System for staining and coverslipping specimen slides
View Patent ↗A system ( 100 ) for staining and coverslipping specimen slides comprises a first part (the stainer ( 1 )) and a second part (the coverslipper ( 20 )). A transport device ( 5 ), with which racks ( 4 ) carrying specimen slides are transferred directly from the stainer ( 1 ) into the coverslipper ( 20 ), is provided in the stainer ( 1 ).
1. A system ( 100 ) for staining and coverslipping specimen slides, said system comprising:
a stainer ( 1 ) including an individual housing ( 2 ) and a transport device ( 5 ) for handling racks ( 4 ) carrying specimen slides, wherein said housing ( 2 ) of said stainer ( 1 ) has a lateral opening ( 33 );
a coverslipper ( 20 ) including an individual housing ( 22 ), wherein said housing ( 22 ) of said coverslipper ( 20 ) also has a lateral opening ( 23 );
said stainer ( 1 ) and said coverslipper ( 20 ) being arranged such that said lateral openings ( 33 and 23 ) are located directly opposite one another; and wherein said housing ( 2 ) of said stainer ( 1 ) and said housing ( 22 ) of said coverslipper ( 20 ) include respective side walls ( 32 ) and ( 21 ) opposing one another, each of said side walls ( 32 and 21 ) having respective attachment elements ( 21 a and 34 ) thereon, wherein said attachment elements ( 21 a ) of said stainer ( 1 ) coact with said attachment elements ( 34 ) of said coverslipper ( 20 ).
2. The system ( 100 ) as defined in claim 1 , wherein said stainer ( 1 ) comprises at least one drawer ( 7 , 8 ) through which said racks ( 4 ) can be brought into or removed from said system ( 100 ).
3. The system ( 100 ) as defined in claim 1 , wherein said coverslipper ( 20 ) includes a first drawer ( 17 ) and a panel ( 18 ) through which a user gains access to an interior of said coverslipper ( 20 ).
4. The system ( 100 ) as defined in claim 1 , wherein said transport device ( 5 ) includes a robot arm ( 12 ).
5. The system ( 100 ) as defined in claim 1 , wherein said housing ( 2 , 22 ) of said stainer ( 1 ) and said coverslipper ( 20 ) each include a pivotable cover ( 6 , 25 ).
6. The system ( 100 ) as defined in claim 1 , wherein said housing ( 2 ) of said stainer ( 1 ) has a lateral opening ( 33 ) and said housing ( 22 ) of said coverslipper ( 20 ) also has a lateral opening ( 23 ), said stainer ( 1 ) and said coverslipper ( 20 ) being arranged such that said lateral openings ( 33 and 23 ) are located directly opposite one another.