Automated slide processing systems, consumable stainer units, and related technologies
Inventors
Gaertner, Claudia • Becker, Holger
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12345721-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. Aspects of the technology are directed, for example, to an automated staining system that includes an instrument including an end effector and a stainer unit-receiving station that receives a stainer unit such that the end effector delivers reagent from the reagent reservoirs to a reaction chamber of the slide stainer unit. The stainer unit can carry fresh reagents, waste material, and components used to handle the reagents.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is an automated staining system that uses a slide processing cartridge having a flow cell with a slide-receiving region and a sealing ring. The slide-receiving region is dimensioned to receive a microscope slide, and the sealing ring sealingly contacts a specimen-bearing surface of the microscope slide to define a reaction chamber along the specimen-bearing surface. The cartridge includes a plurality of closed reagent reservoirs and at least one dispenser to deliver reagent to the reaction chamber under control of an instrument with at least one end effector and a cartridge-receiving station.
The system further includes a waste reservoir fluidly coupled to the flow cell and at least one thermal element configured to generate thermal energy to heat reagent in the reaction chamber without substantially affecting temperatures of reagents in the plurality of closed reagent reservoirs. A fluid circuit provides fluid communication with the reaction chamber and includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve, each having an opened state and a closed state. The outlet valve in the closed state prevents reagent flow out of the reaction chamber when a reagent is pressurized in the reaction chamber and heated by the at least one thermal element.
The instrument is configured to engage the slide processing cartridge and to create positive pressure to cause the reagent to flow from a pipette tip, through the fluid circuit, and into the reaction chamber. This positive pressure pressurizes the reaction chamber to substantially raise a boiling point of the reagent contained within the reaction chamber. In an associated microfluidic cartridge embodiment, a sealing member defines an anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber, and an instrument drives delivered reagent(s) via positive pressure through a fluid circuit into the anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber for a staining period.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims: an automated staining system and a microfluidic microscope slide processing cartridge. Each independent claim is built around 8 core inventive features involving sealing-defined microfluidic reaction/anti-boiling chambers, valved fluid circuits, closed reagent reservoirs with dispensing by an instrument, and positive-pressure delivery to substantially raise boiling point for staining.
Automated slide processing cartridge with sealing ring reaction chamber
A slide processing cartridge including a flow cell having a slide-receiving region and a sealing ring, where the slide-receiving region is dimensioned to receive a microscope slide and the sealing ring sealingly contacts a specimen-bearing surface to define a reaction chamber along the specimen-bearing surface.
Closed reagent reservoirs with dispenser and coupled waste reservoir
A plurality of closed reagent reservoirs, at least one dispenser capable of delivering reagent to the reaction chamber, and a waste reservoir fluidly coupled to the flow cell.
Thermal element heating reaction chamber with minimal effect on closed reservoirs
At least one thermal element configured to generate thermal energy to heat reagent in the reaction chamber without substantially affecting temperatures of reagents in the plurality of closed reagent reservoirs.
Valved fluid circuit to prevent outflow during pressurized heating
A fluid circuit in fluid communication with the reaction chamber including an inlet valve and an outlet valve each having an opened state and a closed state, wherein the outlet valve in the closed state prevents reagent flow out of the reaction chamber when a reagent is pressurized in the reaction chamber and heated by the at least one thermal element.
Instrument-created positive pressure for substantially raised boiling point
An instrument including at least one end effector and a cartridge-receiving station that receives the slide processing cartridge such that the end effector is capable of engaging the dispenser to deliver reagent from a respective reagent reservoir to the reaction chamber, wherein the instrument creates positive pressure to cause the reagent to flow from a pipette tip through the fluid circuit and into the reaction chamber to substantially raise a boiling point of the reagent contained within the reaction chamber.
Anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber defined by sealing member
A microfluidic microscope slide processing cartridge including a flow cell with a slide engagement region and a sealing member configured to sealingly contact a specimen-bearing surface of a microscope slide to define an anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber between the surface of the slide engagement region and the specimen-bearing surface.
Fluid circuit with outlet valve opened/closed states for anti-boiling flow chamber
A fluid circuit in fluid communication with the anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber and including an outlet valve having an opened state and a closed state, wherein the outlet valve in the open state allows reagent flow through the anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber.
Positive-pressure delivery to substantially raise boiling point during staining period
A cartridge supported by a support base with a plurality of reagent reservoirs and at least one dispenser, and an instrument including at least one end effector operable to deliver a reagent from each reagent reservoir to the anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber, wherein the instrument creates positive pressure to cause the reagent to flow from a pipette tip through the fluid circuit and into the anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber to substantially raise a boiling point of the delivered reagent(s) for a staining period.
Across both independent claims, the inventive subject matter centers on sealing a microscope slide into a defined microfluidic reaction/anti-boiling high-temperature flow chamber, using a fluid circuit with inlet/outlet valve states, providing closed reagent reservoirs with an instrument-driven dispenser interface, and using instrument-created positive pressure to drive reagent through the circuit into the chamber to substantially raise boiling point for staining.
Stated Advantages
Substantially raises a boiling point of the reagent contained within the reaction chamber.
Substantially raises a boiling point of the delivered reagent(s) for a staining period.
Heats reagent in the reaction chamber without substantially affecting temperatures of reagents in the plurality of closed reagent reservoirs.
Prevents reagent flow out of the reaction chamber when a reagent is pressurized in the reaction chamber and heated.
Documented Applications
Automated staining using a microfluidic slide processing cartridge and an instrument delivering reagents under pressurized, heated conditions for a staining period.
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