Systems and methods of sample processing and temperature control

• US 20060172426A1
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dakocytomation California Incorporated
• Inventors: Buchanan, Kristopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,298,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/43
• 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

Systems and methods of sample processing and temperature control are disclosed. The invention may especially relate to temperature control, and may in some embodiments be methods of temperature control of an automated sample processing system and methods of automated sample processing. Specifically, the present invention provides temperature control in relation to sample processing systems and methods of processing samples, and in some embodiments provides temperature control in relation to sample carriers and processing materials such as reagents. Corresponding systems and devices are disclosed, including sample processing systems (1), sample carrier temperature regulation systems (60), reagent temperature regulation systems, sample processing control systems, and temperature regulation devices, among other embodiments. Scientific fields to which the present invention may have particular applicability include immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, fluorescent in-situ hybridization, special staining, such as special staining of histological samples, microarray sample processing, and cytology, as well as potentially other chemical and biological applications.

Claims

1. A method of automated sample processing, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one sample;

determining a processing sequence for at least one sample;

actively regulating temperature of said sample; and

automatically processing said sample.

2. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature comprises the step of reducing temperature of said sample.

3. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 2 and further comprising the step of controlling a reduction in temperature.

4. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 2 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature comprises the step of maintaining sample temperature at less than about ambient temperature of said sample processing system.

5. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of corresponding to at least one temperature tolerance.

6. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of actively regulating temperature of said sample to at least one tolerance.

7. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of actively maintaining a temperature of about a sample set point.

8. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively maintaining a temperature of about a sample set point comprises the step of actively maintaining temperature within a range of about 1 degrees above and 1 degrees below said sample set point.

9. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of regulating a ramped increase in temperature.

10. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of regulating a ramped decrease in temperature.

11. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 9 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of regulating a reduced rate of temperature change.

12. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of regulating a temperature of a reagent.

13. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 12 wherein said step of regulating a temperature of a reagent comprises the step of actively regulating a temperature of a reagent.

14. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 13 wherein said step of actively regulating a temperature of a reagent comprises the step of optimizing reagent temperature at a thermal set point.

15. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 14 wherein said step of optimizing reagent temperature at a thermal set point comprises the step of actively maintaining reagent temperature at less than about an ambient temperature of a sample processing system.

16. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 13 wherein said step of actively regulating a temperature of a reagent comprises the step of maintaining reagent shelf life.

17. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample.

18. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 17 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of adaptively regulating temperature corresponding to at least one sample carrier.

19. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of utilizing a Peltier device.

20. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 17 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of regulating temperature with a Peltier grid.

21. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 17 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of utilizing a conductive device.

22. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 20 wherein said step of regulating temperature with a Peltier grid comprises the step of regulating temperature with a plurality of thermal elements each corresponding to a sample carrier support.

23. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 17 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of adaptively decreasing temperature from ambient temperature to a target temperature, wherein said ambient temperature is greater than said target temperature.

24. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 17 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of providing a controlled increase in temperature.

25. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 17 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of decreasing temperature.

26. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 25 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of providing a controlled decrease in temperature.

27. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 26 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the steps of:

determining at least one desired sample temperature; and

decreasing temperature of said sample to said desired sample temperature.

28. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 27 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample further comprises the steps of:

determining a sample temperature tolerance; and

maintaining said sample temperature within said sample temperature tolerance.

29. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 27 wherein an ambient system temperature is above said temperature of said sample.

30. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of reducing a rate of temperature change.

31. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of maintaining at least one temperature tolerance corresponding to at least one sample carrier.

32. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 13 wherein said step of actively regulating a temperature of a reagent comprises the step of optimizing reagent temperature at a thermal set point.

33. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 32 wherein said step of optimizing reagent temperature at a thermal set point comprises the step of maintaining reagent temperature at less than about ambient temperature of said sample processing system.

34. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 13 wherein said step of actively regulating a temperature of a reagent comprises the step of maintaining reagent shelf life.

35. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 19 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of maintaining a temperature of between about 2 and about 8 degrees Celsius.

36. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 19 wherein said step of actively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of maintaining a temperature within a range of about 2 degrees above and 2 degrees below 24 degrees Celsius.

37. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of providing at least one sample comprises the step of providing at least one batch of samples.

38. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of determining at least one temperature tolerance for at least one component of said sample processing system.

39. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 38 wherein said step of determining at least one temperature tolerance for at least one component of said sample processing system comprises the step of determining at least one tolerance corresponding to at least one sample carrier.

40. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 38, wherein said step of determining at least one tolerance for at least one component of said sample processing system comprises the step of determining at least one tolerance corresponding to at least one reagent.

41. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a processing sequence for at least one sample comprises the step of determining an immunohistochemistry processing sequence.

42. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a processing sequence for at least one sample comprises the step of determining an in-situ hybridization processing sequence.

43. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a processing sequence for at least one sample comprises the step of determining an fluorescent in-situ hybridization processing sequence.

44. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a processing sequence for at least one sample comprises the step of determining a microarray processing sequence.

45. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a processing sequence for at least one sample comprises the step of determining a target retrieval processing sequence.

46. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a processing sequence for at least one sample comprises the step of determining a sample staining processing sequence.

47. A method of automated sample processing as described in claim 17 wherein said step of adaptively regulating temperature of said sample comprises the step of adaptively reducing rates of temperature change.

48-74. -74. (canceled)

75. An automated sample processing system comprising:

at least one sample;

an automated sample processing system to which said sample is responsive; and

an active temperature regulation element to which said sample is responsive.

90. An automated sample processing system as described in claim 75 wherein said automated sample processing system comprises an automated immunohistochemistry processing system.

91. An automated sample processing system as described in claim 75 wherein said automated sample processing system comprises an automated in-situ hybridization processing system.

92. An automated sample processing system as described in claim 75 wherein said automated sample processing system comprises an automated fluorescent in-situ hybridization processing system.

93. An automated sample processing system as described in claim 75 wherein said automated sample processing system comprises an automated microarray processing system.

94. An automated sample processing system as described in claim 75 wherein said automated sample processing system comprises an automated target retrieval processing system.

95. An automated sample processing system as described in claim 75 wherein said automated sample processing system comprises an automated stainer processing system.

76-89. -89. (canceled)