Method and system for pretreatment of tissue slides
First Claim
1. An automatic stainer system for staining at least one tissue sample, comprising:
- at least one slide comprising the at least one tissue sample;
at least one reagent;
at least one fluid containment element containing fluid for application to said at least one tissue sample;
a slide rack comprising the at least one slide, said slide rack further including a slide positioner element adapted to pivot said at least one slide between at least a first disposition and a second disposition, wherein the first disposition is for submerging said at least one slide into said fluid in said fluid containment element and the second disposition is for application of said at least one reagent onto said at least one tissue sample;
a slide elevator for lowering said slide rack when said slide is pivoted to the first disposition, and submerging said at least one slide into said fluid containment element; and
a reagent application element adapted to apply said at least one reagent to said at least one tissue sample during a staining operation performed on said at least one tissue sample when said at least one slide is pivoted to the second disposition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for automatic staining of at least one tissue sample accommodated on a slide by applying reagents. The system may include at least one slide provided in a slide rack, a fluid containment element, a slide holder, a vertical slide positioner to pivot the slides to a vertical position, and a slide immerser element to immerse the vertical slide into a fluid containment element or even a dip tank. By pivoting the slides from a horizontal to a vertical position, an automated method and apparatus for carrying out a pretreatment in an automated staining apparatus may be provided. The pivoting of slides may ensure an appropriate orientation of the slides for both the pretreatment and the staining processes.
363 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic stainer system for staining at least one tissue sample, comprising:
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at least one slide comprising the at least one tissue sample; at least one reagent; at least one fluid containment element containing fluid for application to said at least one tissue sample; a slide rack comprising the at least one slide, said slide rack further including a slide positioner element adapted to pivot said at least one slide between at least a first disposition and a second disposition, wherein the first disposition is for submerging said at least one slide into said fluid in said fluid containment element and the second disposition is for application of said at least one reagent onto said at least one tissue sample; a slide elevator for lowering said slide rack when said slide is pivoted to the first disposition, and submerging said at least one slide into said fluid containment element; and a reagent application element adapted to apply said at least one reagent to said at least one tissue sample during a staining operation performed on said at least one tissue sample when said at least one slide is pivoted to the second disposition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An automatic stainer system for staining at least one tissue sample, comprising:
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at least one slide comprising the at least one tissue sample; at least one reagent; at least one fluid containment element containing fluid for application to said at least one tissue sample during at least one pre-treatment operation performed on said at least one tissue sample prior to a staining operation, wherein said at least one pre-treatment operation is chosen from the group consisting of target retrieval and deparaffinization; a slide rack comprising the at least one slide, said slide rack further including a slide positioner element adapted to pivot said at least one slide between at least a first disposition and a second disposition, wherein the first disposition is for submerging said at least one slide into said fluid in said fluid containment element and the second disposition is for application of said at least one reagent onto said at least one tissue sample; a slide elevator for lowering said slide rack when said slide is pivoted to the first disposition, and submerging said at least one slide into said fluid containment element; and a reagent application element adapted to apply said at least one reagent to said at least one tissue sample during a staining operation performed on said at least one tissue sample when said at least one slide is pivoted to the second disposition. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification