Information notification sample processing system and methods of biological slide processing

• US 10,156,580 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2015
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dako Denmark A/S (Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Feingold, Gordon, Key, Marc, Favuzzi, John, Welcher, Rosanne
• Primary Examiner(s): Barbee, Manuel L
• Application Number:
  US14/959,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20160084862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/30 Staining; Impregnating ; Fixation; Dehydration; Multistep processes for preparing samples of tissue, cell or nucleic acid material and the like for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/312 for samples mounted on planar substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00039 Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00306 Housings, cabinets, control panels (details)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00326 Analysers with modular structure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00366 Several different temperatures used
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00376 Conductive heating, e.g. heated plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00435 Refrigerated reagent storage
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00881 network configurations
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00891 Displaying information to the operator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/009 alarms, e.g. audible
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0091 GUI [graphical user interfaces]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00712 Automatic status testing, e.g. at start-up or periodic
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0092 Scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/02 : Arm motion controller
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/41 : Tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 : with sample on test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 : with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 : with step of insertion or removal from test line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 : with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A sample processing system that may be automated and methods are disclosed where samples are arranged on a carrier element and a process operation control system automatically processes the samples perhaps robotically with an operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information monitor or a data capture element. Significant process details as well as operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information may be monitored and an automatic notice element may cause notification of a person at some display that may be remote. Various people may be notified, such as an administrator, a supplier, or a manufacturer of an opportunity for some action such as reagent reordering or the like. A simulated motion display may be included to “watch” simulated operation in real time or long after completion of the actual processing.

Claims

1. A method of automated biological sample processing comprising:

establishing an automated biological sampling process for a slide stainer;

causing automated process operation events to be performed by a robotic arm of said slide stainer based upon said automated biological sampling process, said automated process operation events including dispensing of fluid via said robotic arm;

monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information related to an event occurring outside of said automated process operation events that affect performance of said automated process operation events;

automatically processing a sample on a first slide through the slide stainer based upon said automated process operation events;

inserting a second slide into said slide stainer without interrupting dispensing of fluid via said robotic arm; and

automatically informing at least one person of at least some exteriorly-consequential information in response to said step of monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information.

2. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 1, wherein said process of establishing an automated biological sampling process comprises establishing an automated slide process.

3. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 2, further comprising automatically processing a plurality of samples via the processes of:

arranging a plurality of slides including said first slide on a carrier retainment assembly;

applying a reagent to said plurality of slides; and

automatically staining said plurality of slides.

4. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 3, wherein said process of establishing an automated biological sampling process comprises:

establishing a plurality of automated slide stainers including said slide stainer; and

electronically connecting said plurality of automated slide stainers.

5. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 3 or 4, and further comprising holding said plurality of slides on at least one movable carrier retainment assembly.

6. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 1, 3, or 4, and further comprising establishing a local area network electronically connected to said slide stainer.

7. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 1, wherein said step of monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information comprises monitoring operationally-altered outside information concerning events influenced at least in part by at least some of said automated biological process operation events functions, and wherein said process of automatically informing at least one person of at least some exteriorly-consequential information comprises automatically informing at least one person of said operationally-altered outside information.

8. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 1, wherein said process of monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information comprises the process of monitoring replenishable supply information.

9. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 8, and further comprising automatically notifying at least one operator of a potential need for replenishable supplies in response to said process of monitoring operationally-altered outside information concerning events.

10. A method of automated biological sample processing as described in claim 8, and further comprising automatically notifying at least one supplier of a potential need for replenishable supplies in response to said process of monitoring operationally-altered outside information concerning events.