Patent ID: 8652408

Claim:
An apparatus for automatic execution of different treatment operations in connection with staining of tissues specimens on microscope slides, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of tissue processing stations, at least one of the plurality of tissue processing stations comprising an assembly of tissue processing vessels, each tissue processing vessel configured to receive different reagent for staining of the tissue specimens in accordance with a selected treatment program; a loading station to load the microscope slides carrying tissue specimens onto the apparatus; a conveyor to transport the microscope slides between the plurality of tissue processing station; an unloading station for unloading the cover-slipped microscope slides from the apparatus; and a control unit configured to control the execution of the different treatment operations; wherein the apparatus comprises separate areas and associated devices for execution of the different treatment operations; a first area comprising the loading station and the plurality of tissue processing station; a second area comprising a cover slipping station configured to place cover slips on the microscope slides, a succeeding station for drying the cover-slipped microscope slides, and the unloading station; a hoisting device configured to grip and transport the microscope slides from the first area to the cover slipping station in the second area; and a third area comprising a plurality of reagent storage tanks, wherein each tank is connected via a reagent supply line to at least one of the plurality of tissue processing stations.