Patent · US Expired

Automated tissue assay using standarized chemicals and packages

US5875286A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
3References
3Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 1997
Grant dateFeb 23, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T436/115831
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system which performs a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, possibly involving differing types of tissues and differing process steps, comprising a robotic arm, which moves the different tissue samples among a plurality of processing stations, and a processor, which selects the next tissue sample to move, when to move it, and where to move it to. The processor directs the robotic arm to interleave the differing process steps. The processing stations comprise workstations for performing individual steps of the tissue assay procedures, such as solution trays. The processor selects a tissue sample to be moved in response to timing information about the procedures. While the processor is directing the robotic arm to move, the processor monitors progress information and can alter the sequence of process steps in response to the progress information and information from an operator.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.