US6800249B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated slide staining apparatus
Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
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Filing: 2003-06-12
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Granted: 2004-10-05
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Expires: 2023-06-12
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an automated staining apparatus (autostainer) capable of staining sample on a microscope slide. The autostainer is capable of limiting the amount of reagent used through a process including image acquisition and processing techniques, wherein an image of the slide is acquired and used to determine a region on the slide to be stained. Also disclosed are methods of using images acquired by the autostainer in sample processing. In addition, a system including the autostainer functionally linked to an imaging system is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Jose de la Torre-Bueno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/30; G01N1/31; G01N1/312; G06; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/60; G06V20/66; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/6428; G01N2021/6439; G01N21/645; G01N21/6456; G01N21/6458; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/11; Y10T436/112499; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/2575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus comprising: an imaging camera; a stage; at least one reagent container; at least one reagent dispenser device for dispensing a reagent from the at least one reagent container; a dispenser relocation device for moving the at least one dispenser and/or stage relative to one another; and a computer; wherein the imaging camera is in communication with the computer and is operable to image a slide on the stage and determine a processing parameter for the slide, the computer comprising an algorithm on a computer readable medium for instructing the computer to determine a location and an area comprising a biological sample on the slide from an image obtained by the imaging camera, instructing the dispenser relocation device to relocate the at least one dispenser to the area comprising the biological sample and dispensing a reagent from the at least one reagent container in accordance with the processing parameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus comprising: an imaging camera; a stage; at least one reagent container; at least one reagent dispenser device for dispensing a reagent from the at least one reagent container; a dispenser relocation device for moving the at least one dispenser and/or stage relative to one another; and a computer; wherein the imaging camera is in communication with the computer and is operable to image a slide on the stage and determine a processing parameter for the slide, the computer comprising an algorithm on a computer readable medium for instructing the computer to determine a location and an area comprising a biological sample on the slide from an image obtained by the imaging camera, instructing the dispenser relocation device to relocate the at least one dispenser to the area comprising the biological sample and dispensing a reagent from the at least one reagent container in accordance with the processing parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a tracer device operably linked to the dispenser relocation device, wherein the tracer device traces an outline of a staining region around the area comprising the biological sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stage moves in relation to the at least one dispenser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one dispenser moves in relation to the stage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stage comprises slides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one dispenser dispenses a staining reagent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one dispenser dispenses more than a single type of staining reagent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the camera scans an image of the slide, including any biological sample thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the image is used to move the at least one dispenser or stage in relation to each other so that the at least one dispenser dispenses a reagent onto the samples on the slide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the image is used to direct a tracer to outline the biological sample on the slide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the tracer outlines the sample with a hydrophobic medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the at least one dispenser the dispenses a staining reagent within the outline of the sample.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one dispenser is also the tracer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the camera scans a bar code on the slide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the bar code comprises information relating to the sample, information relating to the staining of the slide, or both of the foregoing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-10-05 | 2008-04-05 | 2008-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-05 | 2012-04-05 | 2012-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-05 | 2016-04-05 | 2016-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |