Automated laser capture microdissection
View Patent ↗Systems and methods for automated laser capture microdissection are disclosed. High throughput microdissection is provided by using cell procurement and multi-imaging tools for pre-selecting cells of interest. Novel methods of computer-controlled cap transfer along with automated multi-slide and multi-cap placements, and automated slide and cap detection are provided. The systems and methods provide the advantages of increased speed and much lower rates of contamination.
1. An automated method of cap transfer in a laser microdissection instrument comprising:
providing a work surface comprising a stage for performing laser microdissection;
providing a cap transfer arm coupled to the work surface for removably engaging a laser microdissection cap;
providing a controller coupled to a memory for receiving and storing an information corresponding to one or more locations on the work surface; and
operating a movement of the cap transfer arm to place and remove a cap from one or more locations on the work surface.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a location on the work surface is a site on a slide for performing laser microdissection on a tissue sample.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a location on the work surface is a quality control inspection site.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein operating a movement of the cap transfer arm includes placing a cap with a transfer film on a tissue sample.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a Soquel sensor for sensing the presence of at least one of caps in the loading station, tissues slides, caps in the quality control station, and caps in the output station.