Anti-fogging barcode reader

Abstract

An automated specimen processing system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In some embodiments, the disclosed specimen processing system includes a barcode reader having a heated window. In some embodiments, the barcode reader having the heated window is configured to read information stored within a label affixed to a slide, whereby the barcode reader may be operated within a hot and/or humid environment. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided, whereby the method utilizes the information retrieved from a label affixed to determine which one or more slide processing operations to perform.

1 . A barcode reader comprising:
 (a) a sealed housing including an optically transparent window, wherein the optically transparent window comprises a substrate and an electroconductive layer disposed on a surface of the substrate;   (b) a pair of conductors in communication with the electroconductive layer; and   (c) a power source in communication with the pair of conductors.   
     
     
         2 . The barcode reader of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed housing including the optically transparent window is air-tight. 
     
     
         3 . The barcode reader of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is comprised of glass or plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The barcode reader of  claim 1 , wherein the electroconductive layer comprises a metal oxide or a doped metal oxide. 
     
     
         5 . The barcode reader of  claim 4 , wherein the metal oxide is a tin oxide. 
     
     
         6 . The barcode reader of  claim 4 , wherein the metal oxide is indium tin oxide. 
     
     
         7 . The barcode reader of  claim 4 , wherein the metal oxide is a zinc oxide. 
     
     
         8 . The barcode reader of  claim 1 , wherein the electroconductive layer comprises a thickness ranging from between about 5 nm to about 10,000 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The barcode reader of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of conductors are first and second electrical contacts. 
     
     
         10 . The barcode reader of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of conductors are first and second bus bars. 
     
     
         11 . The barcode reader of  claim 1 , wherein the power source supplies between about 1V to about 10V to the electroconductive layer. 
     
     
         12 . The barcode reader of  claim 1 , further comprising a camera and a controller. 
     
     
         13 . An automated specimen processing system, comprising:
 a slide holder within the automated specimen processing system, wherein the slide holder bears slides having (i) a biological specimen disposed thereon, and (ii) and identifying indicia;   at least one barcode reader having a sealed housing including a heated window, the heated window comprising an electroconductive layer disposed on a surface of the substrate; and   a dispenser within the automated specimen processing system configured to independently deliver a plurality of fluids or reagents to each individual slide within the slide holder based on the identifying indicia present on the individual slide.   
     
     
         14 . The automated specimen processing system of  claim 13 , wherein the automated specimen processing system further comprises a control module in electrical communication with the at least one barcode reader. 
     
     
         15 . The automated specimen processing system of  claim 14 , wherein the control module is configured to receive information from the at least one barcode reader and command the dispenser to dispense the plurality of fluids or reagents based on the information received from the at least one barcode reader. 
     
     
         16 . The automated specimen processing system of  claim 13 , wherein an atmosphere within the sealed housing of the barcode reader is different than an atmosphere outside the sealed housing. 
     
     
         17 . The automated specimen processing system of  claim 13 , wherein the electroconductive layer is in communication with a power source. 
     
     
         18 . The automated specimen processing system of  claim 17 , wherein the power source supplies between about 1V and about 10V to the electroconductive layer. 
     
     
         19 . The automated specimen processing system of  claim 13 , wherein a temperature of the heated window ranges from between 30° C. and 60° C. 
     
     
         20 . The automated specimen processing system of  claim 13 , wherein a temperature of the heated window ranges from between 35° C. and 50° C. 
     
     
         21 . The automated specimen processing system of  claim 13 , wherein the electroconductive layer is comprised of indium tin oxide. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for automatically treating biological specimens, comprising:
 at least one slide tray holding a plurality of slides in substantially horizontal positions, wherein said biological specimens are located on the slides;   at least one barcode reader comprising a sealed housing having a heated window, the heated window in communication with a power source;   one or more workstations that receive the slide tray and perform one or more slide processing operations on the plurality of slides held in the slide tray; and   a transporter that moves the slide tray into and out of the one or more workstations.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising a fluidics module in fluid communication with the one or more workstations that supplies a reagent to the one or more workstations. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising a pneumatics module in fluid communication with the one or more workstations and the fluidics module; wherein the pneumatics module supplies vacuum and/or pressurized gas to the one or more workstations and the fluidics module. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a control module in electrical communication with the at least one barcode reader, the transporter, the one or more workstations, the fluidics module and said pneumatics module, wherein the control module coordinates function of components of the apparatus during treatment of the biological specimens based on information received from the at least one barcode reader. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the one or more workstations that receive the slide tray and perform the one or more slide processing operation comprises a moveable nozzle assembly, wherein the nozzle assembly includes one or more nozzles through which a reagent is delivered to a slide. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein a temperature of the heated window ranges from between 30° C. and 60° C. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein a temperature of the heated window ranges from between 35° C. and 50° C.