Information notification sample processing system and methods of biological slide processing
First Claim
1. A method of automated sample processing comprising the steps of:
- establishing a network including a plurality of stainers, each stainer having an automated process operation capability that causes automated process operation events through movement of a robotic member;
receiving a protocol in at least one of a plurality of stainers via the network;
scheduling a plurality of sample process operations based on the protocol;
automatically processing at least one biological sample arranged on a first slide using the at least one stainer at least in part through operation of said robotic member sequencing through said scheduled plurality of sample process operations;
inserting a second slide into the at least one stainer, wherein inserting the second slide does not interfere with movement of the robotic member related to the first slide;
monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information, wherein said operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information comprises usage information of the at least one stainer; and
informing at least one person of at least some exteriorly-consequential information in response to said step of monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sample processing system that may be automated and methods are disclosed where samples are arranged on a carrier element and a process operation control system automatically processes the samples perhaps robotically with an operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information monitor or a data capture element. Significant process details as well as operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information may be monitored and an automatic notice element may cause notification of a person at some display that may be remote. Various people may be notified, such as an administrator, a supplier, or a manufacturer of an opportunity for some action such as reagent reordering or the like. A simulated motion display may be included to “watch” simulated operation in real time or long after completion of the actual processing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of automated sample processing comprising the steps of:
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establishing a network including a plurality of stainers, each stainer having an automated process operation capability that causes automated process operation events through movement of a robotic member; receiving a protocol in at least one of a plurality of stainers via the network; scheduling a plurality of sample process operations based on the protocol; automatically processing at least one biological sample arranged on a first slide using the at least one stainer at least in part through operation of said robotic member sequencing through said scheduled plurality of sample process operations; inserting a second slide into the at least one stainer, wherein inserting the second slide does not interfere with movement of the robotic member related to the first slide; monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information, wherein said operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information comprises usage information of the at least one stainer; and informing at least one person of at least some exteriorly-consequential information in response to said step of monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of automated sample processing comprising the steps of:
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establishing a network including a plurality of stainers, each stainer having an automated process operation capability that causes automated process operation events through movement of a robotic member; receiving a protocol in at least one of a plurality of stainers via the network; scheduling a plurality of sample process operations based on the protocol; processing at least one biological sample arranged on a first slide at least in part through operation of said robotic member sequencing through said scheduled plurality of sample process operations; inserting a second slide into the at least one stainer, wherein inserting the second slide does not interfere with movement of the robotic member related to the first slide; storing details of a number of said plurality of sample process operations as the sample process operations occur; and receiving an instruction from a user to establish a connection between said network and a remote location, and to display at least a portion of said details at said remote location. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An automated sample processing system comprising:
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a control system configured to receive a protocol via a network, said control system being configured to at least partially process at least one biological sample arranged on a first slide, and further configured to receive and process a second slide; a robotic motion system responsive to said control system configured to move a robotic member, wherein receiving the second slide does not interfere with movement of the robotic member related to the first slide; a multiple event scheduler configured to schedule a plurality of sample process operations based on the protocol, said robotic motion system being at least in part responsive to the multiple even scheduler; an operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information monitor configured to monitor usage information of the sample processing system; and an exteriorly-consequential information notice element responsive to said operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information monitor, said exteriorly-consequential information notice element configured to inform at least one person of the operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An automated sample processing system comprising:
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a control system configured to receive a protocol via a network, said control system beinq configured to at least partially process at least one biological sample arranged on a first slide, and further configured to receive and process a second slide; a robotic motion system responsive to said control system configured to move a robotic member, wherein receiving the second slide does not interfere with movement of the robotic member related to the first slide; a multiple event scheduler configured to schedule a plurality of sample process operations based on the protocol, said robotic motion system being at least in part responsive to said multiple event scheduler; a detail capture element; a memory that is responsive to said detail capture element and that stores at least some process data; an information access element configured to establish a connection between said network and a remote location, the information access element being configured to allow at least a portion of said process data to be displayed at said remote location. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification