This disclosure relates generally to an automatic slide stainer apparatus,
and more particularly to the automatic slide stainer apparatus for dispensing a reagent
solution for staining a slide.
Background
[002] Since blood being the major fluid component of the human body and
other animals, any abnormality or change in internal condition of the human body or
other animals can be detected based on diagnosis of their blood. In order to detect
any abnormality or change, blood films (also referred as peripheral smear) are made
to microscopically diagnose any abnormalities in blood of an individual. Moreover,
blood films are made by performing staining of blood on slides. In order to perform
staining of a slide, a drop of blood is placed on one end of a slide and a spreader slide
is used to disperse the blood over the length of the slide. The aim behind performing
staining of blood on the slide is to get a region called a monolayer. In monolayer, the
cells are spaced far enough apart so as to be counted and differentiated. Moreover,
the monolayer is found in the "feathered edge" created by the spreader slide as it
draws the blood forward.
[003] Currently, staining of blood on the slides is done manually and is one of
the most repetitive tasks performed in the laboratory and is very time consuming.
Moreover, manual staining of blood on slides results in creation of different quality of
slides that needs a skilled technician to perform further analysis.
[004] Therefore, there is a need for an efficient and reliable automatic slide
stainer for standardizing staining process of slides to regulate and provide consistent
high quality blood testing reports.
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SUMMARY
[005] In one embodiment, an automatic slide stainer apparatus for slide
staining is disclosed. The automatic slide stainer apparatus may include a carrier
having a staining plate attached at a base section and a staining lid attached at a top
section. The staining plate may include a plurality of slide carrier slots. In addition, the
staining lid may include a plurality of nozzles. The automatic slide stainer apparatus
may include a processing unit communicatively configured to the carrier to instruct a
number of slides to be held in the plurality of slide carrier slots of the staining plate,
and control operation of each of the plurality of nozzles for dispensing a pre-configured
amount of a pre-determined reagent solution. It should be noted that, the base section
of the carrier is rotated upon receiving an instruction from the processing unit such that
each of a slide of the number of slides to be held is adjusted directly beneath one of
the plurality of nozzles in a horizontal direction, and the pre-configured amount of the
pre-determined reagent solution is dispensed on the slide from one of the plurality of
nozzles.
[006] In another embodiment, a method for slide staining using an automatic
slide stainer apparatus is disclosed. The method may include instructing, by a
processing unit communicatively configured to a carrier, a number of slides to be held
in a plurality of slide carrier slots of a staining plate. It should be noted that, the staining
plate is attached at a base section and a staining lid is attached at a top section of the
carrier. Additionally, the staining plate comprises the plurality of slide carrier slots and
the staining lid comprises a plurality of nozzles. The method may include controlling,
by the processing unit, operation of each of the plurality of nozzles for dispensing a
pre-configured amount of a pre-determined reagent solution. The method may further
include rotating the base section of the carrier upon receiving an instruction from the
processing unit such that a slide of the number of slides to be held is adjusted directly
beneath one of the plurality of nozzles in a horizontal direction, and the pre-configured
amount of the pre-determined reagent solution is dispensed on the slide from one of
the plurality of nozzles.
[007] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[008] The present application can be best understood by reference to the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, in
which like parts may be referred to by like numerals.
[009] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional diagram of an automatic slide stainer
apparatus for slide staining, in accordance with an embodiment.
[010] FIG. 2 illustrates an automatic slide stainer apparatus for dispensing a
reagent solution for slide staining, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[011] FIG. 3 illustrates a staining plate and a staining lid of an automatic slide
stainer apparatus, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[012] FIG. 4 illustrates refill reagent solution containers, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[013] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart for operation of an automatic slide stainer
apparatus for dispensing a reagent solution for slide staining, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[014] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features
of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other
implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be
considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims. Additional illustrative embodiments are listed below.
[015] A functional diagram 100 of an automatic slide stainer apparatus 102 for
dispensing a reagent solution for slide staining, is illustrated in FIG. 1. The automatic
slide stainer apparatus 102 disclosed in the present FIG. 1 may be configured to
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dispense the reagent solution (also referred to herein as a staining solution) and stain
each of a number of slides present in the automatic slide stainer apparatus 102 for
performing blood testing. In an embodiment, the automatic slide stainer apparatus 102
may include a carrier 104, a processing unit 110, and a plurality of refill reagent solution
containers 118. The carrier 104 may include a staining plate 106 attached at a base
section of the carrier 104. In addition, the carrier 104 may include a staining lid 108
attached to a top section of the carrier 104. The staining plate 106 attached to the base
section of the carrier 104 may include a plurality of slide carrier slots. Each of the
plurality of slide carrier slots may be configured to hold one of a number of slides. In
an embodiment, each of the number of slides may be, for example, a smear slide. By
way of an example, the staining plate 106 may include a set of twenty-four slide carrier
slots. A user or an operator (e.g., a technologist or a lab technician) may define a set
of slides that needs to be stained as per current requirement. For example, the user
may define six slides, twelve slides, or twenty-four slides that may be required to be
stained in order to perform diagnosis. Further, each of the set of slides that need to be
stained as defined by the user may be placed in one of the sets of twenty-four slide
carrier slots in order to stain each of the set of slides. Additionally, the staining lid 108
attached to the top section of the carrier 104 may include a plurality of nozzles in order
to dispense a pre-configured amount of a pre-determined reagent solution. In an
embodiment, the pre-determined reagent solution to be used and an amount of the
pre-configured reagent solution to be dispensed from the plurality of refill reagent
solution containers 118 may be selected by the user.
[016] In an embodiment, a determination related to the set of slides to be
placed in the plurality of slide carrier slots, the selection of the pre-determined reagent
solution and the selection of the pre-configured amount of the reagent solution may be
done by the user via the processing unit 110. In an embodiment, the processing unit
110 may have a user interface that may have a visual control panel to allow the user
to select and perform a plurality of settings/functions for functioning of the automatic
slide stainer apparatus 102. The plurality of functions may include, such as, but not
limited to defining the number of slides to be placed, adjusting the number of reagent
solutions to be used for dispensing, and adjusting spinning and waiting time of the
base section for effective smearing of the dispensed reagent solution on each of the
number of slides and so forth. Adjustment of the number of reagent solutions to be
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dispensed may include selection of the reagent solution from the number of reagent
solutions stored in each of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers 118, and
the amount of each of the reagent solution to be used for staining.
[017] The processing unit 110 may include a memory 112, an input/output unit
114. The input/output unit 114 may further include a user interface 116. Initially, the
user may login in the automatic slide stainer 102 using his user credentials via the
input/output unit 114. Once the user successfully logs in the automatic slide stainer
apparatus 102, the user may define the set of slides from the number of slides to be
placed in the automatic slide stainer apparatus 102 that needs to be stained. Upon
receiving the user input related to the number of slides to be placed, the processing
unit 110 may instruct the carrier 104 that is communicatively coupled to the processing
unit 110, to hold each of the defined number of slides in one of the plurality of slide
carrier slots of the staining plate 106. Further, the user may adjust each of the number
of pre-determined reagent solutions to be used, via the user interface 116, for
dispensing in order to stain each of the defined number of slides. In addition,
information related to, for example, status of completion of smearing of reagent
solution on slides, initiation and completion of a rotation cycle of the apparatus, and
so forth may be presented on the user interface 116.
[018] Upon receiving an instruction related to the pre-configured amount of the
pre-determined reagent solution to be used and upon securely closing the top section
of the carrier, the processing unit 110 may rotate the base section, i.e., the staining
plate of the carrier 104. This is done to maintain safe operation of the apparatus and
for safety of the user. The base section of the carrier 104 may be rotated such that
each of a slide of the defined number of slides are adjusted directly beneath each of
the plurality of nozzles in a horizontal direction. In an embodiment, once each of the
defined number of slides are adjusted, the processing unit 110 may be configured to
instruct each of the plurality of nozzles to fetch and dispense the pre-configured
amount of the pre-determined reagent solution on each of the defined number of
slides. In another embodiment, the processing unit 110 may be configured to instruct
each of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers 118 to dispense the preconfigured amount of the pre-determined reagent solution on each of the defined
number of slides.
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[019] The pre-configured amount of the pre-determined reagent solution may
be dispensed via each of the plurality of nozzles attached to the staining lid 108 of the
carrier 104. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of nozzles may be connected to
each of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers 118. Moreover, each of the
plurality of refill reagent solution containers 118 may be secured to avoid evaporation
and contamination of the reagent solution present within each of the plurality of refill
reagent solution containers 118. In an embodiment, the processing unit 110 may
instruct the user to check and determine whether sufficient plurality of refill reagent
solution is present in each of the refill reagent containers 118 for efficient functioning
of the apparatus 102. Additionally, amount of liquid present in a waste container may
be checked so that waste liquid from the apparatus is taken off efficiently.
[020] Once the pre-configured amount of the pre-determined reagent solution
is dispensed on each of the defined number of slides, the processing unit 110 may
instruct dispersing of extra drops of each of the pre-determined reagent solution
dispensed on each of the slides. The extra drops of each of the pre-determined
reagent solution dispensed may be dispersed in order to evenly stain each of the
defined set of slides. In an embodiment, the processing unit 110 may dispense the
pre-configured amount of one of the pre-determined reagent solutions on each of the
defined set of slides. One of the pre-determined reagent solutions may be dispensed
on each of the defined set of slides from each of the plurality of nozzles. Further, at
every instance of rotation (e.g., of around 400 RPM) of the base section of the carrier,
one of the pre-determined reagent solutions may be dispensed on each of the defined
set of slides. In addition, before performing another round of rotation, a pre-configured
amount of another of the one of a pre-determined reagent solution is dispensed on
each of the slide. Further, the processing unit 110 may be configured to provide an
instruction to the carrier 104 to automatically clean the staining plate 106 upon
completion of the dispensing of the staining solution. In an embodiment, an air blower
connected at the top section of the apparatus 102 may be operated to rotate (e.g., at
approximate 250 RPM) and blow dry each of the number of slides before start and end
of the rotation of the staining plate 106.
[021] The memory 112 may store instructions that, when executed by the
processing unit 110, may cause the processing unit 110 to dispense the staining
solution in order to stain each of the number of slides. The memory 112 may also store
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instructions and records (e.g., the number of reagent solutions to be used for
dispensing, the number of slides defined to be held in the plurality of slide carrier slots,
spinning and waiting time of the base section, etc.) that may be captured, processed,
and/or required by the automatic slide stainer apparatus 102. The memory 112 may
be a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM),
Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically EPROM
(EEPROM) memory, etc.) or a volatile memory (e.g., Dynamic Random-Access
Memory (DRAM), Static Random-Access memory (SRAM), etc.).
[022] Referring now to FIG. 2, an automatic slide stainer apparatus 200 for
dispensing a staining solution for slide staining is illustrated, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment. In conjunction to FIG. 1, the automatic slide stainer apparatus
200 may correspond to the automatic slide stainer apparatus 102. The automatic slide
stainer apparatus 200 may include a carrier 208 and a processing unit 202. The carrier
208 may correspond to the carrier 104 and the processing unit 202 may correspond
to the processing unit 110. An interior section of the carrier 208 has been explained in
greater detail in conjunction to FIG.3. In an embodiment, the processing unit 202 may
be communicatively coupled to the carrier 208. The carrier 208 may include a staining
plate 210 attached at a base section and a staining lid 204 attached at a top section.
In reference to FIG. 1, the staining plate 210 may correspond to the staining plate 106
and the staining lid 204 may correspond to the staining lid 108. The staining plate 210
may include a plurality of slide carrier slots. The plurality of slide carrier slots may be
configured for holding a slide in each of the plurality of slide carrier slots. In addition,
the staining lid 204 may include a plurality of nozzles. In an embodiment, the plurality
of nozzles may correspond to a fixed number, for example, six, eight, and ten nozzles.
[023] Further, the automatic slide stainer apparatus 200 may have a plurality
of refill reagent solution containers 206 attached therewith. In reference to FIG. 1, the
plurality of refill reagent solution containers 206 may correspond to the reagent
solution containers 118. Each of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers 206
may include one of a reagent solution. The reagent solutions may include, but are not
limited to, Iodine, Methylene blue, Eosin Y, Safranin, Toluidene blue, Wright’s stain,
Leishman’s stain, Crystal Violet, Aceto-orcein, Sudan III, and so forth. Further, each
of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers 206 may be connected to each of
the plurality of nozzles present on the staining lid 204. Moreover, each of the plurality
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of refill reagent solution containers 206 may be secured to avoid evaporation and
contamination of each of the reagent solution present within the plurality of refill
reagent solution containers 206. The plurality of refill reagent solution containers 206
and their functionality has been explained in greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 4.
[024] Initially, the user or the operator (e.g., the technologist or the lab
technician) may place each of a number of slides on one of a plurality of slide carrier
slots of a staining plate 210 of the carrier 208. By way of an example, the staining
plate 210 may include a set of twenty-four slide carrier slots. As will be appreciated,
the user may select a number of slides that may be allowed to be placed in each of
the set of twenty-four slide carrier slots via the processing unit 202. For example, the
user or the operator may select a set of six slides, a set of twelve slides, or a set of
twenty-four slides to be placed on one of the set of twenty-four slide carrier slots based
on his requirement.
[025] In order to place each of the selected number of slides on one of the
plurality of slide carrier slots, the user or the operator may login in the automatic slide
stainer apparatus 200 using his login credentials (e.g., username and password).
Once the user is successfully logged in, the user may select the set of slides from the
number of slides based on his requirement, via the processing unit 202. The selected
set of slides may be placed in one of the plurality of slide carrier slots. In an
embodiment, the processing unit 202 may correspond to a touch screen display as
depicted in the FIG. 2. The processing unit 202 may also serve as a control panel and
may allow the user to select and adjust a plurality of operations to be performed. The
control panel may have controls such as physical buttons for controlling and modifying
various functions or programs to be performed.
[026] In one embodiment, once the set of slides are placed in respective slots,
the user may adjust a number of reagent solutions to be dispensed. Additionally, the
user may adjust spinning and waiting time of the base section for effective smearing
of the dispensed reagent solution on each of the selected set of slides. In another
embodiment, the user or the operator may select a program from a list of preprogrammed programs, via the processing unit 202, to stain each of the set of slides.
[027] Once the set of slides are placed in respective slots and the user has
adjusted the number of reagent solutions to be dispensed with a defined quantity and
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spinning and waiting time of the base section or a suitable program has been selected
from the list of pre-programmed programs and the top section of the carrier 104 is
securely closed onto the base section, the processing unit 202 may instruct the carrier
to rotate and adjust each of the set of slides such that each of the slide is positioned
directly beneath a nozzle in a horizontal direction. Once the each of the slides are
adjusted, the processing unit 202 may be configured to dispense the pre-configured
amount of the pre-determined reagent solution on each of the set of slides. The preconfigured amount of the pre-determined reagent solution may be dispensed on each
of the set of slides from each of the plurality of nozzles. In an embodiment, at an
instance of the rotation of the base section of the carrier, the pre-configured amount
of the pre-determined reagent solution may be dispensed on each of the set of slides.
[028] By way of an example, as programmed by the user and hence instructed
by the processing unit 202, during a first rotation of the base section of the carrier 208,
first reagent solution from a first refill reagent solution container of the plurality of
reagent solution containers 206 may be dispensed on each of the set of slides from
each of the plurality of nozzles. Once the first reagent solution is dispensed, a second
reagent solution from second refill container of the plurality of reagent solution
containers 206 may be dispensed on each of the set of slides from each of the plurality
of nozzles. This process of dispensing the reagent solution may continue until all
selected reagent solutions are dispensed on each of the set of slides or the instructions
from the processing unit 202 have been executed. Further, once the staining of each
of the set of slides is completed, the processing unit 202 may alert the user of the
automatic slide stainer 200 via an audible beep sound or through a visual alert such
as a red light.
[029] Further, the processing unit 202 may be configured to disperse extra
drops of each of the pre-determined reagent solution dispensed on each of the set of
slides. The extra drops of the reagent solution may be dispersed in order to evenly
stain each of the set of slides. Additionally, the processing unit 202 may be configured
to instruct the carrier 208 to automatically clean the staining plate 210 and the slide
carrier slots. The automatic cleaning supported by the automatic slide stainer 200 may
provide an advantage of minimizing manual efforts that may be required to clean the
staining plate 210 thereby reducing manual burden and saving time. In addition, an air
blower of the apparatus 102 may be operated to blow dry the slides at beginning and
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end of staining cycle of the apparatus 102 so as to achieve better quality of stained
slides.
[030] Referring now to FIG. 3, a staining plate 302 comprising a plurality of
slide carrier slots 304 and a staining lid 306 comprising a plurality of nozzles 308 is
illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The staining plate 302 may
be attached to the base section of the carrier 208 (not shown). The staining lid 306
may be attached to a top section of the carrier 208. With respect to FIG. 1, the staining
plate 302 may correspond to the staining plate 106. Additionally, the staining lid 306
may correspond to the staining lid 108.
[031] As depicted in the present FIG. 3, the staining plate 302 may include, for
example, a set of twenty-four slide carrier slots 304. Each of the set of twenty-four slide
carrier slots 304 may be configured to hold a slide. In an embodiment, the user or the
operator may be a technologist or a lab technician and may place a slide in each of
the carrier slots 304. By way of an example, the user or the operator may select a set
of six slides, a set of twelve slides, or the set of twenty-four slides depending upon his
requirement. In addition, the slides may be, for example, a smear slide.
[032] After defining or selecting the set of slides, the user may place each of
the set of slides in one of the set of twenty-four slide carrier slots 304. Once each of
the set of slides are placed, the user may securely close the staining lid 306 attached
to the top section of the carrier 208. Thereafter, in one embodiment, the user may
adjust the number of reagent solutions to be dispensed on each of the selected set of
slides. Additionally, the user may adjust spinning and waiting time of the base section
of the carrier 208. The adjusted spinning and waiting time of the base section may
provide effective smearing of the dispensed reagent solution on each of the set of
slides. In another embodiment, the user may select a program to control operation of
an automatic slide stainer so as to evenly stain each of the set of slides. The program
may adjust the number of reagent solutions to be dispensed and the spinning time and
waiting time of the base section.
[033] Once the user or the operator has adjusted the number of reagent
solutions and the spinning time and waiting time of the base section or has selected
an available program, the staining plate 302 may rotate such that each of the set of
slides held are adjusted directly beneath each of the plurality of nozzles in the
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horizontal direction. By way of an example and as depicted in the FIG. 3, the plurality
of nozzles may correspond to a set of six nozzles 308. Upon adjusting each of the set
of slides directly beneath each of the set of six nozzles 308, the set of six nozzles 308
may be configured to dispense a pre-configured amount of a pre-determined reagent
solution on each of the set of slides. In an embodiment, each of the set of six nozzles
308 may be configured to dispense the pre-configured amount of one of the predetermined reagent solution at one instance of the rotation of the base section
comprising the staining plate 302. In order to dispense the pre-configured amount of
one of the pre-determined reagent solution, each of the set of six nozzles 308 may
fetch the respective pre-determined reagent solution from one of the plurality of refill
containers.
[034] In an embodiment, each of the reagent solution and amount of each of
the reagent solution may be defined by the user or the operator. Moreover, each of
the reagent solution may be stored in one of the plurality of refill reagent solution
containers. Further, each of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers may be
connected to each of the set of six nozzles. Further, in some cases, without performing
an additional rotation operation, a different reagent solution than the one used
previously may be dispensed on each of the set of slides.
[035] Moreover, each of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers may
be secured to avoid evaporation and contamination of each of the reagent solution
present within the plurality of refill reagent solution containers. In an embodiment, the
user or the operator may easily remove and refill each of the plurality of reagent
solution containers based on his requirement.
[036] Once the pre-configured amount of each of the pre-determined reagent
solution is dropped on each of the set of slides, the staining plate 302 may dispense
extra drops of each of the pre-determined reagent solution from each of the set of
slides. The staining plate 302 may dispense the extra drops of each of the predetermined reagent solution in order to evenly stain each of the set of slides. Upon
completion of the staining of each of the set of slides, the user or the operator may
remove each of the set of evenly stained slides in order to perform further diagnosis.
In an embodiment, in order to alert the user about completion of the staining of each
of the set of slides, an audible beep sound may be generated. Additionally, the
staining plate 302 may be automatically cleaned upon completion of the dispensing of
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the staining solution required for evenly staining each of the set of slides. To facilitate
the same, an air blower of the apparatus 102 may be operated to blow dry the slides
at beginning and end of staining cycle of the apparatus 102 so as to achieve better
quality of stained slides.
[037] Referring now to FIG. 4, each of a plurality of refill reagent solution
containers 400 comprising a different reagent solution is illustrated, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment. In reference to FIG. 1, the plurality of refill reagent solution
containers 400 may correspond to the plurality of refill reagent solution containers 118.
As depicted in present FIG. 4, the plurality of refill reagent solution containers may
include a set of five refill reagent solution containers 400. It should be noted that,
number of refill reagent solution containers may not be restricted to five. In other
words, number of refill reagent solution containers may be increased or decreased as
per requirement of the user (also referred as the operator). Each of the set of five refill
reagent solution containers 400 may contain one of the reagent solutions. Examples
of reagent solution may include, but is not limited to, Iodine, Methylene blue, Eosin Y,
Safranin, Toluidene blue, Wright’s stain, Leishman’s stain, Crystal Violet, Acetoorcein, Sudan III, and other reagent solutions available commercially.
[038] By way of an example, first refill reagent solution container from the set
of five reagent solution containers 400 may include a first reagent solution, i.e., Iodine.
A second refill reagent solution container from the set of five reagent solution
containers 400 may include a second reagent solution, i.e., Methylene blue. A third
refill reagent solution container from the set of five reagent solution containers 400
may include a third reagent solution, i.e., Eosin Y. A fourth refill reagent solution
container from the set of five reagent solution containers 400 may include a fourth
reagent solution, i.e., Safranin. A fifth refill reagent solution container from the set of
five reagent solution containers 400 may include a fifth reagent solution, i.e., water.
The water may be obtained through a tap or may demineralized water (DM). The fifth
reagent solution, i.e., water may be used for cleaning of excess staining/buffer reagent
from the slides.
[039] In an embodiment, each of the set of five refill reagent solution containers
400 may be secured to avoid evaporation and contamination of each of the reagent
solution present within the set of five refill reagent solution containers 400. Further,
each of the set of five refill reagent solution containers 400 may be easily detached
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from the nozzle in order to refill the reagent solution. In an embodiment, the user may
refill the reagent solution containers 400 as per his requirement for performing staining
of the slides.
[040] In an embodiment, each of the set of five reagent solution containers 400
may be connected to each of the plurality of nozzles of the staining lid. Further, each
of the plurality of nozzles may fetch and dispense the pre-configured amount of one of
the pre-determined reagent solutions. By way of an example, the pre-determined
reagent solutions required for staining each of the number of slides may be present in
the set of reagent solution containers 400. Additionally, the pre-configured amount of
each of the set of five reagent solutions may be set for 5ml. Then, each of the plurality
of nozzles may dispense the pre-configured amount of each of the set of five reagent
solutions on each of the number of slides that needs to be stained. In an embodiment,
each of the plurality of nozzles may dispense the pre-configured amount of one of the
sets of five reagent solutions on each of the number of slides at one instance of rotation
of the base section, i.e., the staining plate of the carrier.
[041] In other words, initially, each of the plurality of nozzles may dispense 5ml
of the first reagent solution, i.e., the iodine, on each of the number of slides during first
rotation of the base section, i.e., the staining plate of the carrier. Once the first reagent
solution is dispensed on each of the number of slides, then, each of the plurality of
nozzles may dispense the second reagent solution, i.e., Methylene blue, on each of
the number of slides during second rotation instance of the base section comprising
the staining plate of the carrier. Similarly, dispensing of each of the set of five reagent
solutions may be done on each of the number of slides in order to complete the staining
process.
[042] In addition, the apparatus 102 may instruct the user to check for amount
of dispensing solution available in each of the reagent solution containers. This is done
to ensure that sufficient amount of dispensing solution is available to be used to
conduct smooth functioning of the apparatus 102. Further, the user may be instructed
to check emptying a waste container holding extra liquid dispersed from the slides.
[043] Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart for operation of an automatic slide
stainer apparatus for dispensing a reagent solution for slide staining is illustrated, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment. At step 502, an instruction may be
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provided by a processor related to a number of slides to be held in a plurality of slide
carrier slots of a staining plate. In other words, the staining plate may include the
plurality of slide carrier slots. Each of the plurality of slide carrier slots may be capable
to hold one of the number of slides. In an embodiment, the staining plate may be
attached at a base section of a carrier. Further, a staining lid may be attached at a top
section of the carrier. Moreover, the staining lid may include a plurality of nozzles. The
staining plate may correspond to the staining plate 106. The staining lid may
correspond to the staining lid 108. In an embodiment, each of the number of slides
may correspond to a smear slide.
[044] Further, each of the plurality of nozzles may be connected to each of a
plurality of refill reagent solution containers. In reference to FIG. 1, the plurality of refill
reagent solution containers may correspond to the reagent solution containers 118.
Moreover, each of the plurality of reagent solution containers may contain one of the
reagent solutions. Examples of reagent solutions may include, but is not limited to,
Iodine, Methylene blue, Eosin Y, Safranin, Toluidene blue, Wright’s stain, Leishman’s
stain, Crystal Violet, Aceto-orcein, Sudan III, and other reagent solutions available
commercially.
[045] . Additionally, each of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers
may be secured to avoid evaporation and contamination of the reagent solution
present within each of the plurality of refill reagent solution containers.
[046] Once each of the number of slides are held in one of the plurality of slide
carrier slots, at step 504, operation of each of the plurality of nozzles may be controlled.
The operations of each of the plurality of nozzles may be controlled in order to
dispense a pre-configured amount of a pre-determined reagent solution. In an
embodiment, a user (also referred as an operator) may determine at least one of the
reagent solutions and the pre-configured amount of at least one of the reagent solution
to be dispersed in order to evenly stain each of the slides as per his requirement. In
other words, the user may adjust the number of reagent solutions to be used for
staining the number of slides. Additionally, the user may adjust spinning and waiting
time of the base section. The spinning and waiting time of the based section may be
adjusted for effective smearing of the dispensed reagent solution on each of the
number of slides.
Docket No: IIP-MIS-P0075
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[047] Further, in order to dispense the pre-configured amount of the predetermined reagent solution, at step 506, the base section of the carrier may be
rotated. The base section of the carrier may be rotated upon receiving an instruction.
In an embodiment, the instructions may be provided by the user via a processing unit
communicatively coupled to the carrier. Upon receiving the instructions, each of a slide
of the number of slides to be held may be adjusted directly beneath each of the plurality
of nozzles in a horizontal direction. Once each of the number of slides are adjusted,
the pre-configured amount of the pre-determined reagent solution may be dispensed
on each of the number of slides. Moreover, the pre-configured amount of the predetermined reagent solution may be dispensed on each of the number of slides from
each of the plurality of nozzles.
[048] In an embodiment, at an instance of the rotation of the base section of
the carrier, the pre-configured amount of one of the pre-determined reagent solutions
is dispensed on each of the number of slides from each of the plurality of nozzles. In
other words, the pre-configured amount of one of the pre-determined reagent solutions
may be dispensed on each of the number of slides from each of the plurality of nozzles
during first rotation of the base section of carrier. Further, the pre-configured amount
of each of the pre-determined reagent solutions dispensed may evenly stain each of
the number of slides. In an embodiment, without performing an additional rotation
operation, a pre-configured amount of another of the one of a pre-determined reagent
solution is dispensed on each of the slide.
[049] Moreover, in order to evenly stain each of the number of slides extra
drops dispensed of each of the pre-determined reagent solutions may be dispersed.
Further, the processing unit 110 may instruct an air blower connected at the top section
of the apparatus 102 to operate and blow dry each of the number of slides before start
and end of the rotation of the staining plate 106.
[050] Once each of the number of slides are evenly stained, the user may
remove each of the number of slides. In an embodiment, upon completion of staining
of each of the number of slides an alert may be generated, e.g., an audible beep
sound. The alert may be generated in order to inform user that the staining of each of
the number of slides has been completed. Further, the staining plate may be
automatically cleaned upon completion of the dispensing of the staining solution (also
referred as the reagent solution) required for staining of each of the number of slides.
Docket No: IIP-MIS-P0075
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[051] Various embodiments provide an automatic slide stainer apparatus for
dispensing a staining solution. The automatic slide stainer apparatus may include a
carrier having a staining plate attached at a base section and a staining lid attached at
a top section. The staining plate may include a plurality of slide carrier slots for holding
a slide in each of the plurality of slide carrier slots. In addition, the staining lid may
include a plurality of nozzles. The automatic slide stainer may further include a
processing unit communicatively configured to the carrier to instruct a number of slides
to be held in the plurality of slide carrier slots of the staining plate. Moreover, the
processing unit communicatively configured to the carrier may control operation of
each of the plurality of nozzles for dispensing a pre-configured amount of a predetermined reagent solution. Additionally, the base section of the carrier may be
rotated upon receiving an instruction from the processing unit such that each of a slide
of the number of slides to be held are adjusted directly beneath each of the plurality of
nozzles in a horizontal direction, and the pre-configured amount of the pre-determined
reagent solution is dispensed on each of the slide from each of the plurality of nozzles.
The apparatus may be configured to operate for four or more different staining
programs through a user interface having editable fields. The programs may be, for
example, setting air blower running duration, spinning time during blow dry cycle,
quantity of reagent to be dispersed and amount of cleaning liquid to be used, waiting
time after dispensing of reagent on each of the slides, whether to drop off or keep the
dispensed reagent after completion of a dispensing cycle, spinning and blower to be
used for drying the slides after completion of rotating and dispensing steps.
001] The automatic slide stainer apparatus for slide staining may provide
some advantages like, the disclosed automatic slide stainer apparatus may improve
efficiency and quality of performance related to consistency of blood testing in a
laboratory. In addition, the disclosed automatic slide stainer apparatus may require
less hands-on time of technologists (e.g., lab technicians), thereby saving their time
and allowing them to use their time more productively. Further, the disclosed automatic
slide stainer apparatus may result in uniform staining of a slide irrespective of skill set
of technologists. In other words, the disclosed automatic slide stainer apparatus may
provide standardized high-quality slides with uniform staining. Additionally, the
disclosed automatic slide stainer apparatus may enable good control over usage of
chemicals/staining solutions (i.e., the reagent solution mixture) on the slides for blood
Docket No: IIP-MIS-P0075
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testing. Further, the disclosed automatic slide stainer apparatus may be an automated
system that may be programmed for performing varied operations in a laboratory.
Lastly, the disclosed automatic slide stainer apparatus may be placed in the laboratory
without disturbing the reagent solution procurement and inventory issue. As will be
appreciated, usage of the automatic slide stainer apparatus may not be limited to blood
testing and may be used for staining purposes of slides for testing of other liquid
substances.
[002] It will be appreciated that, for clarity purposes, the above description
has described embodiments of the invention with reference to different functional units
and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of
functionality between different functional units, processors or domains may be used
without detracting from the invention. For example, functionality illustrated to be
performed by separate processors or controllers may be performed by the same
processor or controller. Hence, references to specific functional units are only to be
seen as references to suitable means for providing the described functionality, rather
than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.
[003] Although the present invention has been described in connection with
some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein.
Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims. Additionally,
although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular
embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the
described embodiments may be combined in accordance with the invention.
[004] Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements
or process steps may be implemented by, for example, a single unit or processor.
Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these
may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does
not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. Also, the
inclusion of a feature in one category of claims does not imply a limitation to this
category, but rather the feature may be equally applicable to other claim categories,
as appropriate.

CLAIMS
I/WE CLAIM:
1. An automatic slide stainer apparatus (102) for slide staining, the apparatus (102)
comprising:
a carrier (104) having a staining plate (106) attached at a base section and a
staining lid (108) attached at a top section, the staining plate (106) comprising a
plurality of slide carrier slots and the staining lid (108) comprising a plurality of nozzles;
and
a processing unit (110), communicatively configured to the carrier (104), to
instruct a number of slides to be held in the plurality of slide carrier slots of the staining
plate (106), and control operation of each of the plurality of nozzles for dispensing a
pre-configured amount of a pre-determined reagent solution;
wherein the base section of the carrier (104) is rotated upon receiving an instruction
from the processing unit (110) such that a slide of the number of slides to be held is
adjusted directly beneath one of the plurality of nozzles in a horizontal direction, and
the pre-configured amount of the pre-determined reagent solution is dispensed on the
slide from one of the plurality of nozzles.
2. The automatic slide stainer apparatus (102) of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality
of nozzles is connected to at least one of a refill reagent solution container of a plurality
of refill reagent solution containers (118).
3. The automatic slide stainer apparatus (102) of claim 2, wherein the plurality of refill
reagent solution containers (118) is secured to avoid evaporation and contamination
of a reagent solution present within the plurality of refill reagent solution containers
(118).
Docket No: IIP-MIS-P0075
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4. The automatic slide stainer apparatus (102) of claim 1, wherein the processing unit
(110) is configured to adjust a number of reagent solutions to be used for dispensing,
and adjusting spinning and waiting time of the base section for effective smearing of
the dispensed reagent solution on each of the number of slides, and wherein the
processing unit (110) is configured to disperse extra drops of each of the reagent
solution dispensed on each of the number of slides to evenly stain each of the number
of slides.
5. The automatic slide stainer apparatus (102) of claim 1, wherein the processing unit
(110) is configured to instruct automatic cleaning of the staining plate (106) upon
completion of the dispensing of the reagent solution.
6. The automatic slide strainer apparatus (102) of claim 1, wherein the processing unit
(110) instructs an air blower connected at the top section of the apparatus (102) to
operate and blow dry each of the number of slides before start and end of the rotation
of the staining plate (106).
7. The automatic slide stainer apparatus (102) of claim 1, wherein upon rotation of the
base section of the carrier (104) at an instance, the pre-configured amount of one of
the pre-determined reagent solution is dispensed on each of the slide from each of the
plurality of nozzles, and wherein the pre-configured amount of another of the one of
the pre-determined reagent solution is dispensed on each of the slide subsequently.
8. A method (500) for slide staining using an automatic slide stainer apparatus, the
method (500) comprising:
instructing (502), by a processing unit (110) communicatively configured to a
carrier (104) of an automatic slide stainer apparatus (102), a number of slides to be
held in a plurality of slide carrier slots of a staining plate (106), wherein the staining
plate (106) is attached at a base section and a staining lid (108) is attached at a top
section of the carrier, and wherein the staining plate (106) comprises the plurality of
slide carrier slots and the staining lid (108) comprises a plurality of nozzles; and
Docket No: IIP-MIS-P0075
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controlling (504), by the processing unit (110), operation of each of the plurality
of nozzles for dispensing a pre-configured amount of a pre-determined reagent
solution, wherein the dispensing of the pre-configured amount of the pre-determined
reagent solution comprises rotating (506) the base section of the carrier (104) upon
receiving an instruction from the processing unit such that a slide of the number of
slides to be held is adjusted directly beneath one of the plurality of nozzles in a
horizontal direction, and the pre-configured amount of the pre-determined reagent
solution is dispensed on the slide from one of the plurality of nozzles.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the processing unit (110) is configured to adjust a
number of reagent solutions to be used for dispensing, and adjusting spinning and
waiting time of the base section for effective smearing of the dispensed reagent
solution on each of the number of slides, and wherein the processing unit (110) is
configured to disperse extra drops of each of the reagent solution dispensed on each
of the number of slides to evenly stain each of the number of slides.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the processing unit (110) is configured to instruct
automatic cleaning of the staining plate (106) upon completion of the dispensing of the
reagent solution.