Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for melting paraffin, the paraffin (1) that is to be melted, and metallic bodies (2), being arranged in a melting container (210), eddy currents being induced in the metallic bodies (2) using at least one inductor (220); furthermore to a melting apparatus (200) for melting paraffin, having a melting container (210) for receiving paraffin (1) that is to be melted and metallic bodies (2), and having an inductor (220) for inducing eddy currents in the metallic bodies (2) received in the melting container (210); and to paraffin (1), having metallic bodies (2) embedded therein, which is configured in order to be inductively melted in a melting container (210).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for handling slides, including a first and at least a second module-receiving area (24 through 28) for receiving at least one module (30, 34) for handling slides each. The first module-receiving area (24) accommodates a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping thin sections on slides with a mounting medium and a cover slip (48).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10, 100) for handling slides, including an input compartment (14) for inputting racks (16) and the slides held therein, and a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping slides. The system (10, 100) further includes an output compartment (22) for outputting racks (16), a transport unit (20) for transporting the racks (16), and a control unit (52) for controlling the transport unit (20). The transport unit (20) is designed to be capable of transporting the racks (16) between the input compartment (14), the coverslipper module (30, 32) and the output compartment (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a coverslipping module for mounting coverslips onto specimen slides (12) for microscopic investigations, having a transport apparatus (9) for transporting a specimen slide (12) out of a rack (3) or a specimen slide holder to a coverslipping position (13) in which the specimen slide (12) is equipped with a coverslip, and having an alignment device for aligning the specimen slide (12) in the coverslipping position (13) for mounting the coverslip. In order to allow the specimen slide (12) to be reliably and quickly aligned for mounting of the coverslips, thereby ensuring a high level of process dependability with a short processing time, the alignment device are constituted by multiple movable orientation jaws (18) which are arranged so that by closure of the orientation jaws (18), the specimen slide (12) becomes aligned in the coverslipping position (13).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for handling specimen slides (32, 78, 80) has at least one coverslipping module (14) for coverslipping thin sections arranged on specimen slides (32, 78, 80). The apparatus (10) further encompasses a drying unit (16, 70, 90) for extracting solvent from the mounting medium applied onto the specimen slides (32, 78, 80). The drying unit (16, 70, 90) has an air delivery unit (40) for delivering an air flow to the specimen slides (32, 78, 80).

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing specimen slides (38) has a specimen slide holder (42) holding specimen slides (38), each specimen slide (38) comprising an identification code. The specimen slides (38) are arranged inside the specimen slide holder (42) on a lifting element (50) in a lifted position. The apparatus includes a reading apparatus (40) for reading out the identification code, and a positioning apparatus that moves the specimen slide holder (42) with the specimen slides (38) relative to the lifting element (50) so that the specimen slides (38) drop successively from the lifted position on the lifting element (50). As one of the specimen slides (38) drops, the identification code of the specimen slide (38) or of the subsequent specimen slide (38) becomes readable for the reading apparatus (40). A triggering apparatus (67, 68) triggers the reading apparatus (40) to read the identification code.

Abstract: An automated processing machine, in particular an automated coverslipper or an automated stainer used for processing samples placed on slides and having an output device for outputting slides that have been processed by the automated processing machine. The output device includes an extensible and retractable drawer unit. The drawer unit includes at least one receiving channel for receiving a plurality of holders for slides. Holders received in any position in the receiving channel can be removed therefrom when the output device is in the open position. The automated processing machine is designed such that holders intended for output are inserted into the at least one receiving channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10, 100) for handling slides, including an input compartment (14) for inputting racks (16) and the slides held therein, and a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping slides. The system (10, 100) further includes an output compartment (22) for outputting racks (16), a transport unit (20) for transporting the racks (16), and a control unit (52) for controlling the transport unit (20). The transport unit (20) is designed to be capable of transporting the racks (16) between the input compartment (14), the coverslipper module (30, 32) and the output compartment (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for handling slides, including a first and at least a second module-receiving area (24 through 28) for receiving at least one module (30, 34) for handling slides each. The first module-receiving area (24) accommodates a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping thin sections on slides with a mounting medium and a cover slip (48).

Abstract: A device for manipulating at least one specimen slide includes a first sensor unit operable to sense a first rotation of a first component of the device about at least one first axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. A second sensor unit is operable to sense a second rotation of a second component of the device about the at least one first axis of the coordinate system, the coordinate system being independent of a position of the first component and of a position of the second component. A positioning unit is operable to position the second component relative to the first component.

Abstract: An automated processing machine, in particular an automated coverslipper or an automated stainer used for processing samples placed on slides and having an output device for outputting slides that have been processed by the automated processing machine. The output device includes an extensible and retractable drawer unit. The drawer unit includes at least one receiving channel for receiving a plurality of holders for slides. Holders received in any position in the receiving channel can be removed therefrom when the output device is in the open position. The automated processing machine is designed such that holders intended for output are inserted into the at least one receiving channel.

Abstract: A device for manipulating at least one specimen slide. The device includes a first sensor unit operable to sense a first rotation of a first component of the device about at least one first axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. A second sensor unit is operable to sense a second rotation of a second component of the device about the at least one first axis of the coordinate system, the coordinate system being independent of a position of the first component and of a position of the second component. A positioning unit is operable to position the second component relative to the first component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coverslipping module for mounting coverslips onto specimen slides (12) for microscopic investigations, having a transport apparatus (9) for transporting a specimen slide (12) out of a rack (3) or a specimen slide holder to a coverslipping position (13) in which the specimen slide (12) is equipped with a coverslip, and having alignment means for aligning the specimen slide (12) in the coverslipping position (13) for mounting the coverslip. In order to allow the specimen slide (12) to be reliably and quickly aligned for mounting of the coverslips, thereby ensuring a high level of process dependability with a short processing time, the alignment means are constituted by multiple movable orientation jaws (18) which are arranged so that by closure of the orientation jaws (18), the specimen slide (12) becomes aligned in the coverslipping position (13).

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing specimen slides (38) has a specimen slide holder (42) holding specimen slides (38), each specimen slide (38) comprising an identification code. The specimen slides (38) are arranged inside the specimen slide holder (42) on a lifting element (50) in a lifted position. The apparatus includes a reading apparatus (40) for reading out the identification code, and a positioning apparatus that moves the specimen slide holder (42) with the specimen slides (38) relative to the lifting element (50) so that the specimen slides (38) drop successively from the lifted position on the lifting element (50). As one of the specimen slides (38) drops, the identification code of the specimen slide (38) or of the subsequent specimen slide (38) becomes readable for the reading apparatus (40). A triggering apparatus (67, 68) triggers the reading apparatus (40) to read the identification code.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for handling specimen slides (32, 78, 80) has at least one coverslipping module (14) for coverslipping thin sections arranged on specimen slides (32, 78, 80). The apparatus (10) further encompasses a drying unit (16, 70, 90) for extracting solvent from the mounting medium applied onto the specimen slides (32, 78, 80). The drying unit (16, 70, 90) has an air delivery unit (40) for delivering an air flow to the specimen slides (32, 78, 80).

Abstract: An apparatus is described for treating prepared specimens. The apparatus comprises at least two container rows arranged in parallel to each other, each comprising a plurality of reagent containers and a transport mechanism for transporting at least one transport container that receives at least one carrier holding at least one prepared specimen. The transport mechanism is movable along an X and Z axis. A rotation unit is provided comprising holding arms and at least one holding element. The container rows are received rotatably at the ends of the holding arms of the at least one holding element that is connected to a rotation shaft such that it co-rotates with the rotation shaft that extends parallel to the X axis. The rotation unit is adapted to assume at least one working position allowing the transport mechanism to have access to the reagent container.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the treatment of cytological and histological specimens are described. A treatment program comprising multiple treatment parameters is predetermined. The specimens are introduced in accordance with the predetermined treatment program sequentially into a plurality of treatment stations by means of a transport device. At least one of the process data time and number of specimens subject to simultaneous treatment in one particular treatment station and number of the treatment stations during execution of the treatment program are determined. These process data are evaluated for optimizing the treatment program as to at least one of processing time, number of treatment stations and sequence of treatment stations.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for treating prepared specimens. The apparatus comprises at least two container rows arranged in parallel to each other, each comprising a plurality of reagent containers and a transport mechanism for transporting at least one transport container that receives at least one carrier holding at least one prepared specimen. The transport mechanism is movable along an X and Z axis. A rotation unit is provided comprising holding arms and at least one holding element. The container rows are received rotatably at the ends of the holding arms of the at least one holding element that is connected to a rotation shaft such that it co-rotates with the rotation shaft that extends parallel to the X axis. The rotation unit is adapted to assume at least one working position allowing the transport mechanism to have access to the reagent container.

Abstract: A device for manipulating at least one specimen slide. The device includes a first sensor unit operable to sense a first rotation of a first component of the device about at least one first axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. A second sensor unit is operable to sense a second rotation of a second component of the device about the at least one first axis of the coordinate system, the coordinate system being independent of a position of the first component and of a position of the second component. A positioning unit is operable to position the second component relative to the first component.