U.S. patent application number 14/299178 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-25 for apparatus for automated processing biological samples.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAKO Denmark A/S.. The applicant listed for this patent is DAKO DENMARK A/S. Invention is credited to Kristopher Buchanan, John Favuzzi, Benno Guggenheimer, Marc Key, Lars Winther.
Application Number | 20140286838 14/299178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32682266 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140286838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Winther; Lars ; et
al. |
September 25, 2014 |
APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED PROCESSING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES
Abstract
The present invention concerns an apparatus for automatic
processing at least one biological sample accommodated on a carrier
member, such as slide by applying a predetermined amount of
reagents in a predetermined sequence according to a processing
protocol, said apparatus comprising; a housing frame; at least one
processing section for accommodating at least one slide, the at
least one processing section is provided within the housing; a hood
cover protecting the at least one processing section in said
housing; wherein the hood cover completely encloses the processing
section defining an interior space; and wherein the apparatus
further comprises climate control device provided to control the
environment within the interior space.
Inventors: |
Winther; Lars; (Smoerum,
DK) ; Key; Marc; (Ojai, CA) ; Buchanan;
Kristopher; (Fort Collins, CO) ; Favuzzi; John;
(Santa Barbara, CA) ; Guggenheimer; Benno;
(Denver, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAKO DENMARK A/S |
Glostrup |
|
DK |
|
|
Assignee: |
DAKO Denmark A/S.
|
Family ID: |
32682266 |
Appl. No.: |
14/299178 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13964562 |
Aug 12, 2013 |
8784735 |
|
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14299178 |
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|
13493969 |
Jun 11, 2012 |
8529836 |
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|
13964562 |
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10539308 |
Jun 16, 2005 |
8216512 |
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PCT/US03/40520 |
Dec 19, 2003 |
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13493969 |
|
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60435601 |
Dec 20, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
422/536 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 35/00871 20130101;
Y02A 90/26 20180101; G01N 2035/00366 20130101; G01N 2035/0091
20130101; Y10S 901/41 20130101; G01N 35/00732 20130101; G01N
2035/00891 20130101; G01N 2035/00326 20130101; G01N 2035/00306
20130101; G01N 2035/00435 20130101; G01N 1/31 20130101; Y10T
436/2575 20150115; G01N 35/00712 20130101; G01N 2035/00881
20130101; Y10T 436/113332 20150115; Y02A 90/22 20180101; G01N 1/312
20130101; Y10S 901/02 20130101; Y10T 436/112499 20150115; G01N 1/30
20130101; Y10T 436/11 20150115; G01N 2035/00376 20130101; Y02A
90/10 20180101; G01N 2035/00039 20130101; Y10T 436/114165 20150115;
G01N 35/0092 20130101; G16H 50/20 20180101; G01N 35/0099 20130101;
Y10T 436/114998 20150115; Y10T 436/25 20150115; G01N 2035/009
20130101; G01N 2035/00089 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/536 |
International
Class: |
G01N 1/31 20060101
G01N001/31 |
Claims
1-102. (canceled)
103. An apparatus for automatic staining of at least one biological
sample accommodated on a carrier member, such as a slide, by
applying a predetermined amount of reagents in a predetermined
sequence according to a processing protocol, comprising: a housing
frame; at least one sample processing section for accommodating at
least one carrier member for a sample, said at least one sample
processing section being provided within said housing; a cover
protecting said at least one sample processing section in said
housing, said cover enclosing the sample processing section and
defining an interior space between the housing and the cover; at
least one climate control device configured to control the
environment within said interior space; and a sensor device
providing feedback signals to the climate control means.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
13/964,562, filed Aug. 12, 2013, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 13/493,969, filed Jun. 11, 2012 now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,529,836, which is a divisional of application Ser. No.
10/539,038, filed Jun. 16, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,216,512, which
is the United States National Stage of International Application
No. PCT/US2003/040520, filed Dec. 19, 2003 which claims benefit
under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of United States Provisional Application No.
60/435,601, filed Dec. 20, 2002, each hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus
for automatic processing of at least one biological sample
accommodated on a carrier member, such as microscopic slide, by
applying a predetermined amount of reagents in a sequence according
to a processing protocol, wherein at least one slide is provided in
a slide rack assembly.
[0003] This application relates to the field of sample processing
systems and methods of processing samples. The present invention
may be directed to the automated processing, treatment, or even
staining of samples arranged on carriers, such as microscope
slides, and in some embodiments, directed to the continuous or
batch processing of samples and carriers, as well as washing
elements of a sampling system. Embodiments may further relate to
control systems for sample processing and data acquisition, data
maintenance, and data retrieval for sample processing. Applications
to which the present invention may especially relate include
cytology, immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, fluorescent
in-situ hybridization, special staining, and microarrays, as well
as potentially other chemical and biological applications.
BACKGROUND
[0004] The biological sample may suitably be selected from
histological material, including formalin fixed and paraffin
embedded material, cytological material, fine needle aspirates,
cell smears, exfoliative cytological specimens, touch preparations,
bone marrow specimens, sputum samples, expectorates, oral swabs,
laryngeal swabs, vaginal swabs, bronchial aspirates, bronchial
lavage, gastric lavage, and body fluids. Such may be subjected to
various treatments.
[0005] Sample processing in immunohistochemical (IHC) applications
and in other chemical and biological analyses may require one or a
number of various processing sequences or protocols as part of an
analysis of one or more samples. The sample processing sequences or
protocols may be defined by the individual or organization
requesting an analysis, such as a pathologist or histologist of a
hospital, and may be further defined by the dictates of a
particular analysis to be performed.
[0006] In preparation for sample analysis, a biological sample may
be acquired by known sample acquisition techniques and may
comprise, for example in IHC applications, tissues generally or
even in some applications one or a plurality of isolated cells,
such as in microarray samples, and may be presented on a sample
carrier such as a microscope slide. Furthermore, the sample may be
presented on the carrier variously and potentially in some form of
preservation. As one example, a human biopsi sample may be fixed
and embedded in a suitable media like paraffin or epon, before
being mounted onto a carrier. The sample may be treated according
to the protocol, which may include the following non limiting
procedural steps: deparaffination, antigen retrieval, denaturing,
washing, incubation with various immunological reagents, molecular
probes or dyes, strigency wash or counterstaining.
[0007] Histological cytological, ISH, IHC special stains and other
applications, f6r example, may require processing sequences or
protocols that comprise many and laborious steps such as
deparaffinization, target retrieval, and staining. Such steps are
not special for ISH procedures, but goes for IHC, cytological,
specials or ISH stainings. Previously, in some applications, these
steps may have been performed manually, potentially creating a
time-intensive protocol and necessitating personnel to be actively
involved in the sample processing. Attempts have been made to
automate sample processing to address the need for expedient sample
processing and a less manually burdensome operation. However, such
previous efforts may have not fully addressed the needs for an
automated sample processing system. Previous efforts to automate
sample processing may be deficient in several aspects that prevent
more robust automated sample processing, such as: the lack of
sufficient computer control and monitoring of sample processing;
the lack of information sharing for processing protocol and
processing status, especially for individual samples; the lack of
diagnostic capabilities; and the lack of real-time or adaptive
capabilities for multiple sample batch processing.
[0008] From U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,091 an automated sample processing
for samples presented on carriers such as slides is known. In this
apparatus, an array of slides is stained by a robotic device
delivering reagents onto the slides. The staining apparatus is
provided with a lid cover, which provides a protective cover of the
biological samples on the carriers in the apparatus during the
staining processes as well as containing stains of the some times
hazardous reagent materials within the apparatus and preventing
operators from being exposed to such stains.
[0009] Slides can be any suitable solid or semi solid support for
the biological sample. In particular, the support may be a
microscope slide, a membrane, a filter, a polymer slide, a chamber
slide, a dish, or a petridish
[0010] Some staining processes involve the use of hazardous
materials, such as toxic materials. These materials may be
collected in special containers in order to ensure safe handling of
the waste material. However, this does not sufficiently protect the
laboratory environment in which the apparatus is placed from being
contaminated with toxic material. Moreover, in some staining
processes or other treatments in the apparatus heat is applied.
This increases the risk of vaporising reagents which then may
escape to the outside of the apparatus.
[0011] In the apparatuses known in the art, a protective hood or
similar plastic cover is put over the staining apparatus in order
to shield off the biological samples during the staining. In this
known technique, one risk is the drying out of slides and lack of
control of airspeed and temperature.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0012] On this background, it is an object of the invention to
provide an apparatus for automatic staining of biological samples,
in which the hazardous materials and toxic or otherwise damaging
fumes are contained and automatically handled, so that operators
need not be involved in the handling of such types of
materials.
[0013] The invention consists of a method and an apparatus for
automatic staining at least one biological sample accommodated on a
carrier slide by applying a predetermined amount of reagents in a
predetermined sequence according to a staining protocol, said
apparatus comprising: a housing frame; at least one staining
section for accommodating at least one slide, said at least one
staining section is provided within said housing; a hood cover
protecting said at least one staining section in said housing;
wherein the hood cover completely encloses the staining section
defining an interior space; and wherein the apparatus further
comprises climate control device that provide control of the
environment within said interior space; and sensor device to
provide feedback signals to the climate control means.
[0014] In the staining apparatus, fumes from the reagents and other
processing liquids used in the apparatus for performing the
treatment of the biological samples are present. In an apparatus
according to the invention, these fumes may be exhausted from the
interior space of the apparatus, just as the climate in the
apparatus may be controlled. In particular, in order to avoid the
volatile fumes from escaping into the surroundings, the climate
control device preferably includes a pressure control device that
can ensure a slight sub-pressure within the interior space. By
maintaining a slight sub-pressure inside the apparatus, the fumes
are kept inside in the interior space, from where the climate
control system may remove the volatile fumes. These fumes may
advantageously be collected in suitable storage or otherwise be
disposed of.
[0015] Advantageously, the climate control device may also include
humidity control within the interior space. This makes an apparatus
according to the invention more suitable for some special sample
treatment applications, just as the climate requirement inside the
laboratory where the apparatus is placed may be less strict.
Moreover, the climate control device may preferably also include a
temperature control device that can control the ambient temperature
of the air within the interior space.
[0016] Climate control, especially control of temperature and
humidity is important for ensuring standardized and reproducible
staining protocols, as the biological samples can easily dry out or
changes properties, including morphology and antigenicity. Also,
the controlled environment can ensure uniform chemical reaction
conditions on the slides during the staining protocol.
[0017] The climate control device in an apparatus according to the
invention may include an exhaustion device that can remove fumes
from the interior space. These exhaustion devices are preferably
adapted to draw air from an outlet positioned below the level in
which the at least one slide is accommodated. Hereby, fumes are
drawn away from the hood and the slides. This may reduce any risk
of cross-contamination. Cross contamination could be a problem, as
some fumes can adsorb to the biological sample, resulting in a
change of properties. Especially hydrophobic, acidic, basic, strong
chaotropic or otherwise reactive or corrosive fumes can cause
serious and unwanted cross contamination.
[0018] The sensor device is preferably adapted to sense at least
one climate parameter from the group comprising temperature,
pressure, humidity, airspeed and the presence of toxic elements in
fume. These measured air characteristics are used for manipulating
the inflowing air into the interior space, so that it is ensured
that the biological samples are processed in a controlled ambient
environment and that it is ensured that the samples do not dry out
or are otherwise being deteriorated.
[0019] The sensor device may comprise internal sensors located
inside the interior space. Alternatively, the sensor may comprise
external sensors located outside the interior space, such as at or
inside an air inlet/outlet manifold, in a laboratory facility
accommodating the apparatus, or outside the building accommodating
the laboratory.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the cover is at least one
openable hood. The cover is an integrated part of the apparatus,
e.g. a hinged hood which may be swung open. An automatic lock may
be provided to prevent any opening during the processing.
[0021] In an embodiment, the cover is a plurality of covers
arranged to cover a plurality of sections of the apparatus, such as
at least one biological sample accommodated on a carrier in the at
least one processing section. Hereby, different environments may be
created for different samples. A plurality of interior spaces may
be defined by a plurality of covers in the apparatus, each interior
space including at least one section arranged for comprising at
least one sample on a carrier and/or at least one section arranged
for comprising at least one reagent in a container.
[0022] The climate control device may be arranged to controlling
the climate in each interior space, comprising at least one sample
on a carrier, according to a sample processing protocol defined for
that particular sample. In an embodiment of the invention, the
climate control device receives input signals from internal and/or
external sensors, and are arranged to control the climate in each
interior space, according to the input signals. The climate control
device may then preferably connected for data communication with a
data processing device, such as a computer, wherein the protocol
for the processing of the particular sample is stored, and where
from control data are provided to the climate control device.
Hereby, an automatic climate control is provided for the sample
processing, whereby it may be possible to provide a selected air
environment for a particular sample processing protocol.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hood cover
is provided with one or more seal elements to provide an air-tight
seal between the cover and the housing. Hereby, the sub-pressure
need not be present or a higher pressure inside may be provided for
achieving a more precise climate control inside the apparatus.
[0024] The exchange of air between the interior space and the
surroundings may be carried out via an inlet and an outlet. In an
embodiment of the invention, the inlet may be provided for
supplying air into the interior space including an air inlet
opening in the housing, and wherein air manipulation device are
provided in addition to said inlet means to adapt the inflowing air
with predetermined characteristics. Hereby, the inside climate of
the air in the interior space may be accurately controlled.
[0025] According to the present invention, a method and an
apparatus is provided which allows air containing the fumes to be
removed to the exterior or removed on a filter device before the
cleaner air is being recycled.
[0026] Also, it should be understood, that the air drawn into the
interior space in addition to be temperature controlled by heating
or cooling, also may be added humidity by spraying water droplets
or using a filter device, or added other components, like nitrogen
gas, carbondioxide or inert gasses to control the environment in
the hood.
[0027] In one preferred embodiment, the inlet air is drawn through
a humid filter device to ensure high and uniform humidity in the
chamber.
[0028] In another preferred embodiment, the humidity is controlled
by spraying water droplets or having a water surface.
[0029] In yet another preferred embodiment, recycled air is drawn
through filters to remove fumes and filters to adjust the
humidity.
[0030] In yet another preferred embodiment, the humidity is
controlled to never be below a predetermined level, to prevent
drying out of the sample.
[0031] Also, disfectantes, UV protectants or other compounds could
be added to the inlet air to prevent microbial growth or
discolouring.
[0032] It should be understood that by controlling the environment
by the present invention, the mechanical and electrical parts are
also protected from corrosion and wear. Also, by an apparatus
according to the invention the air may be moved around inside the
interior space which ensures uniform and controllable temperature
control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The invention is described with reference to a preferred
embodiment with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a staining
apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a top view of the work area in the staining
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the staining apparatus of
FIG. 1; and
[0037] FIG. 4 is an example of a ventilation assembly mountable in
the housing in an apparatus according to the invention.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0038] A staining apparatus 1 according to the invention is shown
in the figures. The staining apparatus 1 comprises a rectangular
housing frame 4 surrounding a reagent station 2 comprising an array
of reagent bottle compartments wherein each compartment a reagent
vial 3 is placed, and a first and second slide sections 5 wherein a
number of separate rack assemblies 11 is placed, potentially in
some embodiments in one or more drawer assemblies 6, and where each
rack assembly 11 accommodates a number of microscope slides 7
mounted side by side in the rack assembly. In the embodiment shown,
each rack may hold up to 8 slides, but the rack may be designed to
hold any suitable number of slides. With eight racks arranged side
by side, the shown embodiments may hold up to 64 slides 7 each
having a biological sample, e.g. a tissue mounted on the upper side
of the slide, so that reagent may be applied from above to the
sample on each slide.
[0039] Multiple drawers 6 allow for one or a plurality of sample
processing protocols to be performed by the system. Past efforts at
sample processing, as previously described, may have been limited
to processing sequences for an entire batch of carriers within the
system. The present invention, however, in part by providing a
plurality of drawers 6 and carrier rack assemblies 11, may allow
for multiple batch processing, including real-time or adaptive
capabilities for multiple batch processing, as further described
below.
[0040] Indicator elements may be provided to indicate a status of
the drawers 6 and the carriers or materials within each drawer for
an operator of the system. In one embodiment, visual indicators,
such as light emitting diodes in preferred embodiments, indicate if
a drawer is available during operation of the sample processing
system, and may indicate conditions such as a locked or open
condition of a corresponding drawer, 6 carrier capacity status of
the drawer or of a carrier rack assembly 11 within the drawer 6,
and chemical status of the sample processing system, such as
reagent loading status or capacity. A warning indication may be
given by the indicator elements, as well as other indicative
signals. One or a plurality of sensors may be utilized to determine
the status of the drawer as indicated by the indicator elements and
to further provide processing status as further described below.
Furthermore, adaptive scheduling of sample and slide insertion and
removal into the system may be accommodated on an on-going basis
throughout operation of the sample processing system.
[0041] A sensor may be provided in some embodiments that may
automatically identify information from one or more slides 7. In
some embodiments, protocol information may be provided by an
adaptive sample processing control system. The sample processing
system may process one or more slides 7, or one or more batches of
slides 7, concurrently, sequentially, or in any other temporal
fashion, potentially in accordance with protocol information
provided by a slide having a sample or provided by the adaptive
sample processing control system. Sample batches or individual
slides 7 may be inserted or removed during processing protocol
steps by the control and monitoring accomplished by the adaptive
sample processing control system
[0042] In some embodiments, the system may comprise independent and
redundant slide staining modules, such as drawer assemblies 6.
Throughput is based on time to first result with the system
allowing access to completed slides 7 as soon as a staining module
has completed the scheduled staining tasks. The multiple
independent and redundant staining modules allow for both
continuous and batch processing of slides 7. Additionally, each
independent staining module also allows for the independent
pre-treatment and staining of each slide. A carrier rack assembly
11 may be used to introduce slides 7 to be processed into the
drawer 6, the drawer, carrier rack assembly 11, and components
thereof forming a stain module. The slides 7 may occupy one or more
positions of the carrier rack assembly 11, such as at carrier
retention devices, up to the capacity of the carrier rack assembly
11 with the potential for each slide being processed independently
of other slides 7 configured with carrier rack assembly 11.
Embodiments of the stain modules, drawers, rack assemblies, and
components thereof are also shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 also provides
other embodiments of system features, such as an embodiment of the
arm 20 and the component features of the arm.
[0043] Carrier rack assemblies 11 having one or more slides 7 may
be introduced into the staining modules by introduction into
drawers 6 one at a time or in any combination until all staining
modules are occupied. There may be no restrictions as to the order,
number or timing of when the carrier rack assemblies 11 are
introduced into the system, the system allowing for adaptive
scheduling of sample loading. Staining modules, and in some
embodiments the drawers 6 of the staining modules, will lock out
access to the slides 7 during the processing period and may release
them to the operator upon completion of the staining process on the
last slide. In some embodiments, the order in which the carrier
rack assemblies 11 are released is dependant on the time required
to process the last slide of the rack assembly. Slides 7 may be
processed in the most time efficient manner independently of the
order to which they were introduced into the system.
[0044] A robot arm 20 for moving a probe 10 in X and Y (as well as
Z) direction as indicated by the arrows X and Y is arranged above
the frame 4 of the staining apparatus. The robot arm 20 may is
therefore position the probe 10 above all reagent vials 3 as well
as above all the microscope slides 7, and may further operate the
probe 10 to aspirate portions of reagent contained in any of the
vials 3, to transfer the portion of reagent and apply it to any of
the slides 7 in order to provide a selected staining or treatment
of the sample on each slide 7. By use of suitable control, e.g. a
computer (not shown) having the appropriate software and input data
for the purpose, this staining apparatus 1 is able to automatically
stain or treat samples requiring different staining or treatment
reagents and processes.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the probe 10 is accommodated in a
robotic head 22 and is manipulated by the robot arm 20. The probe
10 is raised to an upper position (in a Z direction) where it is
clear of the vials 3 underneath the probe 10, but the robot
comprises means in the robotic head 22 for lowering the probe 10 in
order to dip the probe tip into the content of a selected reagent
vial 3 and to aspirate a selected amount of reagent for the
selected staining or treatment process. The robotic head 22 may
also be provided with a CCD camera 25, in some embodiments
configured to point downwards. The camera is utilised to determine
status information of the slides and the reagent bottles and other
features of the apparatus in the work area, for example reading
information which may or may not be encrypted, that is provided on
a reagent container to determine the reagent type and the reagent
location within the system. The camera may also determine status of
the tissue sample carriers, for example the location of a
particular slide, informational indicia, such as which may be
converted into an encrypted format, that indicate information about
the tissue sample presented on the slide or the processing protocol
to be performed.
[0046] The staining apparatus 1 of the present embodiment further
comprises a probe washing station 8 and a reagent mixer 9, and the
robot arm 20 is furthermore arranged to transfer the probe 10 to
the washing station 8 as well as to the reagent mixer 9.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 1 is provided with an
openable hood cover 40, which is pivotably attached to the frame
housing 4. The hood 40 is shown in a closed position and an open
position 40' is indicated in dotted lines in the figure.
[0048] In the bottom of the frame housing 4, the slide rack
assemblies 11, potentially in some embodiments in one or more
drawer assemblies 6 are provided. An interior space 120 is defined
by this hood cover 40 and the frame 4. The staining sections 5 and
the reagent station 2 are arranged such that they are accessible by
the robotic arm 20 via the equipment arranged on the robotic head
22.
[0049] A climate control device 121 is provided for controlling the
pressure and potentially also the temperature and the humidity of
the air in the interior space 120 inside the apparatus 1. This
climate control 121 includes an outlet 122 and an inlet 123
allowing for an exchange of air in a controlled manner. Exhausted
air from the interior space may be directed to a collection storage
or disposed of in other manners depending on the requirements on
the location of the apparatus. The exhausted air may--in particular
in some staining or other processes--include volatile fumes or
other toxic or unwanted fumes from the reagents and other liquids
used for the processing of the biological samples.
[0050] The ambient air in the interior space 120 is drawn through
the rack assembly 11 of the drawer assembly 6 in the staining
sections 5. In the drawer assembly 6, other processing devices are
preferably also provided, such as pretreatment tanks in which the
biological specimens arranged on slides may be immersed in a
pretreatment liquid which is often heated to a processing
temperature. By drawing the fumes out of the interior space 120 at
a location close to the heating sources and below the level in
which the slides are arranged, the fumes are essentially prevented
from diffuse to widely in the interior space, whereby the risk of
such fumes coming into unwanted contact with biological samples,
other reagents or processing liquids may be avoided.
[0051] Besides maintaining a slight sub-pressure inside the hood,
the climate control may also be adapted to controlling the
temperature and the humidity inside the apparatus, so that such
climatic conditions do not interfere with the staining processes.
Hereby, the apparatus may easily be adapted to changes in the
environment, such as seasonal changes, temperature changes, just as
the apparatus according to the invention may be able to adapt
itself to a specific location, e.g. adapt to difference in
altitude, etc.
[0052] The temperature, humidity, airflow rate and/or other
environmental factors can be controlled by a feed back mechanism
from a sensor device, such as one or more sensors 125 arranged in
the hood or elsewhere inside the interior space and/or external
sensors 125, which may be advantageous in order to compensate for
external influences such as high temperature or extremely dry
climate in local areas having extreme climate variations.
[0053] The system may further have the ability to vent toxic and or
flammable fumes from inside the cabinet portions or enclosure to
exit ports that can be connected to an external system vent or
hood, such as vent 160. Embodiments may comprise exit ports from
the internal enclosure of the system and exit ports from the bulk
fluid containers of the system, such as reagent containers. Fumes
may be isolated and removed from various compartments within the
system. An environmental control system addresses the system's
ventilation to ensure the evacuation of volatile organic vapours,
keeping the concentration of these materials below established
toxic and explosive limits.
[0054] In some embodiments, a ventilation system such as that shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4 will draw hazardous fumes from the vicinity of
each processing tank in the drawer assemblies 6 by an exhaustion
device that may comprise dedicated ducts 122, 123. These ducts will
feed a manifold 121 running along the rear of the instrument. The
ventilation system may further comprise a fan in an air inlet
opening in the housing frame 4 through which air may be exchanged.
A separate ventilation system for an electronic chassis of the
system may be similarly isolated having independent air input and
output vents. Each of these systems has independent air input and
output air vents. At one end of the manifold, a centrifugal blower
will exhaust the fumes to an exit port that may be connected to the
facility hood/exhaust system.
[0055] In FIG. 4, a ventilation assembly 80 for mounting in the
apparatus is shown. Through this ventilation assembly 80 air may be
exchanged between the interior space 120 and the surroundings. In
addition to the inlet and outlet ducts 122, 123, air manipulation
devices 81, 82 may be arranged. These air manipulation devices may
include moisture control, air pressure and air flow regulation in
order to control the environment in the interior space
automatically in response to sensor 125 readings inside the
interior space.
[0056] Above, the apparatus according to the invention is described
according to some preferred explanatory embodiments. However, it is
realised by the invention that many other variations and
equivalents of the apparatus may be carried out without departing
from the scope of the invention as specified in the accompanying
claims.
[0057] As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic
concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of
ways. It involves both sample processing techniques as well as
various systems, assemblies, and devices to accomplish sample
processing, input, and other functions. In this application, the
sample processing techniques are also disclosed as part of the
results shown to be achieved by the various systems, assemblies,
and devices described and as steps which are inherent to
utilization. They should be understood to be the natural result of
utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while
some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not
only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number
of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these
facets should be understood to be encompassed by this
disclosure.
[0058] The discussion included in this application is intended to
serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the
specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments
possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully
explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly
show how each feature or element can actually be representative of
a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or
equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this
disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented
terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a
function. Importantly, neither the description nor the terminology
is intended to limit the scope of the claims which may be included
at any time.
[0059] It should also be understood that a variety of changes may
be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such
changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still
fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure
encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great
variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods
or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and
may be relied upon at any time.
[0060] Further, each of the various elements of the invention and
claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This
disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation,
be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a
method or process embodiment or even merely a variation of any
element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the
disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each
element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method
terms--even if only the function or result is the same. Such
equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be
considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or
action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is
entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all
actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an
element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element
disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the
action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last
aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a "retention element"
should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of
"retaining"--whether explicitly discussed or not--and, conversely,
were there effectively disclosure of the act of "retaining", such a
disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a
"retention element" and even a "means for retaining". It should
also be understood that in jurisdictions where specific language
may be construed as limiting, as but one example in the United
States where some interpretations of "means for" elements can be
construed narrowly, broader equivalent language may be used and
should be understood as encompassed by this specification. Such
changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly
included in the description.
[0061] Any patents, patent applications, publications, or other
references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby
incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it
should be understood that unless its utilization in this
application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common
dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for
each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such
as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary,
second edition are hereby incorporated by reference as well as the
definitions presented by searchStorage.com, such to be considered
as representing the meaning of the terms as understood by computer
professionals. Finally, any priority case for this application is
hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference.
[0062] Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support
to claim at least i) each of the sample processing systems and
subsystems as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related
methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even
implicit variations of each of these systems, assemblies, devices
and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of
the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those
alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the
functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is
disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step
shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications
enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the
resulting products produced by such systems or components, and ix)
methods and systems, assemblies, devices, and apparatuses
substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any
of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and
permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xi) each
potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and
every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, xii)
processes performed with the aid of or on a computer as described
throughout the above discussion, xiii) a programmable system as
described throughout the above discussion, xiv) a computer readable
memory encoded with data to direct a computer comprising means or
elements which function as described throughout the above
discussion, xv) a computer configured as herein disclosed and
described, xvi) individual or combined subroutines and programs as
herein disclosed and described, xvii) the related methods disclosed
and described, xviii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit
variations of each of these systems and methods, xix) those
alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as
are disclosed and described, xx) those alternative designs and
methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are
implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxi)
each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent
inventions, and xxii) the various combinations and permutations of
each of the above.
[0063] Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase
"comprising" or the like is used to maintain the "open-end" claims
herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless
the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the
term "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising"
or the like, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated
element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion
of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such
terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to
afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.
[0064] Any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by
reference as part of this description of the invention, and the
applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion
of such incorporated content of such claims as additional
description to support any of or all of the claims or any element
or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves
the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content
of such claims or any element or component thereof from the
description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define
the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by
any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part
application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees
pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or
regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated
by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this
application including any subsequent continuation, division, or
continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or
extension thereon.
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