Automated high volume slide processing system
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for automatically treating biological specimens, comprising:
- at least one slide tray holding a plurality of slides in substantially horizontal positions,whereinsaid biological specimens are located on said slides;
one or more workstations that receive said slide tray and perform one or more slide processing operations on said plurality of slides held in said slide tray;
a transporter that moves said slide tray into and out of said one or more workstations;
a fluidics module in fluid communication with said one or more workstations that supplies a reagent to said one or more workstations;
a pneumatics module in fluid communication with said one or more workstations and said fluidics module;
wherein said pneumatics module supplies vacuum and/or pressurized gas to said one or more workstations and said fluidics module; and
a control module in electrical communication with said transporter, said one or more workstations, said fluidics module and said pneumatics module, wherein said control module coordinates function of components of the apparatus during treatment of said biological specimens.
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Abstract
An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically treating biological specimens, comprising:
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at least one slide tray holding a plurality of slides in substantially horizontal positions, wherein said biological specimens are located on said slides; one or more workstations that receive said slide tray and perform one or more slide processing operations on said plurality of slides held in said slide tray; a transporter that moves said slide tray into and out of said one or more workstations; a fluidics module in fluid communication with said one or more workstations that supplies a reagent to said one or more workstations; a pneumatics module in fluid communication with said one or more workstations and said fluidics module;
wherein said pneumatics module supplies vacuum and/or pressurized gas to said one or more workstations and said fluidics module; anda control module in electrical communication with said transporter, said one or more workstations, said fluidics module and said pneumatics module, wherein said control module coordinates function of components of the apparatus during treatment of said biological specimens. - 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, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. An automated slide processing apparatus, comprising:
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at least one slide tray holding a plurality of slides in substantially horizontal positions; a plurality of workstations arranged in a vertical stack that receive said slide tray, the plurality of workstations comprising a combined de-paraffinizer/stainer, a solvent exchanger, a drying oven and an automated coverslipper; a transporter proximal to said plurality of workstations that moves said slide tray into and out of said plurality of workstations, wherein said transporter comprises an X-Y-Z mechanism, wherein the X- Y-Z mechanism comprises an X-Y shuttle table that releaseably engages said slide tray and an elevator in an elevator space; a garage proximal to said elevator space for storing said at least one slide tray; a radiant heater located in said garage; a fluidics module in fluid communication with said combined de-paraffinizer/stainer, and said solvent exchanger, that supplies reagents thereto; a pneumatics module in fluid communication with said combined de-paraffinized/stainer, said solvent exchanger and said fluidics module that supplies vacuum and/or pressurized gas to said combined de-paraffinizer/stainer, said solvent exchanger and said fluidics module; a control module in electrical communication with said transporter, said combined de-paraffinizer/stainer, said solvent exchanger, said fluidics module and said pneumatics module, wherein said control module coordinates function of the aforementioned components of the apparatus; and a cabinet enclosing substantially all of the aforesaid elements during operation of said apparatus, said cabinet further including a dehumidifier for lowering humidity within said cabinet and a portal through which said at least one slide tray can be introduced to or removed from said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (54, 56)
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55. An automated slide processing apparatus, comprising:
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at least one slide tray holding a plurality of slides in substantially horizontal positions; a plurality of workstations arranged in a vertical stack that receive said slide tray, the plurality of workstations comprising a combined de-paraffinizer/stainer/solvent exchanger;
a drying oven and an automated coverslipper;a transporter proximal to said plurality of workstations that moves said slide tray into and out of said plurality of workstations, wherein said transporter comprises an X-Y-Z mechanism, wherein the X- Y-Z mechanism comprises an X-Y shuttle table that releaseably engages said slide tray and an elevator in an elevator space; a garage proximal to said elevator space for storing said at least one slide tray; a radiant heater located in said garage; a fluidics module in fluid communication with said combined de-paraffinizer/stainer/solvent exchanger that supplies reagents thereto; a pneumatics module in fluid communication with said combined de-paraffinizer/stainer/solvent exchanger and said fluidics module that supplies vacuum and/or pressurized gas to said combined de-paraffinizer/stainer/solvent exchanger and said fluidics module; a control module in electrical communication with said transporter, said combined de-paraffinizer/stainer/solvent exchanger, said fluidics module and said pneumatics module, wherein said control module coordinates function of the aforementioned components of the apparatus; and a cabinet enclosing substantially all of the aforesaid elements during operation of said apparatus, said cabinet further including a dehumidifier for lowering humidity within said cabinet and a portal through which said at least one slide tray can be introduced to or removed from said apparatus.
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Specification