Patent ID: 7648678

Claim:
An automatic stainer system for staining at least one tissue sample, comprising: at least one slide having said at least one tissue sample disposed thereon; at least one reagent; at least one fluid containment element containing fluid for application to said at least one tissue sample during at least one pre-treatment operation performed on said at least one tissue sample prior to a staining operation; a slide rack including said at least one slide having said at least one tissue sample disposed thereon, said slide rack further including a slide positioner element adapted to rotate said at least one slide between a substantially vertical disposition for submerging said at least one slide into said fluid in said fluid containment element and a substantially horizontal disposition for application of said at least one reagent onto said at least one tissue sample; a slide elevator for lowering said slide rack when said slide is substantially vertically disposed, and submerging said at least one slide into said fluid containment element, said slide remaining vertically disposed when submerged; and a reagent application element adapted to apply said at least one reagent to said at least one tissue sample during a staining operation performed on said at least one tissue sample when said at least one slide is disposed substantially horizontally.