Sample treatment device

Abstract

Provided is a sample treatment device capable of automatically preventing drying or evaporation of a sample even if the sample is left for an extended period of time after staining treatment. A sample treatment device 100 comprises: a staining unit 30 for subjecting a sample placed on a slide glass 1 to the staining treatment; a stage 32 on which the slide glass 1 can be placed; a temperature sensor 40 which is provided at the periphery of the stage 32; and a control portion C0 which is electrically connected to the stage 32 and the temperature sensor 40. The stage 32 includes a temperature adjustment mechanism capable of changing the temperature of the stage 32. When a slide glass 1 for which the staining treatment has been completed in the staining unit 30 is left on the stage 32, the control portion C0 controls the temperature of the stage 32 to be lower than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40.

Description

Sample Processing Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample processing device, and more particularly to a sample processing device provided with a stage for placing a slide glass thereon.

[0002] To perform a pathological examination, a biological sample such as tissue or blood is first processed to prepare a slide for microscopic observation, and the sample on the slide is then stained.The stained sample is then observed under a microscope to perform the pathological examination.

[0003] Generally, in the preparation of specimen slides for pathological examinations, the sample is stained, then dehydrated to replace the water contained in the sample with an organic solvent, and then mounted on the dehydrated sample with a cover glass. Staining methods for the sample include hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and in-situ hybridization (ISH) staining.

[0004] Among these staining methods, HE staining is the most common method for staining glass slides, and most slides containing tissue samples are stained with HE staining. Therefore, some automatic HE staining devices can be connected to an automatic coverslipper to automatically perform the staining, dehydration, and coverslipping processes.

[0005] However, in IHC staining and ISH staining, which require a relatively small number of slides to be stained, there is no device that can automatically perform the processes from staining to mounting. After staining in an automatic staining device, the slides must be removed from the automatic staining device and subjected to separate dehydration and mounting processes.

[0006] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose automatic processing apparatuses that can move a substrate holder (accommodation unit) on which a sample is placed to each processing position.

[0007] JP-T-2010-533299 A JP-A-2013-68612 A

[0008] In IHC staining, the staining process takes, for example, two to three hours to complete. Furthermore, in ISH staining, it takes even longer. For example, in an automatic staining device, the staining process may be started in the evening, completed overnight, and the completely stained slides removed from the automatic staining device the following morning. A slide whose staining process begins on Friday evening is removed on the morning of the third day, including Saturday and Sunday. Furthermore, if Friday or Monday is a national holiday, the slide is removed on the morning of the fourth day, including the three-day weekend.

[0009] In such cases, the slides on which the samples are placed are left on the automatic staining device for 50 to 70 hours or more after the staining process is completed, which causes the water contained in the tissues or cells in the samples to evaporate and dry out, resulting in the problem that the samples cannot maintain their original morphology and become unsuitable for microscopic observation.

[0010] In automated staining devices for IHC staining or ISH staining, measures have been taken to prevent the sample from drying out by placing an excess amount of buffer solution on the slide, or to prevent the sample from evaporating by placing mineral oil on the slide. However, these measures require the operator to remove the liquid, such as by rinsing off the oil, when removing the slide. Therefore, the steps to prevent the sample from drying out or evaporating are complicated.

[0011] The main object of the present application is to provide a sample processing device that can automatically prevent the sample from drying or evaporating even if the sample is left for a long period of time after staining processing.

[0012] Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sample processing device includes a staining unit for staining a sample placed on a slide, a stage on which the slide can be placed, temperature sensors provided around the stage, and a controller electrically connected to the stage and the temperature sensor. The stage has a temperature adjustment mechanism that can change the temperature of the stage, and when the slide that has been stained in the staining unit is left on the stage, the controller controls the temperature of the stage so that the temperature is lower than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sample processing apparatus includes a staining unit for staining a sample placed on a slide glass, a storage unit for storing the slide glass after the staining process, a stage provided within the storage unit, a tray installed on the stage and capable of holding the slide glass, temperature sensors provided around the stage, and a controller electrically connected to the stage and the temperature sensors. The stage has a temperature adjustment mechanism that can change the temperature of the stage, and the controller controls the temperature of the stage so that it is lower than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the sample processing device, even if the sample is left for a long period of time after staining processing, drying or evaporation of the sample can be automatically prevented.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overview of a sample processing device in embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an overview of a sample processing device in embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a disk in embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a system of a sample processing device in embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a table showing protocols used in staining processing in embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a staining processing method in embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a supply unit and a storage unit in embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a staining processing method in embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an overview of a staining unit in embodiment 3.

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all drawings for explaining the embodiments, components having the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted. In the following embodiments, explanations of the same or similar parts will not be repeated unless particularly necessary.

[0018] The X, Y, and Z directions described herein intersect and are orthogonal to one another. In this application, the Z1 direction is described as the upward direction of a structure. In addition, expressions such as "plan view" and "plan view" used in this application mean that a surface formed by the X1 or X2 direction and the Y1 or Y2 direction is a "plane," and that this "plane" is viewed from the Z1 or Z2 direction.

[0019] (Embodiment 1) A sample processing device 100 according to embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. A sample is placed on the glass slide 1 used in embodiment 1. This sample is a biological sample such as tissue, used in, for example, a pathological examination. In the following description, expressions such as "staining the glass slide 1" mean "staining the sample on the glass slide 1."

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample processing apparatus 100 includes a supply unit 10, a storage unit 11, a transport unit 20, a staining unit 30, a memory unit 50, and an operation unit 51.

[0021] The supply unit 10 is provided for storing slide glasses 1 before staining processing. A tray 12 is provided inside the supply unit 10. A plurality of slide glasses 1 can be loaded on the tray 12. When a new staining processing is to be performed, the tray 12 is moved in the Y1 direction, a new slide glass 1 is loaded on the tray 12, and the tray 12 is then moved in the Y2 direction.

[0022] The storage unit 11 is provided for storing the slide glasses 1 after staining. A tray 13 is provided inside the storage unit 11. A plurality of slide glasses 1 can be loaded on the tray 13. When recovering the slide glasses 1 after staining, the tray 13 is moved in the Y1 direction, the stained slide glasses 1 are removed from the tray 13, and the tray 13 is moved in the Y2 direction.

[0023] The transport unit 20 is provided to transport the slide glass 1. The transport unit 20 includes a grip portion 21 that can grip the slide glass 1. For example, the transport unit 20 can transport the slide glass 1 from the supply unit 10 to the staining unit 30. Furthermore, after the sample has been stained in the staining unit 30, the transport unit 20 can transport the slide glass 1 on which the sample is placed from the staining unit 30 to the storage unit 11.

[0024] The staining unit 30 is provided to perform a staining process on the sample placed on the slide glass 1 after the slide glass 1 is transported from the supply unit 10. The staining method used in the staining unit 30 is, for example, IHC staining or ISH staining.

[0025] A rotatable disk 31 is provided inside the staining unit 30. A plurality of stages 32 are installed on the disk 31. One glass slide 1 can be placed on each stage 32. The stages 32 have a temperature adjustment mechanism 36, which will be described later. The temperature adjustment mechanism 36 can change the temperature of the stage 32, and can heat or cool the stage 32. When the temperature of the stage 32 is changed, the temperature of the glass slide 1 (sample) placed on the stage 32 is also changed.

[0026] A temperature sensor 40 and a humidity sensor 41 are provided inside the staining unit 30. The temperature sensor 40 is provided around the stage 32 and detects the temperature around the stage 32. The humidity sensor 41 is provided around the stage 32 and detects the humidity around the stage 32. Note that the humidity sensor 41 is not essential.

[0027] Although not shown, nozzles for supplying chemical solutions such as buffer solution, reagent, and cleaning solution required for the staining process are provided around the periphery of the disk 31. The required chemical solutions are supplied from the nozzles to the slide glass 1 according to a preset protocol.

[0028] An example of the configuration of the disk 31 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the disk 31. As shown in Fig. 3, the disk 31 has, for example, a plurality of stages (holders) 32, a heat spreader 34, a fixing base 35, a temperature adjustment mechanism (heat pump) 36, a heat conduction plate 37, and a heat sink 38.

[0029] The stage 32 is a member that holds the slide glass 1 and the heat spreader 34. The fixing base 35 is a member that holds the stage 32. The stage 32 and the fixing base 35 are made of, for example, plastic or a resin material such as polycarbonate resin.

[0030] The slide glass 1 is placed on a heat spreader 34. The heat spreader 34 is provided to uniformly distribute the temperature across the surface of the slide glass 1. The area of ​​the heat spreader 34 is preferably equal to or larger than the area of ​​the slide glass 1. The heat spreader 34 is made of, for example, copper or a metal material containing copper or aluminum as its main component.

[0031] A temperature adjustment mechanism 36 is provided below the heat spreader 34. The temperature adjustment mechanism 36 is formed, for example, by a Peltier element and can adjust the temperature of one slide glass 1 to a desired temperature. In the example of FIG. 3 , the disk 31 has multiple stages 32, multiple heat spreaders 34, and multiple temperature adjustment mechanisms 36, and can mount multiple slide glasses 1. In this case, the temperature of each slide glass 1 can be adjusted individually by each temperature adjustment mechanism 36.

[0032] A heat conduction plate 37 is provided below the fixed base 35 and the temperature adjustment mechanism 36. The heat conduction plate 37 connects the temperature adjustment mechanism 36 to the heat sink 38 and is provided to facilitate the dissipation of heat from the temperature adjustment mechanism 36 to the heat sink 38. The heat conduction plate 37 is made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity, such as a metal material containing aluminum or copper as its main component.

[0033] A heat sink 38 is provided below the thermal conduction plate 37 as a heat radiator. The heat sink 38 has, for example, a flat fin shape. The shape of the heat sink 38 may be any shape that can promote heat dissipation from the temperature adjustment mechanism 36 and has a large surface area. The heat sink 38 is made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity, for example, a metal material whose main component is aluminum or copper.

[0034] The heat sink 38 may be provided with a fan capable of blowing cooling air to further promote heat dissipation. Furthermore, the directionality of the air from the fan may be improved by placing a duct between the fan and the heat sink 38. The duct allows the air from the fan to pass efficiently over the surface of the heat sink 38.

[0035] The system of the sample processing device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0036] The sample processing device 100 includes a control unit C0. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit C0 is electrically connected to and controls the transport unit 20, disk 31, each stage 32, temperature sensor 40, humidity sensor 41, memory unit 50, and operation unit 51. The control unit C0 is a computer system including various semiconductor devices such as a CPU.

[0037] The control unit C0 controls each transport operation performed by the transport unit 20. For example, the control unit C0 controls the operation of gripping or releasing the slide glass 1 by the gripper 21, the operation of transporting the slide glass 1 from the supply unit 10 to the staining unit 30 by the transport unit 20, and the operation of transporting the slide glass 1 from the staining unit 30 to the storage unit 11 by the transport unit 20.

[0038] The control unit C0 controls each operation performed by the disk 31. For example, the rotation operation of the disk 31 is controlled by the control unit C0. Although not shown here, the nozzle for supplying the chemical solution to the slide glass 1 is also controlled by the control unit C0.

[0039] The control unit C0 controls the temperature of the stage 32. For example, a temperature adjustment mechanism 36 such as a Peltier element provided inside the stage 32 can change the temperature of the stage 32 to a desired temperature by being controlled by the control unit C0.

[0040] The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 41 are transmitted to the control unit C0. The control unit C0 controls the temperature of the stage 32 in accordance with the detected temperature and humidity.

[0041] The storage unit 50 stores various data used in the sample processing device 100, such as the time setting until the slide glass 1 is removed (described below), the protocols used in the staining process, and detailed data for each slide glass 1. Each piece of data can be rewritten, erased, or read out as needed under the control of the control unit C0. The storage unit 50 may include, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk.

[0042] The operation unit 51 is a device that allows an operator to issue commands to the control unit C0. The operation unit 51 includes an input device that allows the operator to input instructions and the like, and a display device that is configured with a monitor or the like. The input device is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The operation unit 51 may also be a touch panel that has the functions of both an input device and a display device.

[0043] An example of a staining process performed using the sample processing device 100 will be described below.

[0044] In the supply unit 10, the slide glass 1 on which the sample is placed is placed on a tray 12. The slide glass 1 is gripped by a gripper 21 of the transport unit 20, and is carried from the supply unit 10 to the staining unit 30 by the transport unit 20, and is placed on a stage 32 on a disk 31.

[0045] The stage 32 and the slide glass 1 move between the nozzles arranged around the disk 31 as the disk 31 rotates. The slide glass 1 is subjected to a staining process according to a preset protocol. The protocol specifies the temperature, time, and chemical solution to be supplied required for each process, such as deparaffinization, antigen activation, and staining.

[0046] An example of a protocol is shown in Figure 5. In Protocol 1 shown in the table of Figure 5, first, the slide glass 1 placed on the stage 32 is heated at 72°C for 30 minutes to deparaffinize it. While heating, cleaning solution A is supplied to the slide glass 1 to wash away the paraffin dissolved from the tissue. After 30 minutes, heating is stopped and buffer solution B is supplied to the slide glass 1. Cleaning solution A is washed away with buffer solution B.

[0047] Next, for antigen activation treatment, the slide glass 1 is heated at 98°C for 60 minutes. While heating, buffer solution B is supplied to the slide glass 1 to promote the antigen activation reaction. After 60 minutes, heating is stopped and buffer solution C is supplied to the slide glass 1. Buffer solution B is washed away with buffer solution C.

[0048] Next, for staining, the slide glass 1 is heated to 37° C. In the staining, reagents such as a primary antibody, a labeled antibody, and a staining solution are added to the slide glass 1 at 37° C. to stain the target antigen in the sample tissue.

[0049] In Protocol 1, the temperature setting during the staining process is 37°C. In contrast, in Protocol 2, the staining reaction may be carried out for a longer period of time at a lower temperature, for example, 20°C. This is known to suppress non-specific antibody reactions and achieve a more suitable staining state. In this case, the controlled temperature of the slide glass 1 becomes lower than the ambient temperature, so cooling is controlled using a temperature adjustment mechanism 36 provided on the stage 32, etc.

[0050] The staining method (steps S1 to S10) according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6. The staining method includes a method for preventing the sample on the slide glass 1 from drying or evaporating after the staining process (steps S6 to S9).

[0051] First, in step S1, before starting the staining process of the slide glass 1, the operator uses the operation unit 51 to set the time from the end of the staining process until the removal of the slide glass 1. The set time is stored in the memory unit 50. That is, the memory unit 50 stores the time for which the slide glass 1, which has been stained in the staining unit 30, is left on the stage 32.

[0052] In a normal staining process, the slide glass 1 is removed from the sample processing device 100 on the same day the staining process is completed, so there is no need to set a time. However, if staining starts at the end of business on Friday (e.g., 5:00 PM), the slide glass 1 is scheduled to be removed on the following Monday morning (e.g., 8:00 AM).

[0053] In step S2, after the time setting in step S1 is set to, for example, 60 hours, the operator presses the start button of the sample processing device 100, thereby starting a series of operations related to the staining process.

[0054] The operations from step S3 onwards are automatically performed by the control unit C0.

[0055] In step S3, the slide glass 1 on which the sample is placed is grasped by the grip portion 21 of the transport unit 20, and is transported by the transport unit 20 from the supply unit 10 to the staining unit 30, and placed on the stage 32 on the disk 31.

[0056] In step S4, the slide glass 1 is stained in accordance with the protocol described in FIG. 5, and the staining process ends in step S5.

[0057] In step S6, it is determined whether or not a standing time has been set in step S1. If no standing time has been set (NO), the next step is step S10, in which the slide glass 1 is transported from the staining unit 30 to the storage unit 11 by the transport unit 20 and placed on the tray 13. If a standing time has been set (YES), the next step is step S7.

[0058] In step S7, temperature control of the stage 32 is started to prevent drying or evaporation of the sample on the slide glass 1. The control unit C0 changes the temperature of the stage 32 so that it is lower than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40. The control unit C0 controls the temperature of the stage 32 within the leaving time stored in the memory unit 50.

[0059] The temperature of the stage 32 is preferably changed so that the evaporation and condensation of water approach an equilibrium state. For example, the temperature of the stage 32 is changed to be 0.5°C lower than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40. This temperature control ensures that the amount of water condensing on the glass slide 1 slightly exceeds the amount of water evaporating from the sample on the glass slide 1, thereby preventing the sample from drying out.

[0060] At this time, by also using the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 41, it is possible to more precisely approach the equilibrium state between water evaporation and water condensation.

[0061] When the set unused time has elapsed (step S8), in step S9, the control unit C0 stops the temperature control of the stage 32. For example, when 60 hours of unused time has elapsed, that is, when it is 5:00 on Monday, the temperature control of the stage 32 stops.

[0062] In step S10, the slide glass 1 on the stage 32 is transported from the staining unit 30 to the storage unit 11 by the transport unit 20 and placed on the tray 13. The slide glass 1 collected on the tray 13 is removed by the operator at an appropriate time.

[0063] Thus, according to the sample processing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, even if the sample is left for a long time after the staining process, the temperature of the stage 32 is automatically controlled, thereby preventing the sample from drying or evaporating.

[0064] 7 and 8, a sample processing device 100 according to a second embodiment will be described below. The following description will mainly focus on differences from the first embodiment, and will omit a description of points that overlap with the first embodiment.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the stage 32 of the staining unit 30 has the temperature adjustment mechanism 36. In the second embodiment, the storage unit 11 is provided with the temperature adjustment mechanism 36. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the slide glass 1 after the staining process is left on the tray 13 of the storage unit 11, rather than on the stage 32 of the staining unit 30.

[0066] As shown in Figure 7, a stage 14 is provided inside the storage unit 11. A tray 13 similar to that in the first embodiment is provided on the stage 14. The slide glass 1 is placed on the stage 14 via the tray 13. A temperature sensor 40 and a humidity sensor 41 are installed around the stage 14. The stage 14 has a temperature adjustment mechanism 36, similar to the stage 32 in the first embodiment.

[0067] The stage 14 is electrically connected to the control unit C0. The control unit C0 controls the temperature of the stage 14 in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 41. When the temperature of the stage 14 is changed, the temperature of the tray 13 placed on the stage 14 and the temperature of the slide glass 1 (sample) placed on the tray 13 are also changed.

[0068] The staining method (steps S1 to S5, S11 to S15) according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0069] Steps S1 to S5 in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In the first embodiment, the standing time stored in the memory unit 50 is the time during which the slide glass 1 is left on the stage 32, whereas in the second embodiment, the standing time stored in the memory unit 50 is the time during which the slide glass 1 is left on the tray 13.

[0070] After step S5, step S11 is performed. In step S11, the slide glass 1 that has been stained in the staining unit 30 is transported from the staining unit 30 to the storage unit 11 by the transport unit 20 and placed on the tray 13.

[0071] In step S12, it is determined whether or not a leaving time has been set in step S1. If a leaving time has not been set (NO), the operator removes the slide glass 1 from the tray 13 at an appropriate time. If a leaving time has been set (YES), the next step is step S13.

[0072] In step S13, temperature control of the stage 14 is started to prevent drying or evaporation of the sample on the slide glass 1. The temperature control of the stage 14 by the control unit C0 in the second embodiment is similar to the temperature control of the stage 32 by the control unit C0 in the first embodiment. The control unit C0 controls the temperature of the stage 14 within the standing time stored in the memory unit 50.

[0073] When the set leaving time has elapsed (step S14), in step S15, the controller C0 stops the temperature control of the stage 14. Thereafter, the slide glass 1 on the tray 13 is removed by the operator at an appropriate time.

[0074] In this way, even in the second embodiment, even if the sample is left for a long time after staining, the temperature of the stage 14 is automatically controlled, thereby preventing the sample from drying out or evaporating.

[0075] (Embodiment 3) A sample processing device 100 according to embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to Figure 9. In the following description, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and explanations of points that overlap with embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0076] In the first embodiment, before and after the staining process, the transport unit 20 is used to transport between the supply unit 10 or the storage unit 11 and the staining unit 30. In the sample processing device 100 of the third embodiment, the transport unit 20, the supply unit 10 and the storage unit 11 do not have to be provided.

[0077] As shown in Figure 9, a plurality of drawer-shaped processing sections 60 are provided inside the staining unit 30. A stage 61 is provided inside each processing section 60. The slide glass 1 is placed on the stage 61. A temperature sensor 40 and a humidity sensor 41 are provided around the stage 61. The stage 61 has a temperature adjustment mechanism 36, similar to the stage 32 of the first embodiment.

[0078] Each stage 61 is electrically connected to a control unit C0. The control unit C0 controls the temperature of the stage 61 in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 41. When the temperature of the stage 61 is changed, the temperature of the slide glass 1 (sample) placed on the stage 61 is also changed.

[0079] The dyeing method of the third embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The dyeing method of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the following points.

[0080] In step S1, the leaving time stored in the memory unit 50 is the time for which the slide glass 1 is left on the stage 61. In step S3, the slide glass 1 is carried in by the operator pulling out the processing unit 60 in the Y1 direction, placing the slide glass 1 on the stage 61, and returning the processing unit 60 in the Y2 direction. In step S4, the staining process is performed inside the processing unit 60 with the slide glass 1 placed on the stage 61. In step S10, the slide glass 1 is carried out by the operator pulling out the processing unit 60 in the Y1 direction, removing the slide glass 1 from the stage 61, and returning the processing unit 60 in the Y2 direction.

[0081] In this way, even in the third embodiment, even if the sample is left for a long time after staining processing, drying or evaporation of the sample can be prevented by automatically controlling the temperature of the stage 61.

[0082] The present invention has been specifically described above based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0083] 100 Sample processing apparatus 1 Slide glass 10 Supply unit 11 Storage unit 12 Tray 13 Tray 14 Stage 20 Transport unit 21 Grip unit 30 Staining unit 31 Disk 32 Stage 34 Heat spreader 35 Fixing base 36 Temperature adjustment mechanism (heat pump) 37 Heat conduction plate 38 Heat sink 40 Temperature sensor 41 Humidity sensor 50 Memory unit 51 Operation unit 60 Drawer-shaped processing unit 61 Stage C0 Control unit

Claims

1. A sample processing apparatus comprising: a staining unit for performing a staining process on a sample placed on a slide glass; a stage on which the slide glass can be placed; a temperature sensor provided around the stage; and a control unit electrically connected to the stage and the temperature sensor, wherein the stage has a temperature adjustment mechanism that can change the temperature of the stage, and when the slide glass after the staining process in the staining unit has been left on the stage, the control unit controls the temperature of the stage so that it is lower than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

2. A sample processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the stage so that water evaporation and water condensation approach an equilibrium state.

3. A sample processing device as described in claim 1, further comprising a humidity sensor provided around the stage and electrically connected to the control unit, the control unit controlling the temperature of the stage in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor.

4. A sample processing device as described in claim 1, further comprising a memory unit electrically connected to the control unit, the memory unit storing a time for controlling the temperature, and the control unit controlling the temperature of the stage within the time stored in the memory unit.

5. A sample processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the time is a time during which the slide glass, after the staining process in the staining unit, is left on the stage.

6. A sample processing apparatus as described in claim 5, further comprising: a disk provided inside the staining unit and capable of rotating; a transport unit for transporting the slide glass; and a storage unit for storing the slide glass after the staining process has been performed, wherein the stage is placed on the disk; the control unit is electrically connected to the transport unit and controls the transport operation of the transport unit; and after the leaving time has elapsed, the slide glass on the stage is transported by the transport unit from the staining unit to the storage unit.

7. A sample processing apparatus as described in claim 5, further comprising a drawer-shaped processing section provided inside the staining unit, the stage being placed inside the processing section, and the staining process being performed inside the processing section with the slide glass placed on the stage.

8. A sample processing device comprising: a staining unit for performing a staining process on a sample placed on a slide glass; a storage unit for storing the slide glass after the staining process has been performed; a stage provided inside the storage unit; a tray installed on the stage and capable of carrying the slide glass; a temperature sensor provided around the stage; and a control unit electrically connected to the stage and the temperature sensor, wherein the stage has a temperature adjustment mechanism that can change the temperature of the stage, and the control unit controls the temperature of the stage so that it is lower than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

9. A sample processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the stage so that water evaporation and water condensation approach an equilibrium state.

10. A sample processing device as described in claim 8, further comprising a humidity sensor provided around the stage and electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the stage in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor.

11. A sample processing apparatus as described in claim 8, further comprising: a transport unit for transporting the slide glass; and a memory unit electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the transport unit and controls the transport operation of the transport unit, the memory unit stores a time for controlling the temperature, and the control unit controls the temperature of the stage within the time stored in the memory unit.

12. A sample processing apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein the time is the time during which the staining process is completed in the staining unit, the slides are transported from the staining unit to the storage unit by the transport unit, and the slides loaded on the tray are left on the tray.

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