Isolated communication sample processing system and methods of biological slide processing
First Claim
1. A method for performing operations on a stainer in a stainer network comprising:
- providing a robotic arm coupled to the stainer, the robotic arm having a reagent dispenser;
establishing a network connection between a computer and a stainer in the stainer network;
sending requests from the computer to the stainer over the network connection;
inserting a first sample into the stainer;
processing a first sample with the stainer using the requests received from the computer, wherein said processing comprises dispensing reagents to the sample with the reagent dispenser of the robotic arm; and
inserting a second sample into the stainer and at least one reagent into the stainer during the processing of the first sample without interrupting the dispensing of reagents onto the first sample with the reagent dispenser of the robotic arm.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sample processing system 101 that may be automated and methods are disclosed where a number of sample processing systems 101, such as stainer, may be connected to a number of separate full function computers 181 through a stainer network 183 that may be isolated from other communication traffic. A network configuration may permit scalability and addressability so that additional sample processing systems 101, additional separate full function computers 181, and additional other devices such as label printers 200 may be easily added to the system. One or more remote information links 171 may be provided so that information transfer on a continuous or perhaps constant basis can be accommodated.
409 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A method for performing operations on a stainer in a stainer network comprising:
-
providing a robotic arm coupled to the stainer, the robotic arm having a reagent dispenser; establishing a network connection between a computer and a stainer in the stainer network; sending requests from the computer to the stainer over the network connection; inserting a first sample into the stainer; processing a first sample with the stainer using the requests received from the computer, wherein said processing comprises dispensing reagents to the sample with the reagent dispenser of the robotic arm; and inserting a second sample into the stainer and at least one reagent into the stainer during the processing of the first sample without interrupting the dispensing of reagents onto the first sample with the reagent dispenser of the robotic arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for performing operations on a stainer in a stainer network comprising:
-
providing a robotic arm coupled to the stainer, the robotic arm having a reagent dispenser; establishing a network connection between a computer and a stainer in the stainer network; sending requests from the computer to the stainer over the network connection; sending requests from the laboratory information system to a server including a centralized database, wherein the centralized database contains status information chosen from slides on the stainer, amounts of consumables on the stainer or treatment protocols performed on the stainer; inserting a first sample into the stainer; processing a first sample with the stainer using the requests received from the computer, wherein said processing comprises dispensing reagents to the sample with the reagent dispenser of the robotic arm; and inserting a second sample into the stainer and at least one reagent into the stainer during the processing of the first sample without interrupting the dispensing of reagents onto the first sample with the reagent dispenser of the robotic arm. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification