DEVICES FOR MATING GLASS SLIDES
Disclosed herein, inter alia, are devise and tools useful for joining two glass slides.
1 . A slide mating assembly, comprising:
a first slide section comprising a receiving surface configured to retain a drilled glass slide;
a second slide section comprising a receiving surface configured to retain a tissue slide;
a hinge assembly movably coupling the first slide section to the second slide section such that the assembly transitions between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration, the receiving surfaces of the first and second slide sections are in juxtaposed contact;
at least one locking assembly configured to selectively retain the first slide and/or the second slide mating in the open configuration or the closed configuration; and
one or more magnetic elements configured to exert a downward spring force on a slide, the magnetic elements interacting with clamp pins to retain the slide in position during closure, wherein the magnetic spring force is adjustable based on a gap distance between a slider and a cam, wherein a pull force is tunable between about 0.1 and 2.5 pound-force.
2 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one locking assembly comprises a lever configured to transition the locking assembly between a locked state and an unlocked state.
3 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one locking assembly comprises: a first locking assembly positioned on the first slide section; and a second locking assembly positioned on the second slide section.
4 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly enables clamshell-style rotation such that the first slide section folds over the second slide section.
5 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one alignment feature on the receiving surface of at least one of the slide sections, the alignment feature configured to constrain placement of a respective slide.
6 . The slide mating assembly of claim 5 , wherein the alignment feature comprises a dowel pin positioned to interface with a chamfered edge of the respective slide.
7 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the receiving surface comprises a finger well formed as an indentation.
8 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the slide sections comprises a moat configured to trap and/or drain particulate debris.
9 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the receiving surfaces comprises a visible marking indicating the correct orientation of a slide.
10 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly comprises a cam mechanism configured to engage long-axis datum features before engaging short-axis datum features during closure.
11 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or more adjustable flexures and axial shims configured to provide positional control along X, Y, or Z axes during alignment.
12 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking assembly includes an indicator lever comprising engraved open and closed symbols to visually convey latch status.
13 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a damping element configured to absorb kinetic energy during closure to reduce impact on the slides.
14 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a handle affixed to one of the slide sections, the handle including a rotatable portion that rotates in response to movement of the slide mating assembly between the open and closed configurations.
15 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the receiving surfaces comprises a black anodized coating and includes laser-engraved markings outlining slide alignment features.
16 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an interlock feature configured to prevent closure of the slide mating assembly unless a locking assembly on the tissue slide section is engaged.
17 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a serialization marking disposed on the base of the assembly, the serialization marking identifying a unique identifier associated with the assembly.
18 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein a locking mechanism comprises a two-piece lock pin configured to reduce part count while maintaining retention function.
19 . The slide mating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first slide and/or the second slide comprises an IR reflective coating.