Developing a voice controlled integrated slide printer with laser printhead for pathology laboratories

Tissue samples from the pathology laboratories are taken on the slides to be examined under microscope after some physical and chemical processes. The code field of this slide contains codes such as protocol number, some technical abbreviations and date. It is very important for patient safety that the code is permanent, correctly written and correctly read. In the laboratories, the coding work is carried out by handwriting using pencil or slide printer devices. Errors can occur in the handwriting method due to erasure and personal writing and reading differences. Slide printer devices are used to minimize errors. However, these slide printers are not highly preferred because of their high cost, low capacity, cumbersome and high consumption costs. The interface software of these printers is not flexible and sufficient. It is also a disadvantage that the slide printers are imported. In this thesis, at the request of academicians and pathologists who work in the pathology laboratory of İnönü University TÖTM (Turgut Özal Medical Center), a sound-controlled and laser-based slide printer software and hardware were developed. In this respect, the thesis is an engineering study developed with the cooperation of TÖTM pathology laboratory. For this reason, speech recognition feature has been added to the interface software so that the pathologist does not stop the operation and not to neglect the rules of hygiene by touching his hand to the computer. A database, data matrix and G code generation algorithms were added to the background of the interface software. The database provides to access historical data and filtering options. In the observations the slide printers which are used in TÖTM can print only character but not in digital format. Laboratory authorities wanted to add the feature to the developed system to find back sildes fastly. During the engineering studies of the slide printer, digitalization experiments (barcode, data matrix etc.) were made in different formats. It is determined that the most suitable format is the data matrix by considering the speed and the small area of the coding area. There are different types of print head on existing systems. One of them is engraving surface by milling. In this method only characters can be printed but graphic works can not be performed. Also sawdust scattering is not wanted. However, it is necessary to change the milling bit in certain periods. Another method is the ink jet method. But errors may occur by erased ink because of the slides are effected from chemicals in laboratory procces. Laser printhead is used to eliminate the disadvantages in the system which is developed in the scope of the thesis. Thanks to the use of laser writing head, the cheapest slide can also be printed and the device is separated from the similar ones due to the very small amount of consumables. Thanks to the voice control feature, the user can print a slide with a wireless microphone without interrupting the workflow and making physical contact with the printer. By the device can use the cheapest slide 71.25% consumable costreduction can be achieved. Besides, the developed sytem provides a lot of advantages because of there is not consumption as ribbon and ink. The format of the print area is determined by the user on the software. In accordance with this format, the developed software converts the character and data matrix to G code with an appropriate algorithm. By sending the generated G-codes to the embedded system, the slides are moved from the feeder to the printing area. The codes are then printed on the slide by switching the laser module on and off at the appropriate locations and moving the mechanical system in X-Y coordinates. After the process is completed, the slide is taken to the drain unit and printing becomes finished. Another disadvantage of existing systems is that each slide printer must be connected to a computer to be controlled. This situation increases the investment cost significantly. An intagrated platform is used in the machine instead an extenal computer need in the system which is developed in the scope of the thesis. This allows the printer to operate without the need for an external computer. KEYWORDS: Laser slide printer, speech recognition, voice controlled, embedded system, pathology laboratory