Patent ID: 8486335
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: B01J,B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A staining apparatus, comprising: a plurality of automatically independently movable slide support elements, each able to support at least one microscope slide; a common application chamber able to contain the plurality of slide support elements, wherein the plurality of slide support elements can each be independently moved into and out of the common application chamber; a pressurizable common chamber in communication with the common application chamber, the pressurizable common chamber able to contain the plurality of slide support elements wherein the plurality of slide support elements can each be moved into the pressurizable common chamber after first passing through the common application chamber, and can each be moved into the common application chamber from the pressurizable common chamber; a plurality of encloseable compartments within the pressurizable common chamber, wherein each encloseable compartment is sized to contain a single slide support element wherein the encloseable compartment can be retracted away from the slide support element therein for exposing the microscope slide thereon to a common level of pressurization within the pressurizable common chamber; reagent dispensing means for disposing reagents onto microscope slides in a reagent application position in the common application chamber, in the pressurizable common chamber, or both; and wherein the pressurizable common chamber is adapted to be pressurized for treating the microscope slides on the plurality of slide support elements when in the pressurizable common chamber wherein the microscope slides on the slide support elements therein are exposed to a common level of pressurization therein.