Automated methods, kits, and systems for clarifying obfuscating pigments in histology samples
AssigneeVentana Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsPatricia Carrigan, James Grille, Greg Martin, Mark Robida, Patrick C. Roche
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, kits, and systems for clarifying obfuscating pigments in histology samples such as an automated method of treating a histology sample with a clarifying reagent so that the clarifying reagent, contacts the sample and the pigments within the sample are decolorized , thus alleviating staining obfuscations associated with pigments. Decolorizing the pigments within the sample enables the histology sample to be interpretable by a qualified reader. An antigen retrieval step is performed after the clarification step.
Claims24
An automated method of treating a sample mounted on a substrate to alleviate staining obfuscations associated with pigments within the sample, the method comprising the following steps in the following order:
- (a) applying a clarifying reagent in an amount sufficient to contact the sample and decolorize the pigments in said sample, wherein application of the clarifying reagent includes mixing to agitate the clarifying reagent while in contact with the sample;
- (b) applying a rinsing reagent so that the clarifying reagent is substantially removed from contacting the sample,
- (c) applying a cell conditioning reagent for antigen retrieval subsequent to applying the clarifying reagent, the cell conditioning reagent contacts the sample;
- and
- (d) applying a chromogenic reagent subsequent to applying the cell conditioning reagent, the chromogenic reagent is applied so that the sample is specifically stained;
- wherein the pigments within the sample are decolorized so that the specifically stained sample is interpretable by a qualified reader.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.