POST-PROCESSING SLIDE PRINTER AND METHODS OF USE
A slide printing system includes a printer comprising a slide stage and a print head, a first locking mechanism configured to hold a first slide-holding repository, and a slide handler configured to rotate about an axis for transporting a specimen slide from a slide-holding repository held in the first locking mechanism to the slide stage.
1 . A slide printing system, comprising:
a printer comprising a slide stage and a print head;
a first locking mechanism configured to hold a first slide-holding repository; and
a slide handler configured to rotate about an axis for transporting a specimen slide from a slide-holding repository held in the first locking mechanism to the slide stage.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the print head is configured to print identifying indicia on a specimen slide.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the slide stage is movable relative to the print head.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the print head is movable relative to the slide stage.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a scanner configured to scan a barcode located on a specimen slide.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to identify an orientation of a specimen slide positioned on the slide stage.
7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second locking mechanism configured to hold a second slide-holding repository.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the print head is an ink jet print head.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the print head is configured to print a character selected from the group consisting of alpha text, numeric digits, barcodes, and graphics.
10 . A slide printing system, comprising:
a printer comprising a slide stage and a print head, wherein the print head is configured to print identifying indicia on a specimen slide, and wherein the print head and slide stage are movable relative to one another;
a first locking mechanism configured to hold a first slide-holding repository;
a slide handler configured to rotate about an axis for transporting a specimen slide from a slide-holding repository held in the locking mechanism to the slide stage; and
a scanner configured to scan a barcode located on a specimen slide.
11 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a sensor configured to identify an orientation of a specimen slide positioned on the slide stage.
12 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a second locking mechanism configured to hold a second slide-holding repository.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the print head is configured to print a character selected from the group consisting of alpha text, numeric digits, barcodes, and graphics.
14 . A method of printing identifying indicia on a specimen slide, comprising:
using an automated slide handler to remove a specimen slide from a first slide-holding repository and transport the specimen slide to a slide stage located in close proximity to a print head;
obtaining identifying indicia for the specimen slide; and
printing the identifying indicia on the specimen slide using the print head.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising scanning a barcode located on the specimen slide before obtaining the identifying indicia.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising using the automated slide handler to transport the specimen slide from the slide stage to the first slide-holding repository, after printing the identifying indicia.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the identifying indicia comprises one or both of a name and a record number.
18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising using the automated slide handler to transport the specimen slide from the slide stage to a second slide-holding repository, after printing the identifying indicia.
19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising positioning the first slide-holding repository in close proximity of the slide handler prior to removing a slide therefrom.