Automated staining system and reaction chamber

• US 10,295,444 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2014
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sakura Finetek USA Incorporated (Sakura Finetechnical Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sakura Finetek USA Incorporated (Sakura Finetechnical Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bui, Xuan S., Hartman, Anthony L., Fujimaki, Toshiyuki, Tokudaiji, Shinji, Okabe, Yoshitake, Mizusawa, Yoshitada
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Kathryn
• Application Number:
  US14/579,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20150111202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00752 bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00831 identification of the sample, e.g. patient identity, place of sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00851 process control parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/02 using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations G01N35/0098 and G01N35/0099 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 with sample on test slide

Abstract

An apparatus including a reagent cartridge and a reaction chamber, the reagent cartridge having a reagent capsule removably positioned therein for dispensing of a reagent onto the reaction chamber. A system including a linearly translatable mounting assembly having a plurality of mounting stations dimensioned to receive at least one fluid dispensing cartridge, a linearly translatable bulk reagent dispensing assembly having a plurality of bulk reagent dispensing nozzles coupled thereto and a receiving assembly positioned beneath the mounting assembly and the bulk reagent dispensing assembly, the receiving assembly including a plurality of reaction stations. A method including determining an inventory of an automated sample processing system, downloading a processing protocol from a central controller to the automated sample processing system, operating the automated sample processing system based on the processing protocol and independently of the central controller and dispensing a reagent from the automated sample processing system.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a reagent cartridge comprising a housing that defines a reagent retaining recess and a reagent directing channel, the reagent retaining recess is fluidly connected to a first sloped surface connecting the reagent retaining recess to an outlet channel extending from a bottom side of the housing, and the reagent directing channel comprises a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion connecting the reagent directing channel to the outlet channel, the second inclined portion extends from the first inclined portion at a substantially right angle, and in a direction toward the first sloped surface, such that the first sloped surface and the second inclined portion converge with one another at the outlet channel, and

wherein the reagent retaining recess comprises a sidewall and a ledge extending inwardly from the sidewall, wherein the ledge is dimensioned to support a reagent capsule removably positioned within the reagent retaining recess and fluidly couple the reagent capsule with the first sloped surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion have a same slope and a tubular rounded surface through which a fluid flows to the outlet channel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a reagent capsule is positioned within the reagent retaining recess, and the reagent capsule comprises a collapsible container and a plunger dimensioned to break a seal of the container when the container is collapsed.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a reagent capsule is positioned within the reagent retaining recess, the apparatus further comprising a bracket assembly coupled to the capsule, the bracket assembly dimensioned to secure the capsule to the reagent cartridge.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the bracket assembly comprises a identifier identifying a reagent contained within the capsule.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the capsule is removably coupled to the bracket assembly.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a reagent cartridge comprising;

a housing that defines a reagent retaining recess and a reagent directing channel, the reagent retaining recess is fluidly connected to a first sloped surface connecting the reagent retaining recess to an outlet channel extending from a bottom side of the housing, and the reagent directing channel comprises a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion connecting the reagent directing channel to the outlet channel, the second inclined portion extends from the first inclined portion at a substantially right angle, and in a direction toward the first sloped surface, such that the first sloped surface and the second inclined portion converge with one another at the outlet channel;

a reagent capsule positioned within the reagent retaining recess; and

a bracket assembly coupled to the capsule, the bracket assembly configured to secure the capsule to the reagent cartridge, wherein the bracket assembly comprises an identifier identifying a reagent contained within the capsule.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion have a same slope and a tubular rounded surface through which a fluid flows to the outlet channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the reagent capsule comprises a collapsible container and a plunger dimensioned to break a seal of the container when the container is collapsed.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the capsule is removably coupled to the bracket assembly.