Automated high volume slide processing system

Abstract

An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An automated slide processing apparatus, comprising:
 a container holding de-paraffinizing fluid;   a de-paraffinizer workstation including
 a heater configured to heat microscope slides carrying specimens, and 
 a dispenser apparatus configured to deliver the de-paraffinizing fluid onto the microscope slides; and 
   a controller programmed to command the de-paraffinizer workstation to
 heat the microscope slides using the heater to soften paraffin contacting the specimens, and 
 apply the de-paraffinizing fluid onto the microscope slides using the dispenser apparatus to rinse the softened paraffin away from the specimens. 
   
     
     
         2 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heater is a radiant heater. 
     
     
         3 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heater is oriented to direct radiant energy toward the microscope slides to heat the microscope slides to a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         4 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heater includes a convection heater configured to heat air and output the heated air across upper surfaces of the microscope slides. 
     
     
         5 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser apparatus includes a robotic sprayer configured to spray the de-paraffinizing fluid onto the microscope slides. 
     
     
         6 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles configured to dispense the de-paraffinizing fluid onto one of the microscope slides. 
     
     
         7 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluidic module coupling the dispenser apparatus to the container, wherein the controller includes a microprocessor and one or more microcontrollers that receive instructions from the microprocessor to control the fluidics module based on the received instructions to pump the de-paraffinizing fluid from the container to the dispenser apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a slide holder configured to hold the microscope slides in a spaced apart arrangement and in a substantially horizontal orientation within the de-paraffinizer workstation. 
     
     
         9 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter and recirculator for filtering and recirculating the de-paraffinizing fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a rack configured to holding the microscope slides stationary in the de-paraffinizer workstation while the de-paraffinizing fluid is applied to the microscope slides. 
     
     
         11 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the softened paraffin includes liquefied paraffin, and the dispenser apparatus is configured to output the de-paraffinizing fluid to rinse the liquefied paraffin from the specimens. 
     
     
         12 . An automated slide processing apparatus, comprising:
 a container holding de-paraffinizing fluid;   a de-paraffinizer workstation is fluid communication with the container, the de-paraffinizer workstation including
 a heater configured to heat microscope slides carrying specimens, and 
 a dispenser apparatus configured to deliver the de-paraffinizing fluid from the container onto the microscope slides; 
   a controller programmed to command the de-paraffinizer workstation to
 heat the microscope slides using the heater to soften paraffin contacting tissue of the specimens, and 
 after the microscope slides are heated, apply the de-paraffinizing fluid onto the microscope slides using the dispenser apparatus such that the applied de-paraffinizing fluid rinses the softened paraffin away from the specimens. 
   
     
     
         13 . The automated slide processing apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a slide holder configured to hold the microscope slides in a spaced apart arrangement and in a substantially horizontal orientation within the de-paraffinizer workstation.