Patent ID: 8920720
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A configurable tissue processing system comprising: a plurality of configurable tissue processing stations, each station configured to receive one or more tissue samples and selectively configurable to heat, agitate and apply either a positive pressure or a vacuum pressure to the received tissue samples; a transport mechanism that is configured to transport the one or more tissue samples between the plurality of configurable tissue processing stations; a control unit coupled to the plurality of configurable tissue processing stations and to the transport mechanism, the control unit controlling the transport mechanism to selectively position the one or more tissue samples in the plurality of configurable tissue processing stations, and the control unit configuring each of the plurality of configurable tissue processing stations to heat, agitate and apply either a positive pressure or a vacuum pressure to the received samples; and a pressure delivery system that selectively exposes the one or more tissue samples at every tissue processing station to either a source of vacuum or a source of positive pressure; wherein the pressure delivery system comprises a plurality of valves that are each fluidly connected to the source of vacuum or positive pressure, wherein each valve is configured to expose the one or more tissue samples to the source of vacuum or positive pressure when the valve is maintained in an open position, and wherein the valve is not configured to expose the one or more tissue samples to the source of vacuum or positive pressure when the valve is maintained in a closed position.