US 12,066,364 B2
Automated staining system
Sergey Rozhok, Evanston, IL (US); Justin R. Derbas, Evanston, IL (US); Jarema Czarnecki, Evanston, IL (US); and Hariharan Subramanian, Evanston, IL (US)
Assigned to NanoCytomics, LLC, Evanston, IL (US); and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
Filed by NanoCytomics, LLC, Evanston, IL (US); and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/958,718.
Application 17/958,718 is a continuation of application No. 16/310,130, granted, now 11,460,383, previously published as PCT/US2017/037857, filed on Jun. 16, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0288300 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 1/30 (2006.01); B05C 3/02 (2006.01); B05C 3/08 (2006.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01); G01N 1/31 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/312 (2013.01) [B05C 3/02 (2013.01); B05C 3/08 (2013.01); G01N 1/28 (2013.01); G01N 1/30 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of preparing a sample for imaging, comprising:
staining the sample on a staining substrate in an apparatus comprising:
a staining chamber configured to receive the staining substrate, and
a plurality of reagent vessels containing liquid reagents,
wherein the staining chamber and the staining substrate create a staining reservoir that is closed and defined when placed in contact, wherein the staining reservoir comprises a first port for introducing a fluid into the staining reservoir or for removing the fluid from the staining reservoir and a second port for removing excess fluid or gas, and wherein the plurality of reagent vessels is configured to be in fluid communication with the first port and the staining reservoir by a first tubular line;
prior to the staining, using a shaker to mix a liquid reagent in its reagent vessel;
controlling, using a humidity sensor, humidity levels within an environmental chamber in the staining reservoir for at least a portion of the staining;
using a controller, electrically connected to the apparatus, to execute a programmed staining protocol to initiate the staining; and
subsequent to the staining, filtering back at least a portion of the liquid reagent in the staining reservoir to its reagent vessel.