Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.

Donald Michael Barnett

Timothy Brett McDonald

Brian Howard Kram

Kevin David Marshall

Simon Jonathon Spence

Matthew Ketterer

Benjamin James

Timothy Durrant

Joshua David Kenneth Harrison

Luke Dyson-Holland

Daniel C Malberg

Michael James Thompson

Benjamin David Randall

John Douglas Willems, Jr

Robert Javier Cisneroz

Robert Bennett Singer

Jason Ruhl

Matthew Thurman

DuWayne Dennis Snyder

Joseph Leporini

Delroy Eccleston Clarke

John Charles Tessen

Christopher OHaire

William Eric Raves

Austin Micheil Ashby

Christine Tse

Chad Wilkinson

Timothy James Keller

John Willems

Daniel Christopher Malberg

Timothy Brett Mcdonald

William Raves

Duwayne Snyder

Bob Singer

Delroy Clarke

Michael Thompson

Chad A Wilkinson

John Tessen

Timothy Mcdonald

Christopher O'HAIRE

At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the scaling member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the scaling member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.

Specimen processing systems and methods for holding slides

Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. Aspects of the technology are directed, for example, to automated slide processing apparatuses capable of dispensing liquids onto microscope slides. Additional aspects of the technology are directed to methods of replacing a reagent pipette in automated slide processing apparatuses. The apparatus can include, for example, a reagent pipette assembly including a reagent pipette moveable between at least one loading position for obtaining reagent from a reagent container at a filling station and at least one dispense position. The apparatus can also include a retainer for releasably securing the reagent pipette. In some embodiments, the reagent pipette assembly includes a locking mechanism for transitioning the retainer from an open configuration for receiving a pipette and a closed configuration for securing a pipette, in e.g., an aligned position within the retainer.

Specimen processing systems, pipette assemblies and methods for preparing reagents

Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

Automated processing systems and methods of thermally processing microscope slides

At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.

Disclosed are specimen processing systems capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing systems comprise opposables having at least one fluid control element. The fluid control elements may be positioned between spacers or gapping elements the opposable edges. The fluid control elements may comprise an edge, such as a beveled edge or a stepped edge, as described herein, and the edge may be continuous or segmented.

Opposables incorporating fluid control elements and automated specimen processing systems

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Donald Michael Barnett