer ink from a thermal print ribbon onto the specimen containers.

59.-71. (canceled)

Images