# US 8,540,947 B2 · Method for reducing entrainment in a staining device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,947 B2 - Document ID: US8540947B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/178,618 - Filed: 2011-07-08 - Published: 2012-01-12 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-09 - Assignees: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH - Applicants: Markus Berberich; Christian Wilke - Inventors: Markus Berberich; Christian Wilke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540947B2 ## CPC - G01N 1/312: {for samples mounted on planar substrates} - G01N 35/0092: {Scheduling} - Y10T 436/2575: Volumetric liquid transfer - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract During operation of a staining device (20) including a first container (22) filled with a first process medium (23) and a second container (24) filled with a second process medium (25), samples (26) to be stained are immersed in the first process medium (23). A speed representative of how fast the samples (26) are to be withdrawn from the first process medium (23) is determined according to the first process medium (23) and/or according to the samples (26). Subsequently, the samples (26) are withdrawn from the first process medium (23) at the determined speed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating a staining device (20), comprising the steps of: providing a first container (22) filled with a first process medium (23) and at least one second container (24) filled with a second process medium (25); immersing samples (26) to be stained in the first process medium (23); determining a speed representative of how fast the samples (26) are to be withdrawn from the first process medium (23) according to the first process medium (23) and/or according to the samples (26), wherein the determined speed is determined using an assignment rule in which each process medium (23), each sample (26), and/or each combination of process medium (23) and sample (26) is assigned at least one speed; and withdrawing the samples (26) from the first process medium (23) at the determined speed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of determining a period of time to elapse before the samples (26) are located over the second container (24), wherein the period of time is determined using a further assignment rule in which each process medium (23), each sample (26) and/or each combination of process medium (23) and sample (26) is assigned at least one period of time according to the first process medium (23) and/or according to the samples (26); and locating the withdrawn samples (26) above the second container (24) after the determined period of time has elapsed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the determined speed is determined according to a viscosity of the first process medium (23). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the determined speed is determined according to a material contained in the samples (26). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the process media (23, 25) and/or the samples (26) are divided into classes; and the determined speed is determined according to the classes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein, for given samples (26) and given process media (23, 25), the determined speed is determined according to a permitted entrainment level and/or according to a process duration to be observed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein, for given samples (26) and given process media (23, 25), the determined speed is determined according to a permitted entrainment level. ### Claim 8 A method for operating a staining device (20) including at least one first container (22) filled with a first process medium (23) and a second container (24) filled with a second process medium (25), comprising the steps of: immersing samples (26) to be stained in the first process medium (23); withdrawing the samples (26) from the first process medium (23); determining a period of time to elapse before the samples (26) are located over the second container (24), wherein the period of time is determined using an assignment rule in which each process medium (23), each sample (26) and/or each combination of process medium (23) and sample (26) is assigned at least one period of time according to the first process medium (23) and/or according to the samples (26); and locating the withdrawn samples (26) above the second container (24) after the determined period of time has elapsed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the period of time includes time elapsed while the samples are withdrawn from the first process medium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the period of time is determined according to a viscosity of the first process medium (23). ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the period of time is determined according to a material contained in the samples (26). ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the process media (23, 25) and/or the samples (26) are divided into classes; and the period of time is determined according to the classes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein, for given samples (26) and given process media (23, 25), the period of time is determined according to a permitted entrainment level and/or according to a process duration to be observed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein, for given samples (26) and given process media (23, 25), the period of time is determined according to a permitted entrainment level.