Load lock assemblies for a sample analysis system, such as a mass spectrometry system, include a load lock chamber having longitudinally opposing first and second end portions and a through channel, a door coupled to the second end portion, and a seal assembly coupled to the first end portion. The seal assembly includes a rigid seal housing member coupled to a housing of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member includes a port forming part of the first end portion of the through channel of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member can include a self-centering cartridge and/or a flexure member coupled to the housing of the load lock chamber. Where used, the flexure member has an outer perimeter that extends above and below the rigid seal housing member and includes an aperture that is aligned with the port of the rigid seal housing member.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for tracking and printing within a histology system. In some embodiments, a system is provided that includes an information reader configured to read identifying data associated with a tissue block, a microtome configured to cut one or more tissue sections from the tissue block, one or more slides for receiving the one or more tissue sections, and a printer configured to receive the identifying data and print, after the one or more tissue sections are cut from the tissue block, one or more labels for the one or more slides, the one or more labels comprising information associating the one more tissue sections on the one or more slides with the tissue block.

A sample imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging section for imaging a stained sample including a stained cell to generate a cell image relating to the stained cell included in the stained sample; and a staining abnormality detector for detecting an abnormality relating to staining of the stained sample on the basis of the cell image generated by the imaging section, is disclosed. A sample imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging section for imaging a stained sample to generate a cell image relating to a cell included in the stained sample; and an imaging abnormality detector for detecting an abnormality relating to the imaging section on the basis of the cell image generated by the imaging section, is also disclosed.

Systems and methods enable fully automated tissue processing using tissue processing components for producing tissue sections from a tissue sample block and to transfer the tissue sections to slides. A control device queries a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) with a sample identifier associated with the tissue sample block and receives tissue sample data from the LIMS. The control device generates tissue processing workflow parameters based on the tissue sample data for each tissue processing component to perform an automated tissue processing workflow. The control device automatically controls each tissue processing component according to the tissue processing workflow parameters to process the tissue sample block. The control device generates a block processing update message while the tissue sample block is processed and communicates the block processing update message to the LIMS to enable the LIMS to track the automated tissue processing workflow for the tissue sample block.

Assay systems including assay apparatus and handheld assay devices for use therewith for obtaining diagnostic information of a bodily specimen. Assay devices include a cartridge housing snugly accommodating a specimen slide intended for elevation from an initial lowermost specimen introduction position to a final uppermost specimen examination position in which a bodily specimen is compressed between a cartridge housing top face and a specimen slide. Assay devices preferably include a liquid reagent dispensing arrangement for dispensing liquid reagent on a specimen slide for reacting with a bodily specimen.

At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the scaling member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the scaling member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.

A system and method for mounting a section onto a substrate, the system comprising: a fluid channel including: a fluid channel inlet that receives the section, processed from a bulk embedded sample by a sample sectioning module positioned proximal the fluid channel inlet, a section-mounting region downstream of the fluid channel inlet, and a fluid channel outlet downstream of the section-mounting region; a reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid channel outlet; and a manifold, fluidly coupled to the reservoir, that delivers fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel inlet, thereby transmitting fluid flow that drives delivery of the section from the fluid channel inlet toward the section-mounting region.

An image acquisition device includes a cassette mounting unit in which a cassette is detachably mounted, the cassette holding the slide glasses in a plurality of stages in a predetermined arrangement direction, a light source that emits inspection light toward the cassette, a scanning unit that performs scanning with the inspection light in the arrangement direction, a light reflection unit that is disposed on the back surface side of the cassette and reflects the inspection light emitted from the light source, a light detection unit that detects reflected light including the inspection light reflected by at least one of the light reflection unit, the cassette, and the slide glass, and outputs a detection signal, and an information generation unit that generates holding information on a holding position and/or a holding state of the slide glass held in the cassette on the basis of the detection signal.

This disclosure is directed to system for transferring a substrate, such as a microscope slide, and holding the substrate within at least one device. The system includes a holder for holding the substrate and a gripper for transferring the substrate, such as between a cassette or stack and the holder. A method is also discussed herein.

An automated microscope slide staining system and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments or a pressurizable common chamber for individually and independently processing a plurality of microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually operable heating element.