Method and apparatus for fluid dispensation, preparation and dilution

Abstract

A mixing vial is provided for an automated biological reaction apparatus typically used for staining tissue samples in Immuno-histological and in-situ hybridisation reactions. The mixing vial allows reagents placed on the apparatus to be mixed together to form additional or blended reagents. A reagent dispenser mounted on a robotic arm withdraws reagent from the reagent containers and deposits it into one of the mixing vials. Several reagents can be deposited into each vial. Mixing is undertaken by withdrawing the reagents in a vial and re-dispensing the reagent back into the vial. Mixing may take place between the operation of other tasks performed by the apparatus, and a scheduler is used to ensure blended reagent is provided before it is required in one of the processes undertaken on the apparatus. The apparatus is able to automatically identify which blended reagents are required and when they must be applied to provide an appropriate schedule that minimises time taken to stain samples.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of preparing a blended reagent in an automated biological reaction apparatus comprising:
 scanning at least one slide;   comparing the scanned information from the at least one slide with information in a datastore to determine which reagents to apply to each of the at least one slide; and   in response to determining which of the reagents to apply, preparing at least one of the reagents by blending,   wherein the blending of the at least one reagent comprises:
 withdrawing first set volume of a first reagent from a first reagent container; 
 dispensing the withdrawn first reagent into a mixing vessel; 
 withdrawing second set volume of a second reagent from a second reagent container; and 
 dispensing the withdrawn second reagent into the mixing vessel forming a blend reagent; 
 withdrawing at least a portion of the blend reagent from the mixing vessel; and 
 re-dispensing the withdrawn portion of the blend reagent into the mixing vessel. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising repeating the withdrawing of the at least a portion of the blend reagent and the re-dispensing of the withdrawn portion a predetermined plurality of times. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the re-dispensing of the withdrawn portion comprises:
 moving a dispenser with the withdrawn portion of the blend reagent to a position in which a tip of the dispenser is above a fluid level in the mixing vessel; and   re-dispensing the withdrawn portion of the blend reagent into the mixing vessel from the position.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the withdrawing and the re-dispensing is repeated a predetermined plurality of times. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the dispenser is washed after each of the dispensing and re-dispensing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising automatically determining whether the determined reagent are available by automatically determining contents of reagent containers. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising automatically determines whether blended reagent is required by analyzing a protocol required for each of the slides loaded in an apparatus, and determining the reagents required from the analyzed protocols. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein reagent is moved by a dispenser attached to a robotic arm for the reagent containers to a mixing vessel. 
     
     
         23 . A method of scheduling application of reagent to a plurality of slides in an automated biological reaction apparatus, the method comprising:
 grouping at least one group of slides together as a batch;   ascertaining whether a blended reagent is to be applied to any slide within the batch; and   scheduling preparation of the blended reagent before applying the blended reagent to said any slide within the batch.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the scheduling comprises scheduling a task of the preparation of the blended reagent prior to the applying of the reagent is required. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 loading a number of trays into an apparatus, each tray holding a plurality of slides grouped as the batch.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 scanning each of a plurality of vessels holding the reagents to determine date of preparation;   comparing the determined date with information stored in a protocol; and   discarding each of the plurality of vessels in which a respective reagent has expired based on the comparing.   
     
     
         27 . An apparatus configured to prepare a blended reagent in an automated biological reaction apparatus comprising:
 a scanner configured to scan at least one slide;   a processor configured to compare information from the scanner with information in a datastore to determine which reagents to apply to each of the at least one slide; and   a reagent preparer configured to prepare at least one of the reagents by blending in response to the processor determining which of the reagents to apply.   wherein the reagent preparer comprises:
 a dispenser configured to:
 withdraw first set volume of a first reagent from a first reagent container and dispense the withdrawn first reagent into a mixing vessel in which a blended reagent is mixed and held; 
 withdraw second set volume of a second reagent from a second reagent container and dispense the withdrawn second reagent into the mixing vessel forming the blend reagent, and 
 withdraw at least a portion of the blend reagent from the mixing vessel and re-dispense the withdrawn portion of the blend reagent into the mixing vessel.