Automated Histological Staining with Sealed Temperature-Controlled Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated histological processing systems face challenges with cross-contamination, inefficient use of processing liquids, and throughput limitations, particularly in high-volume staining applications like hematoxylin and eosin staining, due to the use of open baths and shared processing liquids.
Innovation Solution
An automated histological staining system that includes a temperature-controlled internal environment with forced convection heating and precise liquid dispensing and removal mechanisms, allowing for individual processing of slides without shared baths, thereby minimizing cross-contamination and optimizing liquid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If dip and dunk machines are used for automated specimen processing, then labor intensity is reduced and automation is improved, but cross-contamination between specimens occurs and processing liquid degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the processing environment into separate sealed chambers for each specimen slide, with individual liquid delivery paths. Each slide is processed in isolation within its own temperature-controlled chamber, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining automation. The liquid delivery system uses separate capillaries or nozzles for each specimen, ensuring no shared liquid pathways between samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sealed chambers as intermediary environments between the liquid processing systems and specimens. These chambers act as barriers that prevent direct contact between processing liquids from different specimens, eliminating cross-contamination while allowing automated liquid delivery through controlled interfaces.
2Device complexity
If dip and dunk machines with shared baths are used, then device complexity is reduced, but processing liquid consumption increases due to carryover and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the liquid processing paths into separate, dedicated channels for each specimen. Each slide receives processing liquids through its own sealed delivery system, preventing carryover to other specimens. This segmentation eliminates the need for frequent bath replacements while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through modular chamber design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements temperature control as a key parameter change, maintaining elevated temperatures (e.g., 37°C) within sealed chambers to prevent liquid degradation and evaporation. This temperature parameter optimization reduces processing liquid consumption by minimizing evaporation losses and preventing chemical degradation that would require liquid replacement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional staining machines process specimens individually, then cross-contamination is minimized, but throughput is reduced and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple individual processing chambers into a single integrated automated system. Multiple slides are processed simultaneously in separate sealed chambers within the same device, combining the benefits of individual processing (no cross-contamination) with parallel processing capabilities (high throughput). The chambers share common control systems, liquid supply interfaces, and temperature control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous automated operation where slides are sequentially loaded and processed without manual intervention between steps. The system maintains continuous temperature control and liquid delivery across all chambers, eliminating idle time and ensuring continuous productive action. Slides can be processed in parallel sequences, maintaining high throughput while preventing cross-contamination through sealed chamber isolation.
4Ease of operation
If open baths of processing liquids are used, then ease of operation is improved, but evaporative losses and oxidative degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sealed chambers serve as intermediary environments between the liquid processing system and the external atmosphere. These chambers prevent direct exposure of processing liquids to air, eliminating evaporative losses and oxidative degradation while maintaining ease of operation through automated liquid delivery systems that interface with the sealed chambers through controlled openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert, controlled atmosphere within sealed processing chambers, protecting processing liquids from oxidative degradation by excluding oxygen. The sealed environment maintains stable chemical conditions for processing liquids while automated systems handle liquid introduction and removal, preserving liquid integrity without requiring complex protective measures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high sample throughput while maintaining consistency and controllability of processing conditions, reducing waste and economic costs associated with processing liquids, and enhancing the precision of staining operations.
Implementation Method 1
The staining chamber includes a forced-convection heater
Implementation Method 2
a thermal mass positioned above the first and second slides is conductively heated
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and system capable of processing specimens carried by slides within an automated histological staining system. A slide carrier is moved toward and into a temperature-controlled internal environment of a stainer within the system. The slide carrier carries a first slide and a second slide, and the first and second slides can carry a first specimen and a second specimen, respectively. The first and second specimens are stained with at least one of a staining reagent and a counterstaining reagent while the first and second slides are within the internal environment and while an average temperature of the internal environment is greater than ambient temperature. The slide carrier can be moved out of the internal environment after staining one or both specimens.