Specimen processing systems and methods for holding slides

US11274998B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Luke Dyson-Holland · Melbourne, AU
• Daniel C. Malberg · Melbourne, AU
• Timothy B. McDonald · Melbourne, AU
• Donald M. Barnett · Tucson, US
• Kevin Marshall · Tucson, US
• John Willems · Eijsden, NL
• Timothy James Durrant · Melbourne, AU
• Simon Spence · Elmore, AU
• Benjamin James · Melbourne, AU
• Joshua David Kenneth Harrison · Tucson, US
• Matthew Ketterer · Tucson, US
• Brian Howard Kram · Tucson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 4, 2018
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2022
• Expiry date: May 4, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B21/34
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.