Systems and methods for serial staining and imaging
Inventors
Ragan, Timothy • Dimant, Chaim Moshe
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10788403-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for sequential operation of staining, imaging and sectioning of tissue samples by a processing system. After each layer of the sample is removed by the sectioning system, the system automatically stains the exposed surface of a sample to a depth to enable imaging of the remaining tissue. The system then repeats the sectioning, staining and imaging steps in sequence to image the sample.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an integrated system for imaging at least one tissue sample in which an imaging system images a plurality of regions of the tissue sample. The system includes a sectioning system that removes sections of the tissue sample after imaging of at least a portion of one of the plurality of regions and is configured to expose each region of the plurality of regions in a sectioning sequence. After removal of at least one section in the sectioning sequence, a staining system applies a stain to each exposed region.
The system further includes a control system that controls sequential staining, imaging and sectioning of the tissue sample. The control system is configured to store at least one selected from a diffusion rate of the stain and a diffusion time of the stain in each exposed region, and the stored diffusion information is used to control sectioning parameters and imaging parameters.
In a corresponding method, sequential images of at least one tissue sample are produced by staining a first surface with a stain, imaging the tissue sample with an imaging device, and removing a section with a sectioning device to expose a second surface. The staining, imaging, and removing steps are iterated using a control system, and the iteration is controlled using at least one selected from diffusion time of the stain and diffusion rate of the stain.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims covering both an integrated system and a method for producing sequential images. Across the independent claims, four core inventive features appear: sequential staining of exposed regions, imaging of multiple regions, sectioning in a region-by-region sequence, and diffusion-parameter-based control of imaging and sectioning.
Sequential staining, imaging, and sectioning in an integrated system
An integrated system for imaging at least one tissue sample comprising an imaging system, a sectioning system that exposes each region in a sectioning sequence, and a staining system operative to apply a stain to each exposed region after removal of at least one section in the sectioning sequence.
Storing diffusion parameters per exposed region to control imaging and sectioning
A control system that controls sequential staining, imaging and sectioning and is configured to store at least one selected from the group of a diffusion rate of the stain and a diffusion time of the stain in each exposed region to control sectioning parameters and imaging parameters.
Iterative sequential imaging controlled by stain diffusion parameters
A method of producing sequential images of at least one tissue sample comprising staining a first surface with a stain, imaging to generate an image, removing a section to expose a second surface, and iterating the staining, imaging, and removing steps using a control system configured to control the imaging device and the sectioning device using at least one selected from the group of a diffusion time of the stain and a diffusion rate of the stain.
Claim coverage centers on a coordinated serial workflow where staining of exposed surfaces is iterated with imaging and sectioning. Both independent claims require a control system that uses stain diffusion parameters to control imaging and sectioning in the sequential process.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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