Slide cleaning module

Abstract

Histology laboratories in hospitals and elsewhere require significant amounts of manual work. These labs also have to contend with rising workloads and increasing work complexity. Current labor vacancy rates are about 10-12%. and it has been predicted that the retirement rate in these work environments will be about 18-36% within the next 5 years. Within these labs, microscope slide cleaning in preparation for scanning and / or pathologist review is often a tedious task. Typically, the slide cleaning process requires manual application of cleaning fluids and wiping of slides with lens paper to remove dust, fingerprints, specks, and the like. Leaving these contaminants on the slide can lead to out of focus image sections which increases the risk of obscuring diagnostically relevant information. Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.

Description

[0001] SLIDE CLEANING MODULE

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Histology laboratories in hospi tals and elsewhere require si gnificant amounts of manual work. These labs also have to contend with rising workloads and increasing work complexity. Current labor vacancy rates are about 10-12%, and it has been predicted that the retirement rate in these work environments will be about 18-36% within the next 5 years. Within these labs, microscope slide cleaning in preparation for scanning and / or pathologist review is often a tedious task. Typically, the slide cleaning process requires manual application of cleaning fluids and wiping of slides with lens paper to remove dust, fingerprints, specks, and the like. Leaving these contaminants on the slide can lead to out of focus image sections which increases the risk of obscuring diagnostically relevant information.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] As mentioned before, slide cleaning for facilitating scanning and / or pathologist review is a very tedious process. However, if the slides are not properly cleaned, poor outcomes may result. Some common contaminants and / or contaminant sources include dust, debris, and fingerprints. Even the staining process can negatively impact slide tissue sample visualization. A common staining technique in histology uses hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stains. However, these stains can splash over the slide during the staining process so as to leave residual staining on various parts of the slide.

[0007] It has been found that uncleaned slides can extend scan times when imaging the slides by 30% or more. It has been further discovered that uncleaned slides can also lead to significantly higher scan errors (e.g., 10x). Scan errors lead to time consuming repeat scans and cause delays in diagnosis. In addition to the issue of general debris on al! slides, it was found that staining processes can leave residual spotting on the slides, which requires more extensive cleaning before slides can be reviewed. These cleaning steps require additional time. However, if slide cleaning does not occur, automated scanning may tend to fail. It has been further discovered that residual fluids from partially dried slides can subsequently contaminate scanning and microscope equipment. In particular, it was found that slides from advanced staining runs leave residua! oi ls on parts of the slide. This instrument contamination can potentially cause equipment malfunction and / or the need to clean scanner or other optics.

[0008] A unique automated slide cleaning system and technique has been developed to address these as well as other issues. In one version, the cleaning system is configured as a cleaning module that can be incorporated with other equipment, and in one particular example, the cleaning system is in the form of a rotary slide cleaning station or module. In the cleaning module, cleaning fluids or agents are applied with a spray pattern, and rotating rollers with various surface roughness are utilized to scrub spots and clean the glass slides of residue. After cleaning, the slides are sent to a finishing station where an air curtain or air knife is used to remove any fluids so as to leave a clean, unobstructed, and dry surface. Replaceable rollers with different durometers (soft / scrub) can be serviced easily by the operators of the equipment. It has been estimated that the cleaning module in some cases may clean up to 350 slides per hour which is roughly I slide every 10 seconds. This automated slide cleaning system and technique can significantly reduce manual labor, reduce fluid usage, and enhance scanning time and results by eliminating artifacts that interfere with slide scanning and / or pathologist microscope review. The cleaning module is designed to allow sequential processing of multiples slides. In the cleaning module, the oil removal, dehydration, and coverslip application processes are automated and simplified. The automated slide cleaning allows the slides to be automatically transferred to slide scanning once the slides are cleaned. The cleaning module include several stations to perform the automated cleaning process. For instance, the cleaning module in one version includes a slide transfer station, a pre-rinse station, an initial or coarse scrub station, a fine scrub station, and a finishing station along with a controller configured to control the stations.

[0009] In some cases, the cleaning module includes a surveillance module with one or more cameras and light sources to perform various quality control (QC) checks of the sl ides durin g cleaning. It was discovered that the visibility of the contaminants on the slide varied depending on the illumination technique used. Various illumination set ups are used in con j uncti on with the cameras to check the cleanliness of the slides. Differing camera and illumination setups are used to capture images of dust, spots, and / or fingerprints on the slides. For instance, side illumination, backlighting, and front illumination can be used. In some cases, the cameras are configured to detect slides that failed the staining runs and need to be re-stained. These camera-based quality checks are able to detect slides with fingerprints, spots, and / or dust that need to be cleaned, and the visibly clean slides can be immediately transferred to scanning without the need for manual handling and / or manual inspection. The camera-based quality checks are further able to detect slides that have not been sufficiently cleaned in a first cleaning cycle. These insufficiently cleaned slides are cleaned again, and in some cases, these slides are brought to the attention of a human operator.

[0010] The systems and techniques as described and illustrated herein concern a number of unique and inventive aspects. Some, but by no means all, of these unique aspects are summarized below.

[0011] Aspect 1 generally concerns a system

[0012] Aspect 2 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect including a slide. Aspect 3 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide has a coverslip.

[0013] Aspect 4 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide is configured to support a tissue sample.

[0014] Aspect 5 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide has a label end with a label.

[0015] Aspect 6 general ly concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide has a sample end located opposite the label end.

[0016] Aspect 7 generally concents the system of any previous aspect in which the coverslip is positioned at the sample end to cover the tissue sample.

[0017] Aspect 8 generally concents the system of any previous aspect including a staining module configured to stain the slide.

[0018] Aspect 9 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect including a slip covering module configured to place a coverslip on the slide.

[0019] Aspect 10 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect including a cleaning module configured to clean the slide.

[0020] Aspect 11 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module is sized and shaped for integration with the staining module.

[0021] Aspect 1.2 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module is positioned downstream from the staining module.

[0022] Aspect 13 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module is positioned downstream from the slip covering module. Aspect 14 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a cleaning area.

[0023] Aspect 15 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a fluid supply area.

[0024] Aspect 16 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a sump area.

[0025] Aspect 17 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a controller.

[0026] Aspect 18 generally concents the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a slide transporter configured to transport the slide.

[0027] Aspect 19 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide transporter includes a carousel configured to move the slide with a rotary motion.

[0028] Aspect 20 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide transporter includes a motor configured to rotate the carousel.

[0029] Aspect 21 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the controller is communicatively coupled to the motor to control motion of the carousel.

[0030] Aspect 22 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide.

[0031] Aspect 23 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide gripper is configured to hold the label end of the slide to protect the label.

[0032] Aspect 24 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the slide gripper includes an effector configured to grip the slide. Aspect 25 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide gripper includes an actuator configured to actuate the effector to grip and release the slide.

[0033] Aspect 26 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the actuator is communicatively coupled to the controller.

[0034] Aspect 27 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the effector includes one or more fingers configured to grip the slide.

[0035] Aspect 28 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the effector includes at least two fingers configured to grip opposing edges of the slide.

[0036] Aspect 29 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the fingers are configured to grip the label end of the slide.

[0037] Aspect 30 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the effector is coupled to the carousel .

[0038] Aspect 31 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes one or more stations configured to clean the slide.

[0039] Aspect 32 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a slide transfer station.

[0040] Aspect 33 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide transfer station is configured to receive the slide into the cleaning module.

[0041] Aspect 34 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide transfer station is configured to discharge the slide from the cleaning module.

[0042] Aspect 35 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect including a fluidics module configured to supply one or more fluids to at least one of the stations. Aspect 36 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the fluidics module includes a solvent supply configured to supply a solvent to at least one of the stations.

[0043] Aspect 37 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the solvent includes water.

[0044] Aspect 38 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the solvent includes deionized (DI) water.

[0045] Aspect 39 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the sol vent supply includes a container.

[0046] Aspect 40 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the solvent supply includes a facility wide water source.

[0047] Aspect 41 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the fluidics module includes a cleansing agent supply configured to supply a cleansing agent to at least one of the stations.

[0048] Aspect 42 general ly concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleansing agent includes soap.

[0049] Aspect 43 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the fluidics module includes a gas supply configured to supply a gas to at least one of th e stations.

[0050] Aspect 44 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the gas includes air.

[0051] Aspect 45 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the fluidics module includes a recycler.

[0052] Aspect 46 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the recycler is configured to recycle the water from the stations. Aspect 47 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the recycler includes a filter.

[0053] Aspect 48 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the fluidics module includes one or more val ves configured to control flow of the fluids.

[0054] Aspect 49 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the control ler is communicatively coupled to the valves to control the valves.

[0055] Aspect 50 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a pre-rinse station.

[0056] Aspect 51 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the pre-rinse station is positioned downstream from the slide transfer station.

[0057] Aspect 52 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the pre-rinse station includes one or more nozzles configured to rinse the slide.

[0058] Aspect 53 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the nozzles are positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

[0059] Aspect 54 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide gripper holds the slide in a vertical direction.

[0060] Aspect 55 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the nozzles are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drainage.

[0061] Aspect 56 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a wash station.

[0062] Aspect 57 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the wash station includes a fine scrub station. Aspect 58 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the wash station includes a coarse scrub station.

[0063] Aspect 59 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the wash station includes a scrubber configured to scrub the slide.

[0064] Aspect 60 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the scrubber includes a roller brash.

[0065] Aspect 61 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the scrubber includes a brush motor configured to rotate the roller brush.

[0066] Aspect 62 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the roller brush is a coarse roller brash.

[0067] Aspect 63 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the coarse roller brush includes a series of ridges.

[0068] Aspect 64 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the scrubber includes two or more roller brashes positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

[0069] Aspect 65 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the roller brushes are configured to brush the opposite sides of the slide at the same time.

[0070] Aspect 66 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the wash station includes an elevator configured to move the scrubber.

[0071] Aspect 67 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the elevator is configured to raise and lower the scrubber along the sample end of the slide. Aspect 68 generally concerns the system o f any previous aspect in which the wash station, includes one or more nozzles configured to spray a solution of the solvent and the cleansing agent.

[0072] Aspect 69 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the wash station includes a mixer configured to mix the cleansing agent with the solvent to form the solution for the nozzles,

[0073] Aspect 70 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the wash station includes a shield positioned proximal to the roller brush.

[0074] Aspect 71 general ly concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the wash station includes a basin.

[0075] Aspect 72 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the basin is fluidly coupled to the recycler.

[0076] Aspect 73 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a finishing station.

[0077] Aspect 74 general ly concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the finishing station is positioned downstream from the wash station.

[0078] Aspect 75 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the finishing station is positioned downstream from the fine scrub station.

[0079] Aspect 76 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the slide transporter is configured to transport the slide from the fine scrub station to the finishing station.

[0080] Aspect 77 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the finishing station includes one or more nozzles configured to rinse the slide. Aspect 78 generally concerns the system o f any previous aspect in which the finishing station includes at least two nozzles positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

[0081] Aspect 79 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the finishing station includes one or more air knives configured to dry the slide.

[0082] Aspect 80 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the finishing station includes at least two air knives positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

[0083] Aspect 81 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the air kni ves are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drying.

[0084] Aspect 82 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a surveillance unit.

[0085] Aspect 83 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the surveillance unit includes a camera.

[0086] Aspect 84 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the camera is configured to visualize the slide.

[0087] Aspect 85 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the camera is positioned to view the slide at one of the stations.

[0088] Aspect 86 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the camera is positioned to view the slide between the stations.

[0089] Aspect 87 generally concerns the system o f any previous aspect in which the camera is configured to monitor operation of the stations.

[0090] Aspect 88 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the camera is communicatively coupled to the controller. Aspect 89 generally concerns the system o f any previous aspect in which the controller is configured to control operation of the cleaning module based on one or more images from the camera.

[0091] Aspect 90 generally concerns the sy stem of any previous aspect in which the surveillance unit includes a light source to provide illumination for the camera.

[0092] Aspect 91 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the light source is positioned to shine light through the slide.

[0093] Aspect 92 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the light source is positioned to backlight the slide for the camera.

[0094] Aspect 93 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the light source is positioned to one side of the slide.

[0095] Aspect 94 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the light source is positioned to side light the slide for the camera.

[0096] Aspect 95 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the light source includes one or more light guides.

[0097] Aspect 96 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect including a cleaning unit.

[0098] Aspect 97 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning unit includes the cleaning module.

[0099] Aspect 98 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect including a rack configured to hold the slide.

[0100] Aspect 99 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the cleaning module includes a rack interface. Aspect 100 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack interface is configured to hold the rack.

[0101] Aspect 101 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack interface includes a rack load interface.

[0102] Aspect 102 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack interface includes a rack unload interface.

[0103] Aspect 103 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack interface has a rack earner configured to carry the rack.

[0104] Aspect 104 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack interface includes an elevator configured to raise and lower the rack.

[0105] Aspect 105 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack interface is configured to tilt the rack.

[0106] Aspect 106 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the effector is configured to engage the slide in the rack.

[0107] Aspect 107 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the effector is configured to load the slide from the rack into the cleaning module.

[0108] Aspect 108 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the effector is configured to load the slide from the cleaning module into the rack.

[0109] Aspect 109 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack includes a base that defines a frame cavity.

[0110] Aspect 1 10 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack includes a frame received in the frame cavity in the base. Aspect 11 1 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the frame defines one or more slots configured to receive one or more slides.

[0111] Aspect 112 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the rack includes one or more dividers dividing the slides.

[0112] Aspect 113 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the base has a cavity floor positioned in the frame cavity.

[0113] Aspect 114 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the base has a comb with teeth that define one or more slide channels.

[0114] Aspect 115 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the teeth each have a tip that is pointed.

[0115] Aspect 116 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the tip defines a notch.

[0116] Aspect 1 17 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide channels are slanted to promote slide alignment.

[0117] Aspect 118 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slide channels are slanted to bias the slide to one side.

[0118] Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WINGS

[0119] FIG. 1 is a front view of a slide cleaning module according to one example.

[0120] FIG. 2 is a front view of a staining system that can incorporate the FIG. 1 slide cleaning module.

[0121] FIG. 3 is a front view of a system that can incorporate the FIG. 1 slide cleaning module.

[0122] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the FIG . 1 slide cleaning module.

[0123] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a controller used in the FIG. 1 slide cleaning module.

[0124] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a slide transporter used in the FIG. 1 slide cleaning module.

[0125] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fluidics module used in the FIG. 1 slide cleaning module.

[0126] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a surveillance unit used in the FIG. 1 slide cleaning module.

[0127] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slide cleaning module having a coarse scrub station and a fine scrub station in a lowered position.

[0128] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the FIG. 9 slide cleaning module with the coarse scrub station and the fine scrub station in a raised or scrubbing position.

[0129] FIG. 1 1 is an enlarged perspective view of the FIG. 9 slide cleaning module.

[0130] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pre-rinse station used in the FIG. 9 slide cleaning module.

[0131] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the coarse scrub station used in the FIG. 9 slide cleaning module.

[0132] FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspecti ve view of the FIG. 13 coarse scrub station.

[0133] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the fine scrub station used in the FIG. 9 slide cleaning module.

[0134] FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the FIG. 15 fine scrub station.

[0135] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a finishing station used in the FIG. 9 slide cleaning module.

[0136] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of one example setup of the FIG. 8 survei llance unit.

[0137] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another example setup of the FIG. 16 surveillance unit in which a slide is backlit.

[0138] FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspecti ve view of a further example setup of the FIG. 16 surveillance unit in which is slide is side-lit.

[0139] FIG. 21 is a series of images showing various image enhancements for slides with fingerprints.

[0140] FIG. 22 is a series of images of slides with dust and spots.

[0141] FIG. 23 is a pair of images of a slide with fingerprints as well as debris before cleaning and the slide after cleaning. FIG. 24 is a pair of images of a slide with spotting before cleaning and the slide after cleaning.

[0142] FIG. 25 is a pair of images of another slide before and after cleaning.

[0143] FIG. 26 is a pair of images of a further slide before and after cleaning.

[0144] FIG. 27 is a series of images of still yet another slide with spots before and after cleaning.

[0145] FIG. 28 is an image of other slides with label and glue residue after cleaning.

[0146] FIG. 29 is a pair of images of another slide with glue before and after cleaning.

[0147] FIG. 30 is a series of before and after images of slides that went through two cleaning cycles.

[0148] FIG. 31 is a table showing before and after cleaning results for spotted slides.

[0149] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit according to a further example that includes the FIG. 9 slide cleaning module.

[0150] FIG. 33 is a block diagram of the FIG. .32 cleaning uni t.

[0151] FIG. 34 is a block diagram of the fluidics module used in the FIG. 32 cleaning unit.

[0152] FIG. 35 is a block diagram of the fluidics module used in the FIG. 32 cleaning unit.

[0153] FIG. 36 is a diagram of the stations used in the FIG . 32 cleaning unit.

[0154] FIG. 37 is a diagram of the stations and the carousel used in the FIG. 32 cleaning unit.

[0155] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a rack used in the FIG. 32 cleaning unit,

[0156] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the rack in a lowered position at an effector,

[0157] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the rack in a raised position at the effector.

[0158] FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of a base used in the rack according to one example.

[0159] FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of a base used in the rack according to another example.

[0160] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the FIG. 32 cleaning unit during installation into a system.

[0161] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the FIG. 32 cleaning unit when installed into the FIG. 43 system.

[0162] FIG. 45 is an enlarged perspective view of the FIG. 32 cleaning unit when installed into the

[0163] FIG. 43 system.

[0164] FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of the FIG. 32 cleaning unit when installed into the FIG. 43 system.

[0165] FIG. 47 is a rear perspecti ve view of the FIG. 43 system.

[0166] FIG. 48 is a side view of the FIG. 43 system.

[0167] FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a system according to another example that includes the FIG. 32 cleaning unit. FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a system according to a further example that includes the FIG. 32 cleaning unit.

[0168] FIG. 51 shows a flowchart illustrating a technique for processing slides with the FIG. 43 system that includes the FIG. 32 cleaning unit.

[0169] DETAI LED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

[0170] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now' be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It wi ll nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the in vention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present in vention may not be showm for the sake of clari ty.

[0171] The reference numerals in the following description have been organized to aid the reader in quickly identifying the drawings where various components are first shown. In particular, the drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the left-most digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. For example, an element identified by a " 100" series reference numeral will likely first appear in FIG. 1 , an element identified by a "200" series reference numeral will likely first appear in FIG. 2, and so on.

[0172] As explained above, manual cleaning of slides can be a tedious process. Due to the tedious nature of the process, the slides may not be properly and / or consistently cleaned which in turn may negati vely impact downstream scanning and analysis of samples on the slides. One example of a unique slide cleaning module (SLCM) 100 that is configured to automatically clean slides is depicted in FIG. 1. In one use case, the slide cleaning module 100 is designed to clean one or more slides after a tissue sample has been positioned on the slide, the tissue sample is stained, and a coverslip is applied over the tissue sample on the slide. In other use cases, the slide cleaning module 100 is used to clean the slides before the tissue is applied and or staining occurs, and in still yet other use cases, the slide cleaning module 100 is used to clean recycled slides that have been previously used to analyze tissue samples. The slide cleaning module 100 implements a fully automated workflow, such as after (advanced) staining, where typical manual steps for oil removal, dehydration, and coverslip application are simplified and complemented by slide cleaning to allow direct progression to a slide scanning station. The slide cleaning module 100 in FIG. I is depicted as a stand-alone unit, but in other examples, which will be described below, the slide cleaning module 100 can be integrated into automated slide preparation and analysis systems. As shown, the slide cleaning module 100 has a few general areas, including a cleaning area 105, a fluid supply area 1 10, and a sump area 1 15. The cleaning area 105 is where the slides are cleaned or otherwise processed. The various fluids used during the slide cleaning process are supplied from the fluid supply area 110. For example, these fluids that are supplied by the fluid supply area 110 can include one or more solvents, one or more cleansing agents, and one or more gases. Typically, but not always, the solvent includes liquid water, such as deionized (DI) water and / or ozonated water, but other types of solvents, like hydrocarbon solvents, silicone-based solvents, and biodegradable solvents, can be used in conjunction with or a substitute for water. For explanation purposes, the slide cleaning module 100 will be described as using liquid water as the solvent in one example, but it should be recognized that various kinds and mixtures of solvents can be used in other examples. In the slide cleaning module 100, the water is typically used to rinse the slide as well as is mixed with the cleansing agent to facilitate clean ing of the slides.

[0173] The cleansing agent in one example is a commonly used liquid dishwashing soap, but other types of cleansing agents can be used. For instance, the cleansing agent can include other types of soaps, detergents, surfactants, and the like. In one example, the cleansing agent is stored in a liquid form, such as in the form of liquid soap, within the fluid supply area 110 of the slide cleaning module 100, but the cleansing agent can be stored in other states, such as in a solid form or even a gas form, in some examples. For instance, a solid granular detergent can be stored within the fluid supply area 110 of the slide cleaning module 100 and is subsequently mixed with water for cleaning the slides in some examples. The slide cleaning module 100 will be generally described below as using a liquid dishwashing soap for explanation purposes, but again, it should be recognized that other types of cleansing agents or mixtures of different types of cleansing agents can be used in other variations.

[0174] Typically, but not al ways, the gases are used to promote debris removal and / or dry ing of the slides. The gases can for example include air, nitrogen, argon, or other gases. In some cases, the gases are filtered and dehumidified before being blown onto and / or around the slides. In one use case, the gas is air that is blown onto the slide so as to act as an air-knife for blowing water off the slides. However, it should be recogn ized that other types of gases can be used, and the gases can be used for other purposes.

[0175] The sump area 115 is designed to store, treat, and / or recycle contaminated fluids after being used in the cleaning process inside the cleaning area 105 o f the slide cleaning module 100. For instance, the sump area 1 15 in some variations has containers that store soapy water that was contaminated during cleaning of the slides. In other variations, the sump area 115 includes a drain that routes the contaminated water to a laboratory or commercial water treatment center. As will be explained further below, the sump area 115 in the slide cleaning module 100 in some cases includes a recycler that treats the contaminated water so that the water can be supplied to the fluid supply area 110 for reuse. Alternatively or additionally, the sump area 115 in some cases may contain filters for filtering contaminated liquids and / or gases.

[0176] As shown in FIG. 1 , the slide cleaning module 100 has a housing 120 in which the various components of the slide cleaning module 100 are stored. In other examples, the slide cleaning module 100 may lack the housing 120. For example, the slide cleaning module 100 may be instead stored inside the housing of a larger piece of equipment or inside a clean room. The slide cleaning module 100 in some cases may require maintenance such as for cleaning, part replacement, troubleshooting, and the like. In the illustrated example, the slide cleaning module 100 has one or more doors 125 that allow an individual access to inside the housing 120 of the slide cleaning module 100 to perform these various tasks as weft as other tasks. For instance, the doors 125 in the cleaning area 105 allow' an individual to remove broken slides and replace scrubbing brushes inside the cleaning area 105, and the doors 125 in the fluid supply area 1 10 facilitate fluid replacement. The doors 125 in the sump area 1 15 allow' the removal of full containers containing contaminated fluid and replacement with empty or clean containers. The fluid supply area 110 in the depicted example has one or more containers 130 to store the fluids. In other examples, some or all of the fluids may be stored and / or supplied from outside of the slide cleaning module 100. For instance, the DI water may be supplied from a centralized DI water source in a laboratory, and the air may be supplied from a centralized pneumatic system. As noted above, the slide cleaning module 100 can be a stand-alone unit or integrated into a larger slide preparation system. When used in the larger system, the slide cleaning module 100 is sized and shaped in a fashion to preexisting modules so that the slide cleaning module 100 is able to be readily retrofitted into existing system designs. FIG. 2 shows one example of a staining system 200 that is able to receive the slide cleaning module 100. As shown, the staining system 200 has a module location 205 where the slide cleaning module 100 is installed and integrated with the other equipment in the staining system 200. Due to the compact size and shape that is comparable to other modules of the staining system 200, the slide cleaning module 100 can be readily retrofitted into the existing design of the staining system 200.

[0177] FIG. 3 shows another example of a tissue preparation system 300 for preparing tissue samples for analysis where the slide cleaning module 100 can be easily integrated into the system 300. In this case, the system 300 has multiple module locations 305 where the slide cleaning module 100 can be integrated into the system 300. The module location 305 where the slide cleaning module 100 is installed can be based on many factors such as based on the location of various equipment inside the system 300. For instance, the slide cleaning module 100 in one example is located directly after staining and application of the coverslip on the slides so that the slides can be cleaned from contaminants created during those processes. It should be recognized that the slide cleaning module 100 can be located elsewhere in the system 300. Once more, the compact, modular design of the slide cleaning module 100 allows the slide cleaning module 100 to be readily integrated into the system 300.

[0178] A block diagram of the slide cleaning module 100 is shown in FIG. 4. The slide cleaning module 100 in the depicted example includes a controller 405 configured to control various operations in the slide cleaning module 100, a slide transporter 410 that transport slides through the slide cleaning module 100, and one or more stations 415 configured to facilitate cleaning of the slides. The controller 405 is operatively coupled to the stations 415 to monitor the cleaning process and control the operation of the various stations 415 in the slide cleaning module 100.

[0179] In the illustrated example, the slide transporter 410 has a rotary or carousel type design in which the slides are indexed or moved between the stations 415 in a generally circular direction. This rotary or carousel design of the slide transporter 410 provides a compact design such that the slide cleaning module 100 can be readily retrofitted into the module locations 305 normally occupied by other types of modules. As is indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4. the slide transporter 410 moves the slides between the stations 415 in a clockwise direction, but the slide transporter 410 in other examples moves the slides in a counterclockwise or anticlockwise direction. The slide transporter 410 in other examples is configured to index the slides between the stations 415 in other directions. For instance, the slide transporter 410 in another example is configured to move the slides in a generally linear direction, and in still yet other examples, the slide transporter 410 moves the slides in a serpentine pattern. In the depicted example, the slide transporter 410 moves the slides between the stationary stations 415. However, the stations 415 in other examples are mobile, and the slides are stationary during the cleaning process inside the slide cleaning module 100. In this example, the slide transporter 410 moves the various stations 415 between the stationary slides.

[0180] The stations 415 in the slide cleaning module 100 of FIG. 1 include a slide transfer station 420, a pre-rinse station 425, and one or more wash stations 428. The wash stations 428 in the depicted example include a coarse scrub station 430 and a fine scrub station 435. The stations 415 in the slide cleaning module 100 further include a finishing station 440. The slide cleaning module 100 has a fluidics module 445 that is configured to supply various fluids, such as the solvents, cleansing agents, and gases to the various stations 415 in the slide cleaning module 100. In other examples, the fluidics module 445 is external to the slide cleaning module 100 and supplies fluids to other modules outside of the slide cleaning module 100.

[0181] The slide transfer station 420 is designed to receive slides from upstream modules. For the purposes of explanation, the slide cleaning module 100 will be described as receiving stained and slip covered slides from an upstream staining and slip covering module, but it should be recognized that the slide transfer station 420 of the slide cleaning module 100 can receive slides from different processing modu les. The slide transfer station 420 is configured to load the slides from the staining and slip covering module into the slide cleaning module 100. Once the cleaning process inside the slide cleaning module 100 is completed, the slide transfer station 420 is designed to unload the slides from the slide cleaning module 100 and transfer the slides to downstream processing stations or modules such as scanning or packaging stations.

[0182] Upon entering the slide cleaning module 100, the slide transporter 410 transfers the slides from the slide transfer station 420 to the pre-rinse station 425. The pre-rinse station 425 is configured to rinse the slides with a solvent, like DI water, so as to rinse off loose contaminants as well as prepare the slide for further cleaning. The pre -rinse station 425 receives the DI water from the fluidics module 445. Once more, for the purposes of explanation, the solvent used in each of the stations 415 of the slide cleaning module 100 will be described as DI water, but it should be recognized that other solvents can be used. Moreover, each of the stations 415 can use different solvents (or none at a ll) depending on the processing needs at the particular station 415.

[0183] The slide transporter 410 transfers the rinsed slide from the pre-rinse station 425 to the wash stations 428. In the illustrated example, the slides are transferred from the pre-rinse station 425 to the coarse scrub station 430. In other examples, the slide transporter 410 transfers the slides from the pre-rinse station 425 to other stations 415. The fluidics module 445 supplies a cleansing agent, such as soap, and a solvent, like DI water, to the coarse scrub station 430. In one version, the coarse scrub station 430 includes one or more scrub rollers, scrub brushes, scrub pads, and / or other types of scrubbers or scrubbing tools that are configured to scrub the surfaces of the slide and the cover slip. The coarse scrub station 430 uses relatively coarse scrubbers in conjunction with the soap and water to remove large-sized particulates or other contaminants from the slide. For explanation purposes, the cleansing agent used in each of the wash stations 428 of the slide cleaning module 100 will be described as soap, but it should be recognized that other cleansing agents can be used. Moreo ver, each of the wash stations 428 can use different cleansing agents (or none at all) depending on the processing needs of the wash station 428.

[0184] The slide transporter 410 transfers the scrubbed slide from the coarse scrub station 430 to the fine scrub station 435. The fluidics module 445 supplies the cleansing agent, such as soap, and a solvent, like DI water, to the fine scrub station 435. In one version, the fine scrub station 435 includes one or more scrub rollers, scrub brushes, scrub pads, and / or other types of scrubbers or scrubbing tools that are configured to scrub the surfaces of the slide and the coverslip. As compared to the scrubbers in. the coarse scrub station 430, the fine scrub station 435 uses relatively fine scrubbers in conjunction with the soap and water to remove smaller- sized particulates or other contaminants from the slide.

[0185] From the line scrub station 435, the slide transporter 410 transfers the slide to the finishing station 440, At the finishing station 440. the fluidics module 445 provides DI water that the finishing station 440 rinses along the outer surface of the slide to remove any remaining contaminants or residual soap from the slide. To remove the water and particulates from the slide, the fluidics module 445 supplies the gas, such as dehumidified air or nitrogen, to the finishing station 440. In one form, the finishing station 440 has an air knife that blows the air along the surface of the slide to remove any residual liquids or particulates, like dust, from the slide. For explanation purposes, the finishing station 440 will be described as blowing air, but it should be recognized that the finishing station 440 can use other types of gases.

[0186] After the finishing process in the finishing station 440. the slide transporter 410 transports the slide to the slide transfer station 420. When the slide is at the slide transfer station 420, the slide is then transferred to downstream modules or stations for further processing. Once transferred from the slide transfer station 420 of the slide cleaning module 100, the slide can be scanned for analysis and / or packed.

[0187] The slide cleaning module 100 in other examples can include fewer or more stations 415 than is illustrated. For example, the slide cleaning module 100 in other variations may just have a single wash station 428 or more than two wash stations 428. Moreover, the slide cleaning module 100 in other examples includes two or more pre-rinse stations 425 and / or two or more finishing stations 440. The finishing station 440 in certain versions is split into two or more separate stations 415. For instance, the final rinse and air knife processes are performed in separate stat i ons 415. Like in the ease of the finishing st a t ion 440, two or more of the stations 415 in certain variations are combined together to form a single station 415. Select stations 415 may be eliminated in. certain variations. For instance, the slide cleaning module 100 in select variations does not include the pre-rinse station 425. The order or sequence of the stations 415 can be different than is illustrated in other examples. To monitor the slides and the processes at and between the various stations 415 as well as at the slide transporter 410 and the fluidics module 445, the slide cleaning module 100 in the depicted example has a surveillance unit 450, The controller 405 via the surveillance unit 450 is able to visualize the slides as well as the cleaning quality of the slides at the stations 415, and the controller 405 is able to adjust the cleaning process at the stations 415 depending on the feedback from the surveillance unit 450, For example, the controller 405 is able to adjust the fluidics module 445 to supply more or less soap and / or water to the wash stations 428 if the slides are not properly cleaned.

[0188] The controller 405 is communicatively or operatively coupled to the slide transporter 410, the stations 415, the fluidics module 445, and the surveillance unit 450 via one or more communication channels 455 such as in the form of wired and / or wireless connections. The controller 405 is operatively coupled to the slide transporter 410, the slide transfer station 420, the pre-rinse station 425, the coarse scrub station 430, the fine scrub station 435, the finishing station 440, the fluidics module 445, and the surveillance unit 450 via individual communication channels 455, but the slide cleaning module 100 can have different communication architectures in other examples. For instance, the slide cleaning module 100 has a communication bus upon which the controller 405 communicates with the slide transporter 410, the stations 415, the fluidics module 445, and / or the surveillance unit 450.

[0189] To transfer the fluids from the fluidics module 445 to the various stations 415, the slide cleaning module 100 has one or more fluid passages 460 connected between the fluidics module 445 and at least some of the stations 415, The fluid passages 460 define fluid passageways through which the fluids are transferred. In one example, the fluid passages 460 are in the form of tubes or pipes, but the fluid passages 460 can have different forms in other examples. For example, the fluid passages 460 can include passageways integrally formed in the housing 120 or other components of the slide cleaning module 100. In the depicted example, the fluid passages 460 fluidly couple the fluidics module 445 to the pre-rinse station 425, the coarse scrub station 430, the fine scrub station 435, and the finishing station 440, It should be recognized that other components can be fluidically coupled to the fluidics module 445 as well. The controller 405 typically includes a processor 505, memory 510, a network interface 515, an input / output device (I / O device) 520, and a power supply 525, The controller 405 is configured to communicate with other parts of the slide cleaning module 100, For instance, the controller 405 commands the slide transporter 410 and the stations 415 to perform various cleaning tasks. The processor 505 serves as a central unit that performs calculations, makes decisions, andfor generates commands to coordinate all activities within the slide cleaning module 100. According to one example, the algorithm is configured to control and provide real-time feedback on the integrity of the cleaning process. According to other examples, the algorithms are adapted to auto-correct errors in the cleaning process, self-recognize patterns within the cleani ng process, predict outcomes by correlating images of the cleaned s lides with prognostic data, and / or perform other tasks that enhance accuracy and efficiency of the cleaning process. The memory 510 stores an algorithm, such as software or even an artificial intelligence (Al) algorithm, to assist in controlling the cleaning process and / or monitoring the cleaned slides. The controller 405 further communicates to the other components of the slide cleaning module 100 and / or components externa! to the slide cleaning module 100 via the network interface 515 that is communicatively coupled to the communication channels 455. As should be appreciated, the communications within the slide cleaning module 100 may be accomplished through wired and / or wireless communication. The I / O device 520 provides information about the slide cleaning module 100 and the cleaning process to the operator of the slide cleaning module 100, and the operator is able to control and interact with the controller 405 via the I / O device 520. The power supply 525 in one form provides electrical power to the components of the controller 405 and the slide cleaning module 100. In the illustrated example, the processor 505 is operatively connected to the memory 510, the network interface 515, the I / O device 520, and the power supply 525, but it should be recognized that these components can be operatively coupled in other ways. Moreover, some of these components may be eliminated or combined together to form a single unit,

[0190] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the slide transporter 410 operatively connected to the controller 405. As noted before, the slide transporter 410 is designed to index or move the slides in the slide cleaning module 100. In the illustrated example, the slide transporter 410 is in the form of a rotary or carousel type slide conveyor so as to provide a compact design, but again, other types of slide conveyors or indexing devices can be used in other examples. As shown, the slide transporter 410 includes a carousel 605 and a motor 610 coupled to the carousel 605 so as to rotate the carouse! 605. In one example, the motor 610 is an electric motor, but the motor 610 in other examples can include other types of motors like pneumatic or hydraulic type motors. The carousel 605 in one version has a genera! circular disc shape, but the carousel 605 can be shaped differently in other examples. The carousel 605 has one or more grippers 615 that are configured to grip the slides during transport, and in most eases, during cleaning. As can be seen, the motor 610 and the grippers 615 are communicatively coupled to the controller 405 via the communication channels 455 so that the controller 405 is able to monitor and control the operation of the motor 610 and the grippers 615. For example, the controller 405 controls the grippers 615 so that the grippers 615 are able to grip and release the slides during the cleaning process inside the slide cleaning module 100. The controller 405 is able to control the motor 610 so as to rotate or otherwise move the carousel

[0191] 605 (e.g., in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction) to index the slides between the stations 415.

[0192] In one version, the gripper 615 grips one end of the slide, and the motor 610 rotates the carousel 605 so as to transport the slide to the next station 415. At the station 415, the gripper 615 in this example maintains the grip on the end of the slide as the slide goes through the cleaning process at the particular station 415. In another example, the gripper 615 releases the slide at the station 415 tor cleaning purposes, and the gripper 615 grabs the slide again after the cleaning process at the station 415. Once the cleaning process is completed at the particular station 415, the controller 405 commands the motor 610 to rotate the carousel 605 so that the slide is indexed to the next station 415.

[0193] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the fluidics module 445. As shown, the fluidics module 445 includes a water or solvent supply 705 for supplying the solvent to the stations 415, a soap or cleansing agent supply 710 for supplying one or more solvents to the stations 415, and an air or gas supply 715 for supplying one or more gases. As should be recognized the water, soap, and air may not be supplied to every station 415, because each station 415 may have different requirements. The solvent supply 705, the cleansing agent supply 710, and the gas supply 715 can come in many forms. For example, the solvent supply 705 and the cleansing agent supply 710 in some cases are the containers 130, such as jugs or barrels, that store the water and the liquid soap, respectively. As another example, the gas supply 715 can be in the form of a gas tank or an air compressor. In still yet other examples, the solvent supply 705, the cleansing agent supply 710, and / or the gas supply 715 are incorporated into a central supply for the laboratory such as a central DI water supply or central pneumatic / air supply.

[0194] In some versions, the fluid supply area 110 further includes a recycler 720 at the sump area 1 15 of the slide cleaning module 100 configured to recycle and / or filter one or more fluids from the stations 415. In the illustrated example, the recycler 720 cleans the water from the stations 415 so that the water can be supplied to the solvent supply 705 for reuse in the slide cleaning module 100, For example, the recycler 720 in one variation includes one or more filters to filter contaminants from the water and a reverse osmosis device to further clean the water. In another example, the recycler 720 includes a distillation system to recycle the water. Alternatively or additionally, the recycler 720 in other variations is used to filter, clean, and'or recycle other fluids in the system like nitrogen or air from the gas supply 715.

[0195] In the example illustrated in FIG, 7, the fluid passages 460 include a solvent supply tube 725, a cleansing agent supply conduit 730, and a gas supply tube 735. The solvent supply tube 725 is fluidly connected between the stations 415 and the solvent supply 705 so that the solvent supply 705 is able to supply water to the stations 415. The cleansing agent supply conduit 730 is fluidly connected between the stations 415 and the cleansing agent supply 710 so that the cleansing agent supply 710 is able to supply soap to the stations 415. The gas supply tube 735 is fluidly connected between the stations 415 and the solvent supply 705 so that the gas supply 715 is able to supply air to the stations 415. As can be seen, a drain tube 740 fluidly connects the stations 415 to the recycler 720. The drain tube 740 drains contaminated fluids, like dirty water, from the cleaning process at the station 4.15 into the recycler 720. The fluidics module 445 further has a recycler tube 745 fluidly coupled between the solvent supply 705 and the recycler 720 so that the recycler 720 is able to supply the recycled water from the recycler 720 to the solvent supply 705. In other examples, the recycler tube 745 is fluidly coupled between the recycler 720 and the gas supply 715.

[0196] To control the flow of fluids in the slide cleaning module 100, the slide cleaning module 100 has one or more valves 750. In the depicted example, the solvent supply tube 725, the cleansing agent supply conduit 730, the gas supply tube 735, the drain tube 740, and the recycler tube 745 each has at least one valve 750. The fluidics module 445 in other examples may have more or less valves 750 than is shown. The valves 750 are operatively connected to the controller 405 via the communication channels 455. Via the communication channels 455, the controller 405 is able to open, close, or otherwise actuate the individual valves 750 to control fluid flow in the slide cleaning module 100.

[0197] One example of the surveillance unit 450 is depicted in FIG, 8. In the illustrated example, the surveillance unit 450 includes one or more cameras 805 positioned along the various stations 415 within the slide cleaning module 100. To provide illumination for each camera 805, the surveillance unit 450 further includes at least one light source 810. rhe cameras 805 and the light sources 810 are operatively connected to the controller 405 via the fluidics module 445. The controller 405 is able to receive and process images from the cameras 805 as well as control the operation of the cameras 805 along with the light sources 810, For example, the controller 405 is able to monitor slide cleanliness at each of the stations 415 and make adjustments to the cleaning process to enhance the cleaning process. The cameras 805 are able to further monitor the operation of the equipment in the stations 415 in certain cases so that the preventive maintenance actions can occur to avoid downtime of the slide cleaning module 100. The cleaning area 105 via the cameras 805 is also able to monitor for accidents, such as dropped slides with the slide cleaning module 100, and take corrective actions.

[0198] In the illustrated example, the cameras 805 are positioned between the various stations 415 so as to monitor the cleanl iness of the slides. In particular, the cam eras 805 are positioned at the infeed and outfeed ends of the pre-rinse station 425, the coarse scrub station 430, the fine scrub station 435, and the finishing station 440. The cleaning area 105 compares the cleanliness of the slide both entering and leaving the station 415 and takes corrective action when the desired cleanliness levels are not achieved. For instance, the controller 405 via the fluidics module 445 can adjust the soap to water ratio in the coarse scrub station 430 and / or the fine scrub station 435 when the desired slide cleanliness level is not achieved. In other variations, the surveillance unit 450 can have more or less cameras 805, and the cameras 805 can be positioned in different locations. For instance, the cameras 805 of the surveillance unit 450 in another variation are positioned inside one or more of the stations 415.

[0199] An example of the slide cleaning module 100 is shown in FIG. 9. In particular, FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a slide cleaning module (SLCM ) 900 at the cleaning area 105 according to one example. As shown, the slide cleaning module 900 includes the slide transporter 410 and the stations 415. In particular, the slide cleaning module 900 has the prerinse station 425, the coarse scrub station 430, the fine scrub station 435, and the finishing station 440. The slide transporter 410 includes the grippers 615. In the depicted example, the gripper 615 includes an end of arm tool (EoAT) or effector 905 and an actuator 910 configured to actuate the effector 905. The effector 905 in one form includes one or more fingers 915 configured to grip a slide 920. The slide 920 has a sample end 925 and a label end 930 positioned opposite to the sample end 925, Typically, but not always, the sample end 925 of the slide 920 has a coverslip that covers the tissue sample. The label end 930 of the slide 920 in the illustrated example has a label 935. The label 935 provides information such as about the slide 920, the tissue sample on the slide 920, batch information, processing information, and / or other information.

[0200] In the depicted example, the effector 905 has two fingers 915, but the effector 905 can have more or less fingers 915 in other examples. Other types of effectors 905 can be used in other examples to secure the slide 920. For instance, the effector 905 in another variation includes one or more suction cups to grip the slide. The actuator 910 is configured to open and close the fingers 915 to grip and release the slide 920. In one form, the actuator 910 is communicatively coupled to the controller 405 via the communication channels 455 so that the controller 405 is able to actuate the fingers 915 during operation of the slide cleaning module 900. The actuator 910 in one form includes an electric motor, but the actuator 910 can include other types of actuators like pneumatic or hydraulic actuators. Moreover, the grippers 615 can farther include other devices such as linkages and gears operatively coupled between the effector 905 and the actuator 910.

[0201] With continued reference to FIG. 9, the fingers 915 grip opposing side edges of the slide 920 at the label end 930. The sample end 925 of the slide 920 extends freely away from the fingers 915 so that the sample end 925 is exposed during cleaning. With the label end 930 of the slide 920 gripped between the fingers 915 of the effector 905, the label 935 of the slide is generally protected during cleaning. This helps to prevent the label 935 from being smeared or otherwise damaged by the various scrubbing, rinsing, and other activities that occur during cleaning of the slide 920 inside the slide cleaning module 900. Turning to FIG. 10, the slide cleaning module 900 in the illustrated example has two wash stations 428 that are configured to scrub the sample end 925, the coarse scrub station 430 and the fine scrub station 435. Once more, the slide cleaning module 900 in other examples can have more or less wash stations 428 than is shown. Each of the wash stations 428 (i.e., the coarse scrub station 430 and the fine scrub station 435) has a carriage 1005 for scrubbing the slide 920, an elevator 1010 configured to move the carriage 1005, and a basin 1015 configured to collect dirty or contaminated water from the scrubbing of the slide 920. The carriage 1005 has a scrubber 1020 configured to scrub the slide 920. To reduce splashing the water, soap, and contaminan ts from th e scrubber 1020 onto other equipment of the slide cleaning module 900, the carriage 1005 has one or more shields 1025. The slide transporter 410, the elevator 1010, and other equipment of the slide cleaning module 900 are directly or indirectly mounted to a chassis 1030 of the slide c leaning module 900. In most (but not all) cases, the chassis 1030 is mounted inside the housing 120 (FIG. 1 ) of the slide cleaning module 900. The basin 1015 is fluidly coupled to the drain tube 740 (FIG. 7) so that the dirty water is drained from the basin 1015 for cleaning and / or disposal.

[0202] Referring to FIG. 11, the elevator 1010 for each of the wash stations 428 includes a rail 1105 along which the carriage 1005 glides. The rail 1105 guides the camage 1005 as the carnage 1005 is raised and lowered. In the illustrated example, the rail 1 105 extends in a generally vertical direction so that the carriage 1005 moves in the vertical direction. This allows the slide 920 to be scrubbed in the vertical direction. Having the slide 920 extend from the effector 905 in a generally vertical direction promotes drainage of the water, soap, and contaminants from the slide 920. In other examples, the rail 1105 extends in a horizontal direction so that the carriage 1005 moves in the horizontal direction. In that case, the slide 920 in some cases may be positioned in an on-edge on position (i.e., edges of the slide 920 face up and down) to promote drainage of dirty water from the sample end 925. In still yet other examples, the rail 1105 is angled at an acute angle between the vertical and horizontal directions. In this example, the slide 920 sometimes may be oriented in a generally edge on direction to promote drainage.

[0203] At one end of the rail 1 105, the elevator 1010 has a drive 1110, such as in the form of a motor, configured to move the carriage 1005 along the rail 1 105. The elevator 1010 has a cable 1115 coupled between the camage 1005 and the drive 1110. The drive 1 1 10 tightens or loosens the cable 11 15 to move the carriage 1005. In other words, the drive 1 1 10 shortens or lengthens the cable 1115 so as to vertically move the carriage 1005 and promote scrubbing of the scrubber 1020 along at least part of the slide 920 (e.g., the sample end 925). The elevator 1010 can be configured differently in other examples. For instance, the elevator 1010 in other variations includes a screw drive, pneumatic piston, or hydraulic piston to move the carriage 1005.

[0204] FIG. 12 shows an enlarged perspective view of one example of the pre-rinse station 425. As shown, the grippers 615 of the carousel 605 grip the opposing side edges of the slide 920 at the label end 930. As noted before, the slide 920 is initially gripped at the slide transfer station 420 which is located upstream from the pre-rinse station 425. The slide transporter 410 moves the slide 920 from the slide transfer station 420 to the pre-rinse station 425. The pre-rinse station 425 in the illustrated example includes one or more nozzles 1205 that spray or rinse DI water from the nozzles 1205 over the surface of the slide 920 to facilitate removal of debris from the slide 920. The solvent supply tubes 725 fluidly couple the nozzles 1205 to the solvent supply 705 of the fluid supply area 1 10. The nozzles 1205 receive the water from the solvent supply 705 in the fluid supply area 110 via the solvent supply tube 725. In other variations, the nozzles 1205 may pre-soak or rinse the slide with a solution of the water 1210 with soap or a pre-rinse agent.

[0205] In the illustrated example, the slide transfer station 420 includes two nozzles 1205 that rinse the slide 920 at the same time over both sides of the slide 920 at the sample end 925. The nozzles 1205 extend at a transverse angle relative to the sample end 925. In particular, the nozzles 1205 spray the water 1210 so as to hit the sample end 925 of the slide at an acute downward angle so that the water 1210 rinses and drains down the sample end 925 of the slide 920. The pre-rinse station 425 in other variations may have more or less nozzles 1205 that are positioned and angled differently than is illustrated in FIG. 12. For instance, the prerinse station 425 in another example has a single nozzle 1205 that rinses just one side of the slide 920, and in a further example, the pre-rin.se station 425 has a single nozzle 1205 that rinses one side of the slide 920 at a time. In a further example, the pre-rinse station 425 has more than two nozzles 1205. For instance, the pre-rinse station 425 has nozzles 1205 that rinse the edges of the slide 920 while also rinsing the sides of the slide 920. The water from the rinsing is collected via the basin 1015 and discharge via the drain tube 740. FIGS. 13 and 14 show perspective views of the coarse scrub station 430 used to clean the slides 920 in the slide cleaning module 900. As described before, the coarse scrub station 430 includes the carriage 1005 with the scrubber 1020 and the elevator 1010 configured to raise and lower the camage 1005 so that the scrubber 1020 is able to scrub the desired length of the slide 920 (e.g., the sample end 925). The elevator 1010 has the drive 11 10 that moves the carriage 1005 along the rail 1105.

[0206] The scrubber 1020 includes one or more coarse roller brushes 1305 and at least one coarse brush motor 1310 configured to rotate the coarse roller brushes 1305. The coarse roller brushes 1305 in the depicted example have a generally cylindrical shape, but the coarse roller brushes 1305 can be shaped differently in other examples. The coarse roller brushes 1305 have a series of ridges 1315 that extend in a longitudinal direction along the periphery or outer circumference of the coarse roller brushes 1305. The ridges 1315 create a coarse or rough surface that rubs against the surface of the slide 920. It should be recognized that the coarse roller brashes 1305 can be made coarse in other ways such a via the materials used, surface roughening, and the like. In some forms, the coarse roller brushes 1305 are made of rubber or plastic, but the coarse roller brushes 1305 can be made from other materials. The coarse nature of the coarse roller brushes 1305 promotes the removal of relatively larger contaminants and / or scrubs off most of the contaminants from the slide 920. In one form, the scrubber 1020 has a single coarse brush motor 1310 with gearing to supply rotary motion to the coarse roller brushes 1305, and in another form, the scrubber 1020 has two coarse brush motors 1 .310 with each assigned to rotate one of the coarse roller brushes 1305.

[0207] The fingers 915 of the gripper 615 hold the slide 920 in place. Once the slide 920 is at the coarse scrub station 430, the elevator 1010 raises the coarse roller brushes 1305 from the basin 1015 so that the slide 920 is positioned between the coarse roller brushes 1305. During scrubbing, the slide 920 is sandwiched between the opposing coarse roller brushes 1.305. The coarse brash motors 1.310 spin or rotate the coarse roller brushes 1305 in opposing clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The coarse roller brashes 1305 rub against the slide 920 so as to scrub against the opposing surfaces of the slide 920. In the illustrated example, the coarse scrub station 430 includes two coarse roller brushes 1305 positioned on opposing sides of the slide 920 so as to m inimize the risk of breaking the slide 920. In one example, the coarse scrub station 430 may include a single coarse roller brush 1305 or more than two coarse roller brushes 1305. The coarse scrub station 430 has the shields 1025 to minimize the splashing during scrubbing of the slide 920.

[0208] Turning to FIG. 14, the coarse scrub station 430 has one or more nozzles 1205 that apply a soap-water solution to the sample end 925 and / or coarse roller brushes 1305. As should be recognized, the soap- water solution facilitates cleaning of the slide 920, In one example, the nozzles 1205 in the coarse scrub station 430 are positioned and angled in a fashion similar to the nozzles 1205 in FIG. 12, but the nozzles 1205 can be positioned and / or oriented differently in other examples. Looking at FIG. 14, the coarse scrub station 430 has a mixer 1405 that supplies the soap- water solution to the nozzles 1205 via a mixed fluid conduit 1410. The solvent supply tube 725 from the solvent supply 705 and the cleansing agent supply conduit 730 from the cleansing agent supply 710 are connected together at the mixer 1405 that mixes the water and soap together. The soap-water solution is discharged from the mixer 1405 and supplied to the nozzles 1205 via the mixed fluid conduit 1410.

[0209] With the soap-water solution applied to the slide 920 via the nozzles 1205, the coarse roller brushes 1305 scrub the slide 920. To protect the label 935, the coarse roller brushes 1305 only scrub the sample end 925 of the slide 920 and not the label end 930 in one variation. The fingers 915 help to further protect the label 935 of the slide 920. In other variations, the coarse roller brashes 1305 scrub the entire length of the slide 920. The basin 1015 col lects the now contaminated scrub water and drains this contaminated water to the recycler 720 via the drain tube 740. From the coarse scrub station 430, the slide transporter 410 transfers the slide 920 to the next fine scrub station 435.

[0210] FIGS. 15 and 16 show perspective views of the fine scrub station 435 used to clean the slides 920 in the slide cleaning module 100. As described before, the fine scrub station 435 includes the carriage 1005 with the scrubber 1020 and the elevator 1010 configured to raise and lower the carriage 1005 so that the scrubber 1020 is able to scrub the desired length of the slide 920 (e.g., the sample end 925). The elevator 1010 has the drive 1 1 10 that moves the carriage 1005 along the rail 1 105. The scrubber 1.020 includes one or more fine roller brushes 1505 and at least one fme brush motor 1510 configured to rotate the fine roller brushes 1505. The fine roller brushes 1505 in the depicted example have a generally cylindrical shape, but the fine roller brushes 1505 can be shaped differently in other examples. The surfaces of the fine roller brushes 1505 are finer than the coarse roller brushes 1305. In some forms, the fine roller brushes 1505 are made of rubber or plastic, but the fine roller brushes 1505 can be made from other materials. The fine nature of the fine roller brushes 1505 promotes the removal of relatively small contaminants and / or scrubs off the rest of the contaminants from the slide 920. In one form, the scrubber 1020 has a single fine brush motor 1510 with gearing to supply rotary motion to the fine roller brushes 1505, and in another form, the scrubber 1020 has two fme brush motors 1510 with one assigned to rotate each of the fine roller brushes 1505.

[0211] The fingers 915 of the gripper 615 hold the slide 920 in place. Once the slide 920 is at the fine scrub station 435, the elevator 1010 raises the fine roller brushes 1505 from the basin 1015 so that the slide 920 is positioned between the fine roller brushes 1505. During scrubbing, the slide 920 is sandwiched between the opposing fine roller brushes 1505. The fine brush motors 1510 spin or rotate the fine roller brushes 1505 in opposing clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The fine roller brushes 1505 rub against the slide 920 so as to scrub against the opposing surfaces of the slide 920. In the illustrated example, the fme scrub station 435 includes two fme roller brushes 1505 positioned on opposing sides of the slide 920 so as to minimize the risk of breaking the slide 920. In one example, the fine scrub station 435 may include a single fine roller brush 1505 or more than two fine roller brushes 1505. The fine scrub station 435 has the shields 1025 to minimize the splashing during scrubbing of the slide 920.

[0212] As can be seen in FIG. 16, the fine scrub station 435 has one or more nozzles 1205 that apply a soap-water solution to the sample end 925 and / or fine roller brushes 1505. As should be recognized, the soap-water solution faci litates cleaning of the slide 920. The nozzles 1205 in the fine scrub station 435 are positioned and angled in a fashion similar to the nozzles 1.205 in FIG. 12, but the nozzles 1205 can be positioned and / or oriented differently in other examples. Referring to FIG. 15, the fine scrub station 435 has a mixer 1405 that supplies the soap-water solution to the nozzles 1205 via a mixed fluid conduit 1410. The solvent supply tube 725 from the solvent supply 705 and the cleansing agent supply conduit 730 from the cleansing agent supply 710 are connected together at the mixer 1405 that mixes the water and soap together. The soap-water solution is discharged from the mixer 1405 and supplied to the nozzles 1205 via the mixed fluid conduit 1410.

[0213] With the soap-water solution applied to the slide 920 via the nozzles 1205, the fine roller brushes 1505 scrub the slide 920. To protect the label 935, the fine roller brushes 1505 only scrub the sample end 925 of the slide 920 and not the label end 930 in one variation. The fingers 915 help to further protect the label 935 of the slide 920. In other variations, the fine roller brashes 1505 scrub the entire length of the slide 920. The basin 1015 collects the now contaminated scrub water and drains this contaminated water to the recycler 720 via the drain tube 740. From the fine scrub station 435, the slide transporter 410 transfers the slide 920 to the finishing station 440.

[0214] FIG. 17 shows one example of the finishing station 440 that can be used in the slide cleaning module 100. The finishing station 440 includes the nozzles 1205 to rinse water over the slide 920. The rinse of water from the nozzles 1205 helps to remove residual soap and / or other contaminants. In one version, the nozzles 1205 are arranged and angled in a similar fashion as in the pre-rinse station 425 depicted in FIG. 12. The finishing station 440 further includes one or more air knives 1705 that blow a thin, high-pressure stream of air or other gas over the surface of the slide 920 to clean the surface of any remaining water, soap bubbles, dust, and / or other contaminants. The solvent supply 705 receives the pressurized air or other gas from the gas supply 715 via the gas supply tabes 735. In the illustrated example, the air knives 1705 are angled traverse to the slide 920 in the fingers 915 to blow air across the surface of the slide 920. In particular, the air knives 1705 are angled to blow the air at an acute angle relative to the slide 920 so that the remaining water or other contaminants on the slide 920 are blown in a downwards direction off of the slide. The water blown off the slide 920 is drained into the recycler 720 via the drain tube 740. Once the slide 920 is dried at the finishing station 440, the slide transporter 410 moves the slide 920 to the slide transfer station 420. At the slide transfer station. 420, the controller 405 via the actuator 910 releases the fingers 915 from the slide 920 so that the slide 920 can be transferred to another module for further processing. As noted before, the surveillance unit 450 is designed to monitor the various operations of the slide cleaning module 100 such as the cleanliness of the slides 920, The setup of the camera 805 and various illumination setups for the light source 810 (e.g., side illumination, backlight, and front illuminati on) can be used to capture images of dust, spots, and fingerprints. FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 depict various set up examples of experiential versions of the camera 805. FIG. 19 shows the relative orientation of the camera 805 and the slide 920. FIG. 20 shows the set up of the surveillance unit 450 with the light source 810 backlighting the slide 920 to enhance visibility for the camera 805.

[0215] FIG. 20 shows an enlarged view of another example of the surveillance unit 450 including a light source 2005 that lights from the side of the slide 920. In some cases, lighting the slide 920 from the side enhances the visibility of certain contaminants, such as dust, for the camera 805 to view. In this example, the light source 2005 includes an array or series of light guides 2010 that are positioned to light the slide 920 from the side of the slide 920.

[0216] FIG. 21 shows a series of images 2100 of slides 920 with fingerprints. The surveillance unit 450 can use a series of techniques for enhancing visibi lity of the fingerprints on the slides 920 for the cameras 805. As shown, the images 2100 show the slide 920 with grey conversion, with enhanced contrast, and with the tissue sample removed.

[0217] As noted before, there are several contamination sources for slides 920 that the slide cleaning module 100 is designed to remove during the cleaning process. Depending on the contaminant type, different lighting and camera set ups can be used to visualize the contaminants on the slides 920. For example, FIG. 22 shows images 2200 that provide examples of slides 920 with dust and spots. FIG. 23 shows images 2300 of a pre-washed slide 920 with fingerprints and debris and the sample end 925 after the cleaning process with the fingerprints and debris removed. FIG. 24 shows images 2400 of a pre-washed slide 920 with spotting and the slide 920 with the spots removed.

[0218] FIG. 25 shows images 2500 of one example of a slide 920 before and after cleaning, and FIG. 26 shows images 2600 of another example of a slide 920 before and after cleaning. FIG. 27 shows a series of images 2700 that show the before and after results of the cleaning process of an. excessively dirty slide 920. As can be seen, the cleaning of the slide 920 was challenging, but the cleaning process improved the cleanliness of the sample end 925.

[0219] Various glues can be used when preparing the slides 920 for analysis. Residue from the label 935 and glue can be challenging to remove. FIG. 28 shows images 2800 of slide 920 that show promising results from the cleaning process. FIG. 29 likewise shows similar promising before and after images 2900 of slides 920 with glue.

[0220] FIG. 30 shows images 3000 of a series of slides 920 after cover slipping that went through two cycles of the cleaning process. It should be recognized that the cleaned slides 920 at the bottom of FIG. 30 are substantially cleaner after the cleaning process.

[0221] It was found that unclean slides 920 after the staining and cover slipping process increased analysis errors and scan time for automatic tissue analysis systems. For instance, FIG. 31 includes a table 3100 that provides before and after results for spotted slides 920 that were cleaned using the cleaning process described herein. As can be seen in the table 3100, the cleaning process reduced diagnostic errors and improved scan times for the analysis system.

[0222] As another example, FIG. 32 shows a cleaning unit 3200 that includes the FIG. 9 slide cleaning module 900. The slide cleaning module 900 in the cleaning unit 3200 of FIG. 32 is constructed in the same manner as discussed above, such as with respect to FIGS. 9-17, but the slide cleaning module 900 in the cleaning unit 3200 of FIG. 32 includes further features to faci litate the transfer of slides 920 and incorporation into staining and other tissue sample processing systems. As shown, the slide cleaning module 900 of the cleaning unit 3200 includes one or more rack interfaces 3205 that facilitate loading and unloading of slides 920, which are stored in one or more racks 3210, for the slide cleaning module 900. The rack interfaces 3205 are configured to hold and position the racks 3210 so that the fingers 915 of the effector 905 are able to grip one of the slides 920 in the rack 3210. In one variation, the rack interfaces 3205 are configured to tilt the racks 3210 to facilitate placement of the slides 920 in the racks 3210, which in turn aids the effector 905 in gripping and releasing the slides 920. The effector 905 is able to load the slide 920 into the slide cleaning module 900 for cleaning or unload the slide 920 from the slide cleaning module 900 after the slide 920 is cleaned. In the il lustrated example, the rack interfaces 3205 of the cleaning unit 3200 include a rack load interface 3215 where slides 920 are removed from the rack 3210 for loading into the slide cleaning module 900 for cleaning. The cleaning unit 3200 in FIG. 32 further includes a rack load interface 3215 where the cleaned slides 920 from the slide cleaning module 900 are loaded into a different rack 3210.

[0223] T he cleaning unit 3200 further includes a support structure 3225 that supports the slide cleaning module 900 and a housing 3230 that generally encloses the slide cleaning module 900. The housing 3230 has one or more sidewalls 3235, a base plate 3240, a floor 3245, and a cover plate 3250. that are secured to the support structure 3225. The base plate 3240 forms the base for supporting the cleaning unit 3200, and the cover plate 3250 is disposed opposite to the base plate 3240. The floor 3245 is disposed between the base plate 3240 and the cover plate 3250. The sidewalls 3235 generally extend along the outer lateral sides of the cleaning unit 3200. As shown, the rack interfaces 3205 are positioned at the cover plate 3250. The cover plate 3250 defines a transfer opening 3255 through which the slides 920 and / or the racks 3210 are transported into and out of the housing 3230 for the slide cleaning module 900. In one example, the effector 905 moves the slides through the transfer opening 3255 in the housing 3230. In another example, the rack interfaces 3205 and / or the effector 905 moves the racks 3210 through the transfer opening 3255. Among other things, the floor 3245 supports the slide cleaning module 900. The fluidics module 445 is mainly located between the base plate 3240 and the floor 3245. in the depicted example, the fluidics module 445 includes one or more reservoirs 3260, such as in the form of containers, that rest on the base plate 3240.

[0224] FIG. 33 shows a schematic or block diagram of the slide cleaning module 900 used in the cleaning unit 3200. It should be recognized that the cleaning unit 3200 includes the components, functions, and processes that were described above with respect to the slide cleaning modules 100 and the slide cleaning modules 900 shown in FIGS. 4-20 as well as in other drawings. For example, the slide cleaning module 900 of the cleaning unit 3200 in FIGS. 32 and 33 includes the slide transporter 410, the stations 415, the slide transfer station 420, the pre-rinse station 425, the coarse scrub station 430, the fine scrub station 435, the finishing station 440, and the fluidics module 445 of the type described above. For instance, the slide transporter 410 includes the previously described carousel 605, and the finishing station 440 includes the gas supply 715, the valves 750, and the air knives 1705 of the types discussed before. The slide cleaning module 900 in the cleaning unit 3200 cleans the slides 920 generally in the same manner as described before. For the sake of clarity as well as brevity, these common components, functions, and processes will not be again described in detail, but please refer to the previous discussion of these features.

[0225] Instead of having a single slide transfer station 420, the slide cleaning module 900 in the cleaning unit 3200 includes at least two slide transfer stations 420, a load station 3305 and an unload station 3310. At the load station 3305, the effector 905 loads slides 920 from the rack 3210 at the rack load interface 3215 onto the carousel 605 of the slide cleaning module 900 for cleaning. At the unload station 3310, the same or different effector 905 unloads the slides 920 cleaned by the slide cleaning module 900 from the carousel 605 and loads the cleaned slides 920 into the rack 3210 at the rack unload interface 3220. With the rack load interface 3215 and the rack unload interface 3220 being separate, the slide cleaning module 900 in the cleaning unit 3200 has six (6) stations 415, and the slides 920 can be processed in a generally continuous and efficient manner. The slide cleaning module 900 in the cleaning unit 3200 in other variations can have a different number of stations 415.

[0226] The fluidics module 445 in FIG, 33 includes the valves 750, the resenmirs 3260, and one or more pumps 3315. Like explained before, the reservoirs 3260 are configured to store the various fluids, such as water and various soaps (see e.g,, the solvent supply 705 and the cleansing agent supply 710 in FIG. 7), as well as store or recycle waste water (see e.g., recycler 720 in FIG. 7). The pumps 3315 circulate the various fluids from the reservoirs 3260 in the fluidics module 445. The valves 750 are configured to control the flow of the fluids within the slide cleaning module 900 of the cleaning unit 3200.

[0227] FIGS. 34 and 35 show some example schematics of how the fluids are routed and recycled in the fluidics module 445 of the cleaning unit 3200. As can be seen, the fluidics module 445 includes the reservoirs 3260 for storing water, soap, and water from the cleaning process in the slide cleaning module 900. The val ves 750 are used to control the flow of the fluids, and the pumps 3315 are used to pump the fluids in the slide cleaning module 900. As can be seen, the fluidics module 445 includes one or more filters 3405 that filter the fluids used during the cleaning of the slides 920. FIGS. 36 and 37 show the various processing stages for cleaning the slides 920 with the slide cleaning module 900 of the cleaning unit 3200. FIG. 36 shows the processing stages in a linear fashion, and FIG. 37 shows the processing stages using a rotary motion where the carousel 605 generally indexes the slides 920 between the stations 415 in the slide cleaning module 900. At the load station 3305, the effector 905 via the fingers 915 grip the side edges of the slide 920 and removes the slide 920 from the dirty or input rack 3210. The effector 905 loads the slide 920 into the slide cleaning module 900 for cleaning. The carousel 605 indexes the slides 920 between the various stations 415 in the same fashion as described before. The slide 920 at the pre-rinse station 425 is pre-rinsed, and at the coarse scrub station 430, the coarse roller brushes 1305 in the slide cleaning module 900 perform a course scrub of the slide 920. The tine roller brushes 1505 at the fine scrub station 435 perforin a fine scrub in the same maimer as described above. Like before, the air knives 1705 at the finishing station 440 are used to dry the slide 920. Once cleaned and dried, the effector 905 at the unload station 3310 loads the cleaned slide 920 into the clean or output rack 3210. From there, the slides 920 in the rack 3210 are further processed.

[0228] FIG. 38 shows a perspective view of one example of the rack 3210 that can be used in the cleaning unit 3200. In one version, the rack 3210 is made from plastic, but the rack 3210 can be made from other materials, such as medical grade metals. As shown, the rack 3210 includes a base 3805, a frame 3810 received in the base 3805, and one or more dividers 3815 that separate the slides 920 in the frame 3810. The base 3805 defines a frame cavity 3820 where the frame 3810 is received inside the base 3805. The frame 3810 defines one or more slots 3825 that receive the dividers 3815 and the slides 920. The dividers 3815 separate the slides 920 to reduce the risk of breakage and cross-contamination.

[0229] FIGS. 39 and 40 show one example of how the effector 905 with the fingers 915 removes and loads the slides 920 in the rack 3210. As noted before, the fingers 915 grip the side edges of the slides 920. Instead of the effector 905 moving vertically, the effector 905 remains vertically stationary, and the rack 3210 is vertically moved during loading and unloading of the slides 920. Looking at FIG. 40, the rack 3210 is supported by a rack carrier 4005. The rack carrier 4005 has an elevator 4010 that raises and lowers the rack 3210. In the depicted example, the elevator 4010 includes a screw-type lift mechanism for tight positional control, but the elevator 4010 can include other types of lift mechanisms. When the elevator 4010 raises the rack 3210 to a raised position, the effector 905 is able to grip one of the slides 920 (FIG. 40) to unload the slide 920 from the rack 3210. At the raised positioned, the effector 905 is further able to insert the slide 920 back into the rack 3210. The elevator 4010 lowers the rack 3210 to a lowered position (FIG. 39) where the slide 920 is able to dear the rack 3210 such that for example the rack 3210 and / or the slide 920 gripped by the effector 905 is able to move in a horizontal direction relative to one another.

[0230] FIG. 41 shows a cross-sectional view of the base 3805 in the rack 3210. In the frame cavity 3820, the base 3805 has one or more slide teeth 4105 that define one or more slide channels 4110. In the depicted example, the slide teeth 4105 extend in a straight, vertical direction, and the slide channels 4110 in turn extend in the straight, vertical direction. The sample ends 925 of the slides 920 are received in the opening 4410 when the slides 920 are loaded in the rack 3210.

[0231] FIG. 42 shows a base 4205 according to another example for incorporation Into the rack 3210. The base 4205 defines a frame cavity 4210 that receives the frame 3810. The base 4205 in the frame cavity 4210 has a cavity floor 4215. Inside the frame cavity 4210, the base 4205 has a comb 4220 that extends from the cavity floor 4215. The comb 4220 has one or more teeth 4225 that define one or more slide channels 4230. Each tooth 4225 has a tip 4235 that is pointed, and each tip 4235 forms a notch 4240. The slide channels 4230 in FIG. 42 are slanted from vertical to align the slides 920. In other words, the slide channels 4230 are slanted to one side away from vertical so that the slides 920 are consistently aligned to one side. To put it another way, the slide channels 4230 extend at an acute angle that is transverse to a vertical axis of the base 4205 of the rack 3210. This slanting of the slide channels 4230 facilitates consistent grasping of the label end 930 of the slide 920 by the effector 905. It was discovered that the vertical opening 4410 in base 3805 of FIG. 41 al lowed the slide 920 to tilt to either side such that the location of the label end 930 of the slide 920 was inconsistent for gripping by the effector 905. With the teeth 4225 in the base 4205, the slides 920 are generally always tilted to one side such that the slide 920 can be consistently gripped. The comb 4220 has a rib 4245 that raises the edge of the slide 920 at the sample end 925 from the cavity floor 4215. With this construction, the comb 4220 forms a drain channel 4250 that is able to receive any drained fluids from the slides 920 which reduces the risk of slide crosscontamination. FIG. 43 shows a perspective view of a system 4300 with a unit cavity 4305 configured to receive the cleaning unit 3200. The envelope of the cleaning unit 3200 is sized and shaped to fit in the unit cavity 4305 of the system 4300. In some cases, the rack interfaces 3205 are temporarily removed from the cleaning unit 3200 during installation and reinstalled after the cleaning unit 3200 is received in the unit cavity 4305. In other cases, the rack interfaces 3205 remain attached to the cleaning unit 3200 during the entire installation process. The cleaning unit 3200 in the illustrated example has a generally box or cubic shape, The cleaning unit 3200 has a length 4310, a width 4315, and a height 4320 that are sized to fit inside the unit cavity 4305 of the system 4300. In one particular example, the length 4310 is less than 600 mm, the width 4315 is less than 565 mm, and the height 4320 is less than 615 mm. In other examples, these dimensions can be different depending on the dimensions of the unit cavity 4305.

[0232] Turning to FIGS. 44, 45, and 46, the system 4300 has an interior work plate 4405. In one version, an opening 4410 is cut into the work plate 4405 so as to receive the cover plate 3250 of the cleaning unit 3200, but in other versions, the opening 4410 is created in other ways. As can be seen, the cover plate 3250 of the cleaning unit 3200 fills and is generally flush with the work plate 4405 of the system 4300. The rack interfaces 3205 extend from the cover plate 3250 above the cover plate 3250 and the work plate 4405. FIG. 47 shows a fluids space 4705 where a user of the system 4300 is able to access reagents and fluidic waste. FIG. 48 shows a docking space 4805 that is another location where the cleaning unit 3200 can be installed.

[0233] FIG. 49 shows another example of a tissue processing system 4900 that can incorporate the cleaning unit 3200. As shown, the system 4900 has a service door 4905 where a user is able to access the cleaning unit 3200. The system 4900 further has a fluids space 4910 where the bulk bottles containing water and cleaning concentrate can be stored. The system 4900 further has a waste space 4915 where waste fluids are collected.

[0234] A tissue processing system 5000 according to a further example that can incorporate the cleaning unit 3200 is illustrated in FIG. 50. The system 5000 has a fluids door 5005 where the user is able to access the bulk bottles (i.e., reservoirs 3260). The system 5000 further has a service door 5010 where the user is able to access the cleaning unit 3200. When accessing the cleaning unit 3200, the user is able to perform various servicing activities, such as exchanging cleaning rollers.

[0235] A workflow for operating the cleaning unit 3200 is depicted in a flowchart 5100 shown in FIG. 51. While the workflow will be described with reference to the cleaning unit 3200 and the system 4300 for example shown in FIGS. 32 and 43, it should be recognized that this workflow can be used with other types of slide cleaning module (SLCM) 100 and tissue processing systems. In FIG. 51, some of the same stages are shown as being performed in two separate branches to increase processing throughput, but it should be recognized that these stages and others can be performed using a single stage branch or more than two stage branches.

[0236] In stages 5105, the user inputs one or more trays containing dirty slides 920 into an input portal of the FIG. 43 system 4300. Once the trays are loaded into the portal, the trays are placed in garage or parking spots in stages 5110. In stage 5115, the controller 405 in the sy stem 4300 determines if there are slides 920 in the tray, If so, one of the effectors 905 in the system 4300 load the slides 920 into the dirty rack 3210. Otherwise, the system 4300 proceeds to stage 5125. The rack 3210 of dirty slides 920 from stage 5120 are loaded into the slide cleaning module (SLCM) 900 in stage 5125. The controller 405 of the system 4300 in stage 5130 detects via a barcode reader the slides 920 in the dirty rack 3210 by reading one or more barcodes on the slides 920, such as on the label 935 at the label end 930 of the slides 920. The slides 920 are then loaded into the cleaning unit 3200 and cleaned by the cleaning unit 3200 in stage 5135. Via the surveillance unit 450 (e.g., cameras 805 in FIG. 8), the controller 405 determines if the slides 920 are clean in stage 5140. If the slides 920 are not clean, the cleaning unit 3200 continues to clean the slides 920 in stage 5135.

[0237] Once clean, the cleaning unit 3200 in stage 5145 unloads the cleaned slides 920 from the slide cleaning module 900 and into the clean rack 3210 at the rack interface 3205, and the cleaned slides 920 in. the rack 3210 are transported in. stage 5150 into a ready queue for further processing. In stage 5155, the system 4300 determines whether or not the prepared slides 920 need to be scanned. If the slides 920 need to be scanned, the slides 920 are loaded into the scanner in stage 5160, and once scanned, the slides 920 are transported in stage 5165. After stage 5155 or stage 5165. the slides 920 are placed in a queue in stage 5170. The system 4300 in stage 5175 determines whether an output trigger was activated for the slide 920. If not, the slide 920 waits in the queue in stage 5170. Once the slide 920 is triggered for output, the selected slides 920 are moved into one or more folios in stage 5180 or are archived in stage 5185.

[0238] Glossary of Terms

[0239] The language used in the claims and specification is to only have its plain and ordinary meaning, except as explicitly defined below. The words in these definitions are to only have their plain and ordinary meaning. Such plain and ordinary meaning is inclusive of all consistent dictionary definitions from the most recently published Webster's dictionaries and Random House dictionaries. As used in the specification and claims, the following definitions apply to these terms and common variations thereof identified below.

[0240] "Actuator" generally refers to a device that converts energy into motion. In other words, the actuator is a type of transducer that takes one form of energy and converts the energy into another form such as by converting electrical energy into mechanical motion. Actuators can be generally categorized into two types, linear actuators and rotary actuators. Linear actuators produce linear motion such as in the case of moving a piston rod. Rotary actuators produce rotary motion such as in the case of a shaft of an electric motor. Some common types of actuators include electric motors, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, solenoids, and piezoelectric actuators, to name just a few examples.

[0241] "Acute" or "Acute Angle” generally refers to an angle smaller than a right angle or less than 90 degrees.

[0242] "Adhesive” or "Glue" generally refers to any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate parts that binds them together and resists their separation. For example, an adhesive can bond both mating surfaces through specific adhesion (e.g., molecular attraction), through mechanical anchoring (e.g., by flowing into holes in porous surfaces), and / or through fusion (e.g., partial solution of both surfaces in the adhesive or its solvent vehicle). Some non-limiting examples of adhesives include liquid adhesives, film adhesives, resin adhesives, rubber adhesives, silicone-based adhesives, mastics, metal- to- metal adhesives, plastic adhesives, rubber adhesives, sprayable adhesives, and hot melt adhesi ves, to name just a few,

[0243] '* Air Knife” generally refers to a device that uses high-pressure air or other gas to dry and / or clean surfaces. The air knife works by forcing a thin, high-velocity stream of air or other gas onto the surface. Air knives are commonly used for drying wet surfaces, removing dirt and other debris from surfaces, and blowing excess materials, such as dust or chips, from surfaces. For example, the stream of air from the air knife can blow water or other liquids off the surface. In some (but not all) cases, the air stream further causes the water or other liquid to evaporate quickly.

[0244] '’Brush" generally refers to a tool that uses bristles, filaments, hairs, or similar surface texturing to perform a task involving the application or removal of substances like liquids or powders.

[0245] "Camera" generally refers to a device that records visual images. Typically, a camera may record two- and / or three-dimensional images. In some examples, images are recorded in the form of film, photographs, image signals, and / or video signals. A camera may include one or more lenses or other devices that focus light onto a light-sensitive surface, for example a digital light sensor or photographic film. The light-sensitive surface may react to and be capable of capturing visible light or other types of light, such as infrared ( IR) and / or ultraviolet (UV) light.

[0246] "Chassis" generally refers to an internal frame and / or supporting structure that supports an external object, body, and / or housing of the vehicle and / or electronic device. In one form, the chassis can further provide protection for internal parts of the vehicle and / or electronic device. By way of non-limiting examples, a chassis can include the underpart of a vehicle, including the frame on which the body is mounted. In an electronic device, the chassis for example includes a frame and / or other internal supporting structure on which one or more circuit boards and / or other electronics are mounted.

[0247] "Container" generally refers to an object creating a partially or fully enclosed space that can be used to contain, store, and transport objects, items, and / or materials. In other words, a container can include an object that can be used to hold or transport something. By way of non-limiting examples, containers can include boxes, cartons, plastic packaging, totes, pallet totes, bags, jars, envelopes, barrels, cans, bottles, drums, packages, vats, Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers and round-bottom flasks,

[0248] "Controller" generally refers to a device, using mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic electronic techniques, and / or a microprocessor or computer, which monitors and physically alters the operating conditions of a given dynamical system. For example, the controller may be configured to control the behavior of another mechanical and / or electronic device. A controller may include a “control circuit’’ configured to provide signals or other electrical impulses that may be received and interpreted by the controlled device to indicate how the controlled device should behave. A controller may include a processor for performing calculations to process input or output. A controller may include a memory for storing values to be processed by the processor, or for storing the results of previous processing. A control ler may also be configured to accept input and output from a wide array of input and output devices for receiving or sending values. A controller may also be a virtual computing platform having an unknown or fluctuating number of physical processors and memories or memory devices. A controller may thus be physically located in one geographical location or physically spread across several widely scattered locations with multiple processors linked together by a communication network to operate as a single controller. Multiple controllers or computing devices may be configured to communicate with one another or with other devices over wired or wireless communication links to form a network.

[0249] "Effector" or "End of Arm Tool" (EoAT) generally refers to a device that is designed to manipulate an object. The nature of this interaction of the device with the object depends on the application. The effector can for instance interact with an object in a number of ways. For example, the effector can include one or more grippers, such as impactive, ingressive, astrictive, and / or contiguitive type grippers. Grippers typically, but not always, use some type of mechanical force to grip objects. However, other types of interactions, such as those based on suction or magnetic force, can be used to secure the object to the effector. By way of nonlimiting examples, the effector can alternatively or additionally include vacuum cups, electromagnets, Bernoulli grippers, electrostatic grippers, van der Waals grippers, capillary grippers, cryogenic grippers, ultrasonic grippers, and laser grippers, to name just a few. "Electric Motor" generally refers to an electrical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Normally, but not always, electric motors operate through the interaction between one or more magnetic fields in the motor and winding currents to generate force in the form of rotation. Electric motors can be powered by direct current (DC) sources, such as from batteries, motor vehicles, and / or rectifiers, or by alternating current (AC) sources, such as a power grid, inverters, and or electrical generators. An electric generator can (but not always) be mechanically identical to an electric motor, but operates in the reverse direction, accepting mechanical energy and converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy.

[0250] "Elevator" generally refers to a type of device that moves objects or structures in a vertical direction. In one nonlimiting example, the elevator includes a carriage and / or platform that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical directions. In some cases, the elevator does not move in a perfectly vertical direction, but the elevator moves at a slanted angle relative to vertical. Drives for moving the elevator can include hydraulic, pneumatic, and / or electromagnetic type drives.

[0251] "Fluid" generally refers to a substance that does not have a fixed shape. For example, a fluid includes a liquid and / or a gas. Typically, fluids are able to flow easily, such as air flowing over a wing, blood flowing through a circulatory' system, water flowing through plumbing, or oil flowing through a motor as examples. In some cases, a fluid refers to a mixture of solids, liquids, and / or gases. For example, a slurry of solids and water, liquid droplets mixed with air, aerated solid particles, a mixture of solids with liquids and gases, and / or other mixtures of different materials may be fluids.

[0252] "Frame" generally refers to a structure that forms part of an object and gives strength and / or shape to the object.

[0253] "Horizontal" generally refers to a plane and / or direction, which is parallel with the plane of the horizon. In another example, the horizontal plane and / or direction is at a right angle to a vertical plane or direction. An item that moves in the sideways (left to right) direction is generally said to move horizontally. For example, a lever fixed on one end to a rod that is able to move to the left and right is said to move horizontally. In yet another example, the slope of a horizontal line is 0.

[0254] ’’Housing" generally refers to a component that covers, protects, and / or supports another thing. A housing can have a unitary construction or be made of multiple components. The housing can be made from the same material or a combination of different materials. The housing can include a protective cover designed to contain and / or support one or more mechanical components. Some non-limiting examples of a housing include a case, enclosure, covering, body, and shell.

[0255] "Input / Output (I / O) Device" generally refers to any device or collection of devices coupled to a computing device that is configured to receive input and deliver the input to a processor, memory, or other part of the computing device and / or is controlled by the computing device to produce an output. The I / O device can include physically separate input and output devices, or the input and output devices can be combined together to form a single physical unit, Such input devices of the VO device can include key boards, mice, trackballs, and touch sensitive pointing devices such as touchpads or touchscreens. Input devices also include any sensor or sensor array for detecting environmental conditions such as temperature, light, noise, vibration, humidi ty, and the like. Examples of output devices for the I / O device include, but are not limited to, screens or monitors displaying graphical output, a projecting device projecting a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image, or any kind of printer, plotter, or similar device producing either two-dimensional or three-dimensional representations of the output fixed in any tangible medium (e.g., a laser printer printing on paper, a lathe controlled to machine a piece of metal, or a three-dimensional printer producing an object). An output device may also produce intangible output such as, for example, data stored in a database, or electromagnetic energy transmitted through a medium or through free space such as audio produced by a speaker controlled by the computer, radio signals transmitted through free space, or pulses of light passing through a fiber-optic cable.

[0256] "Light Guide" generally refers to a transparent or translucent material that transmits light from one location to another. Some examples of light guides include optical fibers, fiber optic cables, and light pipes. A light guide in one form is an electromagnetic waveguide having an elongate conduit that includes a substantially transparent medium through which electromagnetic energy travels as the electromagnetic energy traverses the long axis of the conduit. Electromagnetic radiation may be maintained within the conduit by total internal reflection of the electromagnetic radiation as the radiation traverses the conduit. Total internal reflection is generally achieved using light guides that include a substantially transparent core surrounded by a second substantially transparent cladding material with a lower index of refraction than the core. Light guides are generally constructed of diel ectric material that is not electrically conductive but is substantially transparent, Such materials may or may not include any combination of extruded glass such as silica, fluoride glass, phosphate glass, Chalcogenide glass, or polymeric material such as various types of plastic, or other suitable material and may be configured with any suitable cross-sectional shape, length, or dimension. Examples of electromagnetic energy that may be successfully passed through light guides include electromagnetic waves in the near-infrared, mid-infrared, and visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, although electromagnetic energy of any suitable frequency may be used,

[0257] "Memory" generally refers to any storage system or device configured to retain data or information. Each memory may include one or more types of solid-state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to name a few. By way of non-limi ting example, each memory may include solid-state electronic Random Access Memory (RAM), Sequentially Accessible Memory' (SAM) (such as the First-ln, First-Out (FIFO) variety or the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) variety), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Electronically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); an optical disc memory (such as a DVD or CD ROM); a magnetically encoded hard disc, floppy disc, tape, or cartridge media; or a combination of any of these memory types. Also, each memory may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a hybrid combination of volatile and nonvolatile varieties.

[0258] "Mixer" generally refers to a device that combines two or more materials to form a homogenous mixture or solution. Mixers can mix the materials in discrete amounts using a batch mixer or continuously using a continuous mixer. The mixer can mix. materials in the same state (e.g., solids, liquids, or gases) or in different states. For instance, the mixer can mix a solid with a liquid to form a solution. " Motor" general ly refers to a machine that supplies motive power for a device with moving parts. The motor can include rotor and linear type motors. The motor can be powered in any number of ways, such as via electricity, internal combustion, pneumatics, and / or hydraulic power sources. By way of non-limiting examples, the motor can include a servomotor, a pneumatic motor, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, a steam engine, a pneumatic piston, a hydraulic piston, and / or an internal combustion engine.

[0259] "Power Supply'’ or "Power Source” generally refers to an electrical device that provides electrical power to an electrical load, such as electrical machines and / or electronics.

[0260] "Processor" generally refers to one or more electronic components configured to operate as a single unit configured or programmed to process input to generate an output. Alternatively, when of a multi-component form, a processor may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others. One or more components of each processor may be of the electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both. In one example, each processor is of a conventional, integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement. The concept of a "processor" is not limited to a single physical logic circuit or package of circuits but includes one or more such circuits or circuit packages possibly contained within or across multiple computers in numerous physical locations. In a virtual computing environment, an unknown number of physical processors may be actively processing data, and the unknown number may automatical ly change over time as well. The concept of a "processor" includes a device configured or programmed to make threshold comparisons, rules comparisons, calculations, or perform logical operations applying a rule to data yielding a logical result (e.g.. "true" or "false”). Processing activities may occur in multiple single processors on separate servers, on multiple processors in a single server with separate processors, or on multiple processors physically remote from one another in separate computing devices.

[0261] "Pump" generally refers to a machine that moves fluids, such as gases, liquids, and / or slurries, by mechanical action. Typically, but not always, the pump is manually powered by a human or automatically powered through energy sources like electrical energy. Commonly, pumps are used to move fluids to different places and / or to increase pressure of the fluid. Some common pump types include centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps, axial flow pumps, peristaltic pumps, and gravity pumps. "Slide” generally refers to a thin piece of fully or mostly transparent material, like glass, quartz, or plastic, that supports one or more objects for visual examination such as under a microscope. An example of a standard microscope slide is a flat, rectangular piece of glass having the dimensions of 75 mm by 26 mm with a thickness of about 1 mm, but slides in other examples can be shaped and dimensioned differently as well as can be made from other materials. The slide is typically transparent or clear, but some parts of the slide may contain translucent or even opaque sections. For instance, the slide can be frosted or coated with enamel to facilitate labelling and / or writing on the slide. Graticule slides, for example, are typically marked with grid lines to facilitate counting and / or sizing objects on the slide such as for cell counting. The slide may further have a special coating such as to enhance chemical inertness and / or promote cell adhesion. Whi le slides are normally flat, some slides may contain shallow depressions or wells, such as in the case of concavity slides or cavity slides, that hold a specimen or other object in place. Often, the object, such as a biological specimen, Is held in place using a small transparent cover like a glass cover slip. The specimen can be mounted on the slide in several ways such as using dry mount, wet mount, prepared mount, and / or strewn mount techniques.

[0262] "Stain” or "Staining” generally refers to any treatment of a biological specimen that detects and / or differentiates the presence, location, and or amount (such as concentration) of a particular molecule (such as a lipid, protein or nucleic acid) or particular structure (such as a normal or malignant cell, cytosol, nucleus, Golgi apparatus, or cytoskeleton) in the biological specimen. For example, staining can provide contrast between a particular molecule or a particular cellular structure and surrounding portions of a biological specimen, and the intensity of the staining can provide a measure of the amount of a particular molecule in the specimen. Staining can be used to aid in the viewing of molecules, cellular structures and organisms not only with bright-field microscopes, but also with other viewing tools, such as phase contrast microscopes, electron microscopes, and fluorescence microscopes. Some staining performed by the system can be used to visualize an outline of a cell or morphological detail. Other staining performed by the system may rely on certain cell components (such as molecules or structures) being stained without or with relatively little staining of other cell components. Examples of types of staining methods performed by the system include, without limitation, histochemical methods, immunohistochemical methods, special staining (e.g., Congo red, Trichrome, PAS, etc.), and other methods based on reactions between molecules (including non-covalent binding interactions), such as hybridization reactions between nucleic acid molecules. Particular staining methods include, but are not limited to, primary staining methods (e.g., H&E staining. Pap staining, etc.), enzyme-linked immunohistochemical methods, and in situ R.NA and DNA hybridization methods, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH),

[0263] "Transverse" generally refers to things, axes, straight lines, planes, or geometric shapes extending in a iron-parallel and / or crosswise manner relative to one another. For example, when in a transverse arrangement, lines can extend at right angles or perpendicular relative to one another, but the lines can extend at other non-straight angles as well such as at acute, obtuse, or reflex angles. For instance, transverse lines can also form angles greater than zero (0) degrees such that the lines are not parallel. When extending in a transverse manner, the lines or other things do not necessarily have to intersect one another, but they can.

[0264] "Vertical" generally refers to a plane and / or direction, which is perpendicular to the plane of the horizon. In another example, vertical is an alignment where the top is directly above the bottom. An item that moves upward or downward is generally said to move vertically . For example, an item that is able to move up and down is said to move vertically. In another example, the slope of a vertical line is undefined.

[0265] It should be noted that the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and the like as used in the description and / or the claims include the plural forms unless expressly discussed otherwise. For example, if the specification and / or claims refer to "a device" or "the device", it includes one or more of such devi ces .

[0266] It should be noted that directional terms, such as "up," "down," "top," "bottom,” "lateral," "longitudinal," "radial,” "circumferential, " "horizontal,’’ "vertical,’’ etc., are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and / or claimed features to a specific direction and / or orientation. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been sho wn and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modi fications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by the following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein. Reference Numbers

[0267] 100 slide cleaning module

[0268] 105 cleaning area

[0269] 1 10 fluid supply area

[0270] 115 sump area

[0271] 120 housing

[0272] 125 doors

[0273] 130 containers

[0274] 200 staining system

[0275] 205 module location

[0276] 300 system

[0277] 305 module locations

[0278] 405 controller

[0279] 410 slide transporter

[0280] 415 stations

[0281] 420 slide transfer station

[0282] 425 pre-rinse station 428 wash stations

[0283] 430 coarse scrub station

[0284] 435 fine scrub station

[0285] 440 finishing station

[0286] 445 fluidics module

[0287] 450 surveillance unit

[0288] 455 communication channel s

[0289] 460 fluid passages

[0290] 505 processor

[0291] 510 memory

[0292] 515 network interface

[0293] 520 I / O device

[0294] 525 power supply

[0295] 605 carousel

[0296] 610 motor

[0297] 615 grippers

[0298] 705 sol vent supply

[0299] 710 cleansing agent supply

[0300] 715 gas supply

[0301] 720 recycler

[0302] 725 solvent supply tube

[0303] 730 cleansing agent supply conduit

[0304] 735 gas supply tube 740 drain tube

[0305] 745 recycler tube

[0306] 750 valves

[0307] 805 camera

[0308] 810 light source

[0309] 900 slide cleaning module

[0310] 905 effector

[0311] 910 actuator

[0312] 915 fingers

[0313] 920 slide

[0314] 925 sample end

[0315] 930 label end

[0316] 935 label

[0317] 1005 carriage

[0318] 1010 elevator

[0319] 1015 basin

[0320] 1020 scrubber

[0321] 1025 shields

[0322] 1030 chassis

[0323] 1105 rail

[0324] 1110 drive

[0325] 11 15 cable

[0326] 1205 nozzles 1210 water

[0327] 1305 coarse roller brushes

[0328] 1310 coarse brush motors

[0329] 1315 ridges

[0330] 1405 mixer

[0331] 1410 mixed fluid conduit

[0332] 1505 fine roller brushes

[0333] 1510 fine brush motors

[0334] 1705 air kni ves

[0335] 2005 light source

[0336] 2010 Sight guides

[0337] 2100 images

[0338] 2200 images

[0339] 2300 images

[0340] 2400 images

[0341] 2500 images

[0342] 2600 images

[0343] 2700 images

[0344] 2800 images

[0345] 2900 images

[0346] 3000 images

[0347] 3100 table

[0348] 3200 cleaning unit 3205 rack interfaces

[0349] 3210 rack

[0350] 3215 rack load interface

[0351] 3220 rack unload interface

[0352] 3225 support structure

[0353] 3230 housing

[0354] 3235 sidewalls

[0355] 3240 base plate

[0356] 3245 floor

[0357] 3250 cover plate

[0358] 3255 transfer opening

[0359] 3260 reservoirs

[0360] 3305 load station

[0361] 3310 unload station

[0362] 3315 pumps

[0363] 3405 filters

[0364] 3805 base

[0365] 3810 frame

[0366] 3815 dividers

[0367] 3820 frame cavity

[0368] 3825 slots

[0369] 4005 rack carrier

[0370] 4010 elevator 4105 slide teeth

[0371] 4110 slide channels

[0372] 4205 base

[0373] 4210 frame cavity

[0374] 4215 cavity floor

[0375] 4220 comb

[0376] 4225 teeth

[0377] 4230 slide channels

[0378] 4235 tip

[0379] 4240 notch

[0380] 4245 rib

[0381] 4250 drain channel

[0382] 4300 system

[0383] 4305 unit cavity

[0384] 4310 length

[0385] 4315 width

[0386] 4320 height

[0387] 4405 work plate

[0388] 4410 opening

[0389] 4705 fluids space

[0390] 4805 docking space

[0391] 4900 system

[0392] 4905 service door 4910 fluids space

[0393] 4915 waste space

[0394] 5000 system

[0395] 5005 fluids door

[0396] 5010 service door

[0397] 5100 flowchart

[0398] 5105 stages

[0399] 5110 stages

[0400] 51 15 stage

[0401] 5120 stage

[0402] 5125 stage

[0403] 5130 stage

[0404] 5135 stage

[0405] 5140 stage

[0406] 5145 stage

[0407] 5150 stage

[0408] 5155 stage

[0409] 5160 stage

[0410] 5165 stage

[0411] 5170 stage

[0412] 5175 stage

[0413] 5180 stage

[0414] 5185 stage

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising: a cleaning module configured to clean a slide; wherein the cleaning module includes a slide transporter configured to transport the slide; and wherein the cleaning module includes one or more stations configured to clean the slide.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a staining module configured to stain the slide; wherein the cleaning module is positioned downstream from the staining module; and wherein the cleaning module is sized and shaped for integration with the staining module.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a slip covering module configured to place a coverslip on the slide; and wherein the cleaning module is positioned downstream from the slip covering module.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein: the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide; and the slide transporter includes a carousel configured to move the slide in rotary motion.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the slide has a label end with a label, and the slide gripper is configured to hold the label end of the slide to protect the label.

6. The system of claim 4. wherein: the slide gripper includes an effector configured to grip the slide; and the slide gripper includes an actuator configured to actuate the effector to grip and release the slide.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the effector includes at least two fingers configured to grip opposing edges of the slide.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the cleaning module includes a slide transfer station.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the slide transfer station is configured to receive the slide into the cleaning module.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the slide transfer station is configured to discharge the slide from the cleaning module.1 1. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a fluidics module configured to supply one or more fluids to at least one of the stations.

12. The system of claim 1 1, wherein the fluidics module includes a solvent supply configured to supply a solvent to at least one of the stations.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein: the solvent includes water; the fluidics module includes a recycler; and the recycler is configured to recycle the water from the stations.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the fluidics module includes a cleansing agent supply configured to supply a cleansing agent to at least one of the stations.

15. The system of claim 11 . wherein the fluidics module includes a gas supply configured to supply a gas to at least one of the stations.

16. The system of claim 1 1 , further comprising: wherein the fluidics module includes one or more valves configured to control flow of the fluids; and a controller being communicatively coupled to the valves to control the valves.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein: the cleaning module includes a pre-rinse station; andthe pre-rinse station includes one or more nozzles configured to rinse the slide.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the nozzles are positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein: the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide; the slide gripper holds the slide in a vertical direction; and the nozzles are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drainage.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the cleaning module includes a wash station.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the wash station includes a fine scrub station.

22. The system of claim 20. wherein the wash station includes a coarse scrub station.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the wash station includes a scrubber configured to scrub the slide.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein: the scrubber includes a roller brush; and the scrubber includes a brush motor configured to rotate the roller brush.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein: the roller brush is a coarse roller brush; and the coarse roller brush includes a series of ridges.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the wrash station includes a shield positioned proximal to the roller brush.

27. Tire system of claim 23, wherein: the scrubber includes two or more roller brushes positioned on opposite sides of the slide; andthe roller brushes are configured to brush the opposite sides of the slide at the same time.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the wash station includes an elevator configured to move the scrubber.

29. The system of' claim 28. wherein: the slide has a label end with a label; the slide has a sample end located opposite the label end; the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide; the slide gripper is configured to hold the label end of the slide to protect the label; the slide gripper holds the slide in a vertical direction; and the elevator is configured to raise and lower the scrubber along the sample end of the slide.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein the wash station includes one or more nozzles configured to spray a solution of a solvent and a cleansing agent.

31. 'fhe system of claim 30, wherein the wash station includes a mixer configured to mix the cleansing agent with the solvent to form the solution for the nozzles.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the nozzles are positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the nozzles are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drainage.

34. The system of claim 23, wherein the wash station includes a basin.

35. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning module includes a finishing station.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the finishing station includes one or more nozzles configured to rinse the slide.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the finishing station includes one or more air knives configured to dry the slide.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the finishing station includes at least two nozzles positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein: the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide; the slide gripper holds the slide in a vertical direction; and the nozzles are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drainage.

40. The system of claim 35, wherein: the finishing station includes at least two air knives positioned on opposite sides of the sl ide; and the air knives are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drying.

41. The system of claim I , wherein the cleaning module includes a surveillance unit.

42. 1'he system of claim 41 , wherein the surveillance unit includes a camera.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the camera is configured to visualize the slide.

44. The sy stem of claim 42, wherein the camera is configured to monitor operation of the stations.

45. 'fhe system of claim 42, wherein: the cleaning module includes a controller; the camera is communicatively coupled to the controller; and the controller is configured to control operation of the cleaning module based on one or more images from the camera.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein the surveillance unit includes a light source to provide i llumination for the camera.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the light source is positioned to backlight the slide for the camera.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the light source is positioned to side light the slide for the camera.

49. 'rhe system of claim 48, wherein the light source includes one or more light guides.

50. The system of claim I , wherein the cleaning module includes a rack interface.

51. The system of claim 50, further comprising: a rack configured to hold the slide; and wherein the rack interface is configured to hold the rack.

52. The system of claim 51, further comprising: an effector configured to engage the slide in the rack; wherein the rack includes a base that defines a frame cavity; wherein the base has a comb with teeth that define one or more slide channels; and wherein the slide channels are slanted to bias the slide to one side.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein: the teeth each have a tip that is pointed; and the tip defines a notch.

54. 'fhe system of any of claims 1 to 53, further comprising: a staining module configured to stain the slide; wherein the cleaning module is positioned downstream from the staining module; and wherein the cleaning module is sized and shaped for integration with the staining module.

55. The system of any of claims 1 to 54, further comprising: a slip covering module configured to place a coverslip on the slide; and wherein the cleaning module is positioned downstream from the slip covering module.

56. The system of any of claims 1 to 55, wherein: the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide; and the slide transporter includes a carousel configured to move the slide with a rotary motion.

57. The system of' any of claims 1 to 56, wherein the slide has a label end with a label, and the slide gripper is configured to hold the label end of the slide to protect the label.

58. The svstem of anv of claims 1 to 57, wherein: the slide gripper includes an effector configured to grip the slide; and the slide gripper includes an actuator configured to actuate the effector to grip and release the slide.

59. The system of any of claims 1 to 58, wherein the effector includes at least two fingers configured to grip opposing edges of the slide.

60. The system of any of claims I to 59, wherein the cleaning module includes a slide transfer station,61 . The system of any of claims 1 to 60, wherein the slide transfer station is configured to receive the slide into the cleaning module,62. The sy stem of any of claims 1 to 61 , wherein the slide transfer station is configured to discharge the slide from the cleaning module.

63. 'fhe system of any of claims 1 to 62, further comprising: a fluidics module configured to supply one or more fluids to at least one of the stations.

64. The system of any of claims 1 to 63, wherein the fluidics module includes a solvent supply configured to supply a sol vent to at least one of the stations.

65. The system of any of claims 1 to 64, wherein: the solvent includes water:the fluidics module includes a recycler; and the recycler is configured to recycle the water from the stations.

66. The system of any of claims I to 65, wherein the fluidics module includes a cleansing agent supply configured to supply a cleansing agent to at least one of the stations.

67. The system of any of claims I to 66, wherein the fluidics module includes a gas supply configured to supply a gas to at least one of the stations.

68. The system of any of claims 1 to 67, further comprising: wherein the fluidics module includes one or more valves configured to control flow of the fluids; and a controller being communicatively coupled to the valves to control the valves.

69. The system of any of claims 1 to 68, wherein: the cleaning module includes a pre -rinse station; and the pre-rinse station includes one or more nozzles configured to rinse the slide.

70. The system of any of claims 1 to 69, wherein the nozzles are positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

71. Tire system of any of claims 1 to 70, wherein: the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide; the slide gripper holds the slide in a vertical direction; and the nozzles are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drainage.

72. The system of any of claims 1 to 71, wherein the cleaning module includes a wash station.

73. The system of any of claims I to 72, wherein the wash station includes a fine scrub station.

74. The system of any of claims 1 to 73, wherein the wash station includes a coarse scrub station.

75. The system of any of claims ! to 74, wherein the wash station includes a scrubber configured to scrub the slide.

76. The system of any of claims 1 to 75, wherein: the scrubber includes a roller brush; and the scrubber includes a brush motor configured to rotate the roller brush.

77. The system of any of claims 1 to 76, wherein: the roller brush is a coarse roller brush: and the coarse roller brush includes a series of ridges.

78. The system of any of claims 1 to 77, wherein the wash station includes a shield positioned proximal to the roller brush.

79. The system of any of claims 1 to 78, wherein: the scrubber includes two or more roller brushes positioned on opposite sides of the slide; and the roller brushes are configured to brush the opposite sides of the slide at the same time.

80. The system of any of claims 1 to 79, wherein the wash station includes an elevator configured to move the scrubber.

81. 'fhe system of any of claims 1 to 80, wherein: the slide has a label end with a label; the slide has a sample end located opposite the label end; the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide; the slide gripper is configured to hold the label end of the slide to protect the label; the slide gripper holds the slide in a vertical direction; and the elevator is configured to raise and lower the scrubber along the sample end of the slide.

82. The system of any of claims 1 to 81, wherein the wash station includes one or more nozzles configured to spray a solution of a solvent and a cleansing agent.

83. The system of any of claims I to 82, wherein the wash station includes a mixer configured to mix the cleansing agent with the solvent to form the solution for the nozzles.

84. The system of any of claims I to 83, wherein the nozzles are positioned on opposite sides of the slide.

85. The system of any of claims 1 to 84, wherein the nozzles are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relati ve to the slide to promote drainage.

86. The system of any of claims I to 85, wherein the wash station includes a basin.

87. The system of any of claims 1 to 86, wherein the cleaning module includes a finishing station.

88. The system of any of claims 1 to 87, wherein the finishing station includes one or more nozzles configured to rinse the slide.

89. The system of any of claims 1 to 88, wherein the finishing station includes one or more air knives configured to dry the slide.

90. The system of any of claims 1 to 89, wherein the finishing station includes at least two nozzles positioned on opposite sides of the slide.91 . The system of any of claims 1 to 90, wherein: the slide transporter includes a slide gripper configured to hold the slide; the slide gripper holds the slide in a vertical direction; and the nozzles are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drainage.

92. The system of' any of claims 1 to 91, wherein:the finishing station, includes at least two air kni ves positioned on opposite sides of the slide; and the air knives are angled at a transverse acute downward angle relative to the slide to promote drying.

93. The system of' any of claims 1 to 92, wherein the cleaning module includes a surveillance unit,94. The svstem of anv of claims 1 to 93, wherein the surveillance unit includes a camera.

95. The system of any of claims 1 to 94, wherein the camera is configured to visualize the slide.

96. The system of any of claims 1 to 95, wherein the camera is configured to monitor operation of the stations.

97. 'fhe system of any of claims 1 to 96, wherein: the cleaning module includes a controller; the camera is communicatively coupled to the controller; and the controller is configured to control operation of the cleaning module based on one or more images from the camera.

98. The system of any of claims 1 to 97, wherein the surveillance unit includes a light source to provide illumination for the camera.

99. The system of any of claims 1 to 98, wherein the light source is positioned to backlight the slide for the camera.

100. The system of any of claims 1 to 99, wherein, the light source is positioned to side light the slide for the camera.

101. The system of any of claims 1 to 100, wherein the light source includes one or more light guides.

102. The system of any of claims I to 101, wherein the cleaning module includes a rack interface.

103. The system of any of claims 1 to 102, further comprising: a rack configured to hold the slide; and wherein the rack interface is configured to hold the rack.

104. The system of any of claims 1 to 103, further comprising: an effector configured to engage the slide in the rack; wherein the rack includes a base that defines a frame cavity; wherein the base has a comb with teeth that define one or more slide channels; and wherein the slide channels are slanted to bias the slide to one side.

105. The system of any of claims 1 to 104, wherein: the teeth each have a tip that is pointed; and the tip defines a notch.

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