Sample processing system

In accordance with an embodiment of a system for handling and processing chemical and/or biological samples, a MicroChamber comprises a substrate, a reservoir formed on the substrate for receiving a chemical and/or biological sample, and an encoder such as a barcode or other suitable device. The encoder encodes information describing at least one characteristic of the substrate and/or reservoir.

ASSEMBLY FOR FORMING MICROCHAMBER FOR INVERTED SUBSTRATE

An assembly for forming a microchamber for an inverted substrate is disclosed. The assembly can include a body having a chamber formed therein. A dispensing cavity can be provided to supply a reagent to the chamber. A slide support structure can be configured to support the slide such that the tissue sample faces the chamber when the slide is mounted to the slide support structure. The chamber and the slide support structure can be dimensioned such that, when the reagent is supplied to the dispensing cavity, the reagent is drawn to the chamber by way of capillary forces acting on the reagent. 1. An assembly for analyzing a sample on a substrate , the assembly comprising:a body having a chamber formed therein;a dispensing cavity to supply a reagent to the chamber; anda substrate support structure configured to support the substrate such that a surface of the substrate to which the sample is to be coupled faces the chamber when the substrate is mounted to the substrate support structure,wherein the chamber and the substrate support structure are dimensioned such that, when the reagent is supplied to the dispensing cavity, the reagent is drawn into the chamber by way of capillary forces acting on the reagent.2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a glass slide claim 1 , the assembly further comprising the slide claim 1 , the sample facing the chamber when the sample is mounted to the slide.3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein a depth of the chamber is in a range of about 40 microns to about 85 microns.4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the chamber is sized to hold about 15 μl to about 200 μl of reagent.5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the chamber is sized to hold less than or equal to about 80 μl of reagent.6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a length along a longitudinal direction and a width along a lateral direction claim 1 , the length larger than the width claim 1 , wherein the dispensing cavity comprises a port ...

SAMPLE PROCESSING SYSTEM

In accordance with an embodiment of a system for handling and processing chemical and/or biological samples, a MicroChamber comprises a substrate, a reservoir formed on the substrate for receiving a chemical and/or biological sample, and an encoder such as a barcode or other suitable device. The encoder encodes information describing at least one characteristic of the substrate and/or reservoir. 1. An apparatus comprising:{'b': '600', 'a sample processing system () adapted to concurrently and individually control processing of a plurality of samples on a corresponding plurality of substrates, wherein the system comprises{'b': '606', 'a cover handling device () adapted to position covers on the substrates to enclose each sample and form a microchamber;'}{'b': '604', 'a substance dispensing device (), adapted to dispense one or more substances in the microchamber;'}{'b': 610', '1100', '610, 'a temperature control assembly () having an array of individually controlled temperature control elements (), the temperature control assembly () being adapted to heat and cool individual microchambers on the plurality of substrates independently during a temperature cycle; and'}{'b': 608', '606', '604', '610, 'a controller () coupled to the cover handling device (), substance dispensing device () and temperature control assembly (), adapted to concurrently and independently control the micro-environment within each microchamber on the plurality of substrates.'}2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:{'b': '608', 'the controller () being adapted to programmably control the micro-environment of the samples by selectively executing a sequence of actions selected from among actions of placing a cover over the sample, removing the cover, dispensing a selected reagent on the sample; and washing the sample.'}3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:{'b': '608', 'the controller () coupled to the temperature control assembly, being adapted to programmably heat and cool the ...

SAMPLE PROCESSING SYSTEM

In accordance with an embodiment of a system for handling and processing chemical and/or biological samples, a MicroChamber comprises a substrate, a reservoir formed on the substrate for receiving a chemical and/or biological sample, and an encoder such as a barcode or other suitable device. The encoder encodes information describing at least one characteristic of the substrate and/or reservoir. 1. An apparatus comprising:a sample processing system configured to create a micro-chamber containing a sample on a substrate, further comprising:a cover dispenser that individually dispenses micro-chamber covers, the dispenser being capable of dispensing covers of multiple different sizes;a robotic head adapted to move relative to the cover dispenser and the substrate; andan effector coupled to the robotic head that programmably grips and releases micro-chamber covers, the effector being programmable to perform multiple functions including removing a micro-chamber cover from the cover dispenser, moving the micro-chamber cover to a specified position, placing the micro-chamber cover on the substrate, and removing the micro-chamber cover from the substrate.2. The apparatus according to further comprising:a reagent dispensing device configured to apply one or more reagents to the sample; andwherein the reagent dispensing device is operable in combination with the robotic head and effector to automate placement and removal of micro-chamber covers on the substrate.3. The apparatus according to wherein:the effector further comprises at least one of the group consisting of: a vacuum pad, an electromagnetic attachment device, and a mechanical robotic attachment device, each of which is configured to grip and release the micro-chamber covers.4. The apparatus according to further comprising:A reservoir and a barrier that can be configured to reduce or even eliminate air bubbles in reservoir when the reservoir is covered to form an enclosed microenvironment5. The apparatus according ...

Assembly for Forming Microchamber for Inverted Substrate

An assembly for forming a microchamber for an inverted substrate is disclosed. The assembly can include a body having a chamber formed therein. A dispensing cavity can be provided to supply a reagent to the chamber. A slide support structure can be configured to support the slide such that the tissue sample faces the chamber when the slide is mounted to the slide support structure. The chamber and the slide support structure can be dimensioned such that, when the reagent is supplied to the dispensing cavity, the reagent is drawn to the chamber by way of capillary forces acting on the reagent.

Releasing embedding media from tissue specimens

Releasing the embedding medium from an embedded histochemically reactive tissue specimen is provided by contacting the embedded tissue specimen with a releasing composition under conditions sufficient to release a sufficient portion of the embedding medium associated with the histochemically reactive tissue specimen to permit analysis without substantial adverse effect on the histochemical reactivity of the specimen.

Deparaffinization compositions and methods for their use

Compositions and methods are provided for dewaxing wax-embedded biological specimens prior to histochemical analysis. The compositions and methods provided can effectively remove wax or improved wax-based embedding materials, particularly paraffin-based, from specimens during preparation for histochemical or other diagnostic analyses, while minimizing danger to users, achieving compatibility with automated use, and maintaining compatibility with downstream histochemical analyses, particularly immunostaining. Compositions of the invention comprise a paraffin-solubilizing organic solvent, a polar organic solvent, and a surfactant. Compositions can further comprise water. The method involves contacting a wax-embedded specimen with the dewaxing composition to solubilize the wax impregnating the specimen prior to histochemical analysis. The method can comprise the further step of washing the dewaxed specimen immediately after dewaxing with an aqueous wash composition comprising a detergent to remove residual dewaxing composition. Also provided is a kit for dewaxing a wax-embedded specimen, which comprises a dewaxing composition and can further comprise a second composition of (1) an immunostaining reagent or (2) an aqueous wash solution comprising a detergent for removing residual dewaxing solution.

Dewaxing kit for immunostaining tissue specimens

Compositions and methods are provided for dewaxing wax-embedded biological specimens prior to histochemical analysis. The compositions and methods provided can effectively remove wax or improved wax-based embedding materials, particularly paraffin-based, from specimens during preparation for histochemical or other diagnostic analyses, while minimizing danger to users, achieving compatibility with automated use, and maintaining compatibility with downstream histochemical analyses, particularly immunostaining. Compositions of the invention comprise a paraffin-solubilizing organic solvent, a polar organic solvent, and a surfactant. Compositions can further comprise water. The method involves contacting a wax-embedded specimen with the dewaxing composition to solubilize the wax impregnating the specimen prior to histochemical analysis. The method can comprise the further step of washing the dewaxed specimen immediately after dewaxing with an aqueous wash composition comprising a detergent to remove residual dewaxing composition. Also provided is a kit for dewaxing a wax-embedded specimen, which comprises a dewaxing composition and can further comprise a second composition of (1) an immunostaining reagent or (2) an aqueous wash solution comprising a detergent for removing residual dewaxing solution.

Sample processing system

In accordance with an embodiment of a system for handling and processing chemical and/or biological samples, a MicroChamber comprises a substrate, a reservoir formed on the substrate for receiving a chemical and/or biological sample, and an encoder such as a barcode or other suitable device. The encoder encodes information describing at least one characteristic of the substrate and/or reservoir.

Automated staining apparatus

Disclosed is an automated staining apparatus including an arm (30) moveable in three dimensions, and a hollow tip head (70) located on the arm including integral reagent tip head (40), wash tip (41) and blow tip (42) for selectively dispensing gas and liquid onto microscope slides. Also disclosed are various sub-components of the apparatus that are specifically adapted to the processing of specimens on slides.

Automated staining apparatus

An automated microscope-slide-staining apparatus, having a supporting framework; an arm moveable in three dimensions attached to the framework; apparatus for moving the arm; a hollow tip head located on the arm; apparatus for alternatively supplying positive or negative gas pressure to the hollow tip head; a removable wash/blow tip having an exit slit, the wash/blow tip being adapted to be removably attached to the hollow tip head by a preselected movement of the arm; a wash/blow tip holder at a first fixed location on the framework; a reagent application tip holder at a second fixed location on the framework for holding a reagent application tip, the reagent application tip being adapted to be removably attached to the hollow tip head by a preselected movement of the arm; a reagent container holder at a third fixed location on the framework; a microscope slide holder at a fourth fixed location on the framework, the microscope slide holder being adapted to removably contain the microscope slide; and control apparatus for controlling movement of the arm between the locations, whereby the tip head picks up the wash/blow tip or the reagent application tip in response to movement of the arm under control of the control apparatus and moves to one or more of the locations to pick up a reagent in the reagent container or dispense the reagent on the slide or to dispense a gas through the wash/blow tip over the slide. Components of the apparatus and methods of staining are also part of the invention.

Multifunctional linking reagents for synthesis of branched oligomers

Reagents capable of forming branched oligomers with monomeric units are disclosed, together with oligomers incorporating such reagents, kits containing such reagents and methods for use of such reagents in forming oligomers with monomeric units. The present reagents can advantageously be used to introduce multiple labels or reporter molecules onto oligomers such as oligonucleotides and oligopeptides. In particular, non-nucleosidic phosphoramidites based on 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)cyanuric acid are disclosed. Multiply-labeled, branched DNA oligomer probes constructed using these phosphoramidite reagents showed increased signal intensity relative to singly-labeled oligomer probes.

Assembly for forming microchamber for inverted substrate

An assembly for forming a microchamber for an inverted substrate is disclosed. The assembly can include a body having a chamber formed therein. A dispensing cavity can be provided to supply a reagent to the chamber. A slide support structure can be configured to support the slide such that the tissue sample faces the chamber when the slide is mounted to the slide support structure. The chamber and the slide support structure can be dimensioned such that, when the reagent is supplied to the dispensing cavity, the reagent is drawn to the chamber by way of capillary forces acting on the reagent.

Sample processing system

In accordance with an embodiment of a system for handling and processing chemical and/or biological samples, a MicroChamber comprises a substrate, a reservoir formed on the substrate for receiving a chemical and/or biological sample, and an encoder such as a barcode or other suitable device. The encoder encodes information describing at least one characteristic of the substrate and/or reservoir.

Automated staining apparatus and method

An automated microscope slide staining apparatus has an moveable arm (30) which carries wash/blow head (70) having an elongate dispensing slit for supplying wash liquid or drying air across the width of the slides (130) positioned in a heater block (200). In us, water is supplied over the surface to be treated by the wash/blow head (70) and ragents are supplied in a pattern that would not completely cover the surface to be treated and allowed to diffuse through he water disperse.

Automated staining apparatus and method

An automated microscope-slide-staining apparatus, having a supporting framework; an arm moveable in three dimensions attached to the framework; apparatus for moving the arm; a hollow tip head located on the arm; apparatus for alternatively supplying positive or negative gas pressure to the hollow tip head; a removable wash/blow tip having an exit slit, the wash/blow tip being adapted to be removably attached to the hollow tip head by a preselected movement of the arm; a wash/blow tip holder at a first fixed location on the framework; a reagent application tip holder at a second fixed location on the framework for holding a reagent application tip, the reagent application tip being adapted to be removably attached to the hollow tip head by a preselected movement of the arm; a reagent container holder at a third fixed location on the framework; a microscope slide holder at a fourth fixed location on the framework, the microscope slide holder being adapted to removably contain the microscope slide; and control apparatus for controlling movement of the arm between the locations, whereby the tip head picks up the wash/blow tip or the reagent application tip in response to movement of the arm under control of the control apparatus and moves to one or more of the locations to pick up a reagent in the reagent container or dispense the reagent on the slide or to dispense a gas through the wash/blow tip over the slide. Components of the apparatus and methods of staining are also part of the invention.

Sample processing system

In accordance with an embodiment of a system for handling and processing chemical and/or biological samples, a MicroChamber comprises a substrate, a reservoir formed on the substrate for receiving a chemical and/or biological sample, and an encoder such as a barcode or other suitable device. The encoder encodes information describing at least one characteristic of the substrate and/or reservoir.

Nicht-nukleotid verknüpfende reagentien

Systeme und verfahren zur ausgabe von objekten

Sample processing system

In accordance with an embodiment of a system for handling and processing chemical and/or biological samples, a MicroChamber comprises a substrate, a reservoir formed on the substrate for receiving a chemical and/or biological sample, and an encoder such as a barcode or other suitable device. The encoder encodes information describing at least one characteristic of the substrate and/or reservoir.

Automatisches einfärbungsverfahren und - vorrichtung

Deparaffinisierungs-zusammensetzungen und verfahren zu ihrer verwendung

Sample processing system

Systeme und Verfahren zur Ausgabe von Objekten