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Publication Number
US-12629690-B2
Publication Date
2026-05-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A microscope slide holder comprising a slide support member and at least one acoustic source for introducing acoustic waves to a microscope slide in communication with the slide support member such that one or more fluids present on the surface of the microscope slide are contactlessly mixed.
Core Innovation
The patent describes an apparatus and processing approach for low frequency acoustic/vibrational movement of fluids and/or reagents on a substrate disposed on one or more support members of a microscope slide. The acoustic source introduces low frequency vibrations to a substrate so that one or more fluids and/or reagents present on a surface of the substrate are contactlessly moved or distributed.
A central aspect of the described processing is the use of low frequency acoustic waves having a frequency that will not damage cells. The patent further describes distributing and replenishing reagent on the substrate surface, including distributing multiple fluids or reagents, and using detection probes for antibody detection probes for IHC/ISH.
The described systems integrate the acoustic redistribution with slide-holder/carrier structures and optional components for monitoring and control. The patent describes support geometries such as cantilever configurations and multiple acoustic sources, with optional heating/cooling and controllers/amplifier/signal generator, and the processing can include detecting whether distribution is adequate and adjusting acoustic source operating parameters when distribution is inadequately distributed.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims include apparatus claims and a method claim, with inventive features centered on low frequency vibrations delivered by an acoustic source in direct contact with support members to contactlessly move or distribute fluids/reagents on a substrate surface, and on specifying a cell-nondamaging acoustic frequency range or cell-damage avoidance. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are: 1) direct-contact low-frequency acoustic redistribution apparatus, 2) a method that distributes fluids/reagents using cell-nondamaging low-frequency acoustic waves with support members physically contacting the substrate, and 3) an apparatus specifying a quantitative acoustic frequency range of about 1 Hz to about 1 kHz.
Direct-contact acoustic source for contactless fluid/reagent redistribution on a substrate
An apparatus comprising one or more support members and at least one acoustic source configured to introduce low frequency vibrations to a substrate disposed on the support members so that one or more fluids and/or reagents present on a surface of the substrate are contactlessly moved or distributed, wherein the acoustic source is in direct contact with at least a portion of the support members.
Cell-nondamaging low frequency acoustic distribution with support members in physical contact with the substrate
A method of processing a substrate comprising introducing at least one fluid or reagent to a sample disposed on a surface of the substrate, and distributing the at least one fluid or reagent on the surface of the substrate by introducing low frequency acoustic waves from at least one acoustic source to the substrate, wherein the low frequency acoustic waves have a frequency that will not damage cells, wherein the acoustic source is in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more support members, where each of the one or more support members is in physical contact with the substrate.
Quantitative low-frequency vibration range for contactless fluid/reagent redistribution
An apparatus comprising one or more support members and at least one acoustic source configured to introduce low frequency vibrations to a substrate disposed on the support members such that one or more fluids and/or reagents present on a surface of the substrate are contactlessly moved or distributed, wherein the acoustic source operates at a frequency ranging from between about 1 Hz to about 1 kHz.
Collectively, the independent claims define contactless movement or distribution of fluids and/or reagents on a substrate surface using low frequency vibrations from an acoustic source, with direct contact to the support members, and with the acoustic waves characterized by a frequency that will not damage cells or by a quantitative frequency range between about 1 Hz and about 1 kHz.
Stated Advantages
Reducing reagent staining artifacts and cross-contamination effects during distribution/mixing on the slide substrate.
Avoiding cell/tissue damage by using low frequency acoustic waves having a frequency that will not damage cells.
Enabling contactless movement or distribution of fluids and/or reagents on a substrate surface for processing of samples on microscope slide substrates.
Documented Applications
Processing microscope slide samples in automated slide processing/staining contexts involving distributing/replenishing reagents, including detection probe use for IHC/ISH antibody detection.
Distributing multiple fluids or reagents on a substrate surface for sample processing in which detection probes (including antibody probes) are used for target detection.
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