Automated methods and slide processing apparatuses

#This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for processing microscope slides and analyzing substrates. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for detecting slides, coverslips for microscope slides, and processing specimens on microscope slides.

#A wide variety of techniques have been developed to prepare and analyze biological samples for analysis. Biological samples, e.g., tissue sections or cells, can be mounted on microscope slides for diagnostic purposes. The biological samples are often treated with one or more substances (e.g., dyes, reagents, etc.) to add color and contrast to otherwise transparent or invisible cells or cell components. The treated biological samples are often covered with coverslips to avoid contamination of the biological samples and to permit long-term archiving of the slides.

#Automated coverslippers can be used to automatically place glass coverslips on specimen-bearing microscope sides. For example, automated coverslippers often pick up a coverslip from a stack of coverslips and place the coverslip onto a specimen-bearing slide. Unfortunately, automated coverslippers can pick up more than one coverslip because coverslips frequently stick together due to static forces, vander waal forces, or moisture between adjacent coverslips. This may result in two or more coverslips being mounted on a slide. It may be difficult to remove the excess coverslip(s) from the slide. If the automated coverslipper attempts to transport stuck-together slides, coverslips may drop resulting in loose coverslips in automated processing equipment. The loose coverslips can result in damage and/or malfunction of the automated processing equipment and may result in “downtime” for maintenance. Unfortunately, automated coverslippers are not capable of accurately counting coverslips during handling.

#Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings. The same reference numerals refer to like parts or acts throughout the various views, unless otherwise specified.

#FIG. 1 is a front view of a coverslip detector in accordance with one embodiment.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the coverslip detector of FIG. 1.

#FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and side views of a coverslip detector 100 in accordance with one embodiment. The coverslip detector 100 can include a coverslip transport apparatus 110 (“transport apparatus 110”) for carrying microscope slide coverslips and an optical sensor 120 for detecting coverslips. The transport apparatus 110 is shown carrying a single microscope slide coverslip 130. A detection enhancing element in the form of an optically anti-reflective element 160 (“anti-reflective element 160”) can be positioned behind the surface of the coverslip 130 opposite the optical sensor 120. The anti-reflective element 160 can enhance performance of the optical sensor 120 to accurately detect a presence and/or number of coverslips held by the transport apparatus 110. The enhanced performance can include, without limitation, increasing the detection range of the sensor 120, reducing or limiting noise to increase a signal-to-noise ratio, managing scattering of light, or combinations thereof. After the optical sensor 120 determines that the transport apparatus 110 is carrying the single coverslip 130, the coverslip 130 can be placed on a specimen-bearing microscope slide. If the optical sensor 120 detects multiple coverslips, the transport apparatus 110 can transport the coverslips to a coverslip collection station or another desired location. If the optical sensor 120 determines that the transport apparatus 110 is unloaded, the transport apparatus 110 can obtain a coverslip.

#The optical sensor 120 can be a photoelectric proximity sensor configured to output light towards the anti-reflective element 160 and detect light reflected by the coverslip 130. In some embodiments, the detection of light can include, for example, one or more of determining the presence of light, measuring light intensity, comparing measured light intensity to a reference light intensity, or the like. The anti-reflective element 160 can minimize, limit, or substantially eliminate reflection of light that has traveled through the coverslip 130 because such reflected light may result in noise. The percentage of incident light from the sensor 120 absorbed or otherwise captured by the anti-reflective element 160 can be increased or decreased to increase or decrease the signal (e.g., light intensity associated with light reflected by the coverslips) to noise ratio.

#Referring to FIG. 1, the transport apparatus 110 can include a transport mechanism 140 and a coverslip holder mechanism 144 (“holder mechanism 144”). The transport mechanism 140 can move the holder mechanism 144 to position at least a portion of the coverslip 130 within a coverslip detection zone 163. The transport mechanism 140 can include, without limitation, one or more robotic arms, conveyors, motors (e.g., stopper motors, drive motors, etc.), rail assemblies (e.g., carriage and linear rail assemblies), controllers, combinations thereof, or the like. The components and configuration of the transport mechanism 140 can be selected based on the desired movement of the holder mechanism 144.