Automated coverslipper and methods of use

Abstract

An apparatus and method for selecting and dispensing coverglasses over specimens on slides for the purpose of viewing specimens through a microscope. The selecting device contains suctioning mechanisms for picking up a coverglass from a stack of coverglasses. It also contains the ability to shape the coverglass to assist in separating and laying down of the coverglasses with a reduction in the creation of bubbles in the fluid.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An automated coverslipper for mounting a coverslip on a slide, comprising:
 at least one coverslip;   at least one slide containing a biological specimen; and   at least one lifter head comprising a plate having a bottom surface with at least three individually controlled suction cups arranged thereon, each of the suction cups being fluidly connected, by way of a gas conduit, to a pneumatics module, which includes a vacuum source, a pressure source, a pressure sensor, and an independently operable control-valve for each gas conduit, the pneumatics module being configured to supply an independent vacuum or pressurized gas to each suction cup to enable the lifter head to pick up, transport, and deposit the coverslip on the slide, and wherein at least one of the independently operable control-valves is configured to allow both an immediate release of vacuum and a gradual release of vacuum,   wherein the bottom surface of the lifter head has a shape selected from the group consisting of concave, convex, dual chamfer, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         23 . A method for performing a laydown of a coverslip on a specimen-bearing microscope slide, the method comprising:
 using the automated coverslipper of  claim 22  for picking up the coverslip, with the proviso that the bottom surface of the lifter head has a dual chamfer shape or a convex or partially convex shape, thereby imparting a convex shape to the retained coverslip;   laying down the coverslip on the specimen-bearing microscope slide by using the automated coverslipper.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the laying down the coverslip comprises:
 releasing the coverslip, wherein all three cups exert a very slight pressure to help push off the lifter head and squeeze the last bit of solvent out the perimeter of the now conjoined coverslip/slide.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising, as the coverslip is released, applying a burst of air with all three cups simultaneously. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the laying down the coverslip comprises:
 retaining the coverslip only by one end;   bowing the coverslip at a free hanging end of the coverslip as either the coverslip is lowered or the specimen-bearing microscope slide is elevated; and   controlling a release of the retained end of the coverslip by gradually reducing the bow in the coverslip, thereby gradually releasing the retained end.   
     
     
         27 . A method of picking up a coverslip from a stack of coverslips, the method comprising:
 using the automated coverslipper of  claim 22  for picking up the coverslip from the stack, with the proviso that the bottom surface of the lifter head has a concave shape, thereby imparting a concave shape to the retained coverslip.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the picking up of the coverslip comprises:
 picking up the coverslip only by one end;   bowing the coverslip at a free hanging end of the coverslip as either the coverslip is raised or the specimen-bearing microscope slide is lowered; and   controlling a pickup of the free end of the coverslip by gradually reducing the bow in the coverslip, thereby gradually picking up the free end.