Automated sample processing apparatus and a method of automated treating of samples and use of such apparatus

Abstract

An automated staining apparatus and a method for treating samples arranged on a carrier is disclosed, in which portions of two or more selected reagents from a first station containing the reagents are collected individually by a robot arm handling a probe and dispensed in a mixing station of the apparatus. After mixing the reagents in the mixing station, e.g. by shaking or rotating the mixing cup containing the reagents, the reagent mixture is applied to selected samples by the robot arm and a probe.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 435,601, filed Dec. 20, 2002, hereby incorporated by reference.[0002] This application relates to the field of sample processing systems and methods of processing samples. The present invention may be directed to the automated processing, treatment, or even staining of samples arranged on carriers, such as slides, and in some embodiments, directed to the continuous or batch processing of samples and carriers, as well as washing elements of a sampling system. Embodiments may further relate to control systems for sample processing and data acquisition, data maintenance, and data retrieval for sample processing. Applications to which the present invention may especially relate include immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, fluorescent in-situ hybridization, special staining, and cytology, as well as potentially other chemical and biological applications.[0003] More specifically the present invention...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0043] By providing a staining apparatus having an automated mixer integrated therein, staining or treatment processes requiring a mixture of unmixable reagents, such as a water based and an oil based reagent, or insoluble reagents, can be performed automatically instead of requiring hum

Problems solved by technology

Previously, in some applications, these steps may have been performed manually, potentially creating a time-intensive protocol and necessitating personnel to be actively involved in the sample processing.

However, such previous efforts may have not fully addressed the needs for an automated sample processing system.

Previous efforts to automate sample processing may be deficient in several aspects that prevent more robust automated sample processing, such as: the lack of sufficient computer control and monitoring of sample processing; the lack of information sharing for processing protocol and processing status, especially for individual samples; the lack of diagnostic capabilities; and the lack of real-time or adaptive capabilities for multiple sample batch processing.

Past efforts at automated sample processing for samples presented on carriers such as slides, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,861 to Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,091 to LabVision Corporation, have not afforded the various advantages and othe

Methods for mixing reagents and liquids are well known--but several aspects are important in the context of IHC and ISH instruments wherein the mixing in some processes can be cumbersome.

The staining procedure is laborious and uses many different reagents.

During the mixing several problems may arise.

Some problems arise due to the complex use of reagents in the staining procedure.

Furthermore, the resulting mixtures a

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