Tissue marking system

Abstract

A single-use tissue marking system for use in marking a tissue sample includes a container and a first number of ink reservoirs at least partially defined by the container. Each reservoir contains ink of a different color. The system also includes a second number of applicators. Each applicator is configured to absorb a quantity of ink for application to the tissue sample. A cover is coupled to and cooperates with the container to fully enclose each of the first number of ink reservoirs.

1 . A single-use tissue marking system for use in marking a tissue sample, the system comprising: 
 a container;    a first number of ink reservoirs at least partially defined by the container, each reservoir containing ink of a different color;    a second number of applicators, each applicator configured to absorb a quantity of ink for application to the tissue sample; and    a cover coupled to and cooperating with the container to fully enclose each of the first number of ink reservoirs.    
   
   
       2 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 1 , wherein the first number and the second number are equal.  
   
   
       3 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 2 , wherein the first number is three.  
   
   
       4 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixative disposed within the container.  
   
   
       5 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 4 , wherein the fixative is contained within a bottle having a spray nozzle, the bottle disposed within the container.  
   
   
       6 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 1 , wherein each applicator includes a handle portion and a sponge portion.  
   
   
       7 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 6 , wherein each applicator includes a second sponge portion that is smaller than the first sponge portion.  
   
   
       8 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 1 , wherein the container defines an elongated space sized to receive the second quantity of applicators, the cover and the container cooperating to fully enclose the second quantity of applicators.  
   
   
       9 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 8 , wherein the cover is adhesively bonded to the container to seal each ink reservoir from the other ink reservoirs and from the elongated space.  
   
   
       10 . The single-use tissue marking system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is a single cover removable to expose each of the first number of ink reservoirs.  
   
   
       11 . A tissue marking system comprising: 
 a first ink reservoir containing ink of a first color;    a second ink reservoir containing ink of a second color different from the first color;    a first isolation space positioned between the first ink reservoir and the second ink reservoir;    a third ink reservoir containing ink of a third color different from the first color and the second color;    a second isolation space positioned between the second ink reservoir and the third ink reservoir; and    a one piece cover in sealable contact with the first isolation space and the second isolation space to sealably separate the first ink reservoir, the second ink reservoir, and the third ink reservoir, the cover configured to be removed as one piece to expose each of the first ink reservoir, the second ink reservoir, and the third ink reservoir.    
   
   
       12 . The tissue marking system of  claim 11 , further comprising a fourth ink reservoir containing ink of a fourth color, a fifth ink reservoir containing ink of a fifth color, and a sixth ink reservoir containing ink of a sixth color.  
   
   
       13 . The tissue marking system of  claim 12 , wherein the one piece cover sealably covers each of the first ink reservoir, the second ink reservoir, the third ink reservoir, the fourth ink reservoir, the fifth ink reservoir, and the sixth ink reservoir.  
   
   
       14 . The tissue marking system of  claim 12 , wherein the cover is removable as a single piece to expose each of the first ink reservoir, the second ink reservoir, the third ink reservoir, the fourth ink reservoir, the fifth ink reservoir, and the sixth ink reservoir.  
   
   
       15 . The tissue marking system of  claim 11 , wherein the container defines a fixative space sized to receive a fixative.  
   
   
       16 . The tissue marking system of  claim 15 , wherein the fixative is contained within a bottle having a spray nozzle, the bottle disposed within the fixative space.  
   
   
       17 . The tissue marking system of  claim 15 , wherein the cover is adhesively bonded to the container to seal each ink reservoir from the other ink reservoirs, the space, and the fixative space.  
   
   
       18 . The tissue marking system of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of applicators, wherein each applicator includes a handle portion and a sponge portion.  
   
   
       19 . The tissue marking system of  claim 18 , wherein each applicator includes a second sponge portion that is smaller than the first sponge portion  
   
   
       20 . A tissue marking system for use in marking a tissue sample, the system comprising: 
 a container defining a space;    six ink reservoirs at least partially defined by the container, each reservoir containing ink of a different color;    six applicators disposed within the space, each applicator configured to absorb a quantity of ink for application to the tissue sample;    a fixative disposed within the space;    a single cover coupled to the container to fully enclose each of the six ink reservoirs and at least partially enclose the space.    
   
   
       21 . The tissue marking system of  claim 20 , wherein the fixative is contained within a bottle having a spray nozzle, the bottle disposed within the space.  
   
   
       22 . The tissue marking system of  claim 20 , wherein the cover is adhesively bonded to the container to seal each ink reservoir from the other ink reservoirs and the space.  
   
   
       23 . The tissue marking system of  claim 20 , wherein each applicator includes a handle portion and a sponge portion.  
   
   
       24 . The tissue marking system of  claim 23 , wherein each applicator includes a second sponge portion that is smaller than the first sponge portion.  
   
   
       25 . The tissue marking system of  claim 20 , wherein the cover is a single cover removable to expose each of the six ink reservoirs.