Systems and methods for transporting slides

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for automated transfer of slides into and / or out of a slide basket. One of the slides is raised above other slides in the slide basket, and a suction member on a slide gripper contacts the raised slide. A vacuum is drawn in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the raised slide, and the slide gripper moves to withdraw the raised slide from the slot of the slide basket. The slide gripper moves the gripped slide to a slide processing module or other desired location.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING SLIDESCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 578,126, filed August 22, 2023, and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 582,753, filed September 14, 2023, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the preparation of slides for analysis, more particularly to automated transport of slides before and / or after one or more processing steps.BACKGROUND

[0003] In histology, pathology and related fields, a biological specimen such as cellular tissue is collected from a human or animal and then subjected to various processing steps in preparation for being examined by an analytical instrument such as a light microscope or electron microscope. Processing for a specimen on a slide may include paraffin removal, application of reagents or solvents, staining, and other steps. After processing, a coverslip is often applied to the specimen and slide.

[0004] For laboratory efficiency and patient safety, slides are often labeled with some form of readable information that may convey patient information and / or specimen processing instructions. Labels can be affixed to slides to facilitate laboratory practices such as specimen tracking, automation, and quality management. However the presence of labels on slides can make it more difficult to grip the slide and remove it from the slide basket, particularly when an automated system is used.

[0005] It is often convenient to insert microscope slides in slide baskets for storage, processing or transportation. For example, slide baskets have been used to immerse a set of slides into liquid baths simultaneously, and transport devices have been used to move such baskets to and from the baths or other processing stations.

[0006] There is still a need for improved ways of inserting and / or removing slides in a slide basket, including ways with greater speed and reliability, and without damaging the slides.SUMMARY

[0007] To address the foregoing problems, in whole or in part, and / or other problems that may have been observed by persons skilled in the art, the present disclosure provides methods, processes, systems, apparatus, instruments, and / or devices, as described by way of example in implementations set forth below.

[0008] As one aspect, an automated method is provided for transporting one or more slides held in a slide basket, the method comprises providing a slide basket having one or more slides held in slots of the slide basket; raising one of the slides above other of the slides in the slide basket to a raised height, resulting in a raised slide, a portion of the raised slide remains in the slot of the slide basket; contacting the raised slide with a suction member on a slide gripper; drawing a vacuum in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the raised slide; and moving the slide gripper to withdraw the raised slide from the slot of the slide basket.

[0009] As another aspect, an apparatus is provided for transporting a slide. The apparatus comprises a slide basket holder configured to hold a slide basket, wherein the slide basket is configured to hold one or more slides in slots of the slide basket, and the slide basket defines a basket opening that exposes bottom slide edges of the slides. The apparatus comprises a slideremover sized and positioned to pass through the basket opening and raise one of the slides above other of the slides in the slide basket to a raised height, resulting in a raised slide, wherein a portion of the raised slide remains in the slot of the slide basket. The apparatus comprises a slide gripper comprising a robotic arm and a suction member, and configured to move substantially horizontally toward the raised slide and substantially vertically away from the slide basket.

[0010] As another aspect, a method is provided for transporting a slide from a first location in an apparatus to a second location. The method comprises applying suction to a surface of the slide when the slide is in the first location so as to grip the slide, transporting the slide away from the first location to the second location, and reducing or stopping the suction so as to release the slide at the second location.

[0011] As another aspect, a slide processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a movable vacuum member configured to transport a slide from a first position to a second position. The movable vacuum member applies suction to a surface of the slide when the slide is in a first position so as to grip the slide, grips the slide, transports the slide away from the first location to the second location, and reduces or stops the suction so as to release the slide at the second location.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary slide suitable for use in the present methods and apparatus.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary slide basket suitable for use in the present methods and apparatus.

[0014] FIGs. 3A and 3B show an exemplary embodiment of a slide basket module for lifting a slide from a slide basket.

[0015] FIGs. 4A to 4D illustrate an automated method of transporting a slide from a slide basket to a slide processing module.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a closed slide funnel for use in the present methods and apparatus.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an open slide funnel for use in the present methods and apparatus.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the present slide transfer apparatus.

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present slide transfer apparatus.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Before the various embodiments are described, it is to be understood that the teachings of this disclosure are not limited to the particular embodiments described. Unless defined otherwise, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning as commonly understood by those working in the fields to which this disclosure pertain.

[0021] As used herein, the terms "approximately" and "about" mean to within an acceptable limit or amount to one having ordinary skill in the art. The term "about" generally refers to plus or minus 15% of the indicated number. For example, "about 10" may indicate a range of 8.5 to 11.5. For example, "approximately the same" means that one of ordinary skill in the art considers the items being compared to be the same. In the present disclosure, numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. Each smaller range between any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated rangeis also disclosed. Where a stated range includes limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the present disclosure.

[0022] As used herein, the terms "a," "an," and "the" include both singular and plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, "a fluid" includes one fluid and plural fluids. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and other ordinal numbers are used herein to distinguish different elements of the present systems and methods and are not intended to supply a numerical limit. Reference to first and second layers should not be interpreted to mean that the component only has two layers. A component having first and second elements can also include a third, a fourth, a fifth, and so on, unless otherwise indicated.

[0023] Generally, it is understood that the drawings and the various elements depicted therein are not drawn to scale. Further, relative terms, such as “above,” “below,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “vertical” and “horizontal,” are used to describe the various elements’ relationships to one another, as may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus and / or elements in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if a capillary processing module were inverted with respect to the view in the drawings, an element described as “above” another element, for example, would now be “below” that element. Likewise, if the device were rotated 90 degrees with respect to the view in the drawings, an element described as “vertical,” for example, would now be “horizontal.”

[0024] As used herein, a “slide” refers to any sample holder, support or substrate having at least one substantially flat surface for a biological or chemical sample. The slide can be a carrier, microscope slide, test tube, chip, array, or disk that can support at least one sample. A slidetypically has two major sides (also referred to as surfaces or faces) and four minor sides or (also referred to as edges). The major sides or surfaces typically have a long axis and a short axis, such as the long and short axis of a rectangular shape.

[0025] The terms “specimen” and “biological specimen” include, but are not limited to, tissue sections, tissue blocks, cells, cell layers, tissue arrays, cellular tissue, decellularized tissue, extracellular matrix (ECM), whole mounts, frozen sections, cell preps, cell suspensions, cytospins, touch preparations or preps, thin preparations or preps, and other biological materials or molecules including blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluids, pleural fluids, ascites fluids, biopsy materials, fine needle aspirates, pap smears, swabbed cells or tissues. Specimens can be collected from a human or animal, or they can be collected from other sources, such as specimens comprising bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, yeasts or protozoa. The term specimen and biological specimen are generally interchangeable in the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “tissue section” refers to a piece of tissue that has been obtained from a subject, fixed, sectioned, and mounted on a planar surface, e.g., a microscope slide.

[0026] A sample may be disposed on a slide in various ways. In some embodiments, the sample is a biological sample such as a layer or slice of tissue or cells. Frequently, the sample will be a tissue section or cell smear or pellet for histological analysis. A tissue or other sample may be preserved in formaldehyde or in an embedding medium such as paraffin. Samples in paraffin or other embedding medium may be subjected to steps such as deparaffmization, by which paraffin or other embedding medium overlaying and / or infiltrating the sample is removed.

[0027] As used herein, “automated” means a plurality of steps that are substantially executed by mechanical devices, computers and / or electronic controls or signals, though it does not exclude some human intervention steps such as manually replacing one of the describedfeatures or steps. As used herein, an automated slide transfer apparatus can also include an automated slide gripper, an automated slide remover, or other automated apparatus performing one or more steps described herein.

[0028] It will be understood that the term “in signal communication” as used herein means that two or more systems, devices, components, modules, or sub-modules are capable of communicating with each other via signals that travel over some type of signal path. The signals may be communication, power, data, or energy signals, which may communicate information, power, or energy from a first system, device, component, module, or sub-module to a second system, device, component, module, or sub-module along a signal path between the first and second system, device, component, module, or sub-module. The signal paths may include physical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrochemical, optical, wired, or wireless connections. The signal paths may also include additional systems, devices, components, modules, or sub-modules between the first and second system, device, component, module, or sub-module.

[0029] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present teachings, some exemplary methods and materials are now described.

[0030] The present disclosure provides improved methods and systems for preparing a covered specimen slide.

[0031] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary slide 102 suitable for use in the present methods and apparatus. Though slide 102 can have any desired shape or dimensions, in mostlaboratories and most instruments, slides 102 typically have a rectangular shape, with two slide surfaces 102a, two short slide edges 102b, and two long slide edges 102c. Slides 102 typically have characteristic lengths L, width W and thickness T. For purposes of description, FIG. 1 includes an illustrative L-W-T coordinate system in relation to slide 102. Exemplary slides include slides having a length Ls of 75 millimeters, a width Ws of 26 millimeters wide (e.g., 3 inches long by 1 inch wide) and a thickness Ts of one millimeter, although the slides may have any dimensions consistent with their intended use.

[0032] Slide 102 has a sample region 103 and a slide information region 104, though in other embodiments, the slides may have more than two regions or only one region. The slide 102 has a label 105 in slide information region 104 which can have a barcode and other information to facilitate identification of the slide by a technician or an automated system. In the sample region 103, the slide 102 has an embedded specimen 106 which comprises a biological specimen 108 in an embedding medium 107. The embedded specimen 106 has been mounted on slide surface 102a. A plurality of slides 102 having embedded specimens 106 can be loaded into a slide basket (as shown in FIG. 2) in a manual or automated process.

[0033] The biological specimen 108 may be subjected to various processing steps after it is acquired initially. For example, where the biological specimen 108 is a tissue from a tissue source, it may be subjected to processing steps such as fixing, dehydration, alcohol removal, paraffin infiltration / embedding, sectioning, or others. In general, providing the embedded specimen 106 includes positioning (placing or mounting) the embedded specimen 106 on a slide 102, such as by placing a tissue section in a water bath and drawing it onto the slide 102.

[0034] To facilitate storage and transport of slides, one or more slides are inserted in a slide basket. FIG. 2 shows an example of a slide basket 210 configured to hold a plurality of slides202. In this representative embodiment, slide basket 210 is a 20-slide basket. The slide basket 210 can have a slide basket handle 211 integral with the slide basket 210, or the slide basket handle 211 can lock on and off the slide basket 210. The slide basket handle 211 facilitates automated transport of the slide basket 210 from one station to another station. The slide basket handle 211 can be engaged by a robotic arm that moves the slide basket. In this embodiment, slide basket 210 includes opposing endwalls 213, 214 and opposing sidewalls 215, 216. Basket endwalls 213, 214 and basket sidewalls 215, 216 can be solid or can be formed by partial walls or frames, such as sidewall frames 215a, 215b, 215c. Slide basket 210 also includes basket support 220 to which basket endwalls 213, 214 are connected. Opposing endwalls 213, 214 and sidewalls 215, 216 and basket support 220 collectively define an interior volume of the slide basket 210 into which slides 102 may be positioned vertically lengthwise therein (a standing position). Basket support 220 comprises shelves 226 which support slides 202 and define a basket opening 221 through which slide edges 202b are exposed. Basket opening 221 exposes short slide edges 202b, but in some embodiments, the basket opening is configured to expose long slide edges, or to expose both short slide edges and long slide edges. Basket opening 221 has a width Wi that is less than the slide width Ws. The spacing between sidewall 215 and sidewall 216 is sufficient to accommodate the width of a slide 202 therein (for example, 25 mm (one inch)) with little excess space. In FIG. 2, sidewalls 215, 216 comprise top sidewall frames 215a, 216a middle sidewall frames 215b, 216b, and bottom sidewall frames 215c, 216c, though it is contemplated that a basket sidewall can comprise only top and bottom sidewall frames, or more than one middle sidewall frames.

[0035] In some embodiments, sidewalls 215, 216, or one or more or all of sidewall frames215a-216c have features configured to hold a slide in the slide basket. In FIG. 2, the slides 202are held in a vertical orientation in the slide basket 210. More particularly, the slides 202 are held such that the axis of its length LS is vertical oriented. In some embodiments, such features hold the slide in the basket such that the slide is maintained in a desired orientation (e.g., where slide surfaces are substantially vertical) and / or the slide does not contact adjacent slides in the basket, but such features do not restrain the slide from being inserted or removed from the slide basket. As an example of features configured to hold a slide, slide basket 210 in FIG. 2 has a pattern of a protrusions along their length (z-dimension) which define slots between them. Protrusions and slots are aligned on each side of slide basket. In other embodiments, the features comprise a series of recesses in the sidewalls or in one or more or all of sidewall frames. Slots or recesses for holding the slides can have a dimension substantially the same size as slide thickness Ts or, in some embodiments, within 0.1 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, or 1 mm of Ts. FIG. 2 shows basket 210 including slot 222b and protrusion 223b in sidewall frame 215b. Similar slots and protrusions are disposed in sidewall frames 215a, 215c as well, and aligned protrusions and slots are also present (but not visible in FIG. 2) on sidewall frames 216a, 216b, 216c. Basket support 220 of the slide basket 210 includes opposing support shelves 226 along a length dimension (z-dimension) with each shelf 226 having a size sufficient to support the slide while defining an basket opening 221 (e.g., up to a few millimeters), on which a slide can contact when the slide is positioned in slide basket 210. Each shelf 226 also includes slots 227 and protrusions 228 aligned with protrusions and slots in sidewall frames 215a-216c. Protrusions 228 can project upward into the interior volume of slide basket 210. Protrusions 223 may serve to keep the plurality of slides 202 contained in the slide basket 210 separated at a basket support 220 of slide basket 210. In some embodiments, shelf 226 comprises teeth on a side opposite an interiorvolume of slide basket 210 and protrusions 228. Exterior teeth can be used to interact with a track to move slide basket 210 into and out of various devices.

[0036] FIGs. 3A and 3B show the slide basket 310 and a slide remover 330. The slides 302 are held vertically in the slide basket 310 with their labels 305 at the top. The slide remover 330 is sized so that it can engage the short edge of a single slide 302’ and push it upward and out of the slide basket 310. Slides 302 with specimens 306 can be removed from slide basket 310 and transferred to a support, stage or module for processing. The support may be part of a capillary processing module, a solvent exchange module and / or a coverslipping module. In some embodiments, the slide is moved to a solvent exchange module and / or a coverslipping module. Examples of such modules are disclosed in Andersen et al. WO 2021 / 252916 Al, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0037] FIGs. 4 A to 4D illustrate embodiments of the present methods and apparatus for automated transport of one or more slides held in a slide basket. An apparatus comprises a slide basket holder (see FIGs. 7 and 8) configured to hold a slide basket 410, which is configured to hold one or more slides 402 in its slots. The slides 402 can be substantially vertical when held in the slots of the slide basket 410, alternatively, in some embodiments, the slides can be held in the slide basket at an angle between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees (90 degrees + / - 20 degrees) relative to a plane of basket supports 420.

[0038] The slide basket 410 defines a basket opening that exposes bottom slide edges of the slides 402. For example, the slide basket 410 can have one or more basket supports 420 configured to contact a bottom slide edge of the slides 402 while defining a basket opening that exposes the bottom slide edge. As a further example, the basket supports 420 can be configuredto support slides 402 having a width Ws, and the basket opening defined by the basket supports can have a width from 1% to 10% less than Ws.

[0039] FIGs. 4A to 4D illustrate an automated method of transporting a slide 402 from a slide basket 410 to a slide processing module 450. One of the slides 402’ held in a slide basket 410 is raised above the other slides 402 in the slide basket to a raised height. In some embodiments, the slide is raised using a slide remover 330 as illustrated in FIGs. 3A and 3B. At the raised height, a portion of the raised slide 402’ remains in the slot of the slide basket, which provides stability and support to the slide 402’. A slide gripper 440 approaches the raised slide 402’ horizontally, at a desired speed and force. A slide remover passes through the basket opening and raise one of the slides above other of the slides in the slide basket to a raised height, resulting in a raised slide, wherein a portion of the raised slide remains in the slot of the slide basket. A slide gripper 440 comprises a robotic arm 442 and a suction member, such as a suction cup 444, and is configured to move substantially horizontally toward the raised slide 402 and substantially vertically away from the slide basket 410 (shown in FIG. 4A). The robotic arm 442 can be moved at an approach speed that avoids or reduces risk of damaging the slide, for instance about 13.75 mm / sec. A suction cup 444 on the slide gripper 440 contacts the raised slide 402’ in a manner so that a seal can be formed but without breaking or damaging the slide 402’ (shown in FIG. 4B). A vacuum is drawn in the suction cup 444. The vacuum should be sufficient for the suction cup 444 to grip the raised slide 402’. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a suction device (such as a vacuum pump 446) fluidically connected (such as through a conduit 447) to the suction cup 444 of the slide gripper 440. The slide gripper 440 is configured to move substantially vertically away from the slide basket 410 so that it can withdraw the raised slide402’ from the slot of the slide basket 410.

[0040] After raising slide 402’ away from the slide basket 410 and other slides 402 therein, the slide gripper 440 then moves the gripped slide 402’ to a desired location. For example, the slide gripper 440 can move the gripped slide 402’ in an X- and / or Y-direction relative to the slide basket 410 and / or it can rotate the gripped slide 402’ to a desired orientation (as shown in FIG. 4C). In some embodiments, the slide gripper 440 is moved so as to transport the gripped slide 402’ from the slide basket to a slide processing module 450 (as shown in FIG. 4D), which may be in a housing that also contains the slide gripper 440. In some embodiments, , the slide processing module 450 is a capillary processing module. Examples of capillary processing modules are disclosed in Johannsen et al. WO 2021 / 239761 Al, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The slide processing module 450 can have a chamber configured to contain a slide in a substantially horizontal orientation, alternatively, in some embodiments, at an angle up to about 10 degrees relative to a base of the housing. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the slide gripper 440 to rotate the gripped slide 402’ to an orientation substantially parallel to a chamber floor 452 of the slide processing module 450. The gripped slide 402’ can be aligned over the chamber, and the vacuum drawn in the suction cup 444 can be reduced or stopped so that the gripped slide 402’ drops onto the chamber floor 452 of the slide processing module 450. In some embodiments, the gripped slide 402’ is positioned from about 0 mm to about 10 mm above the chamber floor 452 before dropping the gripped slide 402’ into the chamber.

[0041] In some embodiments, each of the slides 402 has first and second major slide surfaces 402a, 402d. As shown in FIG. 4B, the second major surface 402d is on the opposite side of the first major surface 402a. The first and second major surfaces extend over a length of the slide 402. The raised slide 402’ has a sample region and / or a slide information region on the firstmajor slide surface 402a, and the suction cup 444 contacts the second major slide 402d surface of the raised slide 402’. The raised slide can have a label adhered to the slide information region, such as by being affixed to the first major slide surface 402a. The apparatus can be configured so that the slide gripper 440 does not contact the label. In some embodiments, the slide gripper 440 only contacts the second major slide surface 402d without contacting the first major slide surface 402a. The raised slide can have a specimen on the sample region.

[0042] The present method can comprise one or more additional steps. In some embodiments, the method further comprises inserting one or more slides 402 into the slots of the slide basket 410, either manually or automatedly. In some embodiments, the method further comprises moving the slide basket into the housing which contains the slide gripper and the slide processing module. In some embodiments, the method further comprises performing one or more processing steps on the slide in the slide processing module, resulting in a processed slide. In some embodiments, the method further comprises one or more steps for removing the processed slide from the slide processing module 450, either manually or automatedly. For instance, the slide gripper 440 can be used to remove the processed slide. After processing, the suction cup 444 on the slide gripper 440 contacts the processed slide, and a vacuum is drawn in the suction cup 444 sufficient to grip the processed slide 402’ . The slide gripper 440 moves to withdraw the processed slide 402’ from the slide processing module 450. The slide gripper 440 can transport the processed slide 402’ to any desired location inside or outside the housing. For example, the processed slide 402’ can be transported from the slide processing module 450 to a slide basket, which can be the same slide basket 410 as the one in which the slides 402 were originally provided, or it can be a different slide basket for collecting processed slides.

[0043] To facilitate insertion of slides 402 into a slide basket 410 (either before or after processing), the present apparatus and methods can also use a slide funnel to align a gripped slide 402’ with one of the slots of a slide basket 410. A slide funnel has a width and a depth for aligning a gripped slide with one of the slots of the slide basked. FIG. 5 illustrates a closed slide funnel 560, in which a slide is captured on four sides. FIG. 6 illustrates an open slide funnel 660, having an open front for a major slide surface. In some embodiments, a slide is placed in a slide funnel and partly inserted into the slide basket before releasing the slide from the suction member. Different placement techniques can be used when inserting a slide into the slide basket via a slide funnel. For the closed slide funnel 560, a slide can be partially placed into the slide funnel, it is then released and free falls into the intended slot of the slide basket. For the open slide funnel 660, the slide is placed into the slide funnel and pulled against the back surface 662 of the slide funnel 660 with the slide gripper. The slide is then dragged down the back surface 662 until it is partially inside the intended slot of the slide basket and then released.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present slide transfer apparatus. A processed slide 702’ is transported to a slide basket 710 by slide gripper 740. The slide basket 710 is held by slide basket holder 712. The slide basket holder 712 is configured for movement so that the slide basket 710 can be positioned under a closed slide funnel 760. The robotic arm 742 moves the slide 702’ and places it into top opening of slide funnel 760. In FIG. 7, the robotic arm 742 of the slide gripper 740 is attached to a gantry, either directly or through another device such as a block 736. The block 736 can also be attached to a pipettor 738, so that the gantry can move the robotic arm 742 and the pipettor 738 over one or more slide processing modules or to other desired locations within a housing.

[0045] FIG. 7 also shows a slide remover 730 which can engage the short edge of a single slide 702 and push it upward and out of the slide basket 710. The slide basket holder 712 can move the slide basket 710 substantially horizontally with respect to the slide remover 730, positioning the slide basket 710 so that only the selected one of the slides is engaged by the slide remover 730.

[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present slide transfer apparatus. A processed slide 802’ is transported to a slide basket 810 by slide gripper 840. The slide basket 810 is held by slide basket holder 812. The slide basket holder 812 positions the slide basket 810 under an open slide funnel 860. The slide 802’ is placed into the slide funnel 860 and pulled against the back surface with the slide gripper 840. FIG. 8 also shows a slide remover 830 which can engage the short edge of a single slide 802 and push it upward and out of the slide basket 810. The open slide funnel 860 has a geometry that allows the slide gripper 840 to lower the slide 802’ enough for it to be passed a lower horizontal rib 814 of the slide basket 810 prior to release, ensuring that the slide 802’ drops completely into the slide basket 810.

[0047] The present apparatus can comprise one or more holders for a slide basket, such as two brackets extending in a substantially perpendicular direction. The brackets can be engaged by a user or by a robotic arm in order to move the slide basket from a loading location to an unloading location.

[0048] The suction member body is preferably generally arcuate or circular and defines a concavity. Typically, the stem is integrally formed on the body and used as the place of attachment for the object to be supported by the suction member device. At least the body of the suction member is made of rubber, plastic or other material having sufficiently elastically resilient properties such that, when the body is pressed against a smooth and hard target surface,the volume of concavity is reduced, thereby forcing air to be expelled so that the suction member body forms an air-tight seal against the smooth and hard target surface. A central portion of the suction member body is drawn away from the target surface to increase the volume of the concavity and forming a vacuum therein. Atmospheric pressure outside the body retains the suction member body against the target surface. When the air-tight seal is broken, air rushes into the concavity, releasing the vacuum and the suction attachment to the surface. Whereupon the elastically resilient material of the suction member body returns to its relaxed condition. Typically, the resilient suction member can be repeatedly reused. For example, the suction member may be formed from a shape that defines a cavity. In some embodiments, the suction member may have a hemispherical or a conical shape. Additionally, or alternatively, the suction member may be formed of rubber having a hardness of from about 30 to about 60 Shore A, alternatively from about 35 to about 45 Shore A, alternatively about 40A.

[0049] In some embodiments, the present systems comprise a storage unit for slide baskets. For instance, the systems may comprise input and output storage for one, two three, four, five or more slide baskets.

[0050] In some embodiments, the present systems are employed to retrieve a slide from a slide basket, process the slide as desired, and return the slide to the same slide basket. By way of example, the processing can an comprise first performing solvent exchange, then coverslipping, then returning the slide to the slide basket from which it was retrieved. This simplifies the instrument, since there is no need for a new slide basket to receive slides which have been processed, thus resulting in less handling of slide baskets and reducing basket handling inside the instrument. For example, in some embodiments, baskets are loaded in water and removed from the water when slide processing starts.

[0051] It should be appreciated that one or more portions of the present methods and apparatus may be automated rather than performed by a user. In some embodiments, the slide transfer apparatus further comprises one or more controllers in signal communication with (by wired or wireless means) the slide gripper or a part thereof, such as a robotic arm or a suction device. The one or more controllers comprise, or are configured to receive and implement, one or more software programs for moving the slide gripper between one or more of the slide processing modules and the slide basket. The controller may be, for example, a desktop computer, laptop computer, portable computer, tablet computer, handheld computer, mobile computing device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, etc., and may include one or more types of hardware (e.g., electronic-based processors, memories, user input peripherals, user output peripherals, etc.), firmware, and / or software.

[0052] The slide transfer apparatus may also include other electronics (not shown) configured for controlling the transfer procedure. The electronics of the slide transfer apparatus may be arranged in a console on a chamber, or in a separate console.EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Exemplary embodiments provided in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0054] Embodiment 1. An automated method of transporting one or more slides held in a slide basket, the method comprising: providing a slide basket having one or more slides held in slots of the slide basket; raising one of said slides above other of said slides in the slide basket to a raised height, resulting in a raised slide, wherein a portion of the raised slide remains in the slot of the slide basket; contacting the raised slide with a suction member on a slide gripper; drawinga vacuum in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the raised slide; and moving the slide gripper to withdraw the raised slide from the slot of the slide basket.

[0055] Embodiment 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the suction member is a suction cup.

[0056] Embodiment 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein said slides have first and second major slide surfaces, and the raised slide has a sample region and / or a slide information region on the first major slide surface, and the suction member contacts the second major slide surface of the raised slide.

[0057] Embodiment 4. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the raised slide has a label adhered to the slide information region.

[0058] Embodiment 5. The method of embodiment 4, wherein the label is affixed to the first major slide surface.

[0059] Embodiment 6. The method of embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the slide gripper does not contact the label.

[0060] Embodiment 7. The method of any of embodiments 3 to 6, wherein the slide gripper only contacts the second major slide surface without contacting the first major slide surface.

[0061] Embodiment 8. The method according to any of embodiments 3 to 7, wherein the raised slide has a specimen on the sample region.

[0062] Embodiment 9. The method according to any of embodiments 3 to 8, wherein the second major surface is on the opposite side of the first major surface, and the first and second major surfaces extend over a length of the slide.

[0063] Embodiment 10. The method of any of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the slides are substantially vertical when held in the slots of the slide basket.

[0064] Embodiment 11. The method of any of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the slide basket has one or more basket supports configured to contact a bottom slide edge of the slides while defining a basket opening that exposes the bottom slide edge.

[0065] Embodiment The method of embodiment 11, wherein the basket supports are configured to support slides having a width Ws, and the basket opening defined by the basket supports has a width from 1% to 10% less than Ws.

[0066] Embodiment 13. The method of embodiment 10, wherein the slides are held in the slide basket at an angle between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees relative to a plane of the basket supports.

[0067] Embodiment 14. The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 13, further comprising inserting said one or more slides into the slots of the slide basket.

[0068] Embodiment 15. The method of any of embodiments 1 to 14, further comprising moving the slide basket into a housing containing the slide gripper and one or more slide processing modules, and moving the slide gripper to transport the gripped slide from the slide basket to one of said slide processing modules.

[0069] Embodiment 16. The method of embodiment 15, wherein said slide processing module comprises a chamber configured to contain a slide in a substantially horizontal orientation or at an angle up to about 10 degrees relative to a base of the housing, and the method further comprises: rotating the gripped slide to an orientation substantially parallel to a chamber floor of the chamber; aligning the gripped slide over the chamber; and reducing or stopping thevacuum drawn in the suction member so that the gripped slide drops onto the chamber floor of the slide processing module.

[0070] Embodiment 17. The method of embodiment 16, further comprising positioning the gripped slide from about 0 mm to about 10 mm above the chamber floor before dropping the gripped slide into the chamber.

[0071] Embodiment 18. The method according to any of embodiments 15 to 17, further comprising performing one or more processing steps on the slide in the slide processing module, resulting in a processed slide.

[0072] Embodiment 19. The method of embodiment 18, further comprising: contacting the processed slide with the suction member on the slide gripper; drawing a vacuum in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the processed slide; and moving the slide gripper to withdraw the processed slide from the slide processing module.

[0073] Embodiment 20. The method of embodiment 19, further comprising transporting the processed slide from the slide processing module to a slide basket, wherein said slide basket is the same or different as the slide basket in which said slides were originally provided.

[0074] Embodiment 21. The method of embodiment 20, further comprising positioning a slide funnel to align the gripped slide with one of the slots of the basket.

[0075] Embodiment 22. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the slide funnel is a closed funnel having four walls defining the funnel.

[0076] Embodiment 23. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the slide funnel is an open funnel having two or three walls defining the funnel.

[0077] Embodiment 24. The method of embodiment 22 or 23, further comprising placing the slide in the funnel and partly into the basket before releasing the slide from the vacuum.

[0078] Embodiment 25. An apparatus comprising: a slide basket holder configured to hold a slide basket, wherein the slide basket is configured to hold one or more slides in slots of the slide basket, and the slide basket defines a basket opening that exposes bottom slide edges of the slides; a slide remover sized and positioned to pass through the basket opening and raise one of said slides above other of said slides in the slide basket to a raised height, resulting in a raised slide, wherein a portion of the raised slide remains in the slot of the slide basket; and a slide gripper comprising a robotic arm and a suction member, and configured to move substantially horizontally toward the raised slide and substantially vertically away from the slide basket.

[0079] Embodiment 26. The apparatus of embodiment 25, wherein the suction member is a suction cup.

[0080] Embodiment 27. The apparatus of embodiment 25 or 26, further comprising a suction device fluidically connected to the suction member of the slide gripper.

[0081] Embodiment 28. The apparatus of embodiment 27, wherein the suction device is a vacuum pump.

[0082] Embodiment 29. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 25 to 28, wherein the suction member has a hardness of from about 30 Shore A to about 60 Shore A.

[0083] Embodiment 30. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 25 to 29, wherein the suction member comprises a cup area having a diameter of about 15 mm.

[0084] Embodiment 31. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 25 to 30, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more slide processing modules, and the slide gripper is configured to transport a gripped slide to one of said slide processing modules.

[0085] Embodiment 32. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 25 to 31, further comprising one or more controllers in communication with to the slide gripper.

[0086] Embodiment 33. The apparatus according to embodiment 32, wherein the one or more controllers comprise, or are configured to receive and implement, one or more software programs for moving the slide gripper between one or more of the slide processing modules and the slide basket.

[0087] Embodiment 34. The apparatus of any of embodiments 31 to 33, further comprising a pipettor for dispensing fluids to said slide processing modules.

[0088] Embodiment 35. The apparatus of embodiment 34, wherein the robotic arm of the slide gripper attached to the pipettor.

[0089] Embodiment 36. The apparatus of embodiment 35, wherein the robotic arm and the pipettor are attached to a gantry configured for moving the robotic arm and the pipettor over each of said one or more slide processing modules.

[0090] Embodiment 37. The apparatus of any of embodiments 25 to 36, further comprising a housing containing the slide gripper and said one or more slide processing modules.

[0091] Embodiment 38. The apparatus of any of embodiments 25 to 37, further comprising a slide funnel having a width and a depth for aligning the gripped slide with one of the slots.

[0092] Embodiment 39. The apparatus of embodiment 37, wherein the slide funnel is a closed funnel having four walls defining the funnel.

[0093] Embodiment 40. The apparatus of embodiment 39, wherein the slide funnel is an open funnel having two or three walls defining the funnel.

[0094] Embodiment 41. A method of transporting a slide from a first location in an apparatus to a second location in said apparatus comprising: applying suction to a surface of said slide when said slide is in said first location so as to grip said slide, transporting said slide awayfrom said first location to said second location, and reducing or stopping said suction so as to release said slide at said second location.

[0095] Embodiment 42. The method of embodiment 41, wherein said slide has first and second major slide surfaces, and the slide has a sample region and / or a slide information region on the first major slide surface, and the suction is applied to the second major slide surface of the slide.

[0096] Embodiment 43. The method of embodiment 42, wherein the slide has a label adhered to the slide information region.

[0097] Embodiment 44. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the label is affixed to the first major slide surface.

[0098] Embodiment 45. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the suction is not applied to the label.

[0099] Embodiment 46. The method of any of embodiments 42 to 45, wherein the suction is only applied to the second major slide surface without contacting the first major slide surface.

[0100] Embodiment 47. The method according to any of embodiments 42 to 46, wherein the slide has a specimen on the sample region.

[0101] Embodiment 48. The method according to any of embodiments 42 to 47, wherein the second major surface is on the opposite side of the first major surface, and the first and second major surfaces extend over a length of the slide.

[0102] Embodiment 49. The method of any of embodiments 41 to 48, wherein the slides are substantially vertical when held in slots of a slide basket.

[0103] Embodiment 50. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the slide basket has one or more basket supports configured to contact a bottom slide edge of the slide while defining a basket opening that exposes the bottom slide edge.

[0104] Embodiment 51. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the basket supports are configured to support slides having a width Ws, and the basket opening defined by the basket supports has a width from 1% to 10% less than Ws.

[0105] Embodiment 52. The method of embodiment 50, wherein the slide is held in the slide basket at an angle between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees relative to a plane of the basket supports.

[0106] Embodiment 53. The method according to any of embodiments 41 to 52, further comprising inserting said slide into the slots of the slide basket.

[0107] Embodiment 54. The method of any of embodiments 41 to 53, further comprising moving the slide basket into a housing containing a slide gripper and one or more slide processing modules, and moving the slide gripper to transport a gripped slide from the slide basket to one of said slide processing modules.

[0108] Embodiment 55. The method of embodiment 54, wherein said slide processing module comprises a chamber configured to contain a slide in a substantially horizontal orientation or at an angle up to about 10 degrees relative to a base of the housing, and the method further comprises: rotating the gripped slide to an orientation substantially parallel to a chamber floor of the chamber; aligning the gripped slide over the chamber; and reducing or stopping the vacuum drawn in a suction member so that the gripped slide drops onto the chamber floor of the slide processing module.

[0109] Embodiment 56. The method of embodiment 55, further comprising positioning the gripped slide from about 0 mm to about 10 mm above the chamber floor before dropping the gripped slide into the chamber.

[0110] Embodiment 57. The method according to any of embodiments 54 to 56, further comprising performing one or more processing steps on the slide in the slide processing module, resulting in a processed slide.

[0111] Embodiment 58. The method of embodiment 57, further comprising: contacting the processed slide with the suction member on the slide gripper; drawing a vacuum in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the processed slide; and moving the slide gripper to withdraw the processed slide from the slide processing module.

[0112] Embodiment 59. The method of embodiment 58, further comprising transporting the processed slide from the slide processing module to a slide basket, wherein said slide basket is the same or different as the slide basket in which said slides were originally provided.

[0113] Embodiment 60. The method of embodiment 59, further comprising positioning a slide funnel to align the gripped slide with one of the slots of the basket.

[0114] Embodiment 61. The method of embodiment 60, wherein the slide funnel is a closed funnel having four walls defining the funnel.

[0115] Embodiment 62. The method of embodiment 60, wherein the slide funnel is an open funnel having two or three walls defining the funnel.

[0116] Embodiment 63. The method of embodiment 61 or 62, further comprising placing the slide in the funnel and partly into the basket before releasing the slide from the vacuum.

[0117] Embodiment 64. A slide processing apparatus comprising: a movable vacuum member configured to transport a slide from a first position to a second position by applyingsuction to a surface of said slide when said slide is in a first position so as to grip said slide, transporting said slide away from said first location to said second location, and reducing or stopping said suction so as to release said slide at said second location.

[0118] Embodiment 65. The apparatus of embodiment 64, further comprising a suction device fluidically connected to the movable vacuum member.

[0119] Embodiment 66. The apparatus of embodiment 65, wherein the suction device is a vacuum pump.

[0120] Embodiment 67. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64 to 66, wherein the movable vacuum member comprises a suction cup.

[0121] Embodiment 68. The apparatus according to embodiment 67, wherein the suction cup has a hardness of from about 30 Shore A to about 60 Shore A.

[0122] Embodiment 69. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 64 to 68, wherein the suction member comprises a cup area having a diameter of about 15 mm.

[0123] Embodiment 70. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 64 to 69, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more slide processing modules, and the movable vacuum member is configured to transport a gripped slide to one of said slide processing modules.

[0124] Embodiment 71. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 64 to 70, further comprising one or more controllers in communication with to the movable vacuum member.

[0125] Embodiment 72. The apparatus according to embodiment 71, wherein the one or more controllers comprise, or are configured to receive and implement, one or more software programs for moving the movable vacuum member between one or more of the slide processing modules and the slide basket.

[0126] Embodiment 73. The apparatus of any of embodiments 70 to 72, further comprising a pipettor for dispensing fluids to said slide processing modules.

[0127] Embodiment 74. The apparatus of embodiment 73, wherein the robotic arm of the movable vacuum member attached to the pipettor.

[0128] Embodiment 75. The apparatus of embodiment 741, wherein the robotic arm and the pipettor are attached to a gantry configured for moving the robotic arm and the pipettor over each of said one or more slide processing modules.

[0129] Embodiment 76. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64 to 75, further comprising a housing containing the slide gripper and said one or more slide processing modules.

[0130] Embodiment 77. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64 to 76, further comprising a slide funnel having a width and a depth for aligning the gripped slide with one of the slots.

[0131] Embodiment 78. The apparatus of embodiment 77, wherein the slide funnel is a closed funnel having four walls defining the funnel.

[0132] Embodiment 79. The apparatus of embodiment 77, wherein the slide funnel is an open funnel having two or three walls defining the funnel.

[0133] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The defined terms are in addition to the technical and scientific meanings of the defined terms as commonly understood and accepted in the technical field of the present teachings.REFERENCES

[0134] All patents and publications referred to herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0135] US7758809B2

[0136] US7875245B2

[0137] US9164013B2

[0138] US20050186114A1

[0139] US20120149050A1

[0140] US20140178169A1

[0141] US20150323776A1

[0142] US20180059395A1

[0143] US20200309800A1

[0144] In view of this disclosure it is noted that the methods and apparatus can be implemented in keeping with the present teachings. Further, the various components, materials, structures and parameters are included by way of illustration and example only and not in any limiting sense. In view of this disclosure, the present teachings can be implemented in other applications and components, materials, structures and equipment to implement these applications can be determined, while remaining within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. An automated method of transporting one or more slides held in a slide basket, the method comprising: providing a slide basket having one or more slides held in slots of the slide basket; raising one of said slides above other of said slides in the slide basket to a raised height, resulting in a raised slide, wherein a portion of the raised slide remains in the slot of the slide basket; contacting the raised slide with a suction member on a slide gripper; drawing a vacuum in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the raised slide; and moving the slide gripper to withdraw the raised slide from the slot of the slide basket.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the suction member is a suction cup.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein said slides have first and second major slide surfaces, and the raised slide has a sample region and / or a slide information region on the first major slide surface, and the suction member contacts the second major slide surface of the raised slide.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the raised slide has a label adhered to the slide information region.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the label is affixed to the first major slide surface.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein the slide gripper does not contact the label.

7. The method of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the slide gripper only contacts the second major slide surface without contacting the first major slide surface.

8. The method according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the raised slide has a specimen on the sample region.

9. The method according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the second major surface is on the opposite side of the first major surface, and the first and second major surfaces extend over a length of the slide.

10. The method of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the slides are substantially vertical when held in the slots of the slide basket.

11. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the slide basket has one or more basket supports configured to contact a bottom slide edge of the slides while defining a basket opening that exposes the bottom slide edge.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the basket supports are configured to support slides having a width Ws, and the basket opening defined by the basket supports has a width from 1% to 10% less than Ws.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the slides are held in the slide basket at an angle between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees relative to a plane of the basket supports.

14. The method according to any of claims 1 to 13, further comprising inserting said one or more slides into the slots of the slide basket.

15. The method of any of claims 1 to 14, further comprising moving the slide basket into a housing containing the slide gripper and one or more slide processing modules, and moving the slide gripper to transport the gripped slide from the slide basket to one of said slide processing modules.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said slide processing module comprises a chamber configured to contain a slide in a substantially horizontal orientation or at an angle up to about 10 degrees relative to a base of the housing, and the method further comprises: rotating the gripped slide to an orientation substantially parallel to a chamber floor of the chamber; aligning the gripped slide over the chamber; andreducing or stopping the vacuum drawn in the suction member so that the gripped slide drops onto the chamber floor of the slide processing module.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning the gripped slide from about 0 mm to about 10 mm above the chamber floor before dropping the gripped slide into the chamber.

18. The method according to any of claims 15 to 17, further comprising performing one or more processing steps on the slide in the slide processing module, resulting in a processed slide.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: contacting the processed slide with the suction member on the slide gripper; drawing a vacuum in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the processed slide; and moving the slide gripper to withdraw the processed slide from the slide processing module.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising transporting the processed slide from the slide processing module to a slide basket, wherein said slide basket is the same or different as the slide basket in which said slides were originally provided.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising positioning a slide funnel to align the gripped slide with one of the slots of the basket.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the slide funnel is a closed funnel having four walls defining the funnel.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the slide funnel is an open funnel having two or three walls defining the funnel.

24. The method of claim 22 or 23, further comprising placing the slide in the funnel and partly into the basket before releasing the slide from the vacuum.

25. An apparatus comprising: a slide basket holder configured to hold a slide basket, wherein the slide basket is configured to hold one or more slides in slots of the slide basket, and the slide basket defines a basket opening that exposes bottom slide edges of the slides; a slide remover sized and positioned to pass through the basket opening and raise one of said slides above other of said slides in the slide basket to a raised height, resulting in a raised slide, wherein a portion of the raised slide remains in the slot of the slide basket; and a slide gripper comprising a robotic arm and a suction member, and configured to move substantially horizontally toward the raised slide and substantially vertically away from the slide basket.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the suction member is a suction cup.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 or 26, further comprising a suction device fluidically connected to the suction member of the slide gripper.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the suction device is a vacuum pump.

29. The apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the suction member has a hardness of from about 30 Shore A to about 60 Shore A.

30. The apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 29, wherein the suction member comprises a cup area having a diameter of about 15 mm.

31. The apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 30, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more slide processing modules, and the slide gripper is configured to transport a gripped slide to one of said slide procesing modules.

32. The apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 31, further comprising one or more controllers in communication with to the slide gripper.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the one or more controllers comprise, or are configured to receive and implement, one or more software programs formoving the slide gripper between one or more of the slide processing modules and the slide basket.

34. The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 33, further comprising a pipettor for dispensing fluids to said slide processing modules.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the robotic arm of the slide gripper attached to the pipettor.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the robotic arm and the pipettor are attached to a gantry configured for moving the robotic arm and the pipettor over each of said one or more slide processing modules.

37. The apparatus of any of claims 25 to 36, further comprising a housing containing the slide gripper and said one or more slide processing modules.

38. The apparatus of any of claims 25 to 37, further comprising a slide funnel having a width and a depth for aligning the gripped slide with one of the slots.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the slide funnel is a closed funnel having four walls defining the funnel.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the slide funnel is an open funnel having two or three walls defining the funnel.

41. A method of transporting a slide from a first location in an apparatus to a second location in said apparatus comprising: applying suction to a surface of said slide when said slide is in said first location so as to grip said slide, transporting said slide away from said first location to said second location, and reducing or stopping said suction so as to release said slide at said second location.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said slide has first and second major slide surfaces, and the slide has a sample region and / or a slide information region on the first major slide surface, and the suction is applied to the second major slide surface of the slide.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the slide has a label adhered to the slide information region.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the label is affixed to the first major slide surface.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the suction is not applied to the label.

46. The method of any of claims 42 to 45, wherein the suction is only applied to the second major slide surface without contacting the first major slide surface.

47. The method according to any of claims 42 to 46, wherein the slide has a specimen on the sample region.

48. The method according to any of claims 42 to 47, wherein the second major surface is on the opposite side of the first major surface, and the first and second major surfaces extend over a length of the slide.

49. The method of any of claims 41 to 48, wherein the slides are substantially vertical when held in slots of a slide basket.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the slide basket has one or more basket supports configured to contact a bottom slide edge of the slide while defining a basket opening that exposes the bottom slide edge.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the basket supports are configured to support slides having a width Ws, and the basket opening defined by the basket supports has a width from 1% to 10% less than Ws.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the slide is held in the slide basket at an angle between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees relative to a plane of the basket supports.

53. The method according to any of claims 41 to 52, further comprising inserting said slide into the slots of the slide basket.

54. The method of any of claims 41 to 53, further comprising moving the slide basket into a housing containing a slide gripper and one or more slide processing modules, and moving the slide gripper to transport a gripped slide from the slide basket to one of said slide processing modules.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said slide processing module comprises a chamber configured to contain a slide in a substantially horizontal orientation or at an angle up to about 10 degrees relative to a base of the housing, and the method further comprises: rotating the gripped slide to an orientation substantially parallel to a chamber floor of the chamber; aligning the gripped slide over the chamber; and reducing or stopping the vacuum drawn in a suction member so that the gripped slide drops onto the chamber floor of the slide processing module.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising positioning the gripped slide from about 0 mm to about 10 mm above the chamber floor before dropping the gripped slide into the chamber.

57. The method according to any of claims 54 to 56, further comprising performing one or more processing steps on the slide in the slide processing module, resulting in a processed slide.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising: contacting the processed slide with the suction member on the slide gripper; drawing a vacuum in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the processed slide; and moving the slide gripper to withdraw the processed slide from the slide processing module.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising transporting the processed slide from the slide processing module to a slide basket, wherein said slide basket is the same or different as the slide basket in which said slides were originally provided.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising positioning a slide funnel to align the gripped slide with one of the slots of the basket.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the slide funnel is a closed funnel having four walls defining the funnel.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the slide funnel is an open funnel having two or three walls defining the funnel.

63. The method of claim 61 or 62, further comprising placing the slide in the funnel and partly into the basket before releasing the slide from the vacuum.

64. A slide processing apparatus comprising: a movable vacuum member configured to transport a slide from a first position to a second position by applying suction to a surface of said slide when said slide is in a first position so as to grip said slide, transporting said slide away from said first location to said second location, and reducing or stopping said suction so as to release said slide at said second location.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising a suction device fluidically connected to the movable vacuum member.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the suction device is a vacuum pump.

67. The apparatus of any of claims 64 to 66, wherein the movable vacuum member comprises a suction cup.

68. The apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the suction cup has a hardness of from about 30 Shore A to about 60 Shore A.

69. The apparatus according to any of claims 64 to 68, wherein the suction member comprises a cup area having a diameter of about 15 mm.

70. The apparatus according to any of claims 64 to 69, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more slide processing modules, and the movable vacuum member is configured to transport a gripped slide to one of said slide processing modules.

71. The apparatus according to any of claims 64 to 70, further comprising one or more controllers in communication with to the movable vacuum member.

72. The apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the one or more controllers comprise, or are configured to receive and implement, one or more software programs for moving the movable vacuum member between one or more of the slide processing modules and the slide basket.

73. The apparatus of any of claims 70 to 72, further comprising a pipettor for dispensing fluids to said slide processing modules.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the robotic arm of the movable vacuum member attached to the pipettor.

75. The apparatus of claim 741, wherein the robotic arm and the pipettor are attached to a gantry configured for moving the robotic arm and the pipettor over each of said one or more slide processing modules.

76. The apparatus of any of claims 64 to 75, further comprising a housing containing the slide gripper and said one or more slide processing modules.

77. The apparatus of any of claims 64 to 76, further comprising a slide funnel having a width and a depth for aligning the gripped slide with one of the slots.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the slide funnel is a closed funnel having four walls defining the funnel.

79. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the slide funnel is an open funnel having two or three walls defining the funnel.

Images