Biological sample staining module and biological analysis systems and methods

Abstract

A biological imaging analyzer comprises a staining module configured to produce stained cells. The staining module comprises one or more chambers configured to receive a biological sample and a staining composition, and a heater configured to heat the biological sample and the staining composition. The analyzer also comprises a lighting module configured to illuminate the stained cells, and an imaging module configured to capture images of the stained cells. A method of staining a biological sample comprises depositing the staining composition into the one or more chambers, and pre-heating the staining composition in the one or more chambers. The method also comprises depositing the biological sample into the one or more chambers, and heating the biological sample and the staining composition in the one or more chambers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biological imaging analyzer comprising:
 a staining module configured to produce stained cells, the staining module comprising:
 one or more chambers configured to receive a biological sample and a staining composition, and 
 a heater configured to heat the biological sample and the staining composition; 
   a lighting module configured to illuminate the stained cells; and   an imaging module configured to capture images of the stained cells.   
     
     
         2 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , further comprising a flowcell configured to flow the stained cells therethrough, the flowcell further comprising an imaging region where the images are captured. 
     
     
         3 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging module comprises a camera. 
     
     
         4 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more chambers are further configured to receive a lysing composition. 
     
     
         5 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the staining composition further comprises a lysing compound. 
     
     
         6 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the stained cells are white blood cells with a stained nuclear region. 
     
     
         7 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises an induction coil. 
     
     
         8 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more chambers comprises two or more chambers, and the heater is linked to all of the two or more chambers. 
     
     
         9 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 8 , wherein the heater comprises a mounting bracket connected to all of the two or more chambers, and a heating element mounted to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         10 . A staining module in a biological imaging analyzer comprising:
 one or more chambers configured to receive a biological sample and a staining composition; and   a heater configured to heat the biological sample and the staining composition.   
     
     
         11 . The staining module of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more chambers are further configured to receive a lysing composition. 
     
     
         12 . The staining module of  claim 10 , wherein the staining composition further comprises a lysing compound. 
     
     
         13 . The staining module of  claim 10 , wherein biological sample includes a blood sample. 
     
     
         14 . The staining module of  claim 13 , wherein the staining composition is configured to provide white blood cells of the blood sample with a stained nuclear region. 
     
     
         15 . The staining module of  claim 10 , wherein the heater comprises an induction coil. 
     
     
         16 . The staining module of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more chambers comprises two or more chambers, and the heater is linked to all of the two or more chambers. 
     
     
         17 . The staining module of  claim 10 , wherein the heater comprises a mounting bracket connected to all of the two or more chambers, and a heating element mounted to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         18 . A method of staining a biological sample comprising:
 depositing a staining composition into a chamber;   pre-heating the staining composition in the chamber;   depositing a biological sample into the chamber; and   heating the biological sample and the staining composition in the chamber.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising mixing the biological sample and the staining composition in the chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the staining composition further comprises a lysing compound.