Patent ID: 7867443

Claim:
A method for automated antigen retrieval and staining of a biological sample on a slide, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus comprising: a heatable processing tank configured to perform antigen retrieval upon the sample, a slide holder configured to hold the slide and a moveable probe configured to administer reagents to the sample during staining, wherein the moveable probe is further configured to deliver reagents to additional samples on additional slides; mounting the slide onto the slide holder; rotating the slide about an axis parallel to a plane of the slide into a first orientation; causing the sample to contact a solution heated within the processing tank; removing the slide from the processing tank after a duration of time appropriate for antigen retrieval; rotating the slide about an axis parallel to a plane of the slide into a second orientation; and administering the reagents to the sample with the probe, wherein the solution comprises at least one chelating agent, at least one detergent and at least 50% by volume of at least one liquid that facilitates antigen retrieval.