Abstract: To simplify the process of preparing tissue specimens on slides, an advanced automated slide processing device is disclosed. The automated slide processing device comprises a robotic arm that both senses input and delivers output. The input sensing includes sensing radio frequency identifier tags (RFIDs) and the output includes writing to RFID tags. This allows the automated slide processing device to read RFID tags on chemical reagent containers, specimen slides, and slide processing modules. The information on the RFID tags can be used to program the automated slide processing device for a slide processing run, add new slide processing protocols, and determine what chemical reagents are available and where each chemical reagent containers is located.

Abstract: To simplify the process of preparing tissue specimens on slides, an advanced automated slide processing device is disclosed. The automated slide processing device comprises a robotic arm that both senses input and delivers output. The input sensing may include sensing radio frequency identifiers (RFIDs). The output includes arm movements, the acquisition and delivery of reagents. A control program runs on a computer system for controlling the robotic arm. The robotic arm delivers reagents to individual slide modules that each feature a controllable heating element and a controllable chamber unit that can form a small chamber on the top of a slide for retaining chemical reagents.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating slides has a base with a cavity, and a heater is located on a surface of the cavity. A tank, which supports a slide rack with the slides submerged in a slide treatment solution, is placed in the cavity with a tank surface immediately adjacent the heater. A temperature sensor is mounted in the base and is operable to provide a feedback signal representing a temperature of the liquid in the tank. A cover is removably hinged on the base to cover the tank. A control system is connected to the heater and the temperature sensor and has a user input/output that is operable to select a set temperature of the liquid and a cycle time.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for specimen slide (710) preparation is disclosed. The method and apparatus of the present invention uses slide trays (700) that have receptacles for at least one specimen slide (710) and an associated reagent pack (720). The specimen slide (710) and reagent pack (720) includes respective identifiers (420, 411) that specify a particular slide preparation protocol that should be followed. The method reads the identifiers (420, 411) on the reagent pack and the slide to verify that the correct slide preparation protocol is being used.