US 11,703,428 B2
Automated microdissection instrument and method for processing a biological sample
Thomas M. Baer, Mountain View, CA (US); Michael G. Youngquist, Palo Alto, CA (US); Brian W. Donovan, San Jose, CA (US); Alan E. Wessel, Mountain View, CA (US); Norbert H. Leclerc, Heidelberg (DE); Michael A. Smith, Carlsbad, CA (US); Craig S. Barker, San Carlos, CA (US); and George M. Dawson, Santa Clara, CA (US)
Assigned to Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/516,605.
Application 16/790,595 is a division of application No. 16/208,557, filed on Dec. 3, 2018, granted, now 10,605,706, issued on Mar. 31, 2020.
Application 16/208,557 is a division of application No. 15/434,200, filed on Feb. 16, 2017, granted, now 10,156,501, issued on Dec. 18, 2018.
Application 15/434,200 is a division of application No. 14/275,812, filed on May 12, 2014, abandoned.
Application 14/275,812 is a division of application No. 11/236,045, filed on Sep. 26, 2005, granted, now 8,722,357, issued on May 13, 2014.
Application 17/516,605 is a continuation of application No. 16/790,595, filed on Feb. 13, 2020, granted, now 11,175,203.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/664,438, filed on Mar. 23, 2005.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/613,038, filed on Sep. 25, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2022/0113229 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 1/28 (2006.01); G01B 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/2813 (2013.01) [G01B 11/002 (2013.01); G01N 2001/282 (2013.01); G01N 2001/284 (2013.01); Y10T 156/10 (2015.01); Y10T 156/1054 (2015.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for processing a biological sample using a laser microdissection instrument, comprising:
calibrating a capture laser to determine an optimal setting for wetting a transfer film mounted on a cap, said calibration comprising:
firing the capture laser at a selected test fire location on the cap;
recording intensity data of a test image at the selected test fire location; and
determining whether wetting of the transfer film at the selected location is optimal based on detecting a maximum intensity difference between adjacent pixels;
bringing the transfer film into juxtaposition with a targeted portion of biological material on a substrate;
directing the capture laser to fire at the targeted portion of biological material to form an area of adhesion between a wetted portion of the transfer film and the targeted portion of biological material; and
moving the cap away from the substrate, thereby removing the targeted portion of biological material with the cap.