Automated molecular pathology apparatus having independent slide heaters
AssigneeVentana Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Richards, Charles D. Lemme, Kimberly Christensen, Ethel R. Macrea
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multiple tissue samples mounted on microscope slides are provided. Individualized slide temperature control is accomplished by the heating system according to the present invention that has thermal platforms radially mounted to the carousel for heating the slides and sensing the temperature of each. The heating system also permits automated de-waxing if necessary.
Claims16
A method for treating tissue samples mounted on a plurality of slides comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of heaters for heating said slides wherein the temperature of each slide may be independently controlled;
- and
- treating said tissue samples, wherein said treatment comprises the heating of at least one slide with one of said heaters.
Apparatus for automatically applying reagents to a plurality of biological materials, said apparatus comprising separate heating units for each of said plurality of slides wherein each of said separate heating units has means for monitoring and controlling the temperature of said biological materials.
Apparatus for heating biological materials comprising a plurality of heaters mounted to a platform wherein each of said heaters is thermally isolated from the transfer of heat from adjacent heaters.
A method for simultaneously treating two or more slide mounted tissue samples comprising the steps of:
- (i) providing two or more heating units for heating the slides as needed for the treatment, wherein the temperature of each unit is independently controlled by a computer;
- (ii) programming said computer with the temperature parameters of said treatment;
- (iii) selecting from the computer two or more treatments to be conducted;
- and
- (iv) simultaneously conducting said treatments.
A method for removing embedded media from a tissue section mounted on a slide comprising the steps of:
- (a) heating the slide;
- and
- (b) automatically applying a fluid stream to the slide.
A method for improving the accessibility of a stain to a target molecule in cells mounted to a slide comprising the steps of:
- (a) heating the slide;
- and
- (b) automatically applying an aqueous solution to the slide.
A microscope slide heating system for maintaining different target temperatures for a plurality of microscope slides comprising:
- heating units generating heat output for each of the plurality of slides;
- temperature sensors for each of the plurality of slides;
- and
- processor in communication with the temperature sensors;
- and
- means for modifying the heat output of the heating units for each of the plurality of slides, the means for modifying in communication with the processor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.