SAMPLE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD

1 . A method for staining of one or more samples, the method comprising:

providing one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to be inserted into an auto-staining instrument; and

enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for the one or more samples as a function of a choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving first identification data from a sample contained in one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles;

receiving staining procedure data from the self-contained sample processing receptacle; and

comparing the first identification data from the sample and the staining procedure data from the self-contained sample processing receptacle to confirm that the choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle is valid.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the receiving first identification data from a sample contained in one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles includes receiving identification data from the sample, the sample including one or more of a slide and/or physical medium configured to hold blood, tissue, and/or biological matter.

4 . The method of claim 2 wherein the receiving first identification data from a sample contained in one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles includes receiving the first identification data via one or more of a computer-readable color, hologram, bar code and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the receiving the first identification data via one or more of a computer-readable color, hologram, bar code and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes:

receiving the first identification data via reading a multi-dimensional bar code.

6 . The method of claim 2 wherein the receiving staining procedure data from the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes receiving the staining procedure data via one or more of a computer-readable color, hologram, bar code and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the receiving the staining procedure data via one or more of a computer-readable color, hologram, bar code and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes:

receiving the first staining procedure data via reading a multi-dimensional bar code.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the providing one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to be inserted into an auto-staining instrument includes:

providing one or more modules within the auto-staining instrument, each module operable to receive one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles and independently couple each self-contained sample processing receptacle to the auto-staining instrument.

9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the providing one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to be inserted into an auto-staining instrument includes:

providing within each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles a chamber adapted to receive and enclose at least one of the one or more samples, the chamber including a flexible membrane operable to agitate contents in the chamber.

10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the providing within each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles a chamber adapted to receive and enclose at least one of the one or more samples, the chamber including a flexible membrane operable to agitate contents in the chamber includes:

providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber.

11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber includes:

providing one or more channels disposed between at least one fluidic valve of the one or more fluidic valves and the chamber, at least one of the one or more channels configured to include a reagent bead.

12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the providing one or more channels disposed between at least one fluidic valve of the one or more fluidic valves and the chamber, at least one of the one or more channels configured to include a reagent bead includes:

providing the one or more channels to include the reagent bead, the one or more channels adapted to enable dissolving the reagent bead via one or more of agitating and/or pumping.

13 . The method of claim 10 wherein the providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber includes:

enabling performance of the one or more staining procedures via pumping a fluid through the chamber and through at least one of the one or more fluidic valves, the at least one of the one or more fluidic valves coupled to a magnetic element responsive to a magnetic field generator of the auto-staining instrument, the magnetic element actuating the at least one of the one or more fluidic valves.

14 . The method of claim 10 wherein the providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber includes:

enabling evacuation of at least a portion of contents of the chamber.

15 . The method of claim 10 wherein the providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber includes:

providing the one or more fluidic valves as peristaltic pumps and/or operable with one or more pumps associated with the auto-staining instrument.

16 . The method of claim 1 wherein the providing one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to be inserted into an auto-staining instrument includes:

providing within each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles a magnetic element coupled to a flexible membrane, the magnetic element responsive to a magnetic field generator disposed within one or more of the auto-staining instrument and/or a module disposed within the auto-staining instrument, the magnetic element adapted to cause agitation of the chamber using the flexible membrane when the magnetic field generator is activated, the magnetic field generator adapted to produce one or more magnetic fields that apply force to the magnetic element, whereby the flexible membrane responds.

17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the providing within each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles a magnetic element coupled to a flexible membrane, the magnetic element responsive to a magnetic field generator disposed within one or more of the auto-staining instrument and/or a module disposed within the auto-staining instrument, the magnetic element adapted to cause agitation of the chamber using the flexible membrane when the magnetic field generator is activated, the magnetic field generator adapted to produce one or more magnetic fields that apply force to the magnetic element, whereby the flexible membrane responds includes:

enabling the magnetic field generator and magnetic element to produce one or more magnetic fields that vary in frequency.

18 . The method of claim 16 wherein the providing within each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles a magnetic element coupled to a flexible membrane, the magnetic element responsive to a magnetic field generator disposed within one or more of the auto-staining instrument and/or a module disposed within the auto-staining instrument, the magnetic element adapted to cause agitation of the chamber using the flexible membrane when the magnetic field generator is activated, the magnetic field generator adapted to produce one or more magnetic fields that apply force to the magnetic element, whereby the flexible membrane responds includes:

providing the flexible membrane as an elastomer diaphragm.

19 . The method of claim 1 furthering comprising:

flushing at least one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles.

20 . The method of claim 21 , wherein said flushing includes using at least one of water, a neutralizing agent, and/or a sterilizing agent.

22 . The method of claim 1 wherein the providing one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to be inserted into an auto-staining instrument includes:

hermetically sealing at least one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles.

23 . The method of claim 1 wherein the enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for the one or more samples as a function of a choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes:

enabling a first staining procedure of the one or more staining procedures appropriate for a first of the one or more samples; and

enabling a second staining procedure of the one or more staining procedures appropriate for a second of the one or more samples.

24 . The method of claim 23 further comprising:

enabling the first staining procedure and at least a portion of the second staining procedure of the one or more staining procedures concurrently.

25 . The method of claim 1 wherein the enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for the one or more samples as a function of a choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes:

enabling the one or more staining procedures to include heating and/or cooling the one or more samples inserted in the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles.

26 . The method of claim 1 wherein the enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for the one or more samples as a function of a choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes:

enabling the one or more staining procedures via accessing a data structure associated with the auto-staining instrument, the data structure including the one or more staining procedures.

27 . The method of claim 26 wherein the enabling the one or more staining procedures via accessing a data structure associated with the auto-staining instrument, the data structure including the one or more staining procedures includes:

enabling the one or more staining procedures via accessing a data structure associated with the auto-staining instrument, the accessing the data structure including accessing a database.

28 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a processor;

providing a memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to include a plurality of one or more sample processing procedures; and

a sample processing component operably coupled to the processor, the sample processing component configured to receive data from the inserted self-contained sample processing receptacle via a computer readable identification.

29 . A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium configured to perform one or more acts for staining a sample, the one or more acts comprising:

one or more instructions for enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for one or more samples as a function of a choice of one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle;

one or more instructions for receiving first identification data from a sample contained in one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles;

one or more instructions for receiving staining procedure data from the self-contained sample processing receptacle; and

one or more instructions for comparing the first identification data from the sample and the staining procedure data from the self-contained sample processing receptacle to confirm that the choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle is valid.

30 . The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the one or more instructions for receiving first identification data from a sample contained in one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the first identification data via one or more of a computer-readable color, hologram, bar code and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

31 . The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the one or more instructions for receiving staining procedure data from the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the staining procedure data via one or more of a computer-readable color, hologram, bar code and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

32 . The computer program product of claim 29 further comprising:

one or more instructions for enabling communication between one or more modules and a computer system, each module operable to receive one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles and independently couple each self-contained sample processing receptacle to the auto-staining instrument.

33 . The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the one or more instructions for further comprises:

one or more instructions for enabling communication from each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, the communication identifying that a chamber within the self-contained sample processing receptacles has received and enclosed at least one of the one or more samples, the chamber including a flexible membrane operable to agitate contents in the chamber.

34 . The computer program product of claim 33 wherein the one or more instructions for enabling communication from each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, the communication identifying that a chamber within the self-contained sample processing receptacles has received and enclosed at least one of the one or more samples, the chamber including a flexible membrane operable to agitate contents in the chamber includes:

one or more instructions for providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber.

35 . The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the one or more instructions for providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber includes:

one or more instructions for operating one or more channels disposed between at least one fluidic valve of the one or more fluidic valves and the chamber, at least one of the one or more channels configured to include a reagent bead.

36 . The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the one or more instructions for wherein the one or more instructions for operating one or more channels disposed between at least one fluidic valve of the one or more fluidic valves and the chamber, at least one of the one or more channels configured to include a reagent bead includes:

one or more instructions for processing the one or more channels that include the reagent bead, the one or more channels adapted to enable dissolving the reagent bead via one or more of agitating and/or pumping; and

one or more instructions for enabling performance of the one or more staining procedures via pumping a fluid into the chamber through at least one of the one or more fluidic valves, the at least one of the one or more fluidic valves coupled to a magnetic element responsive to a magnetic field generator in the auto-staining instrument, the magnetic element actuating the at least one of the one or more fluidic valves.

37 . The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the one or more instructions for providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber includes:

one or more instructions for enabling evacuation of at least a portion of contents of the chamber.

38 . The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the one or more instructions for providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber includes:

one or more instructions for providing within each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles a magnetic element coupled to the flexible membrane, the magnetic element responsive to a magnetic field generator disposed within one or more of an auto-staining instrument and/or a module disposed within the auto-staining instrument, the magnetic element adapted to cause agitation of the chamber using the flexible membrane when the magnetic field generator is activated, the magnetic field generator adapted to produce one or more magnetic fields that apply force to the magnetic element, whereby the flexible membrane responds.

39 . The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the one or more instructions for providing one or more fluidic valves coupled to the chamber, the one or more fluidic valves enabling a pump to control flow of one or more fluids through the chamber includes:

one or more instructions for flushing at least one of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacle, the flushing including at least one of water, a neutralizing agent, and/or a sterilizing agent.

40 . The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the one or more instructions for enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for one or more samples as a function of a choice of one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes:

one or more instructions for enabling a first staining procedure of the one or more staining procedures appropriate for a first of the one or more samples; and

one or more instructions for enabling a second staining procedure of the one or more staining procedures appropriate for a second of the one or more samples.

41 . The computer program product of claim 40 further comprising:

one or more instructions for enabling the first staining procedure and at least a portion of the second staining procedure of the one or more staining procedures to occur concurrently.

42 . The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the one or more instructions for enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for one or more samples as a function of a choice of one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes:

one or more instructions for enabling the one or more staining procedures to include heating and/or cooling the one or more samples inserted in the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles.

43 . The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the one or more instructions for enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for one or more samples as a function of a choice of one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes:

one or more instructions for enabling the one or more staining procedures via accessing a data structure associated with the auto-staining instrument, the data structure including the one or more staining procedures.

44 . The computer program product of claim 34 wherein the one or more instructions for enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for one or more samples as a function of a choice of one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle includes:

one or more instructions for enabling the one or more staining procedures via accessing a data structure associated with the auto-staining instrument, the accessing the data structure including accessing a database.

45 . A system for automatic staining of one or more biological samples, the system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to include a plurality of one or more sample processing procedures; and

a sample processing component operably coupled to the processor, the sample processing component configured to receive a first self-contained sample processing receptacle, the first self-contained sample processing receptacle configured to hold at least one of the one or more biological samples, and the first self-contained sample processing receptacle configured to include a computer-readable identification indicating one of the plurality of one or more sample processing procedures to enable the sample processing component to compare the indicated one of the plurality of one or more sample processing procedures associated with each self-contained sample processing receptacle with a second computer-readable identification of an inserted sample.

46 . The system of claim 45 wherein the computer-readable identification provides data to enable a comparison of the second computer-readable identification from the inserted sample and the staining procedure data from the computer-readable identification of the self-contained sample processing receptacle to confirm that a choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle is valid.

47 . The system of claim 45 wherein the system is configured to be daisy chained to at least a second system, the second system comprising:

a second processor;

a second memory coupled to the processor, the second memory configured to include a plurality of one or more specimen processing protocols; and

a second sample processing component operably coupled to the second processor, the second sample processing component configured to receive a first or second self-contained sample processing receptacle, the first or second self-contained sample processing receptacle configured to hold at least one of the one or more biological samples, and the first or second self-contained sample processing receptacle configured to include a second computer-readable identification indicating one of the plurality of one or more sample processing procedures to enable the second sample processing component to monitor at least one of the one or more sample processing procedures.

48 . A self-contained biological sample processing receptacle comprising:

at least one chamber operable to receive a biological sample, the at least one chamber configured to enable one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for the biological sample, the chamber configured to self-contain a biological sample staining procedure to enable a choice of a particular self-contained biological sample processing receptacle to determine the biological sample staining procedure;

one or more valves coupled to the chamber, at least one of the valves operable to evacuate at least a portion of contents of the at least one chamber; and

one or more valve controllers, at least one of the one or more valve controllers coupled to a respective valve of the one or more valves.

49 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 48 further comprising:

a computer-readable identification coupled to the self-contained biological sample processing receptacle, the computer-readable identification configured to convey staining procedure data to enable one or more comparisons of biological sample data to staining procedure data to manage biological sample processing.

50 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 49 wherein the computer-readable identification includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

51 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 50 , wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

52 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 50 , wherein the RFID tag includes:

a processor; and

a memory medium coupled to the processor, the memory medium coupled to the processor and configured to be accessed by the processor, the memory medium configured to store identification information associated with the computer-readable identification.

53 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 48 wherein at least one valve controller of the plurality of valve controllers includes a magnetic switch responsive to a magnetic field to open and/or close a corresponding valve.

54 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 48 , further comprising at least one channel disposed between the chamber and one of the one or more valves, the at least one channel configured to retain a first reagent bead.

55 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 48 , further comprising a flexible membrane configured to agitate at least a portion of contents of the chamber.

56 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 48 , further comprising a flexible membrane configured to agitate at least a portion of contents of the chamber via a magnetic actuating element coupled to the flexible membrane.

57 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 56 , wherein the magnetic actuating element is operable to respond to an applied magnetic field, the applied magnetic field operable to change a shape of or move the flexible membrane.

58 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 56 , wherein the applied magnetic field provides one or more frequencies to move and/or change the flexible membrane shape for a predetermined period of time to agitate at least a portion of contents in the chamber.

59 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 56 , wherein the applied magnetic field provides one or more frequencies to move and/or change the flexible membrane shape for a predetermined period of time to enable mixing and/or dissolving and/or processing of the reagent bead retained in the at least one channel.

60 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 48 , wherein the self-contained biological sample processing receptacle is operable to interface with a temperature control device.

61 . The self-contained biological sample processing receptacle of claim 48 , wherein the self-contained biological sample processing receptacle is operable to interface with a thermo electric cooler.