Leica Biosystems Nussloch Gmbh

Bernhard Neef

Karl-Heinz Westerhoff

Simon Keimer

Karl-Heinrich Westerhoff

Christian Wilke

Markus Wittmann

Joachim Hoffmann

Midhat Hajrovic

The invention relates to a method in the preparation of samples for microscopic examination onto which a coverslip is applied. The method is notable for the fact that the coverslipping quality is checked automatically and at least partly optically. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method, and to an apparatus for checking the coverslipping quality of samples onto which a coverslip is applied.

Apparatus for checking the coverslipping quality of samples for microscopic examination

A treatment device () for treating histological or cytological samples has a plurality of containers () for different treatment agents and a detection apparatus () for detecting a code which unequivocally identifies a type of a treatment agent or a type of a group of treatment agents from a package or replacement container of a treatment agent or group of treatment agents. The device furthermore has an evaluation apparatus () that, based on a detected code, ascertains which of the containers is or are to be replenished or replaced, and an indicating apparatus () which communicates to a user the ascertained container () or containers () that is or are to be replenished or replaced. The indicating apparatus may include a display () presenting a schematic image of the plurality of containers () with image(s) of each ascertained container being marked, and/or a light source () that illuminates each ascertained container.

Treatment device for treating histological or cytological samples

Method in the preparation of samples for microscopic examination and for checking coverslipping quality

The present invention relates to a system () for handling slides, including a first and at least a second module-receiving area (through) for receiving at least one module () for handling slides each. The first module-receiving area () accommodates a coverslipper module () for coverslipping thin sections on slides with a mounting medium and a cover slip ().

System for handling slides having two coverslipper modules

The present invention relates to a system () for handling slides, including an input compartment () for inputting racks () and the slides held therein, and a coverslipper module () for coverslipping slides. The system () further includes an output compartment () for outputting racks (), a transport unit () for transporting the racks (), and a control unit () for controlling the transport unit (). The transport unit () is designed to be capable of transporting the racks () between the input compartment (), the coverslipper module () and the output compartment ().

System for handling slides having a linear transport mechanism for transporting the racks

The invention relates to a coverslipping module for mounting coverslips onto specimen slides () for microscopic investigations, having a transport apparatus () for transporting a specimen slide () out of a rack () or a specimen slide holder to a coverslipping position () in which the specimen slide () is equipped with a coverslip, and having an alignment device for aligning the specimen slide () in the coverslipping position () for mounting the coverslip. In order to allow the specimen slide () to be reliably and quickly aligned for mounting of the coverslips, thereby ensuring a high level of process dependability with a short processing time, the alignment device are constituted by multiple movable orientation jaws () which are arranged so that by closure of the orientation jaws (), the specimen slide () becomes aligned in the coverslipping position ().

Coverslipping module for mounting coverslips onto specimen slides

An apparatus () for handling specimen slides () has at least one coverslipping module () for coverslipping thin sections arranged on specimen slides (). The apparatus () further encompasses a drying unit () for extracting solvent from the mounting medium applied onto the specimen slides (). The drying unit () has an air delivery unit () for delivering an air flow to the specimen slides ().

Apparatus for handling specimen slides

An automated processing machine, in particular an automated coverslipper or an automated stainer used for processing samples placed on slides and having an output device for outputting slides that have been processed by the automated processing machine. The output device includes an extensible and retractable drawer unit. The drawer unit includes at least one receiving channel for receiving a plurality of holders for slides. Holders received in any position in the receiving channel can be removed therefrom when the output device is in the open position. The automated processing machine is designed such that holders intended for output are inserted into the at least one receiving channel.

Automated processing machine used for processing samples placed on slides and having an output device

An apparatus () for handling specimen slides () encompasses a coverslipping module () for coverslipping thin sections arranged on the specimen slides (), the coverslipping module () applying first a mounting medium and then a coverslipping means onto the specimen slides (). The apparatus () further has an output unit () for outputting the specimen slides (), which unit encompasses a drying unit () for at least partial extraction of at least one solvent from the applied mounting medium of the specimen slides () arranged in the output unit ().

Growing community of inventors

Nussloch, Germany

Bernhard Neef