Inkjet deposition of reagents for histological samples
Inventors
Groll, Henning • Hazar, Melis • Klein, Eric L. • Kozikowski, III, Raymond T. • Paluszcyk, Chana R. • Polaske, Melinda J. • Thakur, Raviraj
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12265003-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices and methods for the deposition of reagents onto cells or tissue samples are disclosed. Also disclosed are reagent compositions suitable for dispensing via a droplet-on-demand system.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to staining a biological sample disposed on a microscope slide by depositing a primary stain reagent in a spatially selective dispense pattern. One or more regions of the biological sample are identified for receiving the primary stain reagent, and a dispense pattern is determined based on the identified regions, including coordinates generated from an image of the biological sample. The staining is performed by dispensing, between about 360 nL/in^2 and about 14.4 μL/in^2 of the primary stain reagent per pass, using a piezoelectric deposition system or a thermal droplet generation system.
The primary stain reagent includes a dye, and the deposition is driven by a predetermined dispense pattern. The method further encompasses staining with one or more primary stain reagents and dispensing a first primary stain reagent per pass based on the pre-determined dispense pattern. In additional disclosed embodiments, the first primary stain reagent composition includes a first dye and a viscosity modifier, and additional components such as surfactants are described.
The invention also covers dispensing of a protective fluid layer such that a dispensed primary stain reagent penetrates the protective fluid layer and directly contacts the biological sample. The protective fluid layer includes an oil that is immiscible with the dispensed reagent composition.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims centered on image- or region-determined, droplet-on-demand deposition of dye-based primary stain reagents on microscope slides, with a quantitative per-pass deposition range and predefined dispense patterns derived from image coordinates.
Image-region identification to determine dispense pattern for droplet deposition
Identifying one or more regions of the biological sample for receiving the primary stain reagent; determining a dispense pattern based on the one or more identified regions; and dispensing based on the determined dispense pattern to the biological sample.
Piezoelectric or thermal droplet generation system with per-pass primary stain reagent dose range
Dispensing between about 360 nL/in^2 to about 14.4 μL/in^2 of the primary stain reagent per pass to the biological sample with a piezoelectric deposition system or a thermal droplet generation system.
Dye-based primary stain reagent for microscope slide staining
The primary stain reagent comprises a dye.
Coordinates generated from image to define a predetermined dispense pattern
Dispensing based on a pre-determined dispense pattern generated by identifying in an image of the biological sample the one or more regions for receiving the first primary stain reagent and determining coordinates for the one or more identified regions.
First primary stain reagent composition comprises first dye and viscosity modifier
The first primary stain reagent composition comprises a first dye and a viscosity modifier.
Across the two independent claims, the coverage focuses on image-based region identification, including coordinates, to define a predetermined dispense pattern and on droplet deposition of dye-based primary stain reagents, using a per-pass dispensing amount in the range of about 360 nL/in^2 to about 14.4 μL/in^2, with the first reagent composition including a dye and a viscosity modifier.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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