Automated staining system and reaction chamber
Inventors
Shah, Amit D. • Webster, Scott • Flores, Cristina R. • Cheng, Chen Yu • Lin, Chia Hsien • CHUANG, Chih Shun • BOOKER, Nicholas John • WATKINS, Andrew Douglas • BARTEL, Rebecca Jean • Henderson, Chester John • von Bueren, Erico • Yang, Hwai-Jyh Michael
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12680923-B2
Publication Date
2026-07-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A processor assembly including: an exposure station operable to expose a sample on a slide; a print station operable to apply a reagent to the exposed sample through a thermal inkjet process; and a robotic transfer mechanism to transfer the slide from the exposure station to the print station. Also, a reagent cartridge including: a body defining a container having a volume therein; a nonmetallic bag in the container operable to contain a reagent; and a printhead at a base of the body, the printhead coupled to an outlet of the bag. Further, a method including exposing a sample on a slide in a processor assembly; robotically transferring the slide to a printing station of the processor assembly; and applying a reagent to the exposed sample at the printing station by a thermal inkjet printing process.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a processor assembly that exposes a sample on a slide and applies a reagent to a portion of the sample through a thermal inkjet process. The assembly includes an exposure station, a printing station with a printer operable to apply the reagent, and a robotic transfer mechanism to transfer the slide from the exposure station to the printing station. The processor directs the application of the reagent after the exposure step.
The processor assembly further automates reagent handling by retrieving a reagent cartridge from a storage station and coupling the retrieved reagent cartridge to the printer. Non-transitory machine-readable instructions executed by the processor cause the processor to retrieve and couple the reagent cartridge, enabling direct application of a reagent from the retrieved reagent cartridge onto a portion of the sample on the slide. The workflow links exposure, robotic slide transfer, cartridge retrieval, cartridge coupling, and direct application.
The disclosed system also includes slide identification and target location determination using slide imaging and/or label information, so the reagent is applied to a portion of the sample determined from the captured information. Additional automated processing stages described include intermediate stations associated with staining workflows, such as an antigen retrieval station and other handling stages, and the ability to perform end-to-end processing with subsequent dehydration and coverslipping as described. Printer maintenance and servicing features are also disclosed, including wiping and spittoon servicing elements, to support the thermal inkjet printer during operation.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim. Its core inventive features focus on an integrated assembly that combines an exposure station, a thermal inkjet printing station, robotic slide transfer, automated reagent cartridge storage, retrieval, and coupling, and directed reagent application to a portion of the sample, with dependent features adding imaging or label-based target placement and other system stations.
Thermal inkjet reagent application after robotic slide transfer
An exposure station operable to expose a sample on a slide; a printing station comprising a printer operable to apply a reagent to the exposed sample through a thermal inkjet process; and a robotic transfer mechanism to transfer the slide from the exposure station to the printing station.
Automated retrieval and coupling of reagent cartridge to the printer
A storage station operable to store a plurality of reagent cartridges; and non-transitory machine-readable instructions that when executed cause the processor to automatically retrieve a reagent cartridge from the storage station and couple the retrieved reagent cartridge to the printer.
Direct application of reagent onto a portion of the sample
Non-transitory machine-readable instructions that when executed cause the processor to direct application of a reagent from the retrieved reagent cartridge onto a portion of the sample on the slide.
Imaging-based target location determination for directed application
An imager to capture an image of the sample before applying a reagent, and machine-readable instructions to determine a target location on the sample for application of the reagent.
Label information identification for slide processing
An identification station with a sensor that identifies label information on a slide and optionally captures an image of the sample on the slide.
Sorting slides based on label information
A sorting station with multiple slide baskets and machine-readable instructions that sort slides into the slide baskets based on label information on the slides.
Two-stage exposure with antigen retrieval transport to printing
An exposure station with first and second exposure substations for baking and dewaxing and pressure-based exposure of antigenic sites, and machine instructions that transport a slide to an antigen retrieval station and then transport it to the printing station.
Printer maintenance wiping with spittoon and wiping ribbon
A service station with a spittoon and a wiping ribbon arranged between a feed roller and a take-up roller, where relative movement between the printhead of a retrieved ink cartridge and the wiping ribbon performs a wiping action across the printhead.
Across the claim content, the inventive focus is on an automated processor assembly that exposes a sample on a slide, robotically transfers the slide to a thermal inkjet printing station, automatically retrieves and couples reagent cartridges, and directs reagent application onto a portion of the sample, with dependent features including imaging or label-based target location determination, slide sorting, specified exposure and antigen retrieval transport stages, and printer wiping or spittoon servicing.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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