IN SITU HEAT INDUCED ANTIGEN RECOVERY AND STAINING APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20100028978A1
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lee H. Angros
• Original Assignee: Lee H. Angros
• Inventors: Angros, Lee H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,377,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/283.100
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0036 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00477 Means for pressurising the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00495 Means for heating or cooling the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00533 essentially rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/04 Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/14 Means for pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/54 using spatial temperature gradients
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/312 for samples mounted on planar substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/44 Sample treatment involving radiation, e.g. heat
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00039 Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00138 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00168 Manufacturing or preparing test elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00346 Heating or cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/110833 : Utilizing a moving indicator strip or tape
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 : Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 : with sample on test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 : with step of insertion or removal from test line

Abstract

An automated microscope slide staining system and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments or a pressurizable common chamber for individually and independently processing a plurality of microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually operable heating element.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A staining apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of automatically movable slide support elements, each able to support at least one microscope slide;

a common application chamber able to contain the plurality of slide support elements, wherein the plurality of slide support elements can each be moved into and out of the common application chamber;

a pressurizable common chamber in communication with the common application chamber, the pressurizable common chamber able to contain the plurality of slide support elements wherein the plurality of slide support elements can each be moved into the pressurizable common chamber after first passing through the common application chamber, and can each be moved into the common application chamber from the pressurizable common chamber;

a plurality of doors between the common application chamber and the pressurizable common chamber for sealing the slide support elements within the pressurizable common chamber;

reagent dispensing means for disposing reagents onto microscope slides in a reagent application position in the common application chamber, in the pressurizable common chamber, or both; and

wherein the pressurizable common chamber is adapted to be pressurized for treating the microscope slides on the plurality of slide support elements when in the pressurizable common chamber wherein the microscope slides on the slide support elements therein are exposed to a common level of pressurization therein.

3. The staining apparatus of claim 2 wherein the reagent dispensing means comprises a reagent pack support device for holding a reagent pack containing the reagent for dispensing upon the microscope slide supported upon the slide support element.

4. The staining apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of slide support elements are movable out of the common application chamber for allowing loading of the microscope slides onto the slide support elements and removal therefrom.

5. The staining apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a heating element corresponding to each slide support element.

6. The staining apparatus of claim 5 wherein the heating element is able to heat the microscope slide on the slide support element to a temperature in a range of 100°

C. to 160°

C.

7. The staining apparatus of claim 2 comprising a microprocessor for controlling movement of the slide support elements and/or the reaction compartments.

8. A method of treating biological specimens, comprising:

providing a staining apparatus comprising;

a plurality of automatically movable slide support elements, each able to support at least one microscope slide;

a common application chamber able to contain the plurality of slide support elements, wherein the plurality of slide support elements can each be moved into and out of the common application chamber;

a pressurizable common chamber in communication with the common application chamber, the pressurizable common chamber able to contain the plurality of slide support elements wherein the plurality of slide support elements can each be moved into the pressurizable common chamber after first passing through the common application chamber, and can each be moved into the common application chamber from the pressurizable common chamber;

a plurality of doors between the common application chamber and the pressurizable common chamber for sealing the slide support elements within the pressurizable common chamber;

reagent dispensing means for disposing reagents onto microscope slides in a reagent application position in the common application chamber, in the pressurizable common chamber, or both; and

wherein the pressurizable common chamber is adapted to be pressurized for treating the microscope slides on the plurality of slide support elements when in the pressurizable common chamber wherein the microscope slides on the slide support elements therein are exposed to a common level of pressurization therein; and

treating the biological specimens on the microscope slides wherein the microscope slides are contained within the pressurizable common chamber and exposed to the common level of pressurization therein for at least a portion of the treatment thereof.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the reagent dispensing means of the staining apparatus comprises a reagent pack support device for holding a reagent pack containing the reagent for dispensing upon the microscope slide supported upon the slide support element.

10. The method of claim 8 comprising moving the plurality of slide support elements of the staining apparatus out of the common application chamber for allowing loading of the microscope slides onto the slide support elements and removal therefrom.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the staining apparatus comprises a heating element corresponding to each slide support element.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising heating the microscope slide on the slide support element to a temperature in a range of 100°

C. to 160°

C.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the staining apparatus comprises a microprocessor for controlling movement of the slide support elements and/or the reaction compartments.