Slideholders which are useful for manually processing tissue samples on microscope slides are described. These slideholders hold multiple slides and are designed in conjunction with specialized trays for rapidly processing the mounted tissue samples such as for immunocytochemical staining. The slideholder plus tray assemblies incorporate several useful advantages including a requirement for minimal reaction fluid volumes, ease of handling several slides concurrently, prevention of evaporation of reaction fluids, protection of the tissue from extraneous environmental contamination, and the ability to perform in situ PCR. Various aspects of the design aid in removing trapped air from the reaction fluids and in adding fluids to the tissue sample. One embodiment comprises a coverslip with a soft top which aids in prevention of tissue degradation by preventing pressure buildup during PCR. The system results in very low background signals and allows for manually processing manifold times the number of slides as is typically possible with other current manual methods.
A tissue graft holder comprising a tray having a plurality of compartments for supporting tissue grafts and a hydrating solution, a channel connecting each compartment to an edge of the tray. The tray is rotatably mounted to a support which in turn is adapted for attachment to an appendage of a user. A dissecting cutting board to accommodate the graft trays and maintain tissue hydration during graft dissection.
The slide staining device has a generally rectangular body which includes an upper rectangular frame and a lower rectangular frame. The upper rectangular frame and the lower rectangular frame are aligned and detachably connected together so that multiple microscope slides may be clamped therebetween for staining at the same time. Knobs with threaded bolts projecting therefrom fasten the upper and lower frames together. The lower rectangular frame includes a plurality of ridges to allow for liquid drainage during the washing stage of a staining procedure and a handle to facilitate manipulation of the device. The device of the present invention is designed to complement established and standard laboratory practice.
Microscope slides which are useful for manually or automatically processing biological samples are described. External controls may be placed directly on the microscope slide in conjunction with a biological sample to be assayed. The external controls can also be conveniently placed on a membrane which can be affixed to the slide.
A sample handler includes a plurality of sealable metering tips, each of the tips, when sealed, containing a fluid volume of a test fluid and in which each of the sealed metering tips acts as an auxiliary sample supply container for use with at least one chemistry system of a clinical analyzer.
A sample chamber is formed by a housing sealed against a microscope slide. The housing has fluid ports, including a well formed over at least one port. In a rinse station, rinse solution is drawn from a reservoir through the chamber to a waste reservoir. At a fill station, an aliquot of reagent already placed in the well is driven into the chamber. The reagent may be driven into the chamber by first drawing a vacuum on the chamber through the aliquot of reagent and then releasing the reagent to be drawn into the chamber by the vacuum.
