Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.

Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.

Accelerate Giagnostics, Inc.

Kurt Reinhardt

William L Richards

Wayne A Showalter

Charles Daniel Lemme

Andrew Ghusson

Austin Micheil Ashby

Glen Ward

Devon C Campbell

Vince Rizzo

Miroslav Holubec

Kimberly Christensen

Parula Mehta

Kendall B Hendrick

Rick Griebel

Matthew Freeman

Chris Borchert

Brandon Ambler

Anthony Ford

Phillip Charles Halbert

Steven W Metzger

Kevin David Marshall

Matthew Ketterer

Solene Bourgeois

Paul Richards

Vincent R Rizzo

Matthew Mette

David Bryant

Josh Harrison

Oleg Gusyatin

Alena Shamsheyeva

Meghan Mensack

Ken Hance

Darin McDaniel

Ben Turng

Jasmin Cote

Kenneth Robert Hance

Landon Prisbrey

Dulini Gamage

Elke Allers

Carlos Michel

Mirek Holubec

Scott Taft

Samuel W Crouch

Solène Bourgeois

Devon Campbell

Vincent Rizzo

Wayne Showalter

An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

Automated high volume slide processing system

A system for automated microorganism identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing comprising a reagent cartridge, a reagent stage, a cassette, a cassette, stage, a pipettor assembly, an optical detection system, and a controller is disclosed. The system is designed to dynamically adjust motor idle torque to control heat load and employs a fast focus process for determining the true focus position of an individual microorganism. The system also may quantify the relative abundance of viable microorganisms in a sample using dynamic dilution, and facilitate growth of microorganisms in customized media for rapid, accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Instrument and system for rapid microorganism identification and antimicrobial agent susceptibility testing

A system for automated microorganism identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing comprising a reagent cartridge, a reagent stage, a cassette, a cassette, stage, a pipettor assembly, an optical detection system, and a controller is disclosed. The system is designed to dynamically adjust motor idle torque to control heat load and employs a fast focus process for determining the true focus position of an individual microorganism. The system also may quantify the relative abundance of viable microorganisms in a sample using dynamic dilution, and facilitate growth of microorganisms in customized media for rapid, accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Automated quality control test components and methods of their use are also disclosed.

Instrument and system for rapid microogranism identification and antimicrobial agent susceptibility testing

An automated slide processing apparatus includes a plurality of work stations arranged in a stack, and a transport/elevator for transporting slides between the various work stations.

Automated high volume slide staining system

Apparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multiple tissue samples mounted on slides are provided, in which the slides and reagent bottles are held in fixed position, and the reagent, wash and coverslipping solutions brought to the slides. Alternatively, the slides are held in fixed position, while the reagent, wash and coverslipping solutions brought to the slides.

Automated molecular pathology apparatus having fixed slide platforms

The invention is directed to a method of contacting a biological sample with a solution, comprising the steps of moving a curved surface wetted with the solution in proximity to the biological sample whereby the distance separating the wetted curved surface and the biological sample is sufficient to form a moving liquid meniscus layer between the two. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for contacting a biological sample suspected of containing a biomarker with a solution, comprising a platform for supporting a microscope slide having a biological sample thereon; a translating cap having a curved lower surface positioned above the platform, the curved lower surface being in proximity to a biological sample when in operation; means for moving the translating cap back and forth over the biological sample; and means for applying and removing liquid to and from the cap.

Method and apparatus for applying fluids to a biological sample

An apparatus and method for selecting and dispensing coverglasses over specimens on slides for the purpose of viewing specimens through a microscope. The selecting device contains a suctioning mechanism for picking up a coverglass from a stack of coverglasses. It also contains the ability to bend the coverglass to assist in separating the coverglasses. The apparatus further contains a matched barrier to eliminate any coverglasses that may stick to the selected coverglass. The selecting device also contains spring members which aid in the dispensing of the coverglass. After the suctioning mechanism releases the coverglass, the spring members exert a force onto the coverglass to insure that it is released from the selecting device and placed onto the slide. After placement of the coverglass onto the slide, capillary action pushes air bubbles out from underneath the coverglass.

Method and apparatus for automated coverslipping

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Kurt Reinhardt