US3853092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for nutating and staining a microscope slide
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1973-10-25
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-10-25
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for staining a microscope slide is provided wherein the slide is supported by a member that is translated vertically simultaneously while it is being rotated so as to impart a nutating motion to the microscope slide. Staining reagents and rinses are dispensed to the top surface of the microscope slide whereby the nutating motion effects uniform wetting of the top microscope slide surface by each such reagent and rinse. Thereafter, the excess moisture on the microscope slide surfaces is drained prior to further processing.
Inventors
- 👤 L Amos
- 👤 W Eppes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/30; G01N1/31; G01N1/312; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for staining a microscope slide comprising microscope slide support means, means for disposing said microscope slide on said support means in a plane tilted from horizontal, means for rotating said support and microscope slide approximately horizontally, means for translating said support means vertically while it is being rotated so as to impart a nutating motion to said microscope slide, means for dispensing at least one staining reagent to the top surface of said microscope slide, said Nutating motion effecting uniform wetting of said top surface of said microscope slide by each said reagent, and means for removing said microscope slide from said apparatus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for staining a microscope slide comprising microscope slide support means, means for disposing said microscope slide on said support means in a plane tilted from horizontal, means for rotating said support and microscope slide approximately horizontally, means for translating said support means vertically while it is being rotated so as to impart a nutating motion to said microscope slide, means for dispensing at least one staining reagent to the top surface of said microscope slide, said Nutating motion effecting uniform wetting of said top surface of said microscope slide by each said reagent, and means for removing said microscope slide from said apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for dispensing said microscope slide to said support means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for removing said microscope slide comprise a pair of arms for dislodging said microscope slide from said support means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for rinsing said reagents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for causing excessive amounts of rinsing solution to drain from said slide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said support means comprises a substantially cylindrical member having a plurality of V-shaped notches formed in one end thereof, and a plurality of drive pins engageably associated with said V-shaped notches, the number of said drive pins being different than the number of said notches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the number of drive pins is at least one more than the number of said V-shaped notches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the number of said drive pins is at least one less than the number of said V-shaped notches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for dispensing at least one staining reagent comprises a supply of each of three reagents and one spray nozzle connected to each such supply disposed above and along the rotational path of said microscope slide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for tipping said microscope slide from said plane tilted from horizontal to a sloped drain position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for tipping is responsive to said nutating motion of said microscope slide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for removing said microscope slide comprises a pair of arms for dislodging said microscope slide from said support means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said arms are disposed in the path of rotation of said microscope slide so as to contact said microscope slide in said sloped drain position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said translating means comprise a drive shaft, a pair of spherical bearings mounted on said drive shaft, and a ring member mounted on said spherical bearings so as to permit rotation of said drive shaft therein, one of said spherical bearings having its shaft accepting aperture eccentrically positioned, said ring member being tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft, said support means being affixed to said ring member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said translating means comprises a drive shaft having a cylindrical offset portion at one end, the longitudinal axis of said offset portion being parallel to but displaced from the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft, a first spherical bearing disposed on said drive shaft, a second spherical bearing disposed on said cylindrical offset portion, and a ring member mounted on said spherical bearings so as to permit rotation of said drive shaft therein, said ring member being tilted with respect to said longitudinal axes, said support means being affixed to said ring member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said translating means comprises a bent drive shaft, a pair of bearings mounted on the bent portion of said drive shaft, and a ring member mounted around said bearings on the bent portion of said drive shaft so as to permit rotation of said drive shaft therein, said ring member being tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of said apparatus, said support means being affixed to said ring member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
130 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said translating means comprises a drive shaft, a spherical bearing mounted on said drive shaft, a sleeve mounted on said spherical bearing so as to permit rotation of said shaft therein, a ring member concentrically and fixedly mounted to one end of said sleeve, a rotatable disc having one flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft and a second flat surface nonparallel to said first surface, three rollers mounted on said second flat surface of said rotatable disc positioned so as to contact the outside peripheral surface of said sleeve, the longitudinal axis of said sleeve being substantially perpendicular to said second flat surface, and means for rotating said disc whereby a nutating motion is imparted to said ring member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for dispensing said microscope slide to said supporting means, means for rinsing said reagents, means for tipping said microscope slide from said plane tilted from horizontal to a sloped drain position, said means for tipping being responsive to said nutating motion of said microscope slide, and means for accommodating said microscope slide in said sloped drain position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said rotational means comprise a plurality of V-shaped notches, and a plurality of drive pins engageably associated with said V-shaped notches, the number of said pins being different than the number of said V-shaped notches.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the means for dispensing comprise a supply of each of three reagents and one spray nozzle connected to each such supply disposed above and along the rotational path of said microscope slide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for removing said slide comprise a pair of arms for dislodging said microscope slide from said support means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said translating means comprise a drive shaft, a pair of spherical bearings mounted on said drive shaft, and a ring member mounted on said spherical bearings so as to permit rotation of said drive shaft therein, one of said spherical bearings having its shaft accepting aperture eccentrically positioned, said ring member being tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft, said support means being affixed to said ring member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said translating means comprise a drive shaft having a cylindrical offset portion at one end, the longitudinal axis of said offset portion being parallel to but displaced from the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft, a first spherical bearing disposed on said drive shaft, a second spherical bearing disposed on said cylindrical offset portion, and a ring member mounted on said spherical bearing so as to permit rotation of said drive shaft therein, said ring member being tilted with respect to said longitudinal axes, said support means being affixed to said ring member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said translating means comprise a bent drive shaft, a pair of bearings mounted on the bent portion of said drive shaft, and a ring member mounted on said bearings on the bent portion of said drive shaft so as to permit rotation of said drive shaft therein, said ring member being tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of said apparatus, said support means being affixed to said ring member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
130 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said translating means comprise a drive shaft, a spherical bearing mounted on said drive shaft, a sleeve mounted on said spherical bearing so as to permit rotation of said shaft therein, a ring member concentrically and fixedly mounted to one end of said sleeve, a rotatable disc having one flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft and a second flat surface nonparallel to said first surface, three rollers mounted on said second flat surface of said rotatable disc positioned so as to contact the outside peripheral surface of said sleeve, the longitudinal axis of said sleeve being substantially perpendicuLar to said second flat surface, and means for rotating said disc whereby a nutating motion is imparted to said ring member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |