Manifold assembly

• US 7,744,817 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sakura Finetek USA Incorporated (Sakura Finetechnical Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sakura Finetek USA Incorporated (Sakura Finetechnical Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bui, Xuan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nagpaul; Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US11/349,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,604 Days
• Field of Search: 422 63- 67, 422 99-101, 422/68.1, 436/180, 436174-175, 435/7.1
• US Class Current: 422/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/18 with provision for splitting samples into portions G01N1/12, G01N1/14 take precedence; fraction-collection apparatus for chromatography B01D15/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/312 for samples mounted on planar substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 characterised by the valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25125 Digestion or removing interfering materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A manifold assembly that directs fluid to and from individually selectable sample receiving trays of a tissue processing system includes a manifold, fluid conduits machined in the manifold, and valves that may be selectively configured to provide a direct fluid path to or from a particular tray. The valves are controlled by a controller that positions each valve such that a desired path is created. Pressure is created in supply and/or drain bottles to supply or drain fluid from the trays supported by the manifold assembly. Independently operated heaters are provided on the manifold assembly to heat the trays to desired temperatures. Thermoelectric cooling elements may also provided to cool the heaters and/or trays.

Claims

1. A manifold assembly for an automated tissue processing system comprising:

a manifold including a surface and a pattern of fluid conduits extending therethrough; and

a platen attached to the surface of the manifold, the platen having a substantially planar surface and defining a plurality of sample receiving portions each adapted to receive a slide retaining tray, wherein each of the plurality of sample receiving portions include an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and the outlet formed through separate portions of the platen defining the respective sample receiving portion, the inlet in fluid communication with at least one fluid conduit of the manifold and the outlet in fluid communication with at least one fluid conduit of the manifold.

2. The manifold assembly of claim 1 wherein the manifold is formed from two separate pieces of material.

3. The manifold assembly of claim 2 wherein the two separate pieces of material are mechanically etched to form complementing passageways and coupled such that the complementing passageways form the pattern of fluid conduits.

4. The manifold assembly of claim 2 wherein the material is a polymer.

5. The manifold assembly of claim 2 wherein the two pieces of material are mechanically fastened together.

6. The manifold assembly of claim 1 wherein the manifold is in fluid communication with at least one supply bottle and at least one waste bottle.

7. The manifold assembly of claim 6 further comprising a pressure pump in fluid communication with the at least one supply bottle.

8. The manifold assembly of claim 6 further comprising a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the at least one waste bottle.

9. The manifold assembly of claim 6 further comprising a fluid level sensor to monitor a fluid level of the at least one supply bottle.

10. The manifold assembly of claim 9 wherein the fluid level sensor is a first fluid level sensor and the manifold assembly further comprises a second fluid level sensor to monitor a fluid level of the at least one waste bottle.

11. The manifold assembly of claim 10 wherein the fluid level sensors are coupled to a common sensor carrier.

12. The manifold assembly of claim 11 wherein the sensor carrier is configured to translate parallel to a vertical axis of the supply bottle.

13. The manifold assembly of claim 1 further comprising an inlet port on a proximal end of the platen and an evacuation port on a distal end of the platen.

14. The manifold assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of valves configured to control fluid flow through the fluid conduits.

15. The manifold assembly of claim 14 further comprising a valve controller coupled to the manifold.

16. The manifold assembly of claim 15 further comprising a drip frame coupled to the manifold between the manifold and the controller.

17. The manifold assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one heater coupled to at least one of the sample receiving portions.

18. The manifold assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of heaters coupled to the platen wherein each of the plurality of heaters is independently operated.