Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for automated tissue sectioning, including slicing and transferring a tissue section to a slide. The invention also relates to automated systems and methods for transferring a tissue section onto a slide using an adhesive strip.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: This invention is based, at least in part, on use of a tissue collector that reduces or eliminates manual steps in collecting and transferring tissue sections from a microtome to a slide. This invention relates to apparatus and methods for automated tissue sectioning, including slicing and transferring a tissue section from a microtome. The invention also relates to automated systems and methods for slicing and transferring a tissue section onto a slide.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to apparatus and methods for removing waste of debris from a microtome blade, a microtome blade holder, or both. The invention also relates to automated systems and methods for cleaning a microtome.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to apparatus and methods for removing waste of debris from a microtome blade, a microtome blade holder, or both. The invention also relates to automated systems and methods for cleaning a microtome.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for automated tissue sectioning, including slicing and transferring a tissue section from a microtome. The invention also relates to automated systems and methods for slicing and transferring a tissue section onto a slide.

Abstract: A flow cell having a plurality of independently controllable inlet and/or outlet ports is provided. In certain embodiments, a subject flow cell contains: a) a chamber having a plurality of independently controllable inlet ports and a plurality of independently controllable outlet ports; b) a first manifold in fluid communication with the inlet ports; and c) a second manifold in fluid communication with the outlet ports. Exemplary methods of using a subject flow cell to control liquid flow over a planar substrate are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for preparing an array of polymeric compounds on a substrate. Drops of polymer subunits are dispensed to a surface of a substrate from two or more drop dispensing modules wherein each module comprises dispensers for dispensing a respective polymer-forming reagent. At least two of the modules and a substrate are brought into drop dispensing relationship in at least one step prior to conducting the step of preparing the surface for repeating the drop-dispensing step. Next, the surface is subjected to reagents to prepare the surface for repeating the drop-dispensing step. The above steps are repeated for a sufficient number of cycles to prepare the array of polymeric compounds.

Abstract: Methods systems and computer readable media for converting a data stream from a precision, high speed scan process into pixel data and accurately locating the pixel data relative to the substrate that was scanned, wherein the substrate is scanned to provide sample signals at a high rate of sampling to form the data stream, including inputting a first or next sample signal from the data stream into an A/D converter and converting the first or next sample signal into a first or next digitized sample signal; inputting the first or next digitized sample signal and a pixel clock signal, in parallel into a digital signal processor or storage buffer wherein the pixel clock signal is adapted to characterize the location of the sample signal relative to the substrate from which it was taken by indicating the transition from one pixel to a next pixel. A multiple storage buffer arrangement is provided for real time analysis of data during scanning.

Abstract: A biopolymer array optical scanner system that is configured to accommodate the needs of its working environment, but offer extended life over common scanners as typically used, is provided. The scanner is programmed to allow a user to set times or adopt a schedule by which the scanner will automatically power up and/or power down. The activity of the scanner can be controlled by setting a timer or selecting a given time/event, a custom schedule and/or a preselected schedule to trigger action by a software switch at the appointed time. The switch automatically takes such action as previously directed. The activity may be selected from powering up (turning on or going to standby), powering down (turning off or going to standby) and/or initiating a scan run. Myriad combinations or permutations of activities and their respective timing are possible.

Abstract: A maximum sensitivity optical scanning system is disclosed. It finds use in a variety of applications, including the reading of biopolymeric arrays. It operates by scanning sample at a setting selected to result in signal saturation for some, but not all available data. Subsequent scans of the same area are taken at lower sensitivity settings (in terms of detector gain and/or excitation light source gain or attenuation) and data from at least the previously saturated regions is obtained. If system sensitivity is set too low to produce useful results, optional features may adjust sensitivity upward and follow with an increased sensitivity scan as a remedial measure. Full signal sensitivity is better preserved as most needed in taking data for the weakest signals first with the high-level scan. Data for sample producing stronger signals that can better tolerate photobleaching is then taken in one way or another.