Automated staining apparatus

Abstract

An automated microscope-slide-staining apparatus, having a supporting framework; an arm moveable in three dimensions attached to the framework; apparatus for moving the arm; a hollow tip head located on the arm; apparatus for alternatively supplying positive or negative gas pressure to the hollow tip head; a removable wash/blow tip having an exit slit, the wash/blow tip being adapted to be removably attached to the hollow tip head by a preselected movement of the arm; a wash/blow tip holder at a first fixed location on the framework; a reagent application tip holder at a second fixed location on the framework for holding a reagent application tip, the reagent application tip being adapted to be removably attached to the hollow tip head by a preselected movement of the arm; a reagent container holder at a third fixed location on the framework; a microscope slide holder at a fourth fixed location on the framework, the microscope slide holder being adapted to removably contain the microscope slide; and control apparatus for controlling movement of the arm between the locations, whereby the tip head picks up the wash/blow tip or the reagent application tip in response to movement of the arm under control of the control apparatus and moves to one or more of the locations to pick up a reagent in the reagent container or dispense the reagent on the slide or to dispense a gas through the wash/blow tip over the slide. Components of the apparatus and methods of staining are also part of the invention.