Pathology Sample Storage and Retrieval System

Abstract

Every day, the Pathology Department at the University of Michigan Hospital generates and receives a large quantity of anatomic pathology samples in the form of glass slides for light microscopy. The slides are used by pathologists to arrive at diagnoses for patients who have undergone diagnostic biopsies or surgical excisions of a variety of tissues or organs. These slides are currently stored in a very primitive drawer system that has not changed for decades. Our project was to modernize this system by optimizing the slide storage density, fixing current design problems, and designing to allow for easy adaptation to an automated slide retrieval system. Through our engineering analysis, we were able to determine the best shape and size to maximize the density based on set ergonomic and material constraints. For the fabrication of our prototype we decided to use low carbon steel sheet and angle steel.