IP Library Granted Patent US 8,020,305
Granted Patent B2
US 8,020,305 · App. 12/535,581 · Granted Sep 20, 2011

Microscope slide marking apparatus and method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,020,305
App. No.
12/535,581
Granted
Sep 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A detachable microscope pen mount for marking a microscope slide includes an attachment collar configured to secure to an objective lens, a lever secured to the attachment collar, a pen holder secured to the lever, and a pen secured to the pen holder and having a pen tip, where activating the lever moves the pen tip into a field of view and lowers the pen tip onto the microscope slide. Also disclosed is a method of marking a microscope slide includes identifying an object of interest in a field of view, positioning the object of interest in a center of the field of view, inserting a pen having a pen tip along a trough into a center of the trough, lowering the pen tip onto the microscope slide, and marking the microscope slide by tracing the inside of the center of the trough. Another method of marking a microscope slide includes identifying an object of interest in a field of view, positioning the object of interest in a center of the field of view, inserting a pen having a pen tip along a trough until it reaches an outside surface of a tube in the trough, lowering the pen tip onto the microscope slide, and marking the microscope slide by tracing the outside of tube.

Claims (43)

1. A detachable microscope pen mount for marking a microscope slide, comprising:

an attachment collar configured to secure to an objective lens;

a lever secured to the attachment collar;

a pen holder secured to the lever; and

a pen secured to the pen holder and having a pen tip, wherein activating the lever both moves the pen tip into a field of view and lowers the pen tip onto the microscope slide in a direction substantially perpendicular to the microscope slide.

2. The microscope pen mount of claim 1 , wherein the attachment collar is configured to rotate around the objective lens.

3. The microscope pen mount of claim 1 , further comprising a slot screw, wherein the slot screw secures the pen holder to the attachment collar and the lever.

4. The microscope pen mount of claim 3 , further comprising a slot having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the slot screw is disposed in the slot, the proximal portion of the slot is oblique relative to the microscope slide, and the distal portion of the slot is perpendicular relative to the microscope slide.

5. The microscope pen mount of claim 4 , wherein activating the lever moves the slot screw along the slot.

6. The microscope pen mount of claim 1 , wherein the detachable pen mount is configured to hold the pen tip outside of the field of view until activating the lever moves the pen tip into the field of view.

7. A microscope, comprising:

an objective lens; and

a detachable microscope pen mount, wherein the pen mount comprises:

an attachment collar configured to secure to the objective lens;

a lever secured to the attachment collar;

a pen holder secured to the lever; and

a pen secured to the pen holder and having a pen tip, wherein activating the lever moves the pen tip into a field of view and lowers the pen tip onto the microscope slide in a direction substantially perpendicular to the microscope slide.

8. The microscope of claim 7 , wherein the attachment collar is rotatable around the objective lens when secured thereto.

9. The microscope of claim 7 , the microscope pen mount further comprising a slot screw, wherein the slot screw secures the pen holder to the attachment collar and the lever.

10. The microscope of claim 9 , the microscope pen mount further comprising a slot having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the slot screw is disposed in the slot, the proximal portion of the slot is oblique relative to the microscope slide, and the distal portion of the slot is perpendicular relative to the microscope slide.

11. The microscope of claim 10 , wherein activating the lever moves the slot screw along the slot.

12. The microscope of claim 7 , wherein the detachable pen mount is configured to hold the pen tip outside of the field of view until activating the lever moves the pen tip into the field of view.

13. A method of marking a microscope slide, comprising:

identifying an object of interest in a field of view;

positioning the object of interest in a center of the field of view;

depressing a lever to rotate a pen having a pen tip into the field of view; and

further depressing the lever to lower the pen tip onto the microscope slide in a direction substantially perpendicular to the microscope slide.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising rotating the lever around an objective lens to form an arc on the microscope slide.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising moving a microscope stage while the pen tip is in contact with the microscope slide to form a shape on the microscope slide.

16. A method of marking a microscope slide, comprising:

identifying an object of interest in a field of view;

positioning the object of interest in a center of the field of view;

inserting a pen having a pen tip along a trough into a center of the trough;

lowering the pen tip onto the microscope slide; and

marking the microscope slide.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein marking the microscope slide comprises tracing the inside of the center of the trough.

18. A method of marking a microscope slide, comprising:

identifying an object of interest in a field of view;

positioning the object of interest in a center of the field of view;

inserting a pen having a pen tip along a trough until it reaches an outside surface of a tube in the trough;

lowering the pen tip onto the microscope slide; and

marking the microscope slide.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein marking the microscope slide comprises tracing the outside of the tube.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2026
From: BIOTHERANOSTICS, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; CYTYC CORPORATION; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; GYNESONICS, INC.; BOLDER SURGICAL, LLC; FAXITRON BIOPTICS, LLC; HEALTH BEACONS, INC.; HOLOGIC, INC.
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075462/0440 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 028810 FRAME: 0745. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 044432/0565 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 035820 FRAME: 0239. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 044727/0529 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2015
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036307/0199 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 028810/0745 Recorded Jun 4, 2015
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 035820/0239 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2012
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 028810/0745 →