Automated lean methods in anatomical pathology

Abstract

An embodiment of the method of the invention is a method of automating information flow in a laboratory performing tissue staining comprising positioning a networked label printer adjacent to a cutting station, the printer configured to access patient data directly or indirectly from the hospital LIS, the printer being configured with a data element scanner in electronic communication with said printer; inputting data from a tissue cassette-associated data element at said printer, whereby inputting data comprises reading the data from the cassette-associated data element and uploading the cassette data to the LIS; identifying the corresponding test protocol identifier and then downloading the test protocol data to the printer; printing information on labels corresponding to each test specified in the LIS for the patient; attaching a single label to each slide; and cutting a tissue section for each labeled slide and mounting the section on the slide.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 751,807, filed on Dec. 19, 2005, entitled AUTOMATED LEAN METHODS IN ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGY, Attorney Docket No. 310 / 003 / PPA, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The methods of the invention are directed generally to the field of anatomical pathology, more specifically to the art of tissue staining. Yet more particularly, the methods demonstrate a novel technique for enhancing workflow through the AP lab by better coordination of information management. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Traditional manufacturing processes often encompass single skilled operators, high work in process inventories, constant expediting, and production schedule shuffling. These features add limiting effects, such as inefficiency in output, manpower, high work in progress inventories, and assembly l...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of coordinating tissue sample information in a laboratory staining process, comprising the steps of identifying a tissue cassette comprising a tissue sample to be tested to a LIS-networked machine-vision system; transferring machine-readable identifying information associated with the tissue sample to the LIS; accessing test instructions for the tissue sample via the LIS, the test instructions determining the sections to be cut and the protocol...

Problems solved by technology

These features add limiting effects, such as inefficiency in output, manpower, high work in progress inventories, and assembly line operations.

Traditionally, IHC and Special Stains tissue staining was performed manually, and up to about 1991 with the advent of the 320 System from Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, Ariz., there was no alternative to the tedious manual staining process.

A fundamental issue remaining to be resolved is the lack of a complete information tracking solution for the entire tissue staining process.

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