Anti-stick histological specimen slide feeder and method

摘要

An apparatus and method for feeding histology specimen slides from a stack of the slides in a slide printer. The stack of slides includes first, next-to-be removed and second slides having adjacent surfaces. A flow of gas is applied to a location that the adjacent surfaces of the first and second slides meet when removing the first slide from the stack. The flow of gas, which may be a jet or blast of air applied through a nozzle, and which may be applied before and/or during the removal of the slide from the stack, helps un-stick the slides to enhance the feeding action.

主权项

1. A method for feeding histology specimen slides from a structure supporting a stack of the slides in a slide printer, including:
providing a stack of rectangular histology specimen slides having sides and ends, including first and second slides having adjacent major surfaces in contact with one another, wherein the slides are provided in a cartridge having a side wall, a feed opening, and a gas flow opening in the sidewall; removing the first slide from the stack by moving the first slide with respect to the second slide in a direction generally parallel to the sides of the slides through the feed opening in the cartridge; and applying a flow of gas to the sides of the first and second slides through the gas flow opening in the side wall of the cartridge and through a nozzle pointing to the sides of the slides and to a location that the adjacent major surfaces of the first and second slides contact one another when removing the first slide from the stack.