Apparatus and methods for processing biological samples and a reservoir therefor
First Claim
1. An apparatus adapted for nucleic acid denaturization and hybridization of at least one biological sample on at least one carrier member in a chamber, said apparatus comprising:
- a bottom member supporting said at least one carrier member;
a hydrophilic porous solid reservoir configured to sorb and desorb water and water vapor;
a lid for the chamber, detachable from the bottom member, the lid and the bottom member forming a closed chamber when the lid is positioned atop the bottom member, wherein the lid is configured to position the reservoir inside the closed chamber directly above the at least one biological sample such that the reservoir does not touch said at least one biological sample, when said lid is positioned atop the bottom member to form the closed chamber; and
a sample temperature controlling device below said at least one carrier member controlling the temperature of said at least one carrier member and said at least one biological sample, wherein said reservoir either sorbs or desorbs water and water vapor so as to control relative humidity within said chamber at above 85% relative humidity, when said lid is positioned atop the bottom member to form the closed chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for processing at least one biological sample accommodated on at least one carrier member (15) in a chamber includes, at least one reservoir (18) able to accommodate a fluid on a surface inside the chamber adjacent to and/or facing a substantial part of the at least one biological sample. The apparatus may comprise a bottom member (12) arranged to support at least one carrier member (15) carrying at least one biological sample and a lid (14) including at least one fluid reservoir (18). The reservoir filled with water provides humidity to the chamber and impedes drying out of the sample.
42 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus adapted for nucleic acid denaturization and hybridization of at least one biological sample on at least one carrier member in a chamber, said apparatus comprising:
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a bottom member supporting said at least one carrier member; a hydrophilic porous solid reservoir configured to sorb and desorb water and water vapor; a lid for the chamber, detachable from the bottom member, the lid and the bottom member forming a closed chamber when the lid is positioned atop the bottom member, wherein the lid is configured to position the reservoir inside the closed chamber directly above the at least one biological sample such that the reservoir does not touch said at least one biological sample, when said lid is positioned atop the bottom member to form the closed chamber; and a sample temperature controlling device below said at least one carrier member controlling the temperature of said at least one carrier member and said at least one biological sample, wherein said reservoir either sorbs or desorbs water and water vapor so as to control relative humidity within said chamber at above 85% relative humidity, when said lid is positioned atop the bottom member to form the closed chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of processing biological samples, wherein at least one biological sample is arranged on a carrier member, for treatment to prepare the sample by staining, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a bottom member for supporting said carrier member; positioning a lid, detachable from the bottom member, above the carrier member to form a closed chamber with the bottom member, wherein positioning the lid above the carrier member also positions a hydrophilic porous solid reservoir configured to sorb and desorb water and water vapor directly above the at least one biological sample such that the reservoir does not touch said at least one biological sample; controlling the temperature of said carrier member and said at least one biological sample with a sample temperature controlling device positioned below said carrier member; and maintaining at least 85% relative humidity inside the chamber through the sorption or desorption of water and water vapor.
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Specification