Devices and methods for providing and dispensing opposables onto slides are provided in which magazines loaded with opposables include retention arms to reduce movement of the opposables during shipment and processing and to reduce or eliminate contamination.

An image acquisition system includes a cassette mounting unit that holds slide glasses in a plurality of stages, a cassette having an identification code imparted thereto being mounted in the cassette mounting unit, an identification code reading unit that reads an identification code from the cassette, an image acquisition unit that acquires image data of a sample held on the slide glass, and a control computer that associates the image data with cassette identification information included in the identification code read by the identification code reading unit, wherein the cassette mounting unit includes a notch portion that exposes a bar code imparted to the cassette, and the identification code reading unit includes an imaging unit that images the identification code exposed from the notch portion in a reading position.

The present disclosure provides devices for processing, such as staining, a tissue sample on a microscope slide. In some embodiments, the tissue staining device described herein is capable of, e.g., automating, in whole or in part, a tissue staining protocol (including a chemical staining protocol and/or an immuno-based staining protocol) or a tissue dehydration protocol. Also provided in other aspects of the disclosure are components, methods of use, systems, and kits associated with the devices described herein.

The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for handling slides. The apparatus includes a carrier comprising a retention hole and a cartridge having a case coupled to one or more separators that together define a plurality of compartments each configured to accept the carrier. At least one of the separators comprises a guide hole, with all guide holes are disposed on a first axis. The retention hole of the carrier is aligned with the first axis when the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments. The cartridge also comprises a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.

A digital slide scanning apparatus includes a safety light curtain that operates to disable the motor that rotates the carousel when the presence of an object (e.g., the fingers of an operator) is detected within a predetermined area of the carousel. The light curtain also operates to disable the motor that rotates the carousel when an improperly positioned glass slide or slide rack is detected. The digital slide scanning apparatus also includes a multi-color status indicator for each rack slot that indicates the rack slot location of an improperly positioned glass slide or slide rack.

A fixed reference edge system that guides a glass slide from a slot of a slide rack onto a scanning stage and guides the glass slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. In an embodiment, the fixed reference edge has a first side that is parallel to a side of the slot of the slide rack. The system comprises an assembly that includes a push bar configured to push the slide from the slot onto the scanning stage, and a pull bar configured to pull the slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. When the slide is pulled into the slide rack, the long edge of the slide is pressed against the first side of the fixed reference edge to maintain a parallel orientation between the slide and the slot of the slide rack.

A slide rack clamp apparatus that secures a slide rack in a digital slide scanning apparatus. In an embodiment, the slide rack clamp apparatus includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp. Each clamp comprises one or more clamp projections, which are configured to engage one or more recesses in engagement surfaces of a plurality of different slide racks from different manufacturers. The lower clamp is driven by a motor along a linear axis to engage the lower clamp projections with the one or more slide rack recesses of the bottom surface of the slide rack. The motor drives the lower clamp and the engaged slide rack upward to engage the one or more slide rack recesses of the top surface of the slide rack with the clamp projections of the upper clamp to fully engage the slide rack between the upper clamp and the lower clamp.

An image acquisition system includes a cassette mounting unit that holds slide glasses in a plurality of stages, a cassette having an identification code imparted thereto being mounted in the cassette mounting unit, an identification code reading unit that reads an identification code from the cassette, an image acquisition unit that acquires image data of a sample held on the slide glass, and a control computer that associates the image data with cassette identification information included in the identification code read by the identification code reading unit, wherein the cassette mounting unit includes a notch portion that exposes a bar code imparted to the cassette, and the identification code reading unit includes an imaging unit that images the identification code exposed from the notch portion in a reading position.

An image acquisition device is an image acquisition device for acquiring an image of samples held on slide glasses and 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 distance sensor that measures a distance to the cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit and outputs a detection signal based on a measurement result, and an information generation unit that generates state information on a mounting state of the cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit on the basis of the detection signal.

A fixed reference edge system that guides a glass slide from a slot of a slide rack onto a scanning stage and guides the glass slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. In an embodiment, the fixed reference edge has a first side that is parallel to a side of the slot of the slide rack. The system comprises an assembly that includes a push bar configured to push the slide from the slot onto the scanning stage, and a pull bar configured to pull the slide from the scanning stage into the slot of the slide rack. When the slide is pulled into the slide rack, the long edge of the slide is pressed against the first side of the fixed reference edge to maintain a parallel orientation between the slide and the slot of the slide rack.