US 2008/0194034 A1 · Method And Apparatus For Automated Rapid Immunohistochemistry

Abstract

A sample processing system that may be configured to achieve parallel or coincidental sample processing such as histochemical processing may involve a plurality of samples arranged for coincidental movement perhaps by use of angular microscopic slide movements to cause processing activity that may include repeated elimination and reapplication of a fluidic substance perhaps through the action of capillary motion in order to refresh a microenvironment adjacent to a sample such as a biopsy or other such sample. Snap in antibody and other substances may be included to ease operator actions and to permit location specific substance applications perhaps by including single container multiple chamber multiple fluidic substance magazines, linearly disposed multiple substance source, and primary antibody cartridges. Through refreshing of a microenvironment, depletion of the microenvironment is avoided and the time necessary for slide processing may be dramatically shortened from a more common 60 to 120 minutes to perhaps less than 15 minutes so as to permit use of such a system in an intraoperative or surgical environment such as recommended by the College of American Pathologists intraoperative guidelines or the like. Patients may thus avoid a need to be subjected to an additional surgical procedure when lab results become available to see if tumors or the like were fully removed in a prior procedure.

Claims50

Dependent claims

A method of biochemical processing comprising the steps of:

a. obtaining at least one sample;
b. selecting a biochemical test sequence for said at least one sample;
c. establishing said at least one sample on a proximally paired sample holder;
d. snapping in at least one source in a sample processing system;
e. establishing at least one consumable biochemical process element consumably responsive to said biochemical test sequence;
f. establishing at least one consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element associated with said consumable biochemical process element;
g. detachably electrically connecting said consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element to said sample processing system;
h. querying said consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element;
i. subjecting at least a portion of an exterior sample area of said at least one sample to an appropriate fluidic substance for said biochemical test sequence;
j. establishing a firmly bounded fluidic environment in the vicinity of said exterior sample area at least in part through the presence of said fluidic substance;
k. causing hinged movement between a first surface relative to a second surface;
l. automatically affirmatively initiating a fluid wave in said firmly bounded fluidic environment as a result of said hinged movement between a first surface relative to a second surface;
m. automatically substantially stopping said fluid wave in said firmly bounded fluidic environment;
n. automatically moving an absorbent material to a position in the vicinity of said sample holder;
o. contacting said absorbent material and said fluidic substance;
p. automatically withdrawing said fluidic substance from proximity to said sample upon completion of at least a portion of said process;
q. automatically processing said biochemical test sequence;
r. changing at least some information on said consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element as a result of actions conducted in said step of automatically processing said biochemical test sequence;
and
s. accomplishing desired results through said biochemical test sequence.

17 more elements

An automated biochemical sample processor comprising:

a. at least one proximally paired sample holder;
b. an automatically sequenced biochemical test processor configured to automatically achieve a biochemical test sequence and to which said at least one proximally paired sample holder is responsive;
c. at least one snap securable location specific substance source in the vicinity of at least a portion of a sample on said proximally paired sample holder and responsive to said automatically sequenced biochemical test processor;
d. a movable firm fluidic boundary element configured to permit a bounded fluidic environment in the vicinity of a sample on said proximally paired sample holder;
e. a hinged fluid wave element in said bounded fluidic environment to cause fluid wave movement in at least a portion of said bounded fluidic environment in the vicinity of a sample on said proximally paired sample holder;
f. at least some adsorbent material;
g. an adsorbent material movement element responsive to said automatically sequenced biochemical test processor, and to which said at least some adsorbent material is movably responsive;
h. a transient contact location at which said adsorbent material and a fluidic substance are in contact in response to action of said adsorbent material movement element;
i. at least one consumable biochemical process element consumably responsive to said automatically sequenced biochemical test processor;
j. at least one consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element associated with said consumable biochemical process element;
k. a consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element detachable electrical connection that establishes an electrical connection with said consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element;
l. a consumable information query element responsive to said consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element through said consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element detachable electrical connection;
and
m. a consumable information change element to which said consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element is changeably responsive through said consumable biochemical process alterable information memory element detachable electrical connection.

11 more elements

An automated biochemical sample processor comprising:

a. at least one proximally paired sample holder;
b. an automatically sequenced biochemical test processor configured to automatically achieve a biochemical test sequence and to which said at least one proximally paired sample holder is responsive;
c. at least one fluidic substance source in the vicinity of at least a portion of a sample on said sample holder and responsive to said automatically sequenced biochemical test processor;
d. a movable firm fluidic boundary element configured to permit a bounded fluidic environment in the vicinity of a sample on said sample holder;
and
e. a motive force element configured to cause fluid movement of at least a portion of said movable firm fluidic boundary element.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method And Apparatus For Automated Rapid Immunohistochemistry

Life of this patent

Method And Apparatus For Automated Rapid Immunohistochemistry

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims50