US 12,228,483 B2
System and method for the automated preparation of biological samples
Martijn Xander Berntsen, Leeuwarden (NL); Martijn Kleefstra, Surhuisterveen (NL); Roger Petri, Assen (NL); and Tino Walter Van Der Zee, Wiuwert (NL)
Assigned to BD KIESTRA B.V., Drachten (NL)
Filed by BD KIESTRA B.V., Drachten (NL)
Filed on Apr. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/235,171.
Application 17/235,171 is a division of application No. 14/674,827, filed on Mar. 31, 2015, granted, now 11,016,007.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/973,551, filed on Apr. 1, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0239582 A1, Aug. 5, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 1/31 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/312 (2013.01) [G01N 35/00029 (2013.01); G01N 35/021 (2013.01); G01N 35/04 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00039 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00326 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00356 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00891 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0405 (2013.01); G01N 2035/041 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0424 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0427 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated sample preparation module comprising:
a receptacle cartridge having a plurality of compartments, each compartment configured as a slot that receives and supports a single slide inoculated with a sample;
a receptacle cartridge holder into which the receptacle cartridge is received, wherein the receptacle cartridge holder is fixed in position in a recessed compartment and includes a heater configured to heat slides carried into the receptacle cartridge holder by the receptacle cartridge;
an automated arm mechanism configured to move slides into and out of an individual compartment of the plurality of compartments in the receptacle cartridge; and
a reader positioned to read an identifier on at least one of the slides, wherein the arm mechanism comprises a body and a slide arm comprising a flat surface for receiving a slide thereon, the slide arm also being configured to move vertically to advance a slide into proximity with the reader wherein the arm mechanism further comprises a sensor positioned to detect a presence of at least one slide on the flat surface of the slide arm.