Automated slide staining system and method thereof
AssigneeFisher Scientific Company
InventorsPeter S. Edwards, A. John Bertolino, Jerry C. Premus, Lloyd Seager
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an automatic slide staining system that will process stained slides, such as cytology or histology specimens. The invention includes a slide storage device, a slide transport apparatus, and a first platen including a plurality of staining stations. The stained slides are placed in the storage device and then are removed and processed at various stations via the transport apparatus. The invention can be altered so that a cover slip apparatus can be incorporated within the system. This permits a cover slip to be placed on the stained slide after a complete transverse of the slide staining stations.
Claims16
A cover slip apparatus for use with a slide of a slide staining system, comprising:
- a receptacle for storing a plurality of cover slips, wherein said receptacle includes an opening and a slip lift adapted to be in contact with a first exposed cover slip to selectively eject the cover slip from said receptacle;
- a release mechanism for dispensing cover slips one at a time from a release point associated with said opening within said receptacle, said release mechanism including an ejector to selectively advance cover slips one at a time from a rest position;
- a transport mechanism comprising a plurality of rollers adapted to receive a cover slip from said release mechanism;
- a drive mechanism associated to receive a cover slip from said transport mechanism and advance it away from said transport mechanism and said receptacle;
- and
- a slide merge point positioned adjacent a termination point for said drive mechanism and away from said release point.
A cover slip apparatus for use with a slide of a slide staining system, comprising:
- a receptacle for storing a plurality of cover slips, wherein said receptacle includes an opening for selectively dispensing each cover slip one at a time;
- a release mechanism for dispensing cover slips one at a time from a release point within said receptacle, said release mechanism including a fixed member and an opposing movable member with an ejector to selectively advance cover slips one at a time from a rest position;
- a transport mechanism comprising a plurality of rollers adapted to receive a cover slip from said release mechanism, a first roller selectively receiving each released cover slip from said release mechanism and advancing it along a predetermined path away from said release point;
- a cover slip metering device disposed between said release mechanism and said transport mechanism comprising at least two opposing elements defining a gap therebetween such that only one cover slip may pass through said gap;
- a drive mechanism to receive a cover slip from said transport system and to advance it away from said transport mechanism and said receptacle;
- and
- a slide merge point positioned adjacent a termination point for said platen drive mechanism and away from said release point,
- where said receptacle includes a slip lift adapted to be in contact with a first exposed cover slip to selectively eject the cover slip from said receptacle, where said slip lift includes a ledge adapted to engage an edge of the first exposed cover slip, and wherein an inner surface of said ledge is adapted to be no more than substantially flush with a floor of said receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.