Automated reagent dispensing system and method of operation
First Claim
1. A method of dispensing reagent, comprising:
- determining an inventory of an automated reagent dispensing system comprising a plurality of stainers, the determining an inventory comprising retrieving information from an identifier on at least one slide retaining tray for retaining a slide in the automated reagent dispensing system, the information identifying a reagent contained in the tray;
downloading, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a processing program from a central controller, the processing program comprising steps for performing an automated staining procedure;
determining, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a reagent staining protocol for reagents based on the identified reagent;
transmitting the determined reagent staining protocol to a manifold controller of the automated reagent dispensing system;
operating, by the manifold controller, the automated reagent dispensing system to perform the determined reagent staining protocol based on the processing program and independently of the central controller and independent of additional communication with the central controller during performance of the reagent staining protocol, wherein the reagent staining protocol comprises a staining process to dispense one or more reagents to a sample in the at least one slide retaining tray; and
dispensing at least one of the reagents from a reagent container into the at least one slide retaining tray according to the reagent staining protocol.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method that enables automated reagent dispensing for tissue stainers. The stainers receive staining protocols from a central controller. The central controller may control a plurality of stainers simultaneously. The stainers obtain information provided on slide identifiers which is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines a particular staining protocol to apply to a particular slide. The staining protocol is downloaded to the stainer which enables the stainer to operate without additional communication with the central controller. A user may manually initiate a staining protocol or the central controller may operate the stainers on a scheduled basis.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing reagent, comprising:
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determining an inventory of an automated reagent dispensing system comprising a plurality of stainers, the determining an inventory comprising retrieving information from an identifier on at least one slide retaining tray for retaining a slide in the automated reagent dispensing system, the information identifying a reagent contained in the tray; downloading, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a processing program from a central controller, the processing program comprising steps for performing an automated staining procedure; determining, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a reagent staining protocol for reagents based on the identified reagent; transmitting the determined reagent staining protocol to a manifold controller of the automated reagent dispensing system; operating, by the manifold controller, the automated reagent dispensing system to perform the determined reagent staining protocol based on the processing program and independently of the central controller and independent of additional communication with the central controller during performance of the reagent staining protocol, wherein the reagent staining protocol comprises a staining process to dispense one or more reagents to a sample in the at least one slide retaining tray; and dispensing at least one of the reagents from a reagent container into the at least one slide retaining tray according to the reagent staining protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of dispensing reagent, comprising:
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determining an inventory of an automated reagent dispensing system comprising a plurality of stainers, the determining an inventory comprising retrieving information from an identifier on at least one slide retaining tray for retaining a slide in the automated reagent dispensing system by the automated reagent dispensing system, the information identifying a reagent contained in the tray; downloading, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a processing program from a central controller, the processing program comprising steps for performing an automated staining procedure; determining, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a reagent staining protocol for reagents based on the identified reagent; and transmitting the reagent staining protocol to a manifold controller of the automated reagent dispensing system; operating, by the manifold controller, the automated reagent dispensing system based on the processing program to perform the reagent staining protocol and independently of the central controller and independent of additional communication with the central controller during performance of the reagent staining protocol, wherein the reagent staining protocol comprises a staining process to dispense one or more reagents to a sample in the at least one slide retaining tray, the operating comprising; dispensing at least one of the reagents from a reagent container into the at least one slide retaining tray according to the reagent staining protocol. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification