Method and apparatus for antigen retrieval process

Abstract

The invention provides a method for antigen retrieval of a formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample comprising incubating a formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample in a first antigen retrieval solution at a temperature of greater than 90° C., transferring the tissue sample to a second antigen retrieval solution, and incubating the tissue sample in the second antigen retrieval solution at a temperature of greater than 90° C. The invention also provides a kit and sample delivery device for carrying out the method.

1 . A sample handling device for carrying out the method of antigen retrieval comprising;
 a sample handling subsystem capable of;
 incubating a formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample in a first antigen retrieval solution at a temperature of greater than 90° C.; 
 transferring the formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample to a second antigen retrieval solution; and 
 incubating the formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample in the second antigen retrieval solution at a temperature of greater than 90° C.; and 
   a reagent dispensing subsystem capable of contacting the formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample with:
 a first antigen retrieval solution comprises a buffer solution having a pH range of between about 5 and about 7 and a second antigen retrieval solution comprises a buffer solution having a pH range of between about 7.5 and about 11; or 
 a first antigen retrieval solution comprises a buffer solution having a pH range of between about 7.5 and about 11 and a second antigen retrieval solution comprises a buffer solution having a pH range of between about 5 and about 7; and 
 an immunostaining reagent; and 
   a signal detection subsystem.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sample handling device is capable of running more than one cycle of reagent dispensing. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the more than one cycle of reagent dispensing comprises the one or more of the steps of antigen retrieval, fluorescence tagging, imaging, and stripping of the fluorescent probe. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the signal detection subsystem comprises an imaging microscope capable of capturing and transferring a digital image of the formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the system further comprises a stage for controlling the position of formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample relative to the imaging microscope. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a processor for automating at least one component of the sample handling subsystems. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the processor comprises a computer-readable medium with instructions for the automated technique for the analysis of the formaldehyde-fixed tissue sample after immunostaining.