Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Automated Slide Staining System
E~CKGROUn~D OF THE IN~rENTION
l. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for staining
~ slides of human tissue specimens, and more particularly for
staining histology and cytology tissue specimens on a slide for
subsequent microscopic ex~min~tion~
2. Description of the Background Art
Throughout the United States steps are being taken to
improve Slide Staining Systems for subsequent pathologic
examination in medical laboratories and hospitals. The primary
cost component of preparing and staining a slide is labor.
Accordingly, many efforts have been devoted to reduce the labor
cost component of preparing a slide. With the advent of cost
cont~inm~nt throughout the health-care industry, renewed efforts
are being made to examine all direct labor cost areas with a
focus on reducing the amount of labor heretofore involved, and
the associated cost.
For example, Patent Number 4,l90,472 issued to Slonicki,
discloses an automated system for the application of cover
glasses on histological and cytological slides. Patent '472
discloses a processing area wherein a slide that has been
stained previously is progressively turned 90 degrees to mate
with a cover glass to insure a contamination free tissue
specimen. Patent '472 also disclosed a device for depositing
glue on the stain slide and a device for applying the cover
glass to the glued portion of the slide. Patent '472 is silent
o~ the use o~ a ~ume extractor to remove noxious and harmful
fumes from the apparatus which could cause a reduction in the
quality of the surrounding environment, where other lab
personnel are working.
Patent Number 3,939,0l9 issued to Pickett disclosed an
apparatus for covering a slide with a tape material. Patent
'Ol9 teaches away from the use of a cover glass to seal the
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specimen and maintain the specimen in a con~AminAtion free
environment.
Patent Number 4,936,465 issued to Zold discloses an
apparatus ~or dispensing a staining fluid. Patent '465 does not
teach or suggest using the apparatus for sealing the stained
slide with any type of optically correct transparent material.
Patent '465 further is silent to the use of a fume extractor for
cleaning the toxic and noxious gases generated in the staining
process and removing potentially harmful compounds from the
lo environment which could be harmful to laboratory workers who are
adjacent to or in proximity to the slide staining apparatus.
None of these previous efforts, however, provide the
benefits intended with the present invention. ~dditionally,
prior techniques do not suggest the present inventive
lS combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed
herein. The present invention achieves its intended purposes,
objectives and advantages over the prior art device through a
new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements,
which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimllm number
of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture,
assemble, test and by employing only readily available material.
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SU~ R~ OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an automatic slide staining
system which will process stained slides, such as cytology or
histology specimens. The present invention includes two
embodiments for the staining system.
The first system includes a slide storage device, a slide
transport apparatus, a first platen including a plurality of
staining stations, a heating station, and a housing. In order
to utilize the first embodiment of the system of the present
invention, the stained slides are placed in the storage device.
The storage device is adapted to be removably secured to a shaft
located at one enà of the first platen. A transport system
enables the slides to be released from the storage device and
carried onto the s~aining stations.
The last dispensing station on the first platen releases a
resin solution. From the last dispensing station, the slide is
guided to a heating station. At this time the resin coating,
which was applied at the last dispensing station, is dried.
This will provide for the slide to have a protective resin
coating. After the resin has dried, the slide will be dropped
into a slide receptacle.
The first embodiment can be altered slightly so that a
cover slip apparatus can be incorporated within the system. In
order to do so, the heating station is removed. A cover slip
dispensing apparatus replaces the heating station. The cover
slip apparatus used in this embodiment includes a storage and
dispensing box, a second platen, and rollers placed
therebetween. The cover slips are maintained and removed from
the storage and dispensing box to the second platen via the
rollers. A transport system, located along the sides of the
second platen, permits for the cover slip to be guided on the
second platen.
The second platen includes a first end, a middle area, and
a second end. The first end of the second platen is at an
obtuse angle with respect to the middle area. The first platen
contacts the middle area of the second platen. This
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configuration will permit for the cover slip to contact and
adhere to the stained slide at the middle area of the second
platen. In one embodiment for the cover slip apparatus, a
pressure roller, located above the second platen, applies a
sufficient amount of force on the slide to ensure that the cover
slip will adhere to the slide. After the cover slip is
completely secured to the slide, it will be transported to a
holding receptacle located at the second end of the platen.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to
provide for a staining system that will process stained slides
efficiently and effectively.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
for a staining system that will process stained slides and
encapsulate the specimen on a slide in a sterile and cont~m;n~nt
free environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to stain
the slide and encapsulate the slide in a contamination free
environment using minimal laboratory labor.
It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a slide staining system that removes all the toxic and
noxious fumes generated in the slide staining process from the
surrounding environment in order to reduce the adverse effect on
laboratory personnel.
It is yet another object of the present invention to
provide a slide staining system that can quickly be converted
from histological specimens to cytological specimens with a
m; n;mllm of downtime and minimum of conversion effort.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a slide staining system that eliminates any potential
for cellular contamination between slides during the staining
process.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
slide staining system wherein the human cell tissue specimens
are never in direct commlln; cation with the slide staining
apparatus to prevent any cross contamination of human cell
specimens between successive slides.
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Still a further object of the present invention is to
provide for a cover slip storage and dispensing apparatus that
will allow for the storage of a large number of slip covers to
inherently preventing downtime associated with the automated
slide staining system.
A final object of the present invention, to be specifically
enumerated herein, is to provide a slide staining system in
accordance with the proceeding objects and which will conform to
conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and
easy to use so as to provide a device that would be economically
feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.
Although there have been many inventions related to a slide
staining system none of the inventions have become sufficiently
compact, low cost and reliable enough to become commonly used.
The present invention meets the requirements of the simplified
design, compact size, low initial cost, low operating cost, ease
of installation and maintainability, and minim~l amount of
training to successfully employ the invention.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent
objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to
be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features
and application of the intended invention. Many other
beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed
invention in a different manner or modifying the invention
within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects
and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by
referring to the detailed description of the preferred
embodiments in addition to the scope of the lnvention defined by
the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the automated slide
staining system of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a top view of the automated slide staining system
of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slide storage device
used in the staining system of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the cannula tubes used in the
staining system of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bottle which is used to
hold the staining fluids used in the automated slide staining
system of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the cover slip apparatus used
1~ in the second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of another cover
slip apparatus used in the second embodiment of the present
invention.
Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE~KK~ EMBODIMENTS
~ igs. 1 and 2 illustrate the various views of the first
embodiment of the automatic slide staining system of the present
~ invention. As seen in these figures, the automatic slide
staining system 10 consists of a slide storage device 12, a
slide transport apparatus 14, a first platen 16 including a
plurality of staining stations 18, and a housing 20.
Stained slides (not illustrated), such as cytology or
histology specimens, are inserted into the slide storage device
or carousel. This carousel 12 is removably secured to a shaft
(not illustrated) of a first motor (stepper motor) 22. Once the
machine is activated, the first motor is initiated to provide
for the shaft to rotate. The slides are then individually
discharged onto slide transport apparatus in order to be
processed on the various stations.
The carousel, as illustrated in figs. 1-3, has an upper
portion 24 and a lower portion 26. The upper and lower portions
are identical in si~e. Each of the upper and l-ower portions
have an inner surface 28 and an outer surface 30. The inner
surface of~~the upper portion faces the inner surface of the
lower portion. Centrally located in each of the portions is an
aperture (not illustrated).
Located between the upper and lower portion is a hollow rod
32. The rod has a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first
and second ends are received in the apertures which are located
in the upper and lower portion, respectively. The shaft of the
first motor on the staining apparatus receives the hollow rod.
This provides for the slide storage device to have a
horizontally disposed central axis once it is secured to the
shaft.
A plurality of radially oriented walls are provided along
the inner surface of the upper and lower portion. These walls
~ form a plurality of compartments 38. A retainer spring 40 is
oriented between two adjacent walls for permitting releasable
securement of the slide within the compartment. This retainer
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spring will permit for the carousal to accept slides of
arbitrary thickness.
The slides are released one at a time from the storage
device and onto the first platen 16 via a slide transport
apparatus 14. This slide transport apparatus consists of a
first pair of conveyor belts 42 and a second pair of conveyor
belts 44.
The design and structure of the conveyor belts permit a
means of releasing the stained slides from the carousel and a
means of transporting the slides to the various stations.
The first pair 42 of conveyor belts are parallel to each
other and are located between the carousel and staining
stations.
The second pair 44 of conveyor belts are parallel to each
other and are located below and along the sides of the
processing stations.
The first pair of conveyer belts extend around a first
pulley 46 and a second pulley 48 (partly illustrated). The
second pair of conveyor belts extend around a third pulley and a
fourth pulley (neither illustrated). The first pulley is
located within the housing and is in the proximity of the
carousel. The second pulley is located within the housing and
is in the proximity of the first staining station. ~ The third
pulley is located next to the second pulley and the fourth
pulley is located at the far end of the first platen.
The conveyor belts further include a plurality of evenly
spaced rods or pips 50 which protrude vertically and beyond the
processing stations. The rods or pips in each pair of belts are
in co-alignment. Once the apparatus is activated, the belts
start to rotate about the pulleys. This provides for the rods
or pips from the first pair of belts to push on the edge of a
slide in the carousel. This causes the slide to be horizontally
released from the carousel and onto the belt to provide for the
specimen to be traveling in a downward position. A roller 52 is
located adjacent to the carousel to ensure that the slide in
secured on the belt as it is released from the storage device.
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While traveling on the first pair of conveyor belts, the
slide will contact a microswitch (not illustrated). This
microswitch will initiate the count of the individually
- transferred slides as each slide engages onto the first belts
prior to the staining process.
The slide is then transported from the first pair of
belts to the second pair of belts to permit for the rods or pips
from the second pair of belts to aid in the transportation of
the slide by driving it to the various processing stations.
10A second motor (stepper motor) 54 is utilized to control
and activate the first and second pairs of conveyor belts. This
will provide for the slides to move at a constant rate of motion
over the staining stations. The slide transport apparatus
further lncludes an override switch for disengaging the stepper
1~ motor and stopping the movement of the slide transport apparatus
when an alarm condition has been detected.
The first platen of the automated slide staining system
includes staining stations 18 having an unique design and
configuration. As illustrated in the figures (figures 1 and 2),
located at the corner of each station is an aperture 56. These
apertures 56 allow for a staining fluid to be dispensed in a
capillary form between the underside of the slide and the upper
surface of each staining station.
As further illustrated, the stations are configured to be
on the first platen at an acute angle. This acute angle aids in
the ~low of the staining fluid on the slide and also aids in the
removal of the chemical as the slide is leaving the respective
station.
The first platen further includes a plurality of troughs
58, which are situated between each station, and reservoirs (not
illustrated), which are located in the front of the staining
stations. A drainage orifice (not illustrated) is located
within each reservoir. A waste tank (not illustrated) is
underneath the first platen. This arrangement provides for the
3~ excess staining fluid from each station to flow into the troughs
and to the reservoir. From the reservoir, the excess fluid
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flows into the waste tank via the drainage orifices. The waste
tank can easily be removed from the housing via a first door 60.
A display window 62 which is located on the front of the slide
staining system, alerts the operator to empty and disposed of
the fluid in the waste tank once a certain number of slides
(i.e. 500) have been processed. The combination of the station
being situated at acute angles and the location of the troughs
provides for the staining fluid from the preceding station not
to carry over to the succeeding station.
The last dispensing station 18a of the staining system
dispenses a resin solution onto the slide. Adjacent to the last
station is a heating station. After the resin solution has been
dispensed onto the slide, it will travel to the heating station.
The heating station consists of a convector 64 which will enable
the resin solution to dry so that the tissue specimen, located
on the slide, will be sealed. This seal creates a protective
coating so that the specimen will be in a sterile and
cont~min~nt free environment.
From the heating station, each slide is directed to a slide
receptacle 66. This slide receptacle receives and maintains the
slides after a complete traverse of the slide staining stations.
The slide staining system also includes a fume extractor.
The fume extractor removes the toxic fumes genera~ed by the
staining fluids during the dispensing cycle. The fume extractor
consists of a plurality of openings 68, located above the
staining stations, a charcoal filter within a housing 70, and an
exhaust 72 having an exhaust fan. A cover or hood 74 is located
above the staining stations in order to trap the fumes from the
staining solutions. This will enable them to be extracted from
the area of the staining stations by way of the plurality of the
openings 68. The charcoal filter absorbs the toxic fumes from
the staining solution, while the exhaust fan which is controlled
by a third motor 76, disposes the purified fumes from the
automated slide staining system via the exhaust 72.
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The charcoal filter can be remove and replaced simply by
opening a second door 78 on the housing. This second door
exposes the filter's housing 70 and permits for it to be open so
that the filter can he removed andJor replaced.
The st~ining fluid used in the automated slide staining
system travels to its respective station via
polytetraflouroethlyene (PTFE or TEFLON) transfer tubings 80.
Each tube consists of a first end and a second end. The first
end is inserted to the underside of the staining station and
lo into the aperture. The second end is attached to a cannula
tube 82.
The cannula tubes 82 as illustrated in figure 2 and as
further illustrated in figure 4 are inserted into a plurality of
containers 84 containing a staining fluid. These tubes are
connected to a pump 86 to permit for the staining fluid to flow
from the cannula tube 82 to the aperture of the staining station
via the transfer tubing 80. The pump is controlled by a fourth
motor (illustrated but not labeled). The combination of the
cannula tubes and the transfer tubing is also referred to as a
channel. Each tubing is connected to a solenoid valve 88. The
valve 88 controls the directional flow o~ the fluid. When the
valve is in a closed position, the fluid is recirculating within
the channel, while when the valve is in an open position, the
fluid is diverted to the aperture within a station. When a
slide is over the aperture of a particular station, a
microprocessor activates the valve, for that particular station,
to an open position. This will divert the fluid and provide for
that fluid to be dispensed onto the particular station.
The second motor (stepper motor) is utilized for actuating
the conveyor belts in order to guide the slides along the first
platen of the staining system. A microprocessor (located within
the electric bay 90) is used to count the steps or distance that
each slide travels. When a slide reaches a particular and
predetermined distance, the microprocessor will activate the
solenoid valve so that the staining fluid for a particular
_
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station can be diverted to that station. The solenoid valve
will remain open until the slide has traveled a certain or
predetermined distance, at which time the microprocessor will
send a signal to close the solenoid valve. This closure of the
solenoid valve will provide for the fluid to recirculate within
its respective channel.
The containers used for storing the respective staining
fluids are provided with a unique shape and design. As
illustrated in ~ig. 5, each of the staining bottles includes an
aperture 92 for receiving the cannula tube and two side walls
94, which are substantially longer than the front wall 96 and
rear wall (not shown). The containers are placed in a box to
provide for contact to be made with the container side walls
(see fig. 2). This box is placed within the housing via a third
door 98 (see fig. 1) of the automated slide staining system 10.
This arrangement permits for the installation and replacement of
the staining fluids to be made quickly and efficiently by
removing the box holding the plurality of containers.
As illustrated in the various views of the automated slide
staining system (figs. 1 and 2), the four digit LED display
window 62 is located above the first platen 16. Located in the
proximity of the display window 62 is a plurality of keys or
buttons 100. The keys or buttons represent the number of slides
which are being processed in a particular~batch 106, the speed
of which the slides are traveling 104, and the number of slides
which can be processed by utilizing the remaining staining fluid
located in the containers 102. The four digit LED display
window will enable an operator to display the desired key
indication.
The speed at which the slides travel can be adjusted by the
utilization of the speed button 104. This speed button will not
only display the speed at which the slides are traveling, but
will also permit the user to alter the speed. This change of
speed will alter the intensity and contrast of the stain with
3s respect to the tissue specimen.
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In order to utilize the automated slide staining system of
the present invention, an operator inserts stained slides into
the compartments 38 of a storage device or carousel 12. The
- slides are secured in the storage device by springs 40 which are
located inside each storage compartment.
The storage device is removably secured to a shaft. Once
secured, the operator can then activate the power supply 108 of
the staining system 10 by using a button to provide for the
shaft to rotate, inherently causing the storage device 12 to
rotate. The activation of the system will also initiate the
conveyor belts 42 and 44.
The rods or pips 50 on the belts push or force a slide to
exit the storage container 12. The slide is released from the
storage container so that the specimen is facing in a downward
lS position. The second motor 54 is used to control and operate
the conveyor belts. The use of the first and second motors
(stepper motors) and the arrangement and spacing of the rods or
pips will permit for the slides to be released one at a time.
After release from the storage device, the slide first
contacts a microswitch. The microswitch initiates the count of
the individually transferred slide. After contact with the
microswitch the slide is transferred to the staining stations 18
via the second set of conveyor belts 44.
The pulses that the microprocessor uses to drive a second
motor 54 which powers the second set of conveyor belts are used
to determine when the microprocessor will activate the solenoid
valve for a particular station. Once a slide reaches a
particular and predetermined distance, the microprocessor will
transmit a signal to activate or open the solenoid valve of a
particular station. This will enable the staining fluid to flow
- to the appropriate staining station. The solenoid valve will
remain open until the slide has traveled a certain or
predetermined distance, at which time the microprocessor will
send a signal to close the solenoid valve.
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The particular distance in this system for activation of
the solenoid valve occurs when the slide is directly above the
aperture in the station. The particular distance in which a
signal will be transmitted to deactivate the system will occur
when the slide exits that particular station.
The processing of the slides is continued until the slide
reaches the heating station which includes the convector 64. At
this time the resin coating, which was applied at the last
dispensing station 18a, is dried. This will provide for the
slide to have a protective resin coating. After the resin has
dried, the slide will be transported and dropped into a slide
receptacle 66.
The automated slide staining system will continue to
release the slides from the storage device. This will continue
until all the slides have been released or if there is not a
sufficient amount of staining fluid to process the slides.
In the above-described embodiment, a heating unit is
provided after the last dispensing station. However, the slide
staining system can be arranged such that a cover slip can be
dispensed, one at a time, in order to apply it on a slide. Fig.
6 illustrates an enlarged view of the cover slip apparatus. As
seen in this figure of the second embodiment, the cover slip
apparatus includes a receptacle or dispenser trav 110 which
holds and maintains the cover slips. Internally located in the
receptacle is a platform 112 (illustrated in outline). This
platform includes a bottom planar surface 114 whiie the top 116
is provided with a surface having an obtuse angle with respect
to the bottom planar surface. This angle will permit an easy
removal of the cover slip from the receptacle. A spring 118 is
situated under the platform to allow for the cover slips to be
spring loaded within receptacle.
A second platen 120 is located in the proximity of the
receptacle. The second platen includes a first end 122, a middle
area 124, and a second end 126. The second end of the second
platen is at an obtuse angle with respect to the middle area.
The second end faces the receptacle which houses the cover
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slips. The middle portion to the first end of the second platen
is linear with respect to the first platen 16. The middle area
of the second platen is in the proximity of the first platen. A
- third pair of conveyor belts 132 are located on the edge the
second platen. Extending vertically and outwardly from these
belts are a plurality of evenly spaced rods or pips 50.
A first motor attached to a first roller 128 and a second
motor attached to a second roller 130 are located between the
platen and receptacle. This first roller is parallel to the
second roller. The second roller will remove a cover slip from
the receptacle, while the first roller guides the cover slip
onto the second platen. The rods or pips enable the cover slips
to travel along the second platen.
The activation of the automated slide staining system will
1~ provide for the third set o~ conveyor belts to be activated.
The utilization of the second embodiment of the present
invention is similar to the first embodiment, except that in
this embodiment the heating station is replaced with a cover
slip unit. In this embodiment, the processing of the slides is
continued until the slide reaches the cover slip apparatus. At
this time the resin coating, which was applied at the last
dispensing station, acts as an adhesive for the cover slip.
As the slide comes into the cover slip area, a sensor
detects its presence and permits for the microprocessor to
activate the first and second motors. This will permit for the
flrst and second rollers to rotate. The rotation of the second
roller will remove a cover slip from the receptacle. The first
roller will guide the cover slip onto the second platen. The
rods or pips from the third set of conveyor belts, will
transport the cover slip along the second platen. As the cover
slip surfaces from the first end to the middle area, the edges
of the slide and cover slip will contact. This contact will
occur at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. A pressure
roller is located above the second platen and applies a
sufficient amount of force on the slide to ensure the cover slip
adheres to the slide. After the cover slip is completely
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secured to the slide, it will be transported to a holding
receptacle via the second platen in combination with its
respective conveyor system.
The automated slide staining system will continue to
release the slides from the storage device. This will continue
until all the slides have been released or if there is not a
sufficient amount of staining fluid to process the slides.
This second embodiment further includes a second sensor.
The second sensor detects when the cover slip receptacle is
empty. If the cover slip receptacle is empty, a warning will be
displayed on the front panel of the LED display window.
This cover slip, illustrated in fig. 6, can be altered to
provided for the cover slips to be horizontally stored as well
as eliminate the pressure roller. This alteration is
illustrated in fig. 7. As seen in this figure, the cover slip
apparatus includes a receptacle or dispenser tray 110 which
holds and maintains the cover slips. This dispenser tray 110 is
horizontally oriented and is maintained via a bottom box 134.
This bottom box houses the electronics for the cover slip
apparatus. Internally located in the dispenser tray is a spring
(not illustrated) which enables the cover slips to be spring
loaded into the dispenser tray 110. A tension block 136 is
slidably secured to the dispenser tray 110. Extending outwardly
from the tension block 136 is handle 138. Extending outwardly
and oppositely from the tension block 136 is an extension (not
illustrated). This extension is adapted to contact the spring
and enable the spring to be maintained in a compressed state.
The handle 138 permits the user to expose the dispenser tray for
reloading of cover slips. This tension block can be
magnetically held in position in order to allow the user to
quickly and efficiently fill the receptacle.
This alteration of the cover slip apparatus requires the
use of three rollers. The first roller or injector roller 140,
which is controlled by a motor housed in the bottom box, ejects
or remove the cover slip from the receptacle to a second roller
142. Once the cover slip reaches the second roller, the rotation
16
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of the first roller ceases. Once this roller ceases, the
secondary roller rotates in order to guide the cover slip to the
third roller or positioning roller 144. This third roller or
- positioning roller 144 is fabricated from a durable and heavy
material, such as stainless steel and is located above the
secondary roller in order to ensure that the cover slip is
properly positioned on the transport apparatus. As seen, this
third roller is maintained on a pair of slots (illustrated, but
not labeled) and is therefore adapted to move freely along the
slots. Accordingly, when the cover slip approaches the third
roller 144, it is displaced and will inherently push the cover
slip forward and onto the first end 122 of the second platen
120. The cover slip will contact or catch the resin material so
as to enable capillary communication between the slide and the
cover slip. As the slide approaches the second end 126, a
heating station 146 will enable the resin solution to dry,
securing the cover slip to the slide. The activation of the
slide staining system will provide for the activation of the
cover slip apparatus. This apparatus operates and functions
similarly as described for fig. 6.
It is noted that in order to ensure the contact between the
cover slip and slide, the last station 18a is situated below the
other stations. This design and configuration will provide for
a gap to exists between the stained slide and station. The
resin is then dispersed quickly from the apertures (illustrated
but not labeled).
It is noted that the size of each station and the number of
stations used in the first or second embodiment can be changed
in order to accommodate the testing that is desired (i.e.
histology versus cytology).
The method involved in the processing of a histology tissue
specimen using the automated slide staining system of the
present invention includes a plurality of different solutions to
be dispensed at each station. At the first station, the
paraffin is removed from the tissue by the use of xylene. The
specimen is then hydrated with ABS alcohol (second station)
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followed by a hydration of diluted alcohol (third station). The
cell nuclei of the specimen is then treated with a hematoxylin
compound (fourth station). The next step is to remove the
excess stain from the specimen using a diluted acid compound
(fifth station). The specimen is dehydrated by using a pure
alcohol (sixth station). The enhancing of the nuclear stain
contrast with respect to the specimen using a dilute alkali
solution (seventh station). The specimen is then dehydrated by
the use of pure alcohol (eight station). The specimen is then
lo stained for cytoplasm by using an eosin compound (ninth
station). Again the specimen is dehydrated, this time by the
use of ABS alcohol (tenth station). Further dehydration of the
specimen occurs with more ABS alcohol (eleventh station). The
specimen is cleaned using a xylene solution (twelfth station).
At the last dispensing station, a coating is applied to the
slide for maintaining the specimen to be in a contamination free
status (thirteenth station).
From the last dispensing station, the slide is either
transported to a drying station or to a cover slip area.
The method involved in the processing of a cytology tissue
specimen using the automated slide staining system of the
present invention includes a plurality of different solutions to
be dispensed at each station. At the first station, the
specimen is hydrated with an alcohol solution. The specimen is
hydrated again with a second alcohol solution (second station).
The plurality of cell nuclei of the tissue specimen is processed
with a hematoxylin stain compound (third station). Excess
staining material is then removed from the specimen with a
diluted acid solution (fourth station). The specimen is
dehydrated with an alcohol solution (fifth station). The next
step is for enhancing the nuclear staining contrast of the
tissue specimen with a dilute alkali solution (sixth station).
The specimen is dehydrated with an alcohol solution (seventh
station). The next step is to counterstain the specimen for
highlighting cytoplasmic cell material (eighth station). The
removal of the excess staining material from the tissue specimen
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W O 97/03827 PCTAUS95/13155
is the next step (ninth station). Counterstaining the specimen
for cytoplasmic cell contrast~then occurs (tenth station). The
specimen is then dehydrated with ABS alcohol (eleventh station).
- Further dehydration of the specimen occurs with a second
dispensing of ABS alcohol (twelfth station). The specimen is
then cleaned with a xylene compound (thirteenth station). At
the last dispensing station, a coating is applied to the slide
for maintaining the specimen to be in a contamination free
status (fourteenth station). From the last dispensing station,
the slide is either transported to a drying station or to a
cover slip area.
While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
1~ form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
