Loading patent…
AssigneeHologic, Inc.
InventorsBarry F. Hunt, Raymond Jenoski, Ryan Oliva, Michael Cordeiro, Eric Grimes
Estimating the term…
An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.
A method using an automated system for processing a biological sample, the system comprising a sample container holder, an analytic element holder, an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis and translate along a second axis different than the first axis, a sample container capping device disposed at a first location on the tool head, and a specimen transfer device disposed at a second position on the tool head different from the first position, the method comprising:
A method using an automated system for processing a biological sample, the system comprising a sample container holder, a slide holder, an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis and translate along a second axis different than the first axis, a sample container capping device disposed at a first circumferential position on the tool head, and a specimen transfer device disposed at a second circumferential position on the tool head angularly spaced apart about the first axis from the first circumferential position, the method comprising:
A method using an automated system for processing a biological sample, the system comprising a sample container holder, an aliquot container holder, a pipette tip dispenser, an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis and translate along a second axis different than the first axis, a sample container capping device disposed at a first location on the tool head, an aliquot container capping device disposed at a second position on the tool head different from the first position, and a pipettor disposed at a third position on the tool head different from the first and second positions, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
Apparatus therefor: for samples mounted on planar substrates
Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q: producing thin…
Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor:…
Communications; Identification: identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
About 11 years 1 month of term left · ends 16 Nov 2037 (estimated)
The present disclosure generally relates to preparation of biological specimens, and more particularly, to automated systems and methods for collecting a biological specimen from a liquid sample container and dispensing the specimen onto an analytic element, such as a specimen slide, as well as automated systems and methods for obtaining an aliquot of the sample for additional testing.
Cytology is a branch of biology dealing with the study of the formation, structure, and function of cells. As applied in a laboratory setting, cytologists, cytotechnologists, and other medical professionals make medical diagnoses of a patient's condition based on visual examination of a specimen of the patient's cells. A typical cytological technique is a “pap smear” test, in which cells are scraped from a woman's cervix and analyzed in order to detect the presence of abnormal cells, a precursor to the onset of cervical cancer. Cytological techniques are also used to detect abnormal cells and disease in other parts of the human body.
Cytological techniques are widely employed because collection of cell samples for analysis is generally less invasive than traditional surgical pathological procedures such as biopsies, whereby a solid tissue specimen is excised from the patient using specialized biopsy needles having spring loaded translatable stylets, fixed cannulae, and the like. Cell samples may be obtained from the patient by a variety of techniques including, for example, by scraping or swabbing an area, or by using a needle to aspirate body liquids from the chest cavity, bladder, spinal canal, or other appropriate area. The acquired cell sample is typically placed in a preservative solution and subsequently extracted from the solution and transferred to a glass slide. A fixative is applied to the cell sample to ensure the cells remain in place on the glass slide for facilitating subsequent staining and examination.
The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and the description for like elements shall be applicable for all described embodiments wherever relevant, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a right, front, perspective view of an exemplary automated biological sample processing system, according to one embodiment, including a sample processing cabinet, a slide printer, and an aliquot container printer;
FIG. 2 is a right, front, perspective view of the sample processing cabinet of FIG. 1, wherein the exterior cabinet walls are not shown in order to better show the system components located therein;
For purposes of illustration, the disclosed systems and methods of use described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures are directed to the processing of a patient sample to produce a traditional cytological specimen slide, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments may include the preparation of different types of biological specimens that are presented on differing types of analytic elements (i.e., other than cytological and other than on a slide) are contemplated within the scope of the disclosed embodiments and claims. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may be used for processing other types of liquid samples, including non-biological particulates and liquids. Thus, is should be understood that the disclosed and illustrated embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation.
As used herein, terms such “specimen”, “specimen sample”, “biological sample”, “cytological specimen”, “cell sample” and “biological specimen” may be used interchangeably and should be similarly understood and construed, unless the context of their use requires a more specific meaning. Additionally, terms such as “aliquot” and “aliquot sample” may be used interchangeably and should be similarly understood and construed. For example, and without limitation, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be used to process a biological sample contained in a liquid sample container to produce a specimen or a specimen sample, as well as an aliquot or an aliquot sample. Moreover, the term “aliquot” is not to be construed as limiting, as an “aliquot” is another way of expressing “liquid sample” or a “portion of a liquid sample.” In other words, to obtain an aliquot or an aliquot sample of a biological sample means to obtain and store a portion of the original sample in a separate container for subsequent evaluation. Additionally, terms such as “sample container”, “liquid sample container”, “patient container” “sample vial” and “patient vial”, “tube” “supplemental container” and other permutations may be used interchangeably and should be similarly understood and construed, unless the context of their use requires a more specific meaning; for example, based on the stated contents of the container.
As used herein, the terms “automatically” and “automated” mean that a system, apparatus, process and/or function is performed without user (e.g., system operator) intervention, often but not necessarily under the control of a programmed processor. In particular, the automated systems and methods disclosed herein advantageously reduce the number of manual steps required to prepare a biological sample, for example, the prepare a cytological specimen slide and/or to obtain an aliquot of a patient sample for additional testing and/or additional sample processing, such as introducing a reagent into a sample prior to further processing.