Patent Description:
Additionally, analytical assay devices having opposing internal surfaces for performing capillary immunohistochemical (IHC), in situ Hybridization (ISH) and staining are also known and packaged similarly as coverslips. When used in automated systems the precise positioning of the assay devices in a retaining device or magazine is important for proper pick up and distribution.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose a rectangular analytical reaction or assay devices that also have curved or arcuate surfaces. These devices are used to create a capillary gap and spread fluids through this gap across the surface of a microscope slide which contains a biological sample thereon. <CIT> discloses an automated system using such a device and the robotic systems employed for placement of the reaction devices. As mentioned above it is important that the retaining magazines for these reaction devices present each reaction device therein to the robotic pick up device in an aligned and individual manner.

<CIT> discloses a stack of plastic articles and a process of forming the stack. Preferably the stack is of heat-fusible plastic slide elements for use in a diagnostic analyzer, the elements being temporarily and non-destructively fused together so that the stack can be used free of a cartridge. In another embodiment, the stack can be of any plastic article temporarily fused to adjacent elements, one side edge of each element bearing a colorant and another bearing no colorant, so that a bar code for the stack is inherently formed simply by rotating each element to project outwardly the colored side edge or the side edge lacking colorant, prior to fusing the elements together.

<CIT> discloses a dispensing magazine for used cards. The cards enter the magazine after being used and are dispensed altogether as soon as the magazine is full. <CIT> does however not disclose, nor suggest, a pick-up device.

The present disclosure relates in general to systems, devices, and processes for delivering slides, coverslips, flat reactions devices, curved, rectangular shape reaction devices, etc. - all also known herein as an opposable, or opposables - to specimen processing stations for use with specimen-bearing slides. Opposables can be single use, e.g., disposable, or multi-use devices.

The opposables can be used by automated specimen processing stations to manipulate and direct a series of liquids to specimens. The liquids may be manipulated over or across slide surfaces in conjunction with capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the movement of the opposables and the processing temperatures for histology staining, immunohistochemical staining, in situ hybridization staining, or other specimen processing protocols.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for dispensing an opposable from a cartridge according to claim <NUM>.

In this exemplary method, a first portion of the retention arm may bend or rotate away from the plurality of opposables while a second portion maintains contact with the plurality of opposables.

The magazine may include at least two retention arms disposed apart from each other and positioned around or in close proximity to the plurality of opposables.

The topmost opposable is removed from proximate a departure end of the magazine.

The method also includes positioning a control arm to engage a shoulder of the retention arm, engaging the shoulder with the control arm, and retracting the retraction arm to the second retracted state.

In this aspect, the retention arm may be configured such that upon release of the control arm, the retention arm returns to the first resting state, or the control arm may be reversed to return the retention arm to the first resting state.

The method may further include positioning a compression structure to engage a magazine portion proximate the retention arm, a compression gap being formed therebetween, engaging the magazine portion, and reducing the compression gap to retract the retraction arm to the second retracted state.

The method may further include transporting the topmost opposable to a microscope slide.

The method may further include sending an alert as the plurality of opposables in the magazine is expended.

Additional aspects of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the detailed description herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such variations upon review of the remainder of the specification.

In general, automated systems and methods for selecting opposables or slides from a magazine and for mounting or delivering an opposable on a specimen-bearing microscope slide are provided to minimize damage such as deformation of the opposable and to eliminate or reduce contamination.

More particularly, during a specimen-handling process, slides, slide coverslips, and assay reaction controllers (opposables) or disposable opposables can be provided in a prepackaged stack from a manufacturer or can then be loaded into a magazine. The opposable magazine may hold approximately twenty opposables, although varying quantities are possible. To properly handle the opposables and to reduce the risk of contamination, the magazine is provided with retention arms to contain the opposables. As detailed herein, the retention arms may be manipulated to allow opposable transference to specimen-bearing slides.

Referring now to the figures, <FIG> broadly shows an opposable magazine, cartridge or carrier designated in general by the numeral <NUM>. The magazine <NUM> may include a magazine bottom, floor, or face <NUM>, a departure side or wall <NUM>, an alignment wall or side <NUM>, a first side wall or face <NUM>, and a second side wall or face <NUM>. Together, these form a bay or holding area <NUM> to receive a load as will be explained herein.

The magazine floor <NUM> as shown in <FIG> includes an inner, interior, or first surface <NUM> and an outer, exterior or external surface <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> may be a gripping surface including a non-slick material, troughs, ridges, or indentations <NUM> to help maintain a load position, stabilize the load, prevent a vacuum seal from forming between an opposable and the inner surface <NUM>, and prevent lateral or longitudinal shifting movements when the magazine <NUM> is loaded or moved. A load monitoring tag for identifying a load quantity such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or transmitter <NUM> also may be embedded in or attached to the interior surface <NUM> to transmit an alert when the magazine <NUM> is empty. Alternatively or additionally, the RFID tag <NUM> may be located in or on one or more of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to send an alert when the magazine <NUM> is nearing empty. Completing the magazine bottom <NUM> can be an aperture <NUM> formed through the interior surface <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> of the magazine floor <NUM>. The aperture or opening <NUM> is provided through the outer surface <NUM> extending into the magazine <NUM> to permit ejection or sequential feeding of a cartridge load, as explained in more detail with respect to <FIG> below.

With reference to the departure side <NUM> of the magazine <NUM> shown in <FIG>, an interior side <NUM> having ridges or ribs <NUM> and an opposing exterior side or wall <NUM> are provided. The ribs <NUM> assist in stabilizing a load in the cartridge <NUM>. In this example, the departure side <NUM> may bend or turn in a direction of the alignment wall <NUM>, and a pair of stabilizing pylons or retention arms <NUM> and <NUM> is provided between the walls <NUM>, <NUM>. More particularly, in this example the first retention arm <NUM> is located between walls <NUM>, <NUM> and the second retention arm <NUM> is located between walls <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown, the first retention arm <NUM> has a distal end <NUM>, also referred to as a finger or grip herein, which extends from a pair of shoulders or recesses <NUM>.

Like the first retention arm <NUM>, the retention arm <NUM> has a distal end, finger or grip <NUM> extending from one or more shoulders or recesses <NUM>. The retention arm <NUM> most clearly shows a proximal end or stand assembly <NUM>, also referred to herein as a bulwark or base, which includes one or more flexible points, leaf springs, or joints <NUM>. As will be explained in detail with reference to an exemplary operation regarding <FIG> below, the joint <NUM> will bend or rotate away from the bay <NUM> to allow the grip <NUM>, particularly its contact surface <NUM> that overhangs the opposables <NUM> in a resting state, to release an opposable <NUM> from the bay <NUM>. This is also accomplished by forming a channel or notch <NUM> in the arms <NUM>, <NUM> in which respective reeds or guiderails <NUM> are seated to permit the upper portion of the arms <NUM>, <NUM> to bend away from the bay <NUM> while an inner surface of the arms <NUM>, <NUM> maintains contact with the load in the bay <NUM>. Herein, the joint <NUM> can have a nominal spring constant to urge the retention arm <NUM> to its original resting state or position.

As briefly introduced above, <FIG> clearly shows the alignment wall <NUM>. The alignment wall <NUM> has an interior wall or face <NUM> and an exterior wall or side <NUM>. The face <NUM> may include a plurality of ribs or ridges <NUM> that may vary in size and may form an insertion guide or slot <NUM>. As shown, the insertion guide <NUM> is sized and spaced to accommodate a shaped load such as opposables <NUM> as shown in <FIG> below.

Additionally, <FIG> shows that the first side wall <NUM> includes an interior wall or side <NUM> having ribs or ridges <NUM> and an exterior wall or side <NUM>. The ribs <NUM>, like previously introduced ribs <NUM> and <NUM>, act as point bearing surfaces to assist with controlling or limiting movement of a load while simultaneously minimizing surface contact with the load. Also shown in this example, the exterior wall <NUM>, as well as complementary exterior wall <NUM>, may be concave shaped for gripping and handling as well as serving to increase structural integrity and to further serve as an orientation key such that the magazine <NUM> cannot be improperly loaded in the bay <NUM> nor by improperly inserting the magazine <NUM> into a specimen processing station.

Similar to wall <NUM>, the opposing or second side wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes an interior side <NUM> and the exterior side <NUM> briefly noted above. Ridges or ribs similar to ribs <NUM> of side wall <NUM> are provided on the interior side <NUM> but are not shown in this view. Together, the floor <NUM> and the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> form the bay or cavity <NUM> for holding a load such as opposables as discussed below.

Turning now to <FIG>, the magazine <NUM> introduced in <FIG> is shown loaded with a plurality of disposable opposables or opposables <NUM> and resting on outer, exterior or external surface <NUM>. Here, the opposables <NUM> are oriented and loaded between the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. As shown, an asymmetrical rib feature <NUM> will interfere with an incorrectly oriented opposable <NUM> to prevent improper loading of the magazine <NUM>. <FIG> particularly shows that the retention arms <NUM>, <NUM> holding the opposables <NUM> in position to prevent shifting during shipment, loading and processing. For instance, the contact surface <NUM> of the grip <NUM> is mated against a top surface <NUM> of the uppermost opposable <NUM> to prevent upward movement of the opposable <NUM> from magazine <NUM>.

<FIG> most clearly shows an exemplary disposable opposable or opposable <NUM> introduced above. Here, the opposable <NUM> includes the top or upper surface <NUM> and a lower or staining surface or specimen processing region <NUM>. A plurality of gapping features or elements <NUM> are formed along longitudinal edges of the opposable <NUM> specimen processing region <NUM> in this example. The gapping elements <NUM> can help process a specimen with a desired or minimal amount of fluid. The gapping elements <NUM> may also be spaced apart from one another to reduce, limit, or substantially prevent wicking between adjacent elements. More specifically, the pattern, number, dimensions, and configurations of the gapping elements <NUM> can be selected based on the desired interaction between a specimen and a liquid. (See, for example, <CIT>) and <CIT>). ) If the opposable <NUM> includes a field of gapping elements <NUM>, the gapping elements <NUM> can be distributed evenly or unevenly across the opposable <NUM> to form different patterns that may include, without limitation, one or more rows, arrays, geometric shapes, or the like.

In the example shown in <FIG> the rows of gapping elements <NUM> extend longitudinally along a length of the opposable <NUM>. The row of gapping elements <NUM> can include about five gapping elements to about sixty gapping elements with an average distance between adjacent gapping elements in a range of about <NUM> inch (<NUM>) to about <NUM> inch (<NUM>). Herein, the row of gapping elements <NUM> can have a zigzag configuration, a serpentine configuration, or other configuration or pattern. Moreover, the gapping elements <NUM> can be evenly or unevenly spaced from one another. For instance, the distance between adjacent gapping elements <NUM> can be greater or less than the heights of the gapping elements <NUM>. Other spacing arrangements are also possible, if needed or desired. Herein, the thickness T can be about <NUM> inch (<NUM>), and a width W can be in a range of about <NUM> inch (<NUM>) to about <NUM> inch (<NUM>). Herein, the width W can be about <NUM> inches (<NUM>). Still other widths are possible.

With reference now to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the alignment features <NUM>, a slot or insertion shoe <NUM>, and a keying feature <NUM> are formed, sized and shaped to properly align and orient the opposable <NUM> in the magazine <NUM>. More specifically, the insertion shoe <NUM> can receive a feature of the magazine <NUM> such as the interior rib <NUM> which in part forms the guide <NUM>. The alignment features <NUM> (e.g., holes, protrusions, etc.) are also used to align the opposable <NUM>. As introduced above, the guide <NUM> ensures proper alignment and orientation of the opposable <NUM>. The keying feature <NUM> in particular mates with the rib <NUM> to ensure correct loading of the magazine <NUM>.

Continuing with specific reference to <FIG>, a waste port <NUM> may also be provided through the surface <NUM> of the opposable <NUM>. Thus, when the staining surface <NUM> interfaces with or engages a liquid on a slide, the liquid may be removed via the port <NUM> as shown in this example. Also by way of example, although the opposable <NUM> shown in <FIG> is generally rectangular shaped, the opposable <NUM> may be generally circular shaped, square shaped, or other suitable shape. Herein, the opposable <NUM> may be circular with diameters of <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Square opposables <NUM> may have sides with lengths of about <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Rectangular opposables <NUM> may have sides with lengths from about <NUM> × <NUM> to about <NUM> × <NUM>. The dimensions, shapes, and properties of the opposables <NUM> may be selected based on, for example, the size of the intended microscope slides. The opposables <NUM> may be made, in whole or in part, of transparent plastic, glass, or other transparent or semi-transparent materials. Depending on the materials used and intended use, the opposables <NUM> may be disposed of after one use or a finite number of uses, hence the name "disposable opposables".

In a further aspect of the disclosure as shown in <FIG>, the opposables <NUM> may have a substantially planar top and bottom surface and a substantially rectangular configuration, with a length and a thickness slightly less than a specimen slide. Here, the bottom surface <NUM> of the opposable <NUM> may define or express a curvature terminating in a gradually angled or curving end <NUM> positioned to captivate a band of liquid such that when the opposable <NUM> is over-rolled, a band of liquid can contact and cling to the tapered region <NUM>. Specifically, the tapered area <NUM> is a liquid captivation feature. The tapered region <NUM> provides a large surface area to which the liquid can cling. The illustrated tapered region <NUM> also may have a radius of curvature equal to or less than about <NUM> inch to cooperate with a standard microscope slide to captivate a band of liquid on the surface of the slide and help prevent "wicking" of the fluid therefrom. Other radii of curvature can be used, if needed or desired. Herein, the curvature of the rounded edge <NUM> can be uniform across the width W of the opposable <NUM>. Otherwise, the curvature of the rounded edge <NUM> can vary across the width W of the opposable <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exemplary operation in which the opposable magazine <NUM> is employed in an intended environment. As shown, programmable logic controlled (PLC) machinery or a retraction robot assembly <NUM> may include one or more retraction or control arms <NUM>. The control arms <NUM> are configured to engage the respective shoulder areas <NUM>, <NUM> of the retention arms <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown for instance (in phantom for clarity) at arm <NUM>, when the retraction arms <NUM> are pulled back or retracted by the robot <NUM> (indicated by arrow R), the arm <NUM>, which is initially in a first state or resting condition, will bend at or rotate about a joint <NUM> to retract finger <NUM> away from the surface <NUM> of the topmost opposable <NUM> as indicated by a second state or condition <NUM> shown phantom for clarity. The foregoing process also occurs with the retention arms <NUM>. During this process, guidepost <NUM> remains seated against or in contact with an edge of the opposable load. Thus, the topmost opposable <NUM> may be picked up from the departure end of wall <NUM> indicated by arrow D. The retention arms <NUM>, <NUM> may have a nominal spring constant such that when the retraction arm(s) <NUM> reverses direction R, the finger <NUM> is urged to return to its first resting state and reengage or overhang the next surface <NUM> of the next opposable <NUM> to prevent load slippage until the subsequent opposable <NUM> is required. Alternatively, the arms <NUM> may actively push or reposition the retention arms <NUM>, <NUM> proximate the surface <NUM> of the subsequent opposable <NUM>.

<FIG> further shows an ejector device, pin or push assembly <NUM> located under the magazine <NUM>. The assembly <NUM> may be controlled by the retraction robot assembly <NUM>. Herein, the assembly <NUM> can be positioned and activated approximately simultaneously during retraction of the retention arms <NUM>, <NUM> by the retraction arm(s) <NUM>. Here, the push assembly <NUM> projects through the aperture <NUM> formed through the outer surface <NUM> and the interior surface <NUM> of the magazine floor <NUM> (see <FIG>). Thus, the push assembly <NUM> will individually or sequentially push or feed the plurality of opposables <NUM> in a direction of the fingers <NUM>, <NUM> as indicated by feed arrow F.

With reference now to <FIG>, an opposable magazine, cartridge, or carrier is designated in general by the numeral <NUM> and positioned on a processing station or opposable selection device <NUM>. The magazine <NUM> broadly includes a magazine bottom, floor, or face <NUM>, an extraction or departure side or wall <NUM>, an alignment wall or side <NUM>, a first side wall or face <NUM>, and a second side wall or face <NUM>. Together, these form a bay or holding area <NUM> to receive a load of assay reaction controllers (opposable) or disposable opposables <NUM>.

The magazine floor <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes an inner, interior, or first surface and an outer, exterior or external surface <NUM>. The inner surface may include a gripping surface including a non-slick material, troughs, ridges, or indentations to help maintain a load position, stabilize the load, prevent a vacuum seal from forming between an opposable and the floor <NUM>, and to prevent lateral or longitudinal shifting movements when the magazine <NUM> is loaded. A load monitoring tag for identifying a load quantity such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or transmitter also may be embedded in or attached to the interior surface of the floor <NUM> to transmit an alert when the magazine <NUM> is empty. Alternatively or additionally, the RFID tag may be located in or on one or more of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to send an alert when the magazine <NUM> is nearing empty. The RFID may monitor load weight and/or a counting read/write system may track each consumable extraction to determine the remaining load.

As <FIG> further shows, a plurality of ridges or ribs <NUM> may be provided along interior areas of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> assist in stabilizing a load in the cartridge <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> may vary in width (depth) and height and may form an insertion guide or slot <NUM> to dictate correct orientation and proper loading of a shaped load such as opposables <NUM>. As shown, the insertion guide <NUM> is sized and spaced to accommodate complementary shaped opposables <NUM>.

Also shown in the example of <FIG>, the departure side <NUM> may be formed with a bend or turn in a direction of the alignment wall <NUM> to help secure the opposables <NUM> in the bay <NUM>. Moreover, a pair of stabilizing pylons or retention arms <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided between the walls <NUM>, <NUM> to secure the opposables <NUM>. Here, the first retention arm <NUM> is located between walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The second retention arm <NUM> is located between walls <NUM>, <NUM> also to stabilize and secure the opposables <NUM> in the bay <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first retention arm <NUM> has a finger, grip or distal end <NUM>, which extends from a pair of shoulders or recesses <NUM>. Likewise, the second retention arm <NUM> has a distal end, finger or grip <NUM> that extends from one or more shoulders or recesses <NUM>. As shown, in a first or resting state, the surface <NUM> of the grip <NUM> overhangs, or is in resting contact with, the topmost opposable <NUM>. This example also shows that the retention arm <NUM> includes a proximal end, bulwark, base or stand assembly <NUM>, which includes one or more compression features, gaps or apertures <NUM> that form flexible points or joints <NUM>.

As best shown from the perspective of the arm <NUM> in <FIG>, on either side of the magazine <NUM> is a compression structure <NUM> that depends at an angle from the floor <NUM> and includes a lateral gap or opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) in connection with the compression aperture <NUM> in the base <NUM>. The lateral opening <NUM> and the compression aperture <NUM> form a leaf spring arrangement as described in further detail below with respect to <FIG>. Also shown, a stop or shoulder <NUM> may be formed at or near the floor <NUM> to secure the magazine <NUM> in position during unloading.

The compression structure <NUM> of the magazine <NUM> is most clearly shown from a bottom perspective in <FIG>. The sliding engagement L of the magazine <NUM> with a complementary angled compression structure <NUM> noted above with respect to <FIG> causes the shoulder <NUM> to hold the magazine <NUM> in position on the selection device <NUM> while the lateral gap <NUM> and the compression gap <NUM> close in a direction of the bay <NUM>, as indicated by the inwardly directed arrows shown in <FIG>. This in turn causes the joint <NUM> to bend and to push the arms <NUM>, <NUM> away from the bay <NUM> as indicated by the outward arrow.

Turning now to <FIG>, by way of exemplary operation, a portion of a pick-up device <NUM> is positioned above the magazine <NUM>. As the magazine <NUM> is moved in a loading direction L (see <FIG>) toward a slide processing station (not shown), the compression structure <NUM> (see <FIG>) engages the compression structure <NUM> of the magazine <NUM>. The sliding engagement causes the lateral gap <NUM> and the compression gap <NUM> noted in <FIG> to close in a direction of the bay <NUM>. This in turn causes the joint <NUM> to rotate and to push the arms <NUM>, <NUM> away from the bay <NUM> to allow the grip <NUM>, particularly its opposable holding surface <NUM>, to release an opposable <NUM> from the bay <NUM>.

<FIG> further show that as the arms <NUM>, <NUM> are retracted away from the bay <NUM> in a second or tensioned state (in phantom), a pick-up device <NUM>, such as a suction cup or lifter head, is extended or lowered to a surface of the topmost opposable <NUM> in the bay <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, the opposable <NUM> may be spring-loaded and pushed upward to meet the pick-up device <NUM>. Once suction is applied and the device <NUM> is in suction contact with and has control of the topmost opposable <NUM> via the surface <NUM>, the topmost opposable <NUM> is removed from the magazine <NUM>. Each subsequent opposable <NUM> may be removed by the same or another pick-up device <NUM> until the magazine <NUM> is empty and a subsequent magazine is loaded via the magazine fascia of a slide processing station. Alternatively, the direction L of the magazine <NUM> may be reversed and/or the compression structure <NUM> (compare <FIG>) may be disengaged between each opposable <NUM> to return the arms <NUM>, <NUM> to their resting state between opposable <NUM> extractions.

Claim 1:
A method for dispensing an opposable (<NUM>, <NUM>) from a cartridge (<NUM>), wherein the opposables (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprise one of slides, slide coverslips, or assay reaction controllers, the method comprising:
providing a magazine (<NUM>, <NUM>) for holding a plurality of opposables (<NUM>, <NUM>), the magazine (<NUM>, <NUM>) further having a retention arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the retention arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), when in a first resting state, being configured to restrict movement of the plurality of opposables (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the magazine (<NUM>, <NUM>);
positioning a pick-up device (<NUM>, <NUM>) proximate a topmost opposable (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the magazine (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the pick-up device (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to take up the topmost opposable (<NUM>, <NUM>) when engaged therewith;
retracting a control arm (<NUM>) to a second retracted state by
positioning the control arm (<NUM>) to engage a shoulder of the retention arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), engaging the shoulder with the control arm (<NUM>), and retracting the control arm (<NUM>) to the second retracted state;
activating the pick-up device (<NUM>, <NUM>) to engage and retain the topmost opposable (<NUM>, <NUM>);
raising the pick-up device (<NUM>, <NUM>) with the topmost opposable (<NUM>, <NUM>) engaged therewith; and
removing the topmost opposable (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the magazine (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein
the topmost opposable (<NUM>, <NUM>) is removed from proximate a departure end of the magazine (<NUM>, <NUM>).