WO2006099907A1

WO2006099907A1 - Device for handling and sorting microtomized tissue samples

Info

Publication number: WO2006099907A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/000650
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans L. Heid; Josè NOVOA
Original assignee: Microm International Gmbh
Priority date: 2005-03-19
Filing date: 2006-01-26
Publication date: 2006-09-28
Also published as: DE102005012745B3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for handling microtomized tissue samples (1), which are placed on a specimen holder (2) and are provided with a machine-readable code (3). A reading unit (4') serves to record the information of the code (3), and a controller (5) serves to convert the information for handling. The aim of the invention is to provide an automatic sorting device for a device of this type. To this end: a magazine (6) keeps a number of specimen holder baskets (7) ready, which serve a common treatment of microtomized tissue samples (1) and which have a number of compartments (8) for holding specimen holders (2); at least one drive (9, 10) serves to bring one of the specimen holder baskets (7) and a supply device (11) into a position relative to one another so that a specimen holder (2) can be brought into a free compartment (8), and; the controller (5) is designed in such a manner that, based on the information of the codes (3), it causes specimen holders (2), which are to be supplied to an identical treatment, to be brought into the same specimen holder baskets (7).

Description

DEVICE FOR HANDLING AND SORTING MICROTOMED TISSUE SAMPLES

description

The invention relates to a device for handling microtomized tissue samples, which are arranged on a slide and provided with a machine-readable code, wherein a reading device of the detection of the information of the code and a control of an implementation of the information for handling serve.

Such a device is known from DE 101 54 843 A1 and WO 00/62035. This document proposes to provide the slides for the application of a micrographic tissue sample with a code which can be assigned to the code of the associated non-microtome tissue sample and which contains all the essential information to control automated further processing and to permit evaluation and storage , Such post-cutting treatments, stretching and application of the sample to a slide are to dry and de-refine the sample on the slide. Thereafter, the samples must be stained so that the tissue structures are clearly visible under the microscope. After staining, cover the slide with a coverslip or other protective layer to protect the specimen from damage. If all tissue samples are standardized treated the same, they can simply go through the treatment procedure one after the other. In different treatments, the samples must go through different treatment stations, or be wetted with different reagents - which is usually the case in the dyeing. This can be done as a single treatment of each sample by automatically feeding each of them to a separate treatment path. However, since in particular the treatment with reagents for individual samples is uneconomical and expensive, the slides were previously according to their coding with an immediate or assignable treatment statement accordingly sorted the treatment to be performed in slide baskets, and then treated in an economical manner in larger quantities together. This sorting in slide baskets was previously done manually. This was relatively simple - though misallocations were not excluded - as long as the treatment to be undertaken was possible due to a directly readable codification on the slides. However, if the code is placed on the slides only in machine-readable form, or even the code information only in conjunction with other deposited information about the treatment to be provided information, the manual sorting in combination with machine information acquisition is difficult and more easily leads to misallocation ,

From DE 202004006265 Ul a device of the type mentioned is also known. This corresponds to the above-mentioned documents, starts from the former and adds the scholar there to a handling device, which fetches cassettes with not yet microtomized tissue samples from a magazine, transported to the microtome and returned to the making of the cuts back into the magazine. With regard to the handling of the slides with the microtomized tissue samples, however, this document does not contain any further teaching with respect to the above-mentioned prior art.

The subsequently published DE 103 42 264 A1 is based on the above-mentioned document and teaches another solution to the problem that the data of a cassette with a non-microtomized tissue sample are compared with the data on pre-printed slides to correctly assign the microtomized tissue samples.

From DE 100 52 834 Al it is known to provide for an assignment of the slide with the microtomized tissue samples to treatment programs this or the slide magazines with appropriate markers or a code with information. A sorting in this regard unsorted slides according to treatment criteria is not disclosed. The processing would have to be independent of the be carried out in sequence or it would have to be sorted manually.

DE 100 10 140 A1 likewise contains the last-mentioned teaching, but also the combination of several objects on a coded carrier is proposed, so that these objects can only be handled together. However, it is not disclosed how this summary should be made without error. After such a summary and common coding on a support, however, it is no longer possible, after a treatment, to separate the combined objects again, and then to re-sort them according to other criteria, such as an evaluation-oriented assignment to a specific patient.

The invention is therefore based on the object to make available for an apparatus of the type mentioned an automatic sorter.

The object is erfmdungs according solved in that a magazine holds several, each a common treatment of microtomized tissue samples serving slide baskets, each having a plurality of compartments for receiving slides that at least one drive serves to one of the slide baskets and a feeder into a to bring such relative position to each other that a slide can be brought into a free compartment, and that the controller is designed such that it causes the movement of slides to be supplied to a same treatment in the same slide baskets due to the information of the codes.

The term code is used here for the material information carrier, which can be designed as a label, chip, etc. The use of chips has the advantage that they not only keep readable data available but can also record further data which can then be retrieved at any time. By means of the invention, it is possible, by sorting, to automatically and independently summarize slides, regardless of their sequence, for a common treatment without the risk of assignment errors in larger numbers. This is particularly relevant because often tissue sections, so microtomized tissue samples that come from a tissue sample or from different tissue samples of a patient to be supplied to different treatments. For example, different staining methods of sections of identical tissue samples often serve to identify different things in the evaluation. Also different tissue samples of a patient, z. B. of different organs, often have to be treated differently. If one summarizes the same to be treated microtomized tissue samples of many patients, they can be treated the same way economically, z. B. be dipped together in a Reagenzie. The invention uses a machine-readable code in order to be able to automatically carry out the sorting on the basis of the code information, optionally with the aid of additional data, using the device mentioned.

On the one hand there is the possibility that the controller makes the movement of slides into certain slide baskets for a particular treatment due to an immediate information of the codes of the slides. An input device may also be provided on the controller by means of which the controller for the assignment of slides to a specific treatment is programmable directly or by means of a combination with information of the codes. The latter means that the control, for example for microtomized tissue samples of each patient, provides for a number of standard treatments or that a certain treatment is provided for the type of tissue, such as kidney tissue, which is deposited in the code. However, it is also possible that a central computer of a laboratory information system is provided with a central file. Then, the controller may perform the movement of the slides into certain slide baskets for particular treatments based on a combination of the information of the codes with a treatment instruction of the laboratory information system. The linking of the information of the codes with a treatment instruction of the laboratory information system can either be designed such that individual treatment instructions for individualized by their code slide in the laboratory information system are stored. These are special assignments that the system can not make automatically. The further possibility is that the laboratory information system contains standard treatment instructions which can be selected on the basis of certain criteria contained in the information of the codes, as has already been mentioned by way of example for the control and which can also be carried out by the central computer.

In the event that the controller carries out the determination of a slide for a particular treatment based on stored information itself, it is useful if this determination is stored in the laboratory information system.

In order later to retrieve a slide which undergoes a corresponding sorting and, for example, to re-sort it in an evaluation-oriented manner, it is expedient for the assignment of a slide to a specific slide basket and a specific pocket to be stored in a file separate from the code of the slide, preferably in FIG laboratory information system. It may also be useful if the slide basket carries a code for retrieval.

The codes of the slides can also be designed for an information input and an information recorder can be provided, which accomplishes this information input to the codes. In order to make this information input, the controller is then designed such that it deposits the determination of a slide for a particular treatment on the code before this slide is sorted into the corresponding slide basket.

The magazine is expediently designed such that it holds at least the number of slide baskets that are usually provided as treatment options in the further treatment. Appropriately, it should be the Magazine can accommodate so many slide baskets that every case occurring in practice can be handled. Then it is expedient to provide a drive for the selection of a treatment object to be assigned slide basket and a drive for the selection of a still fillable compartment. In this case, the controller is preferably designed such that it always controls the next empty compartment when filling a slide basket.

In order to complete the automation, a transport device for the removal of filled slide baskets can be provided on the magazine. Furthermore, a replenishment device for the replenishment of empty slide baskets can be provided. A further embodiment of the automation provides that a conveyor brings the slides of the delivery device, these come from a processing station, which is arranged upstream of the assignment of the slide to different treatments using the inventive device.

The following embodiments contain suggestions for a specific mechanism of the device, wherein the individual elements can also be designed differently.

A proposal provides that the feeding device has a Aufhahmetisch and means for positioning the slides and that in this position, at least one information transfer means, this may be a reader or an information writer, facing the code. The means for positioning may be a holding device, wherein the holding function can be canceled by means of a drive.

One proposal provides that the Aufhahmetisch is inclined at an angle α so that a slide slides after lifting the holding function in the selected compartment of a slide basket. Alternatively or additionally, conveying means may be provided which cause or support the sliding of the slide into the selected compartment of a slide basket. The assignment of the delivery device to the compartment of the slide basket in which the slide is to be moved, either by an adjusting device which acts on the feeder, can be brought about or it can be provided that the magazine corresponding adjusting devices are present. For the latter case, it is proposed that the magazine has a carrier on which the slide baskets are aligned so that the slides can slide from the feeder into the shelves, the carrier being guided by a first guide by means of the slide basket selection drive desired slide basket positioned to the feeder. Furthermore, the magazine may be equipped with a compartment selection drive which shifts the selected slide basket on a second tray selection guide.

The invention will be explained below with reference to an embodiment. Show it

1 shows an embodiment of the inventive device erfmdungs

2 the feeding device of this embodiment,

Fig. 3 is a section III-III through Fig. 2 and

Fig. 4 shows a possible operation of the device based on a

Flowcharts.

1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention with a delivery device 11, which delivers object carriers 2 to slide baskets 7, which are located in a magazine 6.

The device will be described with reference to the workflow, which is also listed by way of example in the flowchart shown in FIG. First comes from an upstream processing station 16 by means of a conveyor 15, a slide 2, on which a microtomized tissue sample 1 is arranged and the one machine-readable code 3 has. This is shown in Fig. 2 in more detail. The object carrier 2 reaches a receiving table 17 of the feed device 11 and is positioned there by means 18, for example a holding device 18 ', such that information transmission means 4 can carry out an information transfer 24 to the machine-readable code 3. In any case, a reading device 4 'must be present as an information transmission means 4, but an information recorder 4 "may additionally be provided, these information transmission means 4 being connected by means of a line 29 to a controller 5, which also has lines 29 with all the drives In addition, the controller 5 is connected to a central computer 12, which contains a laboratory information system with a central file.

After reading in the information of the code 3, a treatment instruction is either taken directly from this or an associated treatment instruction of the laboratory information system is retrieved on the basis of this code 3 or the laboratory information system determines a stored standard treatment on the basis of the data of the machine-readable code 3. These treatments are usually the dyeings to be made, as they must be different according to the tissue sample 1 and the evaluations to be made. Of course, this does not exclude that, if appropriate, other treatments are selected in this way and a corresponding sorting of the slides 2 is carried out.

When this selection is made, the controller 5 controls a slide carrier selection drive 9 and positions the slide basket 7, which is for the appropriate treatment, against the delivery device 11, this being done by placing a support 21 on a first guide 22 is moved. Thereafter, a tray selection drive 10 is started to select the next free tray 8. The compartments 8 are symbolically represented by arrows, the underlying compartments 8 are already filled with slides 2. The drive 10 moves the slide basket 7 on a second guide 23 until the next free compartment 8 is positioned for receiving the slide 2. In addition, the controller 5 Initially, an information recorder 4 "is set in motion which, by means of an information transmission 24, enters the specific treatment, if such a determination has been made, to the machine-readable code 3. Alternatively, this treatment can only be stored in the laboratory information system, which additionally receives the information about the selected slide basket 7 and the selected tray 8.

If this information is recorded, then the means 18 for positioning the slide 2 are brought out of its position of positioning. For details, reference is made in this regard to FIGS. 2 and 3. A drive 19, for example an electromagnet 19 'conveys by means of an adjusting movement 27 pivotable about an axis 26 holding device 18' from its drawn in Fig. 3 positioning position, so that the delivery of the slide 2 to the tray 8 is possible. This can be done by gravity or, as shown in this embodiment, additionally supported by conveying means 20 transport the slide 2 in the direction of the double arrow 25 down, therefore to the corresponding compartment 8 of the slide basket 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving table 17 is inclined at an angle α to exploit the gravity for the continuation of the slide 2, wherein the conveyor 20 shifts the receiving table 17 in the direction of the slide basket 7 and so the sliding of the slide 2 in a Tray 8 starts. Of course, for the delivery device 11, a different construction can be selected, for example, a slider that touches the slide 2 on its back and pushes into the tray 8. Then the Aufhahmetisch 17 may also be arranged horizontally.

In Figs. 2 and 3 are shown as a further detail of Aufhahmetisches 17 a shaped side elevation 28, which ensures that the slide 2 is passed exactly into the corresponding tray 8.

1 further shows a transport device 13, which serves to transport filled-in slide baskets 7 in order to pass on a corresponding further processing. Beitungsgerät, for example, a stainer, zuzuleiten. If filled slide baskets 7 are transported away, of course, empty slide baskets 7 have to be fed to the magazine 6. This is a replenishment device 14th

Fig. 4 shows a possible operation of the embodiment of the device according to the invention with reference to a flow chart. There are

30 Start with entry of a slide 2

31 information is read and checked if a staining instruction is given 32 decision

32 'Dyeing instruction available

32 "dyeing instruction not available

33 Determination of a staining procedure

34 Listing of the staining procedure on the code 3 of the slide 2 or in the file of the laboratory information system

A slide basket 7 for the corresponding coloring is brought into the receiving position to the feeding device 11

36 The next free tray 8 is brought to the pickup position to the feeder 11

37 The holding device 18 'is opened

The conveying means 20 spend the slide 2 in its compartment 8

39 Deposit of the classification of the slide 2 in the laboratory information system

40 return of the conveyor 20

41 closing the holding device 18 '

42 end

Of course, the illustrated embodiment of the device is only one way of implementing the invention. Alternatively, the device could as well be configured such as the delivery of photographs in a projection apparatus that works with photo magazines. Then, of course, always the corresponding magazine - this would be in the invention of the slide basket 7 - be positioned with the selected tray 8 to the feeder 11.

Device for handling microtomized tissue samples

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

tissue samples

Slide machine-readable code

Information transmission means 'reader' Information recorder

control

magazine

Obj ektträgerkörbe

subjects

Drive for slide basket selection 0 Drive for compartment selection 1 Zuführvorrichrung 2 central computer 3 transport device 4 replenishment device 5 conveyor 6 upstream processing station 7 Aufhahmetisch 8 means for positioning 8 'holding device Drive 'electromagnet

funding

Carrier first guide second guide

Double arrow: information transfer

Double arrow: Promote the slide

axis

Double arrow: adjusting movement of the holding device shaped side elevation

cables

Angle of inclination of the receiving table

Claims

Device for handling microtomized tissue samples Patent claims

1. A device for handling microtomized tissue samples (1), which are arranged on a slide (2) and provided with a machine-readable code (3), wherein a reader (4 ') of the detection of the information of the code (3) and a controller ( 5) of an implementation of the information for handling serve, characterized in that a magazine (6) holds several, each a common treatment of microtomized tissue samples (1) serving slide baskets (7), each having a plurality of compartments (8) for receiving Slides (2), that at least one drive (9, 10) serves to bring one of the slide baskets (7) and a feeding device (11) in such a relative position to each other that a slide (2) in a free compartment (8 ), and in that the controller (5) is designed such that, taking into account the information of the codes (3), the movement of slides (2) receiving the same treatment be fed, caused in the same slide baskets (7).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (5) carries out the movement of slides (2) in certain slide baskets (7) for a particular treatment due to an immediate information of the codes (3).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that an input device to the controller (5) is provided, by means of which the controller (5) for the assignment of slides (2) to a particular treatment directly or by means of a link with information of the codes (3) is programmable.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a central computer (12) of a laboratory information system is provided with a central file and that the controller (5) the movement of the slide (2) in certain slide baskets (7) for certain treatments due to a link the information of the codes (3) with a treatment instruction of the laboratory information system makes.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that individual treatment instructions for by their code (3) individualized slide (2) are stored in the laboratory information system.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the laboratory information system includes standard treatment instructions that are selectable due to certain in the information of the codes (3) contained criteria.

7. Device according to one of claims 4 or 6, characterized in that the controller (5) deposits the determination of a slide (2) for a specific treatment in the laboratory information system.

8. The device according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that the controller (5) the assignment of a slide (2) to a certain slide basket (7) and a specific compartment (8) in one of the code (3) of the slide (2 ) separated file.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the codes (3) of the slide (2) are designed for an information input and that an information recorder (4 ") is provided for this information input.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the controller (5) is designed such that it deposits the determination of a slide (2) for a particular treatment on the code (3).

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the magazine (6) holds at least the number of slide baskets (7), are usually provided as treatment options in the further treatment.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a drive (10) for the selection of a treatment associated slide carrier (7) and a drive (11) for the selection of a still fillable compartment (8) is provided.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the controller (5) is designed such that it always controls the next empty compartment (8) when filling a slide basket (7).

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that on the magazine (6) a transport device (13) for the removal of filled slide baskets (7) is provided.

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the magazine (6) is provided a replenishment device (14) for the replenishment empty slide baskets (7).

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a conveyor (15) the slide (2) of a processing station (16), which is the assignment of the slide (2) upstream of different treatments, the feed device (11 ).

17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the feed device (11) has a Aufhahmetisch (17) and means (18) for positioning the slide (2) and that in this position, at least one information transmission means (4) Facing code (3).

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the means (18) for positioning a holding device (18 '), wherein the holding function by means of a drive (19) can be canceled.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the Aufhahmetisch (17) is arranged inclined α at an angle such that a slide (2) slides after the lifting function in the selected compartment (8) of a slide basket (7).

20. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, characterized in that conveying means (20) cause or support the sliding of the slide (2) in the selected compartment (8) of a slide basket (7).

21. Apparatus according to claim 12 to 20, characterized in that the magazine (6) has a carrier (21) on which the slide baskets (7) are aligned such that the slides (2) of the feed device (11) in the The carrier (21) by means of a first guide (22) by means of the drive (9) for the slide basket selection, the desired slide basket (7) to the feed device (11) positioned and the drive (10) for the compartment selection the slide basket (7) on a second guide (23) for selecting the tray (8) moves.