Apparatus for execution of treatment operations in connection with colouring of tissue specimens on object glasses

Abstract

An apparatus for automatic execution of different treatment operations in connection with staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, wherein the apparatus ( 1 ) comprises a loading station ( 2 ) for microscope slides ( 7 ) with tissue specimens, a number of reagent stations ( 3 ) for staining of the tissue specimens on supp Ned microscope slides, a conveyor ( 5 ) for transfer of microscope slides ( 7 ) between the stations ( 3 ) in accordance with a staining program, an unloading station ( 10 ) for treated microscope slides, and a control unit ( 19 ) for controlling the treatment operations in accordance with a data program, The apparatus comprise a photo station ( 25 ) with a digital camera ( 26 ) for automatic photographing with a background light source of the finished treated tissue specimens on supplied microscope slides ( 7 ). The camera is connected to the control unit ( 19 ) of the apparatus and the control unit is arranged to store the picture of each individual tissue specimen and information which is located on the relevant microscopic slide ( 7 ) and preferably also information about the staining program and status of reagents at the reagent stations ( 3 ) for automatic transmission of the information to a place for result analysis.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An automated stainer comprising multiple stations for staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, the multiple stations comprising:
 a loading station configured to load the microscope slides on the apparatus;   two or more staining stations configured to stain the tissue specimens on the microscope slides;   a sealing station configured to apply adhesives or films on the microscope slides; and   a photo station comprising a camera mounted on a microscope, wherein the photo station is fitted with a background light source to take one or more back lit photomicrographs of the stained tissue specimens on the microscope slides.   
     
     
         20 . The automated stainer of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing station is also configured to apply a cover glass. 
     
     
         21 . The automated stainer of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing station is configured to apply a combination of adhesives and films. 
     
     
         22 . The automated stainer of  claim 21 , wherein the sealing station is also configured to apply a cover glass. 
     
     
         23 . The automated stainer of  claim 19 , further comprising a conveyor for transporting the microscope slides between the two or more staining stations. 
     
     
         24 . The automated stainer of  claim 19 , wherein the photo station is mounted on a step by step movable unit for positioning the microscope over successive microscope slides, or over successive parts of a microscope slide. 
     
     
         25 . The automated stainer of  claim 19 , wherein the movable unit is arranged to be moved only laterally in a y-direction, the stainer further comprising a transport belt for step by step movement in a x-direction of groups of microscope slides which are located side by side (in the y-direction) on the transport belt. 
     
     
         26 . The automated stainer of  claim 19 , further comprising one or more reagent storage tanks connected to reagent vessels in the two or more staining stations, 
     
     
         27 . A method for automatic staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, the method comprising:
 providing a stainer comprising treatment stations for staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, the stainer comprising:
 two or more staining stations configured to stain the tissue specimens on the microscope slides; 
 a sealing station configured to apply adhesives or films on the microscope slides; and 
 a photo station comprising a camera mounted on a microscope and a background light source; 
   selecting a staining program to execute at least one operation in connection with staining of the tissue specimens; and   taking one or more back lit photomicrographs of the stained tissue specimens on the microscope slides.   
     
     
         28 . The automated stainer of  claim 27 , wherein the sealing station is also configured to apply a cover glass. 
     
     
         29 . The automated stainer of  claim 27 , wherein the sealing station is configured to apply a combination of adhesives and films. 
     
     
         30 . The automated stainer of  claim 29 , wherein the sealing station is also configured to apply a cover glass. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising providing a conveyor in the stainer to transport the microscope slides between the two or more staining stations in accordance with the staining program. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising mounting the photo station on a step by step movable unit arranged for positioning the microscope over successive microscope slides, or over successive parts of a microscope slide. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising moving the movable unit laterally in a y-direction. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising providing a transport belt in the stainer for step-by-step movement of the microscope slides in a x-direction. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising providing a control unit in the stainer, the control unit having a microprocessor configured to control the execution of the at least one operation. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , comprising storing the photomicrographs of the stained tissue specimen in the control unit. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 27 , comprising transmitting the photomicrographs of the stained tissue specimen to a remote analysis unit for further processing. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 27 , comprising transmitting information about the staining program and a status of one or more reagents in the staining stations to the remote analysis unit. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising automatically detecting when microscope slides arrive at the sealing station.