Method and apparatus for automated pre-treatment and processing of biological samples
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automated processing of a plurality of biological samples, said apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of independently accessible reagent holders;
a plurality of independently accessible biological sample holders;
at least one probe for dispensing at least one reagent;
at least one reagent mixer;
at least one fluid supply for supplying fluids to either the at least one probe or the at least one processing tank;
at least one temperature controller;
at least one distributed controller; and
at least one computer comprising a scheduler for scheduling tasks; and
wherein the apparatus communicates with a network comprising at least one element chosen from servers, clients, and additional apparatus;
and wherein the network is optionally connected to a proprietary network;
and wherein processing of each biological sample is conducted according to a respective sequence of protocol steps;
wherein a first biological sample, on a first sample holder, for which the processing is completed may be removed from the apparatus simultaneous with the processing of a second biological sample on a second sample holder;
and wherein a first reagent container may be removed or replaced simultaneous with the processing of the at least one biological sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuous workflow processing of biological samples. In one embodiment, the appratus includes a probe for dispensing one or more reagents from one or more reagent containers onto one or more biological sample carriers. The method and apparatus includes processing each biological sample according to a respective sequence of protocol steps which may be ordered by a scheduler protocol. The method and apparatus also includes network capability for connectivity with additional equipment for receiving or transmitting pertinent data via the network.
378 Citations
53 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automated processing of a plurality of biological samples, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of independently accessible reagent holders;
a plurality of independently accessible biological sample holders;
at least one probe for dispensing at least one reagent;
at least one reagent mixer;
at least one fluid supply for supplying fluids to either the at least one probe or the at least one processing tank;
at least one temperature controller;
at least one distributed controller; and
at least one computer comprising a scheduler for scheduling tasks; and
wherein the apparatus communicates with a network comprising at least one element chosen from servers, clients, and additional apparatus;
and wherein the network is optionally connected to a proprietary network;
and wherein processing of each biological sample is conducted according to a respective sequence of protocol steps;
wherein a first biological sample, on a first sample holder, for which the processing is completed may be removed from the apparatus simultaneous with the processing of a second biological sample on a second sample holder;
and wherein a first reagent container may be removed or replaced simultaneous with the processing of the at least one biological sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for automated processing of a plurality of biological samples, said apparatus comprising the following elements:
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a plurality of independently accessible reagent holders;
a plurality of independently accessible biological sample holders;
a means for dispensing at least one reagent onto at least one biological sample holder;
a means for mixing at least one reagent;
a means for at least one pre-treatment of at least one biological sample;
means for delivering fluid to the at least one probe and a means for delivering fluid to the means for the at least one pre-treatment; and
at least one temperature controller;
wherein at least one element comprises a individual controller that receives instructions from a controller; and
wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for scheduling tasks; and
wherein the apparatus communicates with a network comprising at least one element chosen from servers, clients, and additional apparatus;
and wherein the network is optionally connected to a proprietary network. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. An automated method of processing a plurality of biological samples in an apparatus comprising:
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applying at least one reagent from a plurality of reagents to at least one first biological sample according to a sequence of steps in a first protocol;
wherein at least one second biological sample can be added or removed from the apparatus prior to completion of the first protocol; and
wherein at least one second reagent can be added or removed from the apparatus prior to completion of the first protocol;
wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of independently accessible reagent holders;
a plurality of independently accessible biological sample holders;
at least one probe for dispensing at least one reagent;
at least one reagent mixer;
at least one processing tank for at least one biological sample;
at least one fluid supply for supplying fluids to either the at least one probe or the at least one processing tank;
at least one temperature controller;
at least one distributed controller; and
at least one computer comprising a scheduler for scheduling tasks; and
wherein the apparatus communicates with a network comprising at least one element chosen from servers, clients, and additional apparatus;
and wherein the network is optionally connected to a proprietary network. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A laboratory instrument information management and control apparatus, comprising:
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a Laboratory Information System (LIS) configured to manage patient and laboratory information;
at least one laboratory instrument configured to run anatomical pathology tests relating to at least one patient;
at least one host computer in communication with said at least one laboratory instrument;
an interface point server (IPS) in communication with said host computer and said LIS, said interface point server configured to function as a communication interface between said host computer and said hospital laboratory information system in a manner responsive to a predetermined communication protocol, and said IPS comprising a first level interface for data communication and control between said LIS and said IPS, and said IPS comprising a second level interface for data communication and control between said at least one laboratory instrument and said IPS. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method for communication between a laboratory information system and at least one host computer comprising the steps of:
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configuring an Interface point network including an interface point server (IPS) in communication with a laboratory information system and at least one host computer managing data and control for at least one anatomical pathology laboratory instrument, said at least one host computer including host data and being in communication with said at least one laboratory instrument;
operating said interface point server to broadcast a message across said interface point network, wherein said message includes information responsive to data present on said IPS;
determining if differences exist between said host data and said data present on said IPS; and
updating at least one of said IPS and said at least one host computer in a manner responsive to at least one of said host data and said data present on said IPS. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for laboratory instrument information management and control, comprising the steps of:
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configuring a Laboratory Information System (LIS) to manage patient and laboratory information in accordance with Health Level Seven protocol;
configuring at least two automated slide staining laboratory instruments to run anatomical pathology tests relating to at least one patient;
configuring at least one host computer in communication with said at least two slide staining laboratory instruments;
configuring a server in communication with said at least one host computer and said LIS, said server comprising a first level Interface for data communication and control between said LIS and said server, and said server comprising a second level interface for data communication and control between said at least two automated slide staining laboratory instruments and said server, wherein said server is further configured for data sharing among said at least one host computer and said at least two automated slide staining laboratory instruments. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53)
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Specification