	US 11,668,726 B2
	Systems and methods for staining of biological samples
Andreas Drechsler, Baar (CH); Oliver Gutmann, Thalwil (CH); Melis Hazar, Tucson, AZ (US); Reto Huesser, Cham (CH); Raymond T. Kozikowski, III, Tucson, AZ (US); Daniel Mueller, Rotkreuz (CH); and Chris Steinert, Lucerne (CH)
Assigned to Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., Tucson, AZ (US); and Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., Tucson, AZ (US); and Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Apr. 18, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/388,797.
Application 16/388,797 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2017/076558, filed on Oct. 18, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/410,317, filed on Oct. 19, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2019/0242921 A1, Aug. 8, 2019
Int. Cl. G01N 35/10 (2006.01); G01N 1/31 (2006.01)

CPC G01N 35/1016 (2013.01) [G01N 1/312 (2013.01); G01N 35/1002 (2013.01); G01N 35/1009 (2013.01); G01N 35/1011 (2013.01); G01N 2001/317 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1041 (2013.01)]

35 Claims

1. An automated biological sample staining system, comprising

a. at least one microfluidic reagent applicator, wherein the at least one microfluidic reagent applicator is fluidically coupled to at least one reagent reservoir, wherein the at least one reagent reservoir is integrated within the at least one microfluid reagent applicator;

b. at least one bulk fluid applicator in fluidic communication with one or more refillable remote bulk reagent reservoirs;

c. at least one fluid aspirator;

d. at least one sample substrate holder;

e. at least one relative motion system; and

f. a control system that is programmed to execute at least one staining protocol on a sample mounted on a substrate that is held in the at least one sample substrate holder, wherein the control system controls the at least one microfluidic reagent applicator, the at least one bulk fluid applicator, the at least one fluid aspirator, the at least one sample substrate holder and the at least one relative motion system to execute individual steps of the at least one staining protocol.