# US 9,518,899 B2 · Automated reagent dispensing system and method of operation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,899 B2 - Document ID: US9518899B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/349,663 - Filed: 2006-02-07 - Published: 2006-08-03 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2003-08-11 - Assignees: Sakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc. - Applicants: Gilles Lefebvre; Patrick P. Jennings - Inventors: Gilles Lefebvre; Patrick P. Jennings - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518899B2 ## CPC - G01N 35/1002: {Reagent dispensers} - G01N 1/31: Apparatus therefor - G01N 1/312: {for samples mounted on planar substrates} - G01N 35/00584: {Control arrangements for automatic analysers} - G01N 35/00871: {Communications between instruments or with remote terminals} - G01N 35/0092: {Scheduling} - G01N 2035/00881: {network configurations} - G01N 2035/0093: {random access not determined by physical position} - 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) ## Abstract A system and method that enables automated reagent dispensing for tissue stainers. The stainers receive staining protocols from a central controller. The central controller may control a plurality of stainers simultaneously. The stainers obtain information provided on slide identifiers which is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines a particular staining protocol to apply to a particular slide. The staining protocol is downloaded to the stainer which enables the stainer to operate without additional communication with the central controller. A user may manually initiate a staining protocol or the central controller may operate the stainers on a scheduled basis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of dispensing reagent, comprising: determining an inventory of an automated reagent dispensing system comprising a plurality of stainers, the determining an inventory comprising retrieving information from an identifier on at least one slide retaining tray for retaining a slide in the automated reagent dispensing system, the information identifying a reagent contained in the tray; downloading, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a processing program from a central controller, the processing program comprising steps for performing an automated staining procedure; determining, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a reagent staining protocol for reagents based on the identified reagent; transmitting the determined reagent staining protocol to a manifold controller of the automated reagent dispensing system; operating, by the manifold controller, the automated reagent dispensing system to perform the determined reagent staining protocol based on the processing program and independently of the central controller and independent of additional communication with the central controller during performance of the reagent staining protocol, wherein the reagent staining protocol comprises a staining process to dispense one or more reagents to a sample in the at least one slide retaining tray; and dispensing at least one of the reagents from a reagent container into the at least one slide retaining tray according to the reagent staining protocol. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further wherein determining an inventory further comprises scanning an identifier included on at least one of a reagent container and a waste container that are used in the automated reagent dispensing system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a status report corresponding to a status of the automated reagent dispensing system, wherein the automated reagent dispensing system generates the status report. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a reagent container fluid level; and outputting a reagent container condition signal, wherein the reagent container condition signal indicates an amount of reagent in the reagent container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving an interrupt signal; determining whether a hazardous condition exists; and stopping processing of the processing program upon detection of the hazardous condition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: activating at least one evacuation port of the slide retaining tray. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising creating an audit log, wherein creating is performed by the automated reagent dispensing system, wherein the audit log stores information related to the slide retaining tray. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the automated reagent dispensing system comprises tools for a user to create the processing program, the method further comprising providing the tools for a user, wherein the user creates the processing program with the tools. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the automated reagent dispensing system comprises tools for a user to modify the processing program, the method further comprising providing the tools for a user, wherein the user modifies the processing program with the tools. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the hazardous condition includes at least that a reagent having a poisonous gas associated therewith has been dispensed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein waste evacuated through the activated at least one evacuation port is divided into hazardous and non-hazardous waste with each going into a respective waste container. ### Claim 12 A method of dispensing reagent, comprising: determining an inventory of an automated reagent dispensing system comprising a plurality of stainers, the determining an inventory comprising retrieving information from an identifier on at least one slide retaining tray for retaining a slide in the automated reagent dispensing system by the automated reagent dispensing system, the information identifying a reagent contained in the tray; downloading, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a processing program from a central controller, the processing program comprising steps for performing an automated staining procedure; determining, by the automated reagent dispensing system, a reagent staining protocol for reagents based on the identified reagent; and transmitting the reagent staining protocol to a manifold controller of the automated reagent dispensing system; operating, by the manifold controller, the automated reagent dispensing system based on the processing program to perform the reagent staining protocol and independently of the central controller and independent of additional communication with the central controller during performance of the reagent staining protocol, wherein the reagent staining protocol comprises a staining process to dispense one or more reagents to a sample in the at least one slide retaining tray, the operating comprising: dispensing at least one of the reagents from a reagent container into the at least one slide retaining tray according to the reagent staining protocol. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further wherein determining an inventory further comprises scanning an identifier included on at least one of a reagent container and a waste container that are used in the automated reagent dispensing system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising generating a status report corresponding to a status of the automated reagent dispensing system, wherein the automated reagent dispensing system generates the status report. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining a reagent container fluid level; and outputting a reagent container condition signal, wherein the reagent container condition signal indicates an amount of reagent in the reagent container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising: receiving an interrupt signal; determining whether a hazardous condition exists; and stopping processing of the processing program upon detection of the hazardous condition. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising: activating at least one evacuation port of the slide retaining tray. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising creating an audit log, wherein creating is performed by the automated reagent dispensing system, wherein the audit log stores information related to the slide retaining tray. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the automated reagent dispensing system comprises tools for a user to create the processing program, the method further comprising providing the tools for a user, wherein the user creates the processing program with the tools. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the automated reagent dispensing system comprises tools for a user to modify the processing program, the method further comprising providing the tools for a user, wherein the user modifies the processing program with the tools.