A system is capable of detecting substrates and can differentiate between zero, one, or multiple transparent or semi-transparent substrates in a stack. The system can include an optical sensor, an optically anti-reflective element, and a detector. The optical sensor outputs light towards the optically anti-reflective element. The light detector is positioned to detect light from the light source that is reflected by substrates, if any, positioned within a detection zone between the optically anti-reflective element and the detector.

The present invention relates to digital pathology. In order to provide an improved handling of probes in digital pathology, a slide-holder (10) for digital pathology is provided that comprises a tray basis (12), a plurality of mounting means (14) and a plurality of slide-holder registration points (16). The tray basis is configured to carry a plurality of slides (20) to be imaged by a digital pathology system, for which the tray basis provides a plurality of slide-receiving positions. The plurality of mounting means are arranged on the tray basis to mount the plurality of slides on the tray basis in a plurality of slide-receiving positions to image each slide in a separate imaging position. The slide-holder registration points comprise a plurality of interacting portions (22) that provide a mechanical registration of the tray basis with a digital pathology system for each of the imaging positions.

An automated analyzer for reagent cards having a leading end, a trailing end and a length between the leading end and the trailing end comprises a travel surface assembly having a card travel surface and an edge. A test analyzing mechanism is adjacent to the travel surface, and a waste receptacle is adjacent to the edge below the travel surface. The waste receptacle has a side and a waste cavity. A ramp member positioned below the travel surface has an end and a sloped surface, and is movable between an extended position where the sloped surface extends into the waste cavity, and a retracted position where the end is spaced from the side a distance greater than the length of the reagent card. A moving mechanism operably coupled with the ramp member is configured to move the ramp member between the extended position and the retracted position.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for transport and processing of sectioned biological samples. Preferred embodiments provide for use of a plurality of imaging and processing modalities to characterize sectioned tissue samples. Automated operation of the system provides for multimodal imaging and multistage processing to provide three-dimensional (3D) datasets for each sample.

Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.

An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

A microscope slide staining system has a chamber, a plurality of slide support elements, a plurality of spreading devices positionable in association with microscope slides supported on the slide support elements so the spreading devices define a gap between the spreading device and the microscope slide and so the spreading device and the microscope slide are movable relative to one another to spread at least one reagent on the microscope slide independent of the other spreading devices and microscope slides.

An apparatus attaches to a microscope slide to form an enclosed fluidic chamber with input and output ports, where a tissue or cell sample on the slide can be processed using techniques such as immunohistochemical staining. Flow of reagents within the chamber can be laminar and highly uniform across the sample surface to achieve staining that is free of gradients. The sample can be imaged prior to, during, or after any given processing step. Methods for staining and imaging a sample can be implemented through one or more rounds of labeling, label removal or erasure and imaging. Samples can be imaged many times to achieve very high multiplexing levels. Samples can be placed on an imaging apparatus at various times and removed from the imaging apparatus for certain steps.

The disclosure provides an apparatus for high throughput analysis of samples and a method of making an assay card and performing an assay using the apparatus. The apparatus can include a transporter to position and advance a first plate of the QMAX card, a first dispenser to deposit a sample on the first plate, a second dispenser to dispense a reagent to contact the sample, a press to compress the sample between the first and second plates of the QMAX card into a uniformly thick layer, and an imager to image the uniformly thick layer.