Method and apparatus for automated pre-treatment and processing of biological samples
First Claim
1. A method for automated antigen retrieval and staining of a biological sample on a slide, comprising the steps of:
- providing an apparatus comprising;
a heatable processing tank configured to perform antigen retrieval upon the sample,a slide holder configured to hold the slide anda moveable probe configured to administer reagents to the sample during staining, wherein the moveable probe is further configured to deliver reagents to additional samples on additional slides;
mounting the slide onto the slide holder;
rotating the slide about an axis parallel to a plane of the slide into a first orientation;
causing the sample to contact a solution heated within the processing tank;
removing the slide from the processing tank after a duration of time appropriate for antigen retrieval;
rotating the slide about an axis parallel to a plane of the slide into a second orientation; and
administering the reagents to the sample with the probe, wherein the solution comprises at least one chelating agent, at least one detergent and at least 50% by volume of at least one liquid that facilitates antigen retrieval.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for automatic staining or other processing of a biological sample on a slide, perhaps robotically, by applying predetermined amounts of reagents in a predetermined sequence according to a processing protocol, the processing including pre-treatment steps, under the control of an adaptive processing control system. Further provided is a method of antigen retrieval, the method comprising contacting, within a heated processing tank of an automated staining apparatus, at least one biological sample with at least one composition for antigen retrieval comprising at least one chelating agent, at least one detergent and at least 50% by volume of at least one liquid that facilitates antigen retrieval.
125 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for automated antigen retrieval and staining of a biological sample on a slide, comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus comprising; a heatable processing tank configured to perform antigen retrieval upon the sample, a slide holder configured to hold the slide and a moveable probe configured to administer reagents to the sample during staining, wherein the moveable probe is further configured to deliver reagents to additional samples on additional slides; mounting the slide onto the slide holder; rotating the slide about an axis parallel to a plane of the slide into a first orientation; causing the sample to contact a solution heated within the processing tank; removing the slide from the processing tank after a duration of time appropriate for antigen retrieval; rotating the slide about an axis parallel to a plane of the slide into a second orientation; and administering the reagents to the sample with the probe, wherein the solution comprises at least one chelating agent, at least one detergent and at least 50% by volume of at least one liquid that facilitates antigen retrieval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for automated de-paraffinization, antigen retrieval and staining of a biological sample on a slide, comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus comprising; a heatable processing tank configured to perform de-paraffinization and antigen retrieval upon the sample, a slide holder configured to hold the slide and a robotic mechanism configured to position a probe moveable in a vertical Z direction for administering reagents to the sample during staining; mounting the slide onto the slide holder;
rotating the slide about an axis parallel to a plane of the slide into a first orientation;causing the sample to contact a first solution within the processing tank, the first solution causing de-paraffinization of the sample; draining the first solution from the processing tank; causing the sample to contact a second solution heated within the processing tank; removing the slide from the processing tank after a duration of time appropriate for antigen retrieval;
rotating the slide about an axis parallel to a plane of the slide into a second orientation; andadministering the reagents to the sample with the probe, wherein the second solution comprises at least one chelating agent, at least one detergent and at least 50% by volume of at least one liquid that facilitates antigen retrieval. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification