Systems and methods for the automated pre-treatment and processing of biological samples
First Claim
1. A method comprising steps for adaptively scheduling robot tasks in a time interval for a robot coupled to a stainer, wherein the robot treats slides coupled to the stainer according to a treatment protocol with reagents in reagent bottles or fluid containers coupled to the stainer, the steps comprising:
- creating a robot task list comprising all robot tasks that are ready for execution within the time interval;
calculating a robot task priority for each robot task in the robot task list;
sorting the robot task list in descending order of robot task priority; and
adding robot tasks starting from the top of the sorted robot task list to a robot task execution queue until the robot is fully utilized in the time interval or the robot task list is exhausted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention allow for the automatic control and scheduling of a staining apparatus for biological samples on slides present within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the actions of a robot coupled to the staining apparatus, which performs some of the staining tasks on the individual slides in accordance with their respective protocols, may be prioritized and scheduled. In some embodiments, the scheduling may result in increasing or maximizing the throughput of slides. In some embodiments, robot scheduling ensures that the individual slides are processed substantially within the tolerances specified by their respective protocols. In some embodiments, the robot scheduler may respond to spontaneous user actions and adaptively schedule or re-schedule robot actions.
233 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method comprising steps for adaptively scheduling robot tasks in a time interval for a robot coupled to a stainer, wherein the robot treats slides coupled to the stainer according to a treatment protocol with reagents in reagent bottles or fluid containers coupled to the stainer, the steps comprising:
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creating a robot task list comprising all robot tasks that are ready for execution within the time interval;
calculating a robot task priority for each robot task in the robot task list;
sorting the robot task list in descending order of robot task priority; and
adding robot tasks starting from the top of the sorted robot task list to a robot task execution queue until the robot is fully utilized in the time interval or the robot task list is exhausted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer readable memory containing instructions for controlling a processor to perform steps in a method for adaptively scheduling robot tasks in a time interval, for a robot coupled to a stainer, wherein the robot treats slides coupled to the stainer according to a treatment protocol with reagents in reagent bottles or fluid containers coupled to the stainer, the steps comprising:
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creating a robot task list comprising all robot tasks that are ready for execution within the time interval;
calculating a robot task priority for each robot task in the robot task list;
sorting the robot task list in descending order of robot task priority; and
adding robot tasks starting from the top of the sorted robot task list to a robot task execution queue until robot the robot is fully utilized in the time interval or the robot task list is exhausted. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A computer-readable medium that stores instructions, which when executed by a processor perform steps in a method for adaptively scheduling robot tasks in a time interval, for a robot coupled to a stainer, wherein the robot treats slides coupled to the stainer according to a treatment protocol with reagents in reagent bottles or fluid containers coupled to the stainer, the steps comprising:
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creating a robot task list comprising all robot tasks that are ready for execution within the time interval;
calculating a robot task priority for each robot task in the robot task list;
sorting the robot task list in descending order of robot task priority; and
adding robot tasks starting from the top of the sorted robot task list to a robot task execution queue until robot the robot is fully utilized in the time interval or the robot task list is exhausted. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. 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 (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. 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 (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. 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 (38, 39, 40)
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Specification