WO2024143513A1 - 染色装置、コンピュータプログラム及び方法 - Google Patents

染色装置、コンピュータプログラム及び方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024143513A1
WO2024143513A1 PCT/JP2023/047126 JP2023047126W WO2024143513A1 WO 2024143513 A1 WO2024143513 A1 WO 2024143513A1 JP 2023047126 W JP2023047126 W JP 2023047126W WO 2024143513 A1 WO2024143513 A1 WO 2024143513A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nozzle
support member
type
pump
slide
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2023/047126
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
路達 楊
尾崎　弘明
孝 斉藤
誠 竹谷
正和 中島
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Carbgem Inc
Original Assignee
Carbgem Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carbgem Inc filed Critical Carbgem Inc
Priority to JP2024567963A priority Critical patent/JPWO2024143513A1/ja
Publication of WO2024143513A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024143513A1/ja
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/30—Staining; Impregnating ; Fixation; Dehydration; Multistep processes for preparing samples of tissue, cell or nucleic acid material and the like for analysis
    • G01N1/31—Apparatus therefor

Definitions

  • the technology disclosed in this application relates to a dyeing device, as well as a computer program and method used in connection with the dyeing device.
  • staining devices used for testing for bacterial infections and the like have been known.
  • one such staining device is one that automatically performs processes such as fixing and staining a specimen applied to a slide.
  • a staining device is known that is configured to support multiple slides on which a specimen has been applied with the top surface of each slide aligned vertically, and to spray a chemical solution or the like onto the multiple slides supported in this manner (Non-Patent Document 2).
  • Non-Patent Document 1 employs a method in which multiple slides are immersed together in a container containing a chemical solution, which can lead to problems with contamination, such as bacteria adhering to a specimen applied to one slide being mistakenly transferred to a specimen applied to another slide via the chemical solution. This problem becomes even more pronounced when the chemical solution stored in the container is used repeatedly.
  • Non-Patent Document 2 employs a method of supporting each slide with its top surface aligned vertically, so that the chemicals sprayed onto the slide move downwards due to gravity, making it difficult to distribute the chemicals evenly across the entire slide, and therefore difficult to evenly stain the specimen. Furthermore, the chemicals sprayed onto each slide move downwards due to gravity, creating the problem of an increased amount of chemicals required.
  • the technology disclosed in this application provides a dyeing device with improved performance, as well as a computer program and method for use in connection with the dyeing device, in order to at least partially address these issues.
  • the dyeing device can include "a box-shaped housing, a storage space provided inside the housing and surrounded by a number of walls, a support member housed in the storage space and extending along a substantially horizontal direction, for placing and supporting a plate-shaped slide, and at least one type of nozzle housed in the storage space and disposed above the support member facing the support member, each type of nozzle being arranged to eject a target liquid corresponding to the nozzle in a direction toward the support member.”
  • the computer program is used in association with a dyeing device including: a support member that is accommodated in a storage space provided inside a housing and that supports and places a slide thereon; at least one type of liquid nozzle that is accommodated in the storage space and that is provided above the support member and faces the support member, with each type of liquid nozzle being arranged to eject a target liquid corresponding to the liquid nozzle in a direction toward the support member; and at least one pump that supplies the target liquid to a corresponding type of liquid nozzle of the at least one type of liquid nozzle via a tube; and when executed by at least one processor that is mounted on the dyeing device and electrically connected to the at least one pump, the computer program can cause the at least one processor to function so as to operate one of the at least one pump at a set timing for a set time, thereby ejecting the target liquid from the liquid nozzle connected to the one of the pumps.
  • the method according to one embodiment can be described as "a method executed by at least one processor mounted on a staining device including: a support member that is accommodated in a storage space provided inside a housing and that supports and places a slide thereon; at least one type of liquid nozzle that is accommodated in the storage space and that is provided above the support member facing the support member, with each type of liquid nozzle being arranged to eject a target liquid corresponding to the liquid nozzle in a direction toward the support member; and at least one pump that supplies the target liquid via a tube to a corresponding type of liquid nozzle among the at least one type of liquid nozzle, and is electrically connected to the at least one pump, and includes operating any one of the at least one pump at a set timing for a set time to eject the target liquid from the liquid nozzle connected to any one of the pumps.”
  • the technology disclosed in this application makes it possible to provide a dyeing device with improved performance, as well as a computer program and method used in connection with this dyeing device.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a configuration of a staining device 1 according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view diagrammatically illustrating the configuration of the staining apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the staining apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the dyeing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 5 is a rear view diagrammatically illustrating the configuration of the staining apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 6 is a right side view showing a schematic configuration of the staining apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 7 is a left side view showing a schematic configuration of the staining apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG.
  • FIG. 8 is a top view diagrammatically illustrating an example of the configuration of each pump 302 included in the first pump section 300 of the dyeing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 9 is a top view diagrammatically illustrating an example of the configuration of the pump body 304 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 10 is a top view diagrammatically illustrating an example of the configuration of each pump 402 included in the second pump section 400 of the dyeing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 700 included in the staining apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 12 is a top view that shows a schematic configuration of the storage space 200 formed in the staining device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and a configuration related to the storage space 200. As shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the accommodation space 200 and the configuration related to the accommodation space shown in FIG. 12, taken along the line AA in FIG.
  • FIG. 14 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of the configuration of a support member 900 that is accommodated and disposed in the accommodation space 200 formed in the staining apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG.
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view that shows a schematic example of the configuration of the attachment unit 1000 that is accommodated and arranged in the accommodation space 200 formed in the staining apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of an operation executed by the staining device 1 shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 17 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of the configuration of the first nozzle and the second nozzle used in the dyeing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG.
  • FIG. 18 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of the configuration of the first nozzle 451a and the second nozzle 451b used in the staining apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG.
  • FIG. 19A is a photograph of an example of a flow path consolidation section inside an example cleaning device.
  • FIG. 19B is a photograph of an example of a flow path consolidation section inside an example cleaning device.
  • FIG. 19C is a photograph of an example of a flow path consolidation section inside an example cleaning device.
  • FIG. 19D is a photograph of an example of a flow path consolidation section inside an example cleaning device.
  • FIG. 19E is a schematic diagram of an example of an internal flow path consolidation section of an example cleaning device.
  • FIG. 20 is a photograph of an example of a mesh portion of an example cleaning device.
  • at least one type of reagent e.g
  • This section describes the configuration that the dyeing device according to one embodiment has to automatically perform such processing.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a dyeing device 1 according to one embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a schematic configuration of the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 6 is a right side view showing a schematic configuration of the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 7 is a left side view showing a schematic configuration of the dyeing device shown in FIG. 1.
  • the first pump section 300 can include at least one pump. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in a preferred embodiment, the first pump section 300 can include, for example, six pumps 302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e, and 302f (collectively referred to as "pumps 302").
  • the first pump section 300 can include, for example, six pumps 302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e, and 302f (collectively referred to as "pumps 302").
  • Each pump 302 operates in response to an electrical signal received from the processor 21, and can perform the operation of supplying a target liquid (target reagent) contained in a bottle or cartridge (not shown) that is associated with the pump 302 and provided outside or inside the housing 100, to at least one nozzle that is associated with the pump 302 and provided inside the storage space 200.
  • a target liquid target reagent
  • FIG. 8 is a top view showing a schematic example of the configuration of each pump 302 included in the first pump section 300 of the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 9 is a top view showing a schematic example of the configuration of the pump body 304 shown in FIG. 8.
  • One end 308a of the output tube 308, which includes multiple tubes, can be connected to the pump body 304.
  • the output tube 308 can include two other ends, i.e., a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d, by branching into, for example, two at a branching portion 308b provided midway through the output tube 308.
  • the first other end 308c and the second other end 308d can be connected to one nozzle and the other nozzle, respectively, of a plurality of nozzles (arranged inside the storage space 200 as described below) constituting a type of nozzle associated with this pump 302.
  • the pump body 304 can include a hollow housing 304a having an approximately circular cross-sectional shape overall, a rotating shaft 304b fixed inside the housing 304a, a roller 304c provided inside the housing 304a and rotatable around the rotating shaft 304b, and a pressure tube 304d connected at one end to the other end 306b of the input tube 306 and connected at the other end to one end 308a of the output tube 308, and provided inside the housing 304a so as to have an arc shape overall.
  • the roller 304c may include a central portion 304c1 having a circular shape and a plurality of (here, for example, three) protruding portions 304c2 provided on the outer periphery of the central portion 304c1 .
  • Each protruding portion 304c2 may be provided inside the housing 304a so as to press the pressed tube 304d arranged outside the protruding portion 304c2 against the inner wall of the housing 304a.
  • each protrusion 304c 2 can rotate (in a clockwise direction on the paper) while pressing the pressed tube 304d.
  • the roller 304c can transport the target liquid supplied from the other end 306b of the input tube 306 toward one end 308a of the output tube 308 via the pressed tube 304d.
  • the roller 304c can eject (drop) the target liquid from each nozzle attached to the first other end 308c and the second other end 308d of the output tube 308.
  • each pump 302 may be fixed to, for example, an installation area 104 on the upper surface 102 of the housing 100, recessed downward from the upper surface 102 and extending generally in a rectangular shape as a whole.
  • This installation area 104 may be surrounded, for example, by a bottom surface 104a and four side surfaces 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e adjacent to the bottom surface 104a and extending in a direction intersecting the bottom surface 104a.
  • the first pump 302a to the sixth pump 302f may be installed in the installation area 104.
  • the pump body 304 of each pump 302 may be fixed to the bottom surface 104a surrounding the installation area 104
  • the connection part 306c of each pump 302 may be fixed to penetrate the side surface 104c surrounding the installation area 104
  • the connection part 308e of each pump 302 may be fixed to penetrate the side surface 104b surrounding the installation area 104.
  • One end 306a of the input pipe 306 of each pump 302 may be inserted into a cartridge (not shown) that is arranged outside the housing 100 and is provided in correspondence with the pump 302.
  • the first other end 308c and the second other end 308d of the output pipe 308 of each pump 302 may be connected to two nozzles provided in the housing space 200 in correspondence with the pump 302, as described later, inside the housing 100.
  • Second pump section 400 1 the second pump section 400 may be disposed inside the housing 100, for example, between the accommodation space 200 and the first pump section 300.
  • the second pump section 400 may include at least one pump 402.
  • the second pump section 400 may include two pumps 402a, 402b.
  • Each pump 402 included in the second pump section 400 operates in response to an electrical signal received from a processor 21 included in the control section 700 described below, and can perform the operation of supplying the target gas (here, air) to at least one nozzle provided inside the storage space 200 in association with this pump 402.
  • a target gas here, air
  • FIG. 10 is a top view showing a schematic example of the configuration of each pump 402 included in the second pump section 400 of the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • each pump 402 is, for example, a DC air pump, and can include a pump body 404 and an output pipe 406 connected to the pump body 404.
  • One end 406a of the output tube 406 is connected to the pump body 404, and the other end 406b of the output tube 406 can be connected to a type of nozzle (positioned inside the storage space 200 as described below) associated with this pump 402.
  • the pump body 404 included in each pump 402 can, in response to receiving an electrical signal from the processor 21, eject the target gas (here, air) taken in from the outside through the output pipe 406 from a nozzle connected to the other end 406b of the output pipe 406.
  • target gas here, air
  • Each pump 402 may be constructed using any type of pump available on the market, so long as it is capable of ejecting the target gas (air) from at least one nozzle associated with the pump.
  • the display unit 500 is electrically connected to a processor 21 included in the control unit 700 described later, and is controlled by this processor to display various information related to the operation of the staining device 1.
  • the display unit 500 may be configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display device equipped with an LED backlight, but may be configured using any type of display available on the market.
  • the operation unit 600 may include a plurality of operation buttons (not shown). Each operation button may be electrically connected to a processor 21 included in the control unit 700 (described later). Each operation button may transmit an electrical signal to the processor in response to being pressed by a user (operator) of the staining device 1. In response to the electrical signal received from each operation button, the processor may control the operation of each unit (e.g., the first pump unit 300, the second pump unit 400, the display unit 500, etc.) in the staining device 1. This allows the user to control the operation of the staining device 1 through a pressing operation on the operation unit 600.
  • each unit e.g., the first pump unit 300, the second pump unit 400, the display unit 500, etc.
  • Control unit 700 may be a computer that controls each unit of the staining apparatus 1 (for example, the first pump unit 300, the second pump unit 400, the display unit 500, etc.).
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 700 included in the staining device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • the control unit 700 can include at least one processor 21, a main memory device 22, an input/output interface device 23, an input device 24, an auxiliary memory device 25, and an output device 26. These devices are connected to each other by a data bus and/or a control bus.
  • At least one processor 21 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and/or a graphics processing unit (GPU).
  • the processor 21 can perform operations on instructions and data stored in the main memory 22 and store the results of the operations in the main memory 22. Furthermore, the processor 21 can control the input device 24, the auxiliary memory device 25, the output device 26, etc. via the input/output interface device 23.
  • the main memory 22 is referred to as a "memory” and can store instructions and data received from the input device 24, the auxiliary memory 25, and the communication network 10 via the input/output interface device 23, as well as the results of calculations by the processor 21.
  • the main memory 22 can include, but is not limited to, computer-readable media such as volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), EEPROM, flash memory), and storage (e.g., hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), magnetic tape, optical media).
  • volatile memory e.g., registers, cache, random access memory (RAM)
  • non-volatile memory e.g., read-only memory (ROM), EEPROM, flash memory
  • storage e.g., hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), magnetic tape, optical media.
  • HDD hard disk drive
  • SSD solid-state drive
  • magnetic tape optical media
  • the communication network 10 may include, but is not limited to, a mobile telephone network, a wireless network, a landline telephone network, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and/or an Ethernet network.
  • the wireless network may include, for example, RF connections via Bluetooth, WiFi (such as IEEE 802.11a/b/n), WiMax, cellular, satellite, laser, and/or infrared.
  • the auxiliary storage device 25 is a storage device with a larger capacity than the main storage device 22.
  • the auxiliary storage device 25 can store specific applications for performing operations related to fixing, staining, mordanting, bleaching, and/or counterstaining, as well as instructions and data (computer programs) constituting an operating system, etc. Furthermore, the auxiliary storage device 25 can transmit these instructions and data (computer programs) to the main storage device 22 via the input/output interface device 23 by being controlled by the processor 21.
  • the auxiliary storage device 25 can include, without being limited to, a magnetic disk device and/or an optical disk device, etc.
  • the input device 24 is a device that inputs data from the outside, and may include, but is not limited to, a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a mouse, and/or a sensor. As an example, the input device 24 may include the operation unit 600 described above.
  • the output device 26 may include, but is not limited to, a pump device, a display device, a touch panel, and/or a printer device.
  • the output device 26 may include, for example, the first pump unit 300 (each pump 302 included therein), the second pump unit 400 (each pump 402 included therein), and the display unit 500, as described above.
  • the processor 21 executes a computer program stored in the main memory device 22 and/or the auxiliary memory device 25, thereby causing the dyeing apparatus 1 to execute operations related to fixing, dyeing, mordanting, bleaching, washing and/or counterstaining (including operations described below with reference to FIG. 16, etc.).
  • the processor 21 executes a computer program to operate a selected one of the pumps 302 and the pumps 402 at a set timing for a set time. This allows the selected pump to eject a target liquid or target gas prepared in association with the pump from a nozzle connected to the pump.
  • Leg portion 800 As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 to 7, the legs 800 are attached to the lower surface 106 of the housing 100 and may include a plurality of legs 800 (four in this example) that support the housing 100.
  • Each leg 800 may include a rod-shaped member 802 that is substantially columnar or cylindrical and extends vertically, and a substantially circular support plate 804 attached to the rod-shaped member 802.
  • One end (upper end) of the rod-shaped member 802 may be fixed to the lower surface 106 of the housing 100.
  • the other end (lower end) of the rod-shaped member 802 may be connected to the support plate 804.
  • the support plate 804 can be placed with its lower surface facing the ground.
  • the support plate 804 can include an adjustment member 806 having a through hole (not shown) on its upper surface.
  • the inner wall of this through hole can be formed with a female screw (or male screw) (not shown) that screws into a male screw (or female screw) (not shown) formed on the lower end of the rod-shaped member 802.
  • the support plate 804 can be connected to the lower end of the rod-shaped member 802 by inserting and screwing the lower end of the rod-shaped member 802 into this through hole.
  • the adjustment member 806 included in the support plate 804 can move away from the bottom surface 106 of the housing 100 by rotating clockwise (or counterclockwise) relative to the rod-shaped member 802, and can move toward the bottom surface 106 of the housing 100 by rotating counterclockwise (or clockwise) relative to the rod-shaped member 802.
  • a user of the dyeing device 1 can adjust the length of each leg 800 by rotating the adjustment member 806 (and the support plate 804) included in each leg 800 so that the angle that the support member 900 (upper surface 910) described below, which is housed in the storage space 200, makes with the horizontal plane is the desired angle.
  • Storage space 200 The storage space 200 provided inside the housing 100 may be a space in which a slide (not shown) on which a specimen has been applied is subjected to treatment such as fixing, staining, mordanting, decolorizing, washing, and/or counterstaining.
  • treatment such as fixing, staining, mordanting, decolorizing, washing, and/or counterstaining.
  • An example of the storage space 200 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, as well as Figs. 12 and 13.
  • FIG. 12 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the storage space 200 formed in the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and a configuration related to the storage space 200.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the storage space 200 and the configuration related to the storage space shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from the A-A cross section shown in FIG. 12.
  • the storage space 200 may be a space surrounded by a plurality of walls 204, for example, walls 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, and 204e.
  • the storage space 200 may include an opening 206 that connects the outside of the housing 100 to the inside of the storage space 200.
  • the opening 200 may have, for example, a rectangular shape.
  • the housing 100 may include a cover member 208 that is disposed opposite the opening 200 and is rotatable between a first position that covers the opening 200 and a second position that opens the opening 200.
  • a plurality of (here, two) hinges 210 may be attached between one end of the cover member 208 and the top surface 102 of the housing 100. These hinges 210 allow the cover member 208 to rotate around the rotation axis R between the first position that covers the opening 200 and the second position that opens the opening 200.
  • the cover member 208 is in the second position, the user can move a slide (not shown) through the opening 200 between the storage space 200 and the outside.
  • the housing 100 may include guides (not shown) on the top surface 102 thereof that cover each of a plurality of ends of the lid member 208 (e.g., the right end 208a and the left end 208b of the lid member 208 shown in FIG. 12) to guide the lid member 208 so that it can slide along direction D.
  • These guides allow the lid member 208 to move (slide) between a first position that covers the opening 200 and a second position that opens the opening 200.
  • the lid member 208 may be formed, for example, from transparent resin and/or glass, etc., so that the user can see the inside of the storage space 200 through the lid member 208.
  • a drain outlet 212 may be formed in, for example, wall 204a of the multiple wall surfaces 204 surrounding the storage space 200. This drain outlet is sequentially connected to a discharge pipe 108 fixed to the bottom surface 106 of the housing 100 outside the housing 100, a first silicone tube 110 attached to the discharge pipe 108, a tube connector 112 attached to the first silicone tube 110, and a second silicone tube 114 attached to the tube connector 112.
  • the target liquid (reagent and cleaning water) etc. that is discharged toward the slide in the storage space 200 and falls off the slide reaches the wall surface 204a surrounding the storage space 200, and is then quickly discharged outside the housing 100 via the discharge port 212, and then discharged to the desired location outside the housing 100 via the discharge pipe 108, the first silicone tube 110, the tube connector 112, and the second silicone tube 114.
  • Support member 900 arranged in accommodation space 200 The housing 100 may further include a support member 900 that is accommodated in the accommodation space 200 and places and supports a plate-shaped slide (not shown).
  • Fig. 14 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of the configuration of the support member 900 accommodated and disposed in the accommodation space 200 formed in the staining device 1 illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the support member 900 may be formed as a plate-like member.
  • the support member 900 may include a rear end 902 extending in the short direction, a front end 904 extending in the short direction and spaced apart from the rear end 902, a first side end 906 extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second side end 908 extending in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from the first side end 906.
  • the short direction and the longitudinal direction may intersect with each other (orthogonal in the example shown in FIG. 14).
  • the rear end 902 may be disposed opposite at least one type of nozzle, which will be described later, and the front end 904 may be disposed at a distance from the rear end 902 and at least one type of nozzle, which will be described later.
  • the support member 900 may include a substantially flat upper surface 910 for placing a slide (not shown).
  • the support member 900 may be arranged so that the upper surface 910 extends along a substantially horizontal direction.
  • the upper surface of a slide placed on the upper surface 910 of such a support member 900 may also extend along a substantially horizontal direction.
  • the upper and lower surfaces of the slide (not shown) used in the staining device 1 are each formed to be substantially flat and extend substantially parallel to each other.
  • the reagent In order to stain and/or decolorize a specimen applied to the top surface of a slide using a reagent, it is preferable for the reagent to be distributed evenly across the entire top surface of the slide. To achieve this, it is preferable for the angle that the top surface of the slide, i.e., the top surface 910 of the support member 900, makes with respect to the horizontal plane to be in the range of -2 degrees to 2 degrees.
  • any reagent that is pushed by the reagent in the center of the slide and reaches the edge of the slide will tend to remain on the top surface of the slide due to surface tension rather than falling off the slide. Having a large amount of reagent remaining on the top surface of the slide means that the reagent can be distributed evenly throughout the specimen applied to the slide.
  • the support member 900 is provided so that the angle that the top surface of the slide, i.e., the top surface 910 of the support member 900 makes with the horizontal plane is in the range of -2 degrees to 2 degrees.
  • the angle that the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 makes with respect to the horizontal plane being in the range of -2 degrees to 2 degrees includes (i) the angle that the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 makes with respect to the horizontal plane being in the range of 0 degrees to 2 degrees, and (ii) the angle that the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 makes with respect to the horizontal plane being in the range of 0 degrees to -2 degrees.
  • the above (i) may mean that the vertical position (height) of the front end 904 of the support member 900 is the same as the vertical position (height) of the rear end 902 or is lower than the vertical position (height) of the rear end 902 (i.e., the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 is in a forward-leaning position), and the angle that the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 makes with the horizontal plane is in the range of 0 degrees to 2 degrees.
  • the above (ii) may mean that the vertical position (height) of the front end 904 of the support member 900 is the same as the vertical position (height) of the rear end 902 or is higher than the vertical position (height) of the rear end 902 (i.e., the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 is in a rearward tilted position), and the angle that the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 makes with respect to the horizontal plane is in the range of 0 degrees to -2 degrees.
  • the support member 900 may include a plurality of through holes 914 that penetrate between the upper surface 910 and the lower surface 912 and allow the passage of reagents and/or water, etc.
  • through holes 914 By providing such through holes 914, reagents and/or water, etc. that have entered between the lower surface of the slide and the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 can easily fall through the through holes 914. This makes it possible to prevent the surface tension of the reagents and/or water, etc. that have accumulated between the lower surface of the slide and the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 from causing the reagents and/or water, etc. to flow down the lower surface and sides of the slide to the upper surface of the slide (backflow).
  • the support member 900 can also be fixed to a mounting unit 1000 (see FIG. 15) that supports at least one type of nozzle, described below, using fastening members (bolts and nuts, screws, etc.).
  • the support member 900 can include at least one fastening hole 916 (two in the example shown in FIG. 14) for passing such a fastening member through.
  • the support member 900 may include at least one claw portion 918 at each of the front end 904, the first side end 906, and the second side end 908 to hold or support a slide placed on the upper surface 910 of the support member 900.
  • the support member 900 may include, for example, two claw portions 918a at the front end 904, two claw portions 918b at the first side end 906, and two claw portions 918c at the second side end 908.
  • Each claw 918a provided on the front end 904 can be formed, for example, to have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape that extends downward from the upper surface 910 and then reaches above the upper surface 910.
  • Each claw 918b provided on the first side end 906 can be formed, for example, to have a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape that extends substantially parallel to the upper surface 910 and then reaches above the upper surface 910.
  • Each claw 918c provided on the second side end 908 can also be formed, similarly, to have a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape that extends substantially parallel to the upper surface 910 and then reaches above the upper surface 910. The portion of each claw 918 that faces the upper surface 910 can abut against the side of the slide (any side that intersects with the upper surface of the slide) to hold or support the slide.
  • At least one of the claws 918a, 918b, and 918c may be arranged such that its highest portion (i.e., the uppermost end 918a 1 , 918b 1 , and 918c 1 ) is located lower than the upper surface of the slide. If the highest portion (uppermost end) of any of the claws 918 is located higher than the upper surface of the slide (this case is also included in the technology disclosed in the present application), it is considered that the highest portion will come into contact with the reagent that is trying to remain on the upper surface of the slide due to surface tension at the edge of the upper surface of the slide, and such reagent will fall from the upper surface of the slide.
  • At least one of the claws 918 may be formed such that its uppermost end is located lower than the upper surface of the slide, as described above.
  • the support member 900 having such a configuration can be formed, for example, from a plate-shaped member made of iron, stainless steel, aluminum, and/or duralumin, using well-known techniques such as punching and/or bending.
  • the housing 100 may further include an attachment unit 1000 that is accommodated in the accommodation space 200 and holds or supports at least one type of nozzle.
  • Fig. 15 is a perspective view that shows a schematic example of the configuration of the attachment unit 1000 accommodated and arranged in the accommodation space 200 formed in the staining device 1 shown in Fig. 1.
  • the first pump section 300 may include six pumps 302 (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e, 302f) as at least one pump.
  • the second pump section 400 may include two pumps 402 (402a, 402b).
  • one type of nozzle may be arranged corresponding to each of the six pumps 302 included in the first pump section 300 (i.e., a total of six types of nozzles may be arranged), and two nozzles of the same type may be arranged corresponding to each of the two pumps 402 included in the second pump section 400 (i.e., a total of two nozzles of one type may be arranged).
  • a mounting unit 1000 as shown in FIG. 15 is stored.
  • the mounting unit 1000 may first include two support plates 1002 arranged opposite each other at a distance.
  • Each support plate 1002 may be formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section in which the main surface 1002a and the fixing surface 1002b intersect (e.g., are perpendicular to each other).
  • the fixing surface 1002b of each support plate 1002 is fixed to any one of the multiple wall surfaces 204 surrounding the storage space 200 (here, wall surface 204d; see FIGS. 12 and 13) by a fastening member. This allows the mounting unit 1000 to be fixed in the storage space 200.
  • the mounting unit 1000 may also include a connection plate 1002c that extends between the two main surfaces 1002a in a direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the main surfaces 1002a and connects the main surfaces 1002a.
  • the connection plate 1002c may preferably be arranged to extend along a horizontal plane (e.g., approximately parallel to the horizontal plane).
  • the support member 900 can be fixed to the connection plate 1002c. Specifically, when the connection plate 1002c and the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 are in contact with each other, a fastening member is fixed to both of them, thereby fixing the support member 900 to the connection plate 1002c.
  • the connection plate 1002c so that it extends approximately parallel to the horizontal plane
  • the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 can also be installed so that it extends approximately parallel to the horizontal plane.
  • the support member 900 can be directly fixed to the wall surface 204d using a fastening member so that the upper surface 910 is installed so that it extends approximately parallel to the horizontal plane.
  • the mounting unit 100 may include a first fixing plate 1004 disposed between two support plates 1002 and supported by the two support plates 1002, a second fixing plate 1006 disposed below the first fixing plate 1004 between the two support plates 1002 and supported by the two support plates 1002, a third fixing plate 1008 disposed below the second fixing plate 1006 between the two support plates 1002 and supported by the two support plates 1002, and a fourth fixing plate 1010 disposed below the third fixing plate 1008 between the two support plates 1002 and supported by the two support plates 1002.
  • the first fixing plate 1004 can have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape by including a main surface 1004a and two fixing surfaces 1004b (not shown) connected to both ends of the main surface 1004a and extending in a direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the main surface 1004a.
  • Each of the two fixing surfaces 1004b can be fixed to a corresponding one of the two support plates 1002 by a fastening member (not shown).
  • the main surface 1004a can extend along a direction intersecting a horizontal plane (e.g., along a vertical direction, i.e., approximately parallel to the wall surface 204d).
  • the main surface 1004a can be positioned at a position where an imaginary plane including the main surface 1004a and extending vertically downward intersects (e.g., perpendicular to) the upper surface 910 of the support member 900.
  • the second fixing plate 1006 can have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape by including a main surface 1006a and two fixing surfaces 1006b (not shown) connected to both ends of the main surface 1006a and extending in a direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the main surface 1006a.
  • Each of the two fixing surfaces 1006b can be fixed to a corresponding one of the two support plates 1002 by a fastening member (not shown).
  • the main surface 1006a can extend along a direction intersecting a horizontal plane (e.g., along a vertical direction, i.e., substantially parallel to the wall surface 204d).
  • the main surface 1006a may be disposed at a position where an imaginary plane including the main surface 1006a and extending vertically downward intersects (e.g., perpendicular to) the upper surface 910 of the support member 900. Furthermore, the main surface 1006a may be disposed at a position further away from the support member 900 (i.e., closer to the wall surface 204d) than the main surface 1004a of the first fixing plate 1004.
  • the third fixing plate 1008 can have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape by including a main surface 1008a and two fixing surfaces 1008b (not shown) connected to both ends of the main surface 1008a and extending in a direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the main surface 1008a.
  • Each of the two fixing surfaces 1008b can be fixed to a corresponding one of the two support plates 1002 by a fastening member (not shown).
  • the main surface 1008a can extend along a direction intersecting a horizontal plane (e.g., along a vertical direction, i.e., substantially parallel to the wall surface 204d).
  • the main surface 1008a may be disposed at a position where an imaginary plane including the main surface 1008a and extending vertically downward intersects (e.g., perpendicular to) the upper surface 910 of the support member 900. Furthermore, the main surface 1008a may be disposed at a position further away from the support member 900 (i.e., closer to the wall surface 204d) than the main surface 1006a of the second fixing plate 1006.
  • the fourth fixing plate 1010 can have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape by including a main surface 1010a and two fixing surfaces 1010b connected to both ends of the main surface 1010a and extending in a direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the main surface 1010a.
  • Each of the two fixing surfaces 1010b can be fixed to a corresponding one of the two support plates 1002 by a fastening member.
  • the main surface 1010a can extend along a horizontal plane (e.g., substantially parallel to the horizontal plane).
  • the main surface 1008a can be positioned further away from the support member 900 (i.e., closer to the wall surface 204d) than the main surface 1010a of the third fixing plate 1008.
  • a second type of nozzle (discharging crystal violet as the pre-staining liquid, which is the target liquid): includes a first nozzle 352a and a second nozzle 352b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see FIG. 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302e.
  • a third type of nozzle (discharging iodine as the target liquid, i.e., the mordant liquid): includes a first nozzle 353a and a second nozzle 353b respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302d.
  • - Fourth type of nozzle (discharging acetone ethanol as the target liquid, which is the decolorizing liquid): Includes a first nozzle 354a and a second nozzle 354b connected respectively to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302c.
  • - Fifth type of nozzle (discharging fuchsine as the target liquid, the post-staining liquid): Includes a first nozzle 355a and a second nozzle 355b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302b.
  • - Sixth type of nozzle (discharging cleaning water as the target liquid): Includes a first nozzle 356a and a second nozzle 356b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output pipe 308 included in the pump 302a.
  • - Seventh type (different type) nozzle (discharging air as the target gas): Includes a first nozzle 451a connected to the other end 406b (see Figure 10) of the output pipe 406 included in pump 402a, and a second nozzle 451b connected to the other end 406b (see Figure 10) of the output pipe 406 included in pump 402b.
  • first attention is focused on the first fixed plate 1004.
  • the first nozzle 351a and the second nozzle 351b included in the first type of nozzle, and the first nozzle 356a and the second nozzle 356b included in the sixth type of nozzle can be fixed to the main surface 1004a of the first fixed plate 1004.
  • Each nozzle 351a, 351b can be arranged so that the outlet for discharging the target liquid (e.g., methanol or ethanol) faces downward and faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon).
  • the output pipe 308 (see FIG. 8) connected to each nozzle 351a, 351b can be connected to the pump body 304 (see FIG. 8) installed in the installation area 104 (see FIG. 1) through a through hole provided in the wall surface 204d after wrapping around above the main surface 1004a.
  • the fixative e.g., methanol or ethanol
  • the fixative is a very sensitive reagent that is applied to the specimen to fix the specimen applied to the top surface of the slide to the slide. It is therefore important that the fixative is distributed more evenly over the entire top surface of the slide (entire specimen).
  • each nozzle 351a, 351b is not only sandwiched between them by a "reference surface” but is positioned as close to the reference surface as possible. This allows the fixative ejected from each nozzle 351a, 351b to fall near the "reference line L" on the top surface of the slide and move to the edge of the top surface of the slide, thereby distributing more evenly over the entire top surface of the slide.
  • first nozzle 356a and the second nozzle 356b included in the sixth type of nozzle may be fixed (e.g., glued) to the main surface 1004a of the first fixing plate 1004 so as to sandwich the "reference surface” and each of the nozzles 351a, 351b included in the first type of nozzle between these nozzles.
  • first nozzle 356a and the second nozzle 356b may be arranged so that the "reference surface" is located at approximately the same distance from these nozzles.
  • Each nozzle 356a, 356b can be positioned so that the outlet for discharging the target liquid (cleaning water) faces downward and faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon).
  • the output pipe 308 (see FIG. 8) connected to each nozzle 356a, 356b can be connected to the pump body 304 (see FIG. 8) installed in the installation area 104 (see FIG. 1) through a through hole provided in the wall surface 204d after wrapping around above the main surface 1004a.
  • the cleaning water is a reagent that is applied to the specimen fixed to the upper surface of the slide in order to wash away other reagents that have been dispensed onto the specimen. Therefore, compared to a fixative (e.g., ethanol or methanol), the cleaning water is not considered to be a particularly sensitive reagent. Therefore, it is not particularly necessary for each nozzle 356a, 356b to be positioned close to the reference surface. From this perspective, each nozzle 356a, 356b can be positioned so that each nozzle 351a, 351b included in the first type of nozzle is sandwiched between these nozzles, as described above.
  • a fixative e.g., ethanol or methanol
  • the main surface 1004a of the first fixed plate 1004 can be positioned closer to the support member 900 than any of the second fixed plate 1006, the third fixed plate 1008, and the fourth fixed plate 1010. This means that there is no obstructing object (other nozzles, etc.) between the outlets of each of the nozzles 351a, 351b and each of the nozzles 356a, 356b fixed to the main surface 1004a and the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (i.e., the upper surface of the slide) on the extension line of such outlets. Therefore, the target liquid ejected from each nozzle can fall directly onto the upper surface of the slide.
  • the first nozzle 353a and the second nozzle 353b included in the third type of nozzle, and the first nozzle 355a and the second nozzle 355b included in the fifth type of nozzle can be fixed to the main surface 1006a of the first fixed plate 1006.
  • the first nozzle 353a and the second nozzle 353b included in the third type of nozzle can be fixed (e.g., glued) to the main surface 1006a of the second fixing plate 1006 so that the "reference surface" is sandwiched between these nozzles.
  • Each nozzle 353a, 353b can be arranged so that the outlet for discharging the target liquid (e.g., iodine) faces downward and faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon).
  • the first nozzle 355a and the second nozzle 355b included in the fifth type of nozzle can be fixed (e.g., glued) to the main surface 1006a of the second fixed plate 1006 so that the "reference surface" is sandwiched between these nozzles.
  • Each nozzle 355a, 355b can be arranged so that the outlet for discharging the target liquid (e.g., fuchsine) faces downward and faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon).
  • one of the nozzles included in the third type of nozzles may be disposed between each of the nozzles 355a, 355b included in the fifth type of nozzles.
  • one of the nozzles included in the fifth type of nozzles may be disposed between each of the nozzles 353a, 353b included in the third type of nozzles.
  • each of the nozzles 353a, 353b included in the third type of nozzles and each of the nozzles 355a, 355b included in the fifth type of nozzles may be disposed such that any of the nozzles of the third type and any of the nozzles of the fifth type are alternately arranged from right to left (or left to right).
  • each nozzle 353a, 353b and each nozzle 355a, 355b can be positioned such that the "reference plane" is located at approximately the same distance from nozzle 353a and nozzle 355b, and/or the "reference plane” is located at approximately the same distance from nozzle 353b and nozzle 355a.
  • mordant e.g., iodine
  • post-stain e.g., fuchsine
  • any nozzle of the third type and any nozzle of the fifth type are arranged alternately from right to left (or left to right) as described above.
  • the output pipes 308 (see FIG. 8) connected to the nozzles 353a, 353b and the nozzles 355a, 355b can be connected to the pump body 304 (see FIG. 8) installed in the installation area 104 (see FIG. 1) through a through hole provided in the wall surface 204d after wrapping around above the main surface 1006a.
  • the main surface 1006a of the second fixed plate 1006 can be positioned closer to the support member 900 than either the third fixed plate 1008 or the fourth fixed plate 1010. This means that there is no obstructing object (other nozzles, etc.) between the outlets of each of the nozzles 353a, 353b and nozzles 355a, 355b fixed to the main surface 1006a and the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (i.e., the upper surface of the slide) on the extension line of such outlets. Therefore, the target liquid ejected from each nozzle can fall directly onto the upper surface of the slide.
  • the first nozzle 352a and the second nozzle 352b included in the second type of nozzle, and the first nozzle 354a and the second nozzle 354b included in the fourth type of nozzle can be fixed to the main surface 1008a of the third fixed plate 1008.
  • the first nozzle 354a and the second nozzle 354b included in the fourth type of nozzle can be fixed (e.g., glued) to the main surface 1008a of the third fixing plate 1008 so that the "reference surface” is sandwiched between these nozzles.
  • the first nozzle 354a and the second nozzle 354b can be arranged so that the "reference surface” is located at approximately the same distance from these nozzles.
  • Each nozzle 354a, 354b can be positioned so that the outlet for discharging the target liquid (e.g., acetone ethanol) faces downward and faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon).
  • the output pipe 308 (see FIG. 8) connected to each nozzle 354a, 354b can be connected to the pump body 304 (see FIG. 8) installed in the installation area 104 (see FIG. 1) through a through hole provided in the wall surface 204d after wrapping around above the main surface 1004a.
  • the destaining liquid e.g., acetone ethanol
  • the destaining liquid is a very sensitive reagent that is applied to the specimen fixed on the top surface of the slide in order to destain the specimen. It is therefore important that the destaining liquid is distributed more evenly over the entire top surface of the slide (entire specimen). To make this possible, it is preferable that each nozzle 354a, 354b is not only sandwiched between them by a "reference surface" but is positioned as close to the reference surface as possible.
  • first nozzle 352a and the second nozzle 352b included in the second type of nozzles can be fixed (e.g., glued) to the main surface 1008a of the third fixing plate 1008 so as to sandwich the "reference surface” and each of the nozzles 354a, 354b included in the fourth type of nozzles between these nozzles.
  • first nozzle 352a and the second nozzle 352b can be arranged so that the "reference surface" is located at approximately the same distance from these nozzles.
  • Each nozzle 352a, 352b can be arranged so that the outlet for discharging the target liquid (e.g., crystal violet) faces downward and faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon).
  • the output tube 308 (see FIG. 8) connected to each nozzle 352a, 352b can be connected to the pump body 304 (see FIG. 8) installed in the installation area 104 (see FIG. 1) through a through hole provided in the wall surface 204d after wrapping around above the main surface 1004a.
  • the pre-staining solution (e.g., crystal violet) is a reagent that is applied to the specimen fixed on the upper surface of the slide in order to stain the specimen. Therefore, the pre-staining solution is not a particularly sensitive reagent compared to the destaining solution. Therefore, it is not particularly necessary for each nozzle 352a, 352b to be positioned close to the reference surface. From this perspective, each nozzle 352a, 352b can be positioned so that each nozzle 354a, 354b included in the fourth type of nozzle is sandwiched between them, as described above.
  • the main surface 1008a of the third fixed plate 1008 can be positioned closer to the support member 900 than the fourth fixed plate 1010. This ensures that there are no obstructing objects (other nozzles, etc.) between the outlets of each of the nozzles 352a, 352b and nozzles 354a, 354b fixed to the main surface 1008a and the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (i.e., the upper surface of the slide) that is on the extension line of such outlets. Therefore, the target liquid ejected from each nozzle can fall directly onto the upper surface of the slide.
  • a first nozzle 451a and a second nozzle 451b included in the seventh type of nozzle may be fixed to the main surface 1010a of the fourth fixing plate 1010.
  • Each nozzle 451a, 451b may be used to eject air toward the upper surface of the slide (upper surface 910 of the support member 900) to dry the specimen fixed to the slide.
  • the first nozzle 451a and the second nozzle 451b can be fixed (e.g., glued) to the main surface 1010a of the fourth fixing plate 1010 so that the "reference surface” is sandwiched between these nozzles.
  • the first nozzle 451a and the second nozzle 451b can be arranged so that the "reference surface” is located at approximately the same distance from these nozzles.
  • Each nozzle 451a, 451b can be positioned so that the outlet for discharging the target gas (air) faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon).
  • the first nozzle 451a may be positioned so that the angle between a line virtually extending from its outlet (ideally along which the air moves) and the upper surface 910 of the support member (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon) is approximately 45 degrees.
  • the second nozzle 451b may be positioned so that the angle between a line virtually extending from its outlet (ideally along which the air moves) and the upper surface 910 of the support member (the upper surface of the slide placed thereon) is approximately 0 degrees to approximately 10 degrees.
  • the inner diameter of the outlet of the first nozzle 451a and/or the second nozzle 451b can be formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the tube located upstream of the outlet. This can increase the flow rate of the air discharged from the outlet. This allows such a nozzle to blow off reagents remaining on the top surface of the slide with less wind force.
  • the output pipes 406 (see FIG. 10) connected to each nozzle 451a, 451b can be connected to the pump body 404 (see FIG. 10) installed inside the housing 100 (see FIG. 1) through a through hole provided in the wall surface 204d after wrapping around above the main surface 1010a.
  • which type of nozzle is fixed to which fixing plate of the mounting unit 1000 is not limited to the method described above with reference to Fig. 15, but can be set by any method.
  • the following method can be used without being limited to this.
  • the first type of nozzles and the sixth type of nozzles are fixed to any one of the first fixed plate 1004 to the fourth fixed plate 1010.
  • the third type of nozzles and the fifth type of nozzles are fixed to any one of the remaining fixed plates among the first fixed plate 1004 to the fourth fixed plate 1010.
  • the second type of nozzles and the fourth type of nozzles are fixed to any one of the remaining fixed plates among the first fixed plate 1004 to the fourth fixed plate 1010.
  • a seventh type (another type) of nozzles is fixed to one remaining fixed plate among the first fixed plate 1004 to the fourth fixed plate 1010.
  • FIG. 17 is a perspective view that shows a schematic example of the configuration of the first nozzles and second nozzles used in the staining apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • the first nozzles and second nozzles will be collectively referred to as "nozzles 360.”
  • each nozzle 360 can include, for example, a main body portion 362 that extends generally in a generally L-shape, a flow path 364 that extends generally in a generally L-shape and passes through the inside of the main body portion 362, an outlet 366 formed at one end of the flow path 364, and an inlet 368 formed at the other end of the flow path 364.
  • the main body portion 362 may be formed from any material including, for example, resin, metal, and/or rubber.
  • the flow path 364 may be formed, for example, to have a substantially circular cross section from one end to the other end.
  • the outlet 366 and the inlet 368 may have, for example, a substantially circular cross section.
  • the outlet 366 and the inlet 368 may have, for example, an inner diameter of 0.7 mm and may have substantially the same cross-sectional area as the flow path 364.
  • the inlet 368 can be connected to the first other end 308c (or the second other end 308d) of the output pipe 308 included in the pump 302 shown in FIG. 8.
  • the nozzle 360 having such a configuration can be attached to the fixed plate by being inserted into a through hole provided in (the main surface of) the fixed plate corresponding to the nozzle 360 among the first fixed plate 1004 to the third fixed plate 1008.
  • the outlet 366 of the nozzle 360 attached to the fixed plate faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900, as described above.
  • Such a nozzle 360 can perform the following operation: receive the target liquid supplied from the corresponding pump 302 into the flow path 364 from the inlet 368, and discharge the target liquid received in the flow path 364 from the outlet 366 (allow the target liquid flowing into the flow path 364 to flow out from the outlet 366).
  • Nozzle 360 may be configured to include any material, size, and shape so long as it is capable of performing such operations.
  • first nozzle 451a and/or second nozzle 451b for ejecting air may include, for example, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 18.
  • FIG. 18 is a perspective view that shows a schematic example of the configuration of the first nozzle 451a and the second nozzle 451b used in the dyeing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • the first nozzle 451a and the second nozzle 451b will be collectively referred to as "nozzle 450.”
  • each nozzle 450 can include, for example, a main body portion 452 that extends generally in a straight line, a flow path 454 that extends generally in a straight line and passes through the inside of the main body portion 452, an outlet 456 formed at one end of the flow path 454, and an inlet 458 formed at the other end of the flow path 454.
  • the main body portion 452 may be formed from any material including, for example, resin, metal, and/or rubber.
  • the flow path 454 may be formed, for example, to have a substantially circular cross section from one end to the other end.
  • the outlet 456 and the inlet 458 may have, for example, a substantially circular cross section.
  • the outlet 456 and the inlet 458 may have, for example, an inner diameter of 2.2 mm and may have substantially the same cross-sectional area as the flow path 454 (or a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the flow path 454).
  • the other end 406b of the output pipe 406 included in the pump 402 shown in Figure 10 can be connected to the inlet 458.
  • the nozzle 450 having such a configuration can be attached to the fourth fixing plate 1010 (the main surface 1010a) using a fastening member and/or adhesive, etc.
  • the outlet 456 of the nozzle 450 attached to the fourth fixing plate faces the upper surface 910 of the support member 900, as described above.
  • Such a nozzle 450 can perform the following operations: receive the target gas (air) supplied from the corresponding pump 402 into the inside of the flow path 454 from the inlet 458, and discharge the target gas received inside the flow path 454 from the outlet 456 (allowing the target liquid flowing into the inside of the flow path 454 to flow out from the outlet 456).
  • Nozzle 450 may be configured to include any material, size, and shape so long as it is capable of performing such operations.
  • Fig. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation performed by the dyeing device 1 shown in Fig. 1.
  • the user may first perform the following advance preparations. The user may check, for example, using a spirit level, whether the staining device 1 (for example, the upper surface 102) is parallel to the horizontal plane. The user may adjust the length of each leg 800 using the adjustment members 806 included in each leg 800 attached to the lower surface of the housing 100, thereby adjusting the staining device 1 so that it is parallel to the horizontal plane. By performing such an adjustment, the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 forms a preset angle (for example, a preset angle between -2 degrees and 2 degrees) with respect to the horizontal plane.
  • a preset angle for example, a preset angle between -2 degrees and 2 degrees
  • the user can turn on the power of the staining device 1 by operating any one of a number of operation buttons provided on the operation unit 600. Furthermore, the user can move or rotate the lid member 208 covering the storage space 200 to the second position to open the lid member 208, and place the slide on which the sample has been applied onto the upper surface 910 of the support member 900 (see FIG. 14). After this, the user can move or rotate the lid member 208 to the first position to close the lid member 208.
  • the user can select a desired recipe from among multiple recipes (courses) prepared in the dyeing device 1 by operating any of the multiple buttons.
  • the above is an example of advance preparation.
  • step (hereinafter referred to as "ST") 1100 the user presses the "start button” included in the plurality of operation buttons, whereby the dyeing device 1 can start processing according to the recipe selected as described above.
  • the processor 21 can execute a computer program (including data related to the selected recipe) loaded into the main memory device 22.
  • the processor 21 executing the computer program can operate (turn on) the pump 302f for a set time (e.g., 5 seconds).
  • the pump 302f can supply the target liquid, methanol, to each of the nozzles 351a, 351b included in the first type of nozzle for the set time, thereby ejecting (dripping) methanol (one drop at a time) from each of the nozzles 351a, 351b.
  • the ethanol or methanol ejected from each of the nozzles 351a, 351b can fall onto the top surface of the slide placed below each nozzle, and spread at least to the edge of the top surface of the slide.
  • the processor 21 can wait for a set time (e.g., 60 seconds) without operating any of the pumps. This allows the slide to remain stationary and the process of fixing the bacteria (specimen) to the slide can be performed.
  • a set time e.g. 60 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) each of the pumps 402a, 402b for a set time (e.g., 30 seconds). This allows the pumps 402a, 402b to supply air, which is the target gas, to the nozzles 451a, 451b included in the seventh type (different type) of nozzles for the set time, thereby ejecting air from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b. As a result, the air ejected from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b is sent to the top surface of the slide placed opposite each nozzle, and the top surface of the slide is dried.
  • a set time e.g. 30 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) the pump 302e for a set time (e.g., 5 seconds). This allows the pump 302e to supply the target liquid, crystal violet, to each of the nozzles 352a, 352b included in the second type of nozzles for the set time, thereby ejecting (dripping) the crystal violet (one drop at a time) from each of the nozzles 352a, 352b. This allows the crystal violet ejected from each of the nozzles 352a, 352b to fall onto the top surface of the slide placed below each nozzle, and spread to at least the edge of the top surface of the slide.
  • a set time e.g., 5 seconds
  • the processor 21 can wait for a set time (e.g., 60 seconds) without operating any of the pumps. This allows the slide to remain stationary and promotes a staining reaction in the bacteria (specimen).
  • a set time e.g. 60 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) each of the pumps 402a, 402b for a set time (e.g., 10 seconds). This allows the pumps 402a, 402b to supply air, which is the target gas, to the nozzles 451a, 451b included in the seventh type (different type) of nozzles for the set time, thereby ejecting air from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b. As a result, the air ejected from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b is sent to the top surface of the slide placed opposite each nozzle, and the reagent (crystal violet) is removed from the top surface of the slide.
  • a set time e.g. 10 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) the pump 302d for a set time (e.g., 10 seconds).
  • a set time e.g. 10 seconds.
  • the pump 302d to supply iodine, which is the target liquid, to each of the nozzles 353a, 353b included in the third type of nozzles for the set time, thereby ejecting (dripping) iodine (one drop at a time) from each of the nozzles 353a, 353b.
  • the processor 21 can wait for a set time (e.g., 60 seconds) without operating any of the pumps. This allows the slide to remain stationary and promotes the mordanting reaction of the fungus (specimen).
  • a set time e.g. 60 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) the pump 302a for a set time (e.g., 5 seconds). This allows the pump 302a to supply the target liquid, cleaning water, to each of the nozzles 356a, 356b included in the sixth type of nozzle for the set time, thereby ejecting (dripping) the cleaning water (one drop at a time) from each of the nozzles 356a, 356b. As a result, the cleaning water ejected from each of the nozzles 356a, 356b falls onto the top surface of the slide placed below each nozzle, and can wash away any iodine remaining on the top surface of the slide.
  • a set time e.g., 5 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) each of the pumps 402a, 402b for a set time (e.g., 10 seconds). This allows the pumps 402a, 402b to supply air, which is the target gas, to the nozzles 451a, 451b included in the seventh type (different type) of nozzles for the set time, thereby ejecting air from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b. This allows the air ejected from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b to be sent to the top surface of the slide placed opposite each nozzle, and the reagent (cleaning water and/or iodine) is removed from the top surface of the slide.
  • a set time e.g. 10 seconds.
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) the pump 302c for a set time (e.g., 20 seconds).
  • the pump 302c can supply the target liquid, acetone ethanol, to each of the nozzles 354a, 354b included in the fourth type of nozzle for the set time, thereby ejecting (dripping) acetone ethanol (one drop at a time) from each of the nozzles 354a, 354b.
  • the acetone ethanol ejected from each of the nozzles 354a, 354b can fall onto the top surface of the slide placed below each nozzle and spread at least to the edge of the top surface of the slide.
  • the processor 21 can wait for a set time (e.g., 60 seconds) without operating any of the pumps.
  • the slide can be left stationary to promote the decolorization reaction of the bacteria (specimen).
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) the pump 302a for a set time (e.g., 10 seconds). This allows the pump 302a to supply the target liquid, cleaning water, to each of the nozzles 356a, 356b included in the sixth type of nozzle for the set time, thereby ejecting (dripping) the cleaning water (one drop at a time) from each of the nozzles 356a, 356b. As a result, the cleaning water ejected from each of the nozzles 356a, 356b falls onto the top surface of the slide placed below each nozzle, and can wash away the acetone ethanol remaining on the top surface of the slide.
  • a set time e.g. 10 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) each of the pumps 402a, 402b for a set time (e.g., 20 seconds). This allows the pumps 402a, 402b to supply air, which is the target gas, to the nozzles 451a, 451b included in the seventh type (different type) of nozzles for the set time, thereby ejecting air from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b. As a result, the air ejected from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b is sent to the top surface of the slide placed opposite each nozzle, and the reagent (cleaning water or acetone ethanol) is removed from the top surface of the slide.
  • a set time e.g. 20 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) the pump 302b for a set time (e.g., 10 seconds). This allows the pump 302b to supply the target liquid, fuchsine, to each of the nozzles 355a, 355b included in the fifth type of nozzle for the set time, thereby ejecting (dripping) fuchsine (one drop at a time) from each of the nozzles 355a, 355b. This allows the fuchsine ejected from each of the nozzles 355a, 355b to fall onto the top surface of the slide placed below each nozzle, and to spread at least to the edge of the top surface of the slide.
  • a set time e.g. 10 seconds
  • the processor 21 can wait for a set time (e.g., 120 seconds) without operating any of the pumps. This allows the slide to be left stationary to promote a counterstaining reaction of the bacteria (specimen).
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) the pump 302a for a set time (e.g., 5 seconds). This allows the pump 302a to supply the target liquid, cleaning water, to each of the nozzles 356a, 356b included in the sixth type of nozzle for the set time, thereby ejecting (dripping) the cleaning water (one drop at a time) from each of the nozzles 356a, 356b. As a result, the cleaning water ejected from each of the nozzles 356a, 356b falls onto the top surface of the slide placed below each nozzle, and can wash away any fuchsin remaining on the top surface of the slide.
  • a set time e.g., 5 seconds
  • the processor 21 can operate (turn on) each of the pumps 402a, 402b for a set time (e.g., 10 seconds).
  • a set time e.g. 10 seconds.
  • the pumps 402a, 402b to supply air, which is the target gas, to the nozzles 451a, 451b included in the seventh type (different type) of nozzles for the set time, thereby ejecting air from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b.
  • the air ejected from each of the nozzles 451a, 451b is sent to the top surface of the slide placed opposite each nozzle, and the reagent (cleaning water and/or fuchsin) is removed from the top surface of the slide.
  • the process ends in ST1136.
  • the process executed by the processor 21 and the like described above with reference to FIG. 16 is merely one example.
  • the processor 21 can execute a computer program to operate any one of the pumps selected from at least one prepared pump at a set timing for a set time. This allows the processor 21 to eject the target liquid or target gas corresponding to any one of the nozzles connected to the selected one of the pumps.
  • the processor 21 can change the time for which the pump is operated and/or the time for which none of the pumps are operated in each step, depending on the user's operation of the operation buttons, etc. Data storing such times can be stored in the main memory device 22 and/or the auxiliary memory device 25, etc., in association with each of the multiple recipes. The processor 21 can read out such data stored in association with each recipe at any timing, and operate the corresponding pump in accordance with such data.
  • the user can operate the operation unit 600 of the staining device 1 at any time to set the settings of at least one of the multiple recipes (courses) prepared in the staining device 1 as desired by the user. For example, in a certain recipe, the user can adjust the time to operate a pump associated with a nozzle that ejects a certain target liquid, the time to operate a pump associated with a nozzle that ejects a target gas, and/or the time to wait without operating any pump, as desired by the user.
  • the staining device 1 This allows the user to cause the staining device 1 to perform appropriate processing, such as staining, on the sample depending on the type of sample applied to the slide (urine, blood, sputum, etc.) and/or the condition of the sample applied to the slide (e.g., the thickness or mass of the sample, etc.).
  • the purpose of this experiment is to examine the effectiveness of the staining device 1 by comparing the results of staining standard strains performed by the staining device 1 with the results of staining standard strains performed by a human in accordance with a conventional method. Furthermore, the quality of Gram staining performed by the staining device 1 and by a human will be compared.
  • Gram staining is performed on three samples each of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which are standard strains of microbial specimens . Gram staining is performed using the staining device 1 and an existing technique by medical professional A, who has more than five years of experience in Gram staining techniques. The specimen is applied to a slide glass, and is usually fixed and dried according to the standard operating procedures at the participating research facility. Gram staining using the staining device 1 is performed according to the product specifications. Gram staining by a human is performed according to the Vermy method. A unique number for the specimen is written by researcher B on the slide glass to which the prepared specimen is applied, so that the examiner does not know the number.
  • specimen quality will be scored. Based on the microscopic examination, the examiner will assign a score of 0 to 3 points for each specimen based on the total number (0 to 3) of the following items (i) to (iii) that it satisfies: (i) The dyeing effect is uniform (there is no difference in the dyeing effect overall). (ii) The background is uniformly stained Gram-negative. (iii) Absence of artifacts.
  • each specimen is assigned a unique identification number (1 to 12) as shown in Table 1 below, and is assigned an S (Staphylococcus aureus) or E (Escherichia coli) depending on the contents of the specimen.
  • the staining effect of the staining device 1 is confirmed by having the staining device 1 actually perform Gram staining on a slide under the conditions that the target holder angles are -2 degrees, 0 degrees, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, and 5 degrees, respectively.
  • a holder angle of 0 degrees means that the holder (upper surface 910 of the support member 900) is parallel to the horizontal plane.
  • holder angles of 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, and 5 degrees respectively mean that the angles that the holder (upper surface 910 of the support member 900) makes with respect to the horizontal plane are 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, and 5 degrees.
  • these holder angles being greater than 0 mean that the position of the front end 904 of the support member 900 in the vertical direction is lower than the position of the rear end 902 in the vertical direction (the support member 900 is in a forward-leaning position).
  • a holder angle of -2 degrees means that the angle that the holder (upper surface 910 of the support member 900) makes with respect to the horizontal plane is -2 degrees.
  • a holder angle smaller than 0 means that the position of the front end 904 of the support member 900 in the vertical direction is higher than the position of the rear end 902 in the vertical direction (the support member 900 is in a backward tilted position).
  • the evaluation criteria for dyeing effect are as follows (i) to (iv). (i) Whether or not gram-positive bacteria are correctly stained purple. (ii) Whether or not the gram-negative bacteria are correctly stained pink. (iii) The presence or absence of over-decolorization (excessive decolorization causing gram-positive bacteria to stain gram-negative) or insufficient decolorization (gram-negative bacteria not being decolorized causing gram-positive staining). (iv) Whether the background is uniformly stained a pale pink color (if the staining is successful, the purple color of the background will be properly decolorized and stained a pale pink color).
  • the holder angle when the holder angle is in the range of ⁇ 2 degrees to +2 degrees, the dyeing performance of the dyeing device 1 is good.
  • the holder angle when the holder angle is 3 degrees or more, it is understood that the gram-negative bacteria are stained gram-negative due to insufficient decolorization of the gram-negative bacteria. This is thought to be due to the fact that the decolorizing solution does not remain stationary on the slide glass but flows down due to the large holder angle, which shortens the decolorization time and therefore results in insufficient decolorization.
  • the holder angle is in the range of -2 degrees to +2 degrees.
  • First type of nozzle (discharging methanol or ethanol as the target liquid, which is the fixing liquid): Includes a first nozzle 351a and a second nozzle 351b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see FIG. 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302f.
  • a second type of nozzle (discharging crystal violet as the pre-staining liquid, which is the target liquid): includes a first nozzle 352a and a second nozzle 352b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see FIG. 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302e.
  • a third type of nozzle (discharging iodine as the target liquid, i.e., the mordant liquid): includes a first nozzle 353a and a second nozzle 353b respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302d.
  • - Fourth type of nozzle (discharging acetone ethanol as the target liquid, which is the decolorizing liquid): Includes a first nozzle 354a and a second nozzle 354b connected respectively to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302c.
  • - Fifth type of nozzle (discharging fuchsine as the target liquid, the post-staining liquid): Includes a first nozzle 355a and a second nozzle 355b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302b.
  • - Sixth type of nozzle (discharging cleaning water as the target liquid): Includes a first nozzle 356a and a second nozzle 356b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output pipe 308 included in the pump 302a.
  • - Seventh type (different type) nozzle (discharging air as the target gas): Includes a first nozzle 451a connected to the other end 406b (see Figure 10) of the output pipe 406 included in pump 402a, and a second nozzle 451b connected to the other end 406b (see Figure 10) of the output pipe 406 included in pump 402b.
  • First type of nozzle (discharging methanol or ethanol as the target liquid, which is the fixing liquid): Includes a first nozzle 351a and a second nozzle 351b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see FIG. 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302f.
  • a second type of nozzle (which ejects Victoria Blue as the pre-dyeing liquid, which is the target liquid): includes a first nozzle 352a and a second nozzle 352b (alternatively, a first nozzle 354a and a second nozzle 354b may be used) that are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302e.
  • a third type of nozzle (discharging picric acid ethanol as the target liquid, which is a mordant solution or a decolorizing solution): includes a first nozzle 353a and a second nozzle 353b connected respectively to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302d.
  • - Fourth type of nozzle (discharging safranine or fuchsine as the target liquid, which is the post-staining liquid): Includes a first nozzle 355a and a second nozzle 355b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302b.
  • - Fifth type of nozzle (discharging cleaning water as the target liquid): Includes a first nozzle 356a and a second nozzle 356b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output pipe 308 included in the pump 302a.
  • a sixth type (different type) of nozzle includes a first nozzle 451a connected to the other end 406b (see FIG. 10) of the output pipe 406 included in the pump 402a, and a second nozzle 451b connected to the other end 406b (see FIG. 10) of the output pipe 406 included in the pump 402b.
  • the third type of nozzle uses the first nozzle 354a and the second nozzle 354b instead of the first nozzle 353a and the second nozzle 353b
  • the fourth type of nozzle uses the first nozzle 353a and the second nozzle 355b instead of the first nozzle 355a and the second nozzle 355b.
  • the fourth type of nozzle uses the first nozzle 354a and the second nozzle 354b instead of the first nozzle 355a and the second nozzle 355b
  • the third type of nozzle uses the first nozzle 353a and the second nozzle 355b instead of the first nozzle 353a and the second nozzle 353b.
  • At least one type of nozzle may be configured to eject a reagent, as exemplified below, as the target liquid.
  • First type of nozzle (discharging methanol or ethanol as the target liquid, which is the fixing liquid): Includes a first nozzle 351a and a second nozzle 351b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see FIG. 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302f.
  • a second type of nozzle includes a first nozzle 352a and a second nozzle 352b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see FIG. 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302e.
  • a third type of nozzle includes a first nozzle 353a and a second nozzle 353b connected respectively to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302d.
  • - Fourth type of nozzle (discharging ethanol or acetone-ethanol as the target liquid, which is the decolorizing liquid): Includes a first nozzle 354a and a second nozzle 354b connected respectively to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302c.
  • - Fifth type of nozzle (discharging safranine as the target liquid, the post-dyeing liquid): Includes a first nozzle 355a and a second nozzle 355b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output tube 308 included in the pump 302b.
  • - Sixth type of nozzle (discharging cleaning water as the target liquid): Includes a first nozzle 356a and a second nozzle 356b, which are respectively connected to a first other end 308c and a second other end 308d (see Figure 8) of an output pipe 308 included in the pump 302a.
  • - Seventh type (different type) nozzle (discharging air as the target gas): Includes a first nozzle 451a connected to the other end 406b (see Figure 10) of the output pipe 406 included in pump 402a, and a second nozzle 451b connected to the other end 406b (see Figure 10) of the output pipe 406 included in pump 402b.
  • a flame may be used to fix the specimen to the slide rather than a fixative.
  • the staining device 1 disclosed in this application is not designed and used exclusively for performing Gram staining, but can be designed and used for performing any type of staining (pre-staining), mordant, decolorizing and/or counterstaining (post-staining) process, so long as it is capable of discharging any reagent onto a slide on which a specimen has been applied.
  • each type of nozzle includes two nozzles, a first nozzle and a second nozzle.
  • each type of nozzle may include only one nozzle, or may include three or more nozzles.
  • at least two types of nozzles may include a common number of nozzles, or may include different numbers of nozzles.
  • the staining device 1 uses all types of nozzles when performing a process such as staining on a slide on which a sample has been applied.
  • the staining device 1 can also use only a portion of all the types of nozzles installed.
  • the staining device 1 can perform only a portion of the processes, including staining, that the user desires, among the multiple processes to be performed on the slide. For example, in the example shown in FIG.
  • the staining device 1 can perform at least one process (for example, only ST1102, only ST1106, only ST1108, only ST1112, only ST1114, only ST1118, only ST1120, only ST1122, only ST1124, only ST1126, only ST1128, only ST1132, only ST1134, or a combination of these) among the processes exemplified in ST1102 to ST1134, and the user can perform the remaining processes.
  • at least one process for example, only ST1102, only ST1106, only ST1108, only ST1112, only ST1114, only ST1118, only ST1120, only ST1122, only ST1124, only ST1126, only ST1128, only ST1132, only ST1134, or a combination of these
  • the support member 900 is indirectly connected to any one of the multiple wall surfaces 204 (e.g., wall surface 204d) among the multiple wall surfaces 204 surrounding the storage space 200 via the mounting unit 1000.
  • the support member 900 can be directly fixed to any one of the multiple wall surfaces 204 using fastening members, adhesives, and/or welding, etc.
  • At least one type of nozzle is indirectly connected to any one of the multiple wall surfaces 204 (e.g., wall surface 204d) among the multiple wall surfaces 204 surrounding the storage space 200 via the mounting unit 1000.
  • at least one type of nozzle can be directly fixed to any one of the multiple wall surfaces 204 using a fastening member and/or an adhesive, etc.
  • the wall surface (first wall surface) to which the support member 900 is directly or indirectly connected and the wall surface (second wall surface) to which at least one type of nozzle is directly or indirectly connected may be the same or different.
  • the staining device 1 has one support member 900 provided inside the storage space 200, that is, the staining device 1 has one slide disposed in the storage space 200.
  • the staining device 1 can also provide two or more support members 900 inside the storage space 200, that is, it can also dispose two or more slides in the storage space 200.
  • it is possible to take measures such as providing a sufficient distance between the adjacent support members 900 and/or providing a member (such as a plate-shaped member) between the adjacent support members 900 that separates the support members 900 from each other.
  • the staining device 1 may include two or more storage spaces 200 in which one or more support members 900 are provided.
  • the staining device 1 may perform various processes, including fixation, pre-staining, decolorization, mordanting, post-staining, etc., on the specimens on the slides placed on each support member 900 simultaneously or at separate times.
  • the staining device having a configuration in which a support member for supporting a slide is provided inside a storage space and a reagent or the like is discharged individually for each slide can reduce the possibility of contamination occurring, in which bacteria or the like adhering to a specimen applied to one slide mistakenly adheres to a specimen applied to another slide.
  • a staining device having a configuration in which a support member that supports a slide in a substantially horizontal direction is provided allows the reagent, etc. to be more uniformly distributed over the entire slide by discharging the reagent, etc. onto the slide supported by such a support member. Furthermore, such a staining device can reduce the amount of reagent, etc. that falls from the slide due to gravity, making it possible to reduce the amount of reagent required for staining, etc.
  • a dyeing device can be configured such that a processor executes a computer program to operate at least one pump, each of which supplies a target liquid to at least one type of nozzle, at a set timing and for a set time.
  • a dyeing device having such a configuration at least one of the processes including fixation, pre-dyeing, mordant, post-dyeing, and/or decolorization can be automatically performed at a set timing and for a set time.
  • a dyeing device including such a configuration it is possible to address problems associated with the case where all processes are performed manually by a doctor, nurse, and/or technician, such as variation in processing results and/or cumbersome labor.
  • a process such as dyeing performed by a cumbersome manual procedure can be at least partially automated, standardized, and/or labor-saving.
  • the user who operates this staining device is not required to have specialized knowledge and/or advanced skills regarding staining, etc., and the staining device can be easily operated by doctors, nurses, engineers, and/or assistants who assist their work.
  • the staining device can be a device that can be used in hospitals and/or clinics, i.e., a device that realizes point-of-care (close to the site). Furthermore, the staining device can be used regardless of location (outpatient or emergency, etc.) and/or time (daytime or nighttime, etc.).
  • a staining device having a configuration in which reagents, etc. are individually ejected toward one support member (one slide) can perform staining and other processes on slides one by one, thereby addressing the problem of contamination described above.
  • This effect also applies to staining devices having a configuration in which multiple support members (multiple slides) are arranged with partitions or the like between them, in one or more storage spaces.
  • a dyeing device having a configuration that reduces the number of storage spaces provided and/or the number of support members (including associated nozzles) arranged in each storage space can become a smaller, lighter, and/or less expensive dyeing device depending on the number.
  • the technology disclosed in this application can provide a dyeing device with improved performance, as well as a computer program and method used in connection with this dyeing device.
  • Embodiments of a staining device equipped with a flow path consolidation unit In the above-mentioned configuration, when a plurality of liquids are directly discharged onto a slide glass via a nozzle, the position of the droplets varies depending on the position of the nozzle, which causes instability in staining.
  • a flow path consolidation section may be further provided.
  • the flow path consolidation section may be configured to be addable in any of the various embodiments described above.
  • the flow path consolidation section may be located below the multiple nozzles and include a liquid receiving section that receives liquid from the multiple nozzles, and a consolidation section that consolidates the flow paths from the liquid.
  • the consolidation section may be located above the slide and positioned so that liquid dropping from the consolidation section falls onto the slide. In this case, the effect is that liquid from the multiple nozzles can be dripped at approximately the same position on the slide by passing through the flow path consolidation section.
  • the position where the liquid falls in the flow path merging section may be adjusted to be approximately the center of the width of the slide.
  • the configuration or position of the flow path merging section may be adjusted so that the end of the flow path merging section is located approximately at the upper center of the width of the slide. In this case, there is an advantage that the liquid can be dripped in the center of the width of the slide.
  • the flow path integrating section may be provided at a predetermined angle so that the liquid discharged from the nozzle flows into the integrating section.
  • the flow path integrating section may be provided at an angle between 1 degree and 20 degrees.
  • the liquid on the flow path integrating section can move naturally to the integrating section side.
  • the angle of the flow path integrating section may be only one angle between 1 degree and 20 degrees, or may be set at multiple angles.
  • the position directly below the nozzle may be set at a steep angle (e.g., 15 degrees), and the position of the integrating section may be set at a gentle angle (e.g., 5 degrees).
  • the surface through which the liquid flows in the flow path integrating section may be flat or curved.
  • Such a flat or curved surface may or may not be Teflon-coated. If it is Teflon-coated, it has the advantage of repelling the liquid and reducing the amount of liquid remaining. In short, it is sufficient that the structure allows the liquid to flow from directly below the nozzle through the integrating section to the top of the slide.
  • the flow path integrating section may be located below the reagent connection section. This allows the flow path integrating section to be located below the nozzle that drips the reagent.
  • the flow path integrating section may also be located above the air blow section. This allows the reagent to be dripped above the air from the air blow section.
  • the air blow section may have the function of supplying air using a pump or the like.
  • water such as water from a tap, water in a tank, or distilled water may be supplied to one or more nozzles located at the top of the flow path integrating section, and water may be ejected from the nozzle.
  • the flow path integrating section may be washed with such water.
  • Such washing has the advantage of reducing problems caused by mixing of reagents on the flow path integrating section.
  • water may be ejected from a nozzle located at a position where the reagents on the flow path integrating section can be mixed.
  • water may be ejected from one or more nozzles on the opposite side of the integrating section of the flow path integrating section.
  • water may be ejected from any of the three nozzles on the opposite side of the three on the integrating section side.
  • water may be ejected from one central nozzle of the three on the opposite side of the three on the integrating section side, or water may be ejected from two nozzles on both sides of the three on the opposite side of the three on the integrating section side.
  • a flow path consolidation section 1900 may be located below a nozzle storage section 1901 that stores multiple nozzles.
  • the flow path consolidation section may include a flow path through which liquid flows (position 1900 in the figure), a consolidation section 1903 positioned above the position where liquid from the nozzle is dropped onto the slide glass, and a side section 1902 that supports the flow of liquid to the consolidation section 1903 from the side.
  • the consolidation section may have an approximately right-angled shape at the end, as shown in Figures 19A to 19C. In this case, liquid may be able to form droplets from these positions. Note that, as shown in these figures, there may be two approximately right-angled parts at the end.
  • the part may be at an approximately acute angle.
  • the side section 1902 may extend to the position of the approximately right-angled shape of the end, or may be provided at a position a predetermined distance away from the two ends, as shown in Figures 19A to 19C. In this case, there is an advantage that the possibility of liquid pooling on the sides is reduced.
  • the flow path integrating section may be covered with a cover, as shown in FIG. 19D.
  • the flow path integrating section 1905 may be located below the reagent connection section 1904 and above the air blow section 1906.
  • the flow path integrating section 1905 in FIG. 19D is another example.
  • control may be such that after controlling the droplet formation with the reagent, the dripping of the nozzle capable of ejecting the above-mentioned water is controlled for a predetermined period of time to control the washing with water.
  • the flow path consolidation unit may be dried with air, but it is not necessary to dry it.
  • An embodiment of a staining device with a vibration effect Gram staining is performed in the following steps. That is, all bacteria are stained blue with a blue reagent, then some are decolorized with a decolorizing solution, and then stained red with a red reagent.
  • the degree of decolorization is important for appropriate staining and decolorization. That is, if decolorization is performed excessively, the blue stain in the part that should be blue will be decolorized excessively, and the part will be excessively affected by the red stain. On the other hand, if decolorization is insufficient, the blue stain will be decolorized insufficiently, and the part will be excessively affected by the blue stain. Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology that can make parts that should be blue blue and parts that should be red red.
  • the embodiment including vibration described below may be applied to any of the embodiments up to 6.1 above.
  • the decolorization is improved by generating vibrations during decolorization.
  • vibrations may be various means for generating vibrations to improve decolorization.
  • this embodiment may include technology that has a vibration unit that generates vibrations of the slide glass under the slide glass.
  • this embodiment may additionally or alternatively repeat ON and OFF of the drip of the decolorizing liquid from the nozzle.
  • the drip may be ON and dripped for a predetermined period, then OFF and no dripping for a predetermined period, and then ON and drip again for a predetermined period.
  • ON and OFF may be performed the same number of times, or may be performed different numbers of times.
  • ON and OFF may be performed in a pulsed manner.
  • the ON period (first period) under the liquid and the OFF period (second period) under the liquid may be the same or different.
  • this embodiment may additionally or alternatively repeatedly turn air on and off by the air blow unit.
  • the air blow may be turned on to blow air for a predetermined period, then turned off to not blow air for a predetermined period, and then turned on again to blow air for a predetermined period.
  • the ON and OFF may be performed the same number of times, or may be performed a different number of times.
  • the ON and OFF may be performed in a pulsed manner.
  • the period during which the air blow is ON (first period) and the period during which the air blow is OFF (second period) may be the same or different. By repeating these ON and OFF, the air blow will eventually cause vibration.
  • the air blow is repeatedly turned on and off for the purpose of intentionally causing vibration.
  • vibration can be effectively and easily realized by controlling the ON and OFF of the air blow without the need for a new vibration unit or structural changes or costs for the vibration unit (especially when the control of the air blow dripping is realized by software, there is an advantage that it can be inexpensively and easily realized only by rewriting the software control).
  • two stages, ON and OFF, were described, but if the amount of air blow is multi-stage, it is the same even if the multi-stage is changed. In this case, too, since a physical operation occurs as the control of the air blow, vibration can be realized as a result, and the same effect as above can be achieved.
  • the air blow unit may be provided in a position where it can blow air onto the slide glass.
  • the air blow unit may be provided at the prompt of the indicating member equipped with the slide glass.
  • the air blow unit may have a function of supplying air, such as a pump.
  • the ON and OFF of the air supply of the air blow unit can be electrically communicated with the control unit in the staining device, and may be controlled based on the control from the control unit.
  • nozzle dripping and air blowing may be performed alternately as appropriate.
  • nozzle dripping may be performed for a first predetermined period
  • air blowing may be performed for a second predetermined period
  • nozzle dripping may be performed for a third predetermined period
  • air blowing may be performed for a fourth predetermined period, etc.
  • the first predetermined period and the third predetermined period may be the same or different.
  • the second predetermined period and the fourth predetermined period may be the same or different.
  • the first predetermined period and the second predetermined period may be the same or different.
  • nozzle dripping and air blowing have been described as having two stages, ON and OFF, but if the amount of nozzle dripping and/or the amount of air blowing are multi-stage, it is the same even if they are changed in multiple stages.
  • this embodiment is designed to ensure that the mist does not have any adverse effects on chromosomes.
  • the wall of the storage space may have a mesh portion having a mesh-like object.
  • the mesh portion may be provided on the wall of the storage space. For example, it may be on a side wall of the storage space, or on the ceiling.
  • water droplets may form on the ceiling.
  • the ceiling of the storage space may be made of a transparent material such as glass, from the viewpoint of checking and observing the situation and operation inside the storage space. Even in this case, a mesh has the advantage of ensuring visibility inside.
  • the mesh section may also be provided on a wall facing the direction in which air is blown out by the air blower. In this case, the presence of mesh at the point where the air blower arrives has the advantage of being able to hold water droplets.
  • the size of the mesh in the mesh portion may be any size, as long as it is capable of retaining water droplets and avoiding mist formation.
  • the size of the mesh may be 1 cm or less, 0.8 mm or less, or 0.6 mm or less.
  • a guideline for the size of the mesh may be around 1 mm.
  • FIG. 20 shows an example in which a net is provided as a mesh part on the ceiling of the storage space of the dyeing device of this embodiment, but the example of the mesh part is not limited to this example.
  • the staining device can include "a storage space provided inside a housing and surrounded by a plurality of walls, a support member that is accommodated in the storage space and extends along a substantially horizontal direction, and that supports and places a plate-like slide thereon, and at least one type of nozzle that is accommodated in the storage space and is provided above the support member to face the support member, with each type of nozzle being provided so as to eject a target liquid corresponding to the nozzle in a direction toward the support member.”
  • the above-mentioned first aspect can be configured such that "the support member includes a rear end portion extending in the short side direction facing the at least one type of nozzle, and a front end portion disposed at a distance from the at least one type of nozzle and the rear end portion and extending in the short side direction, the vertical position of the front end portion being substantially the same as or lower than the vertical position of the rear end portion, and the angle that the upper
  • the configuration of the fifteenth aspect can be adopted in which "the first type of nozzles and the sixth type of nozzles are fixed to any one of the first to fourth fixed plates, the third type of nozzles and the fifth type of nozzles are fixed to any one of the remaining fixed plates of the first to fourth fixed plates, the second type of nozzles and the fourth type of nozzles are fixed to any one of the remaining fixed plates of the first to fourth fixed plates, and the different type of nozzles are fixed to the remaining
  • a fifth pump for supplying cinnamon
  • a sixth pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and for supplying wash water as the target liquid to the sixth type of nozzle via a sixth pipe
  • a seventh pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and for supplying air as the target gas to one of the other type of nozzle via a seventh pipe
  • an eighth pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and for supplying air as the target gas to the other nozzle of the other type of nozzle via an eighth pipe
  • the at least one processor executes the computer program to operate any of the first pump to the eighth pump at a set timing for a set period of time, thereby discharging the target liquid or the target gas from any of the first type of nozzle to the sixth type of nozzle and the other type of nozzle connected to the any of the pumps.
  • a staining apparatus is the same as that of the fourteenth aspect, and further includes: "at least one processor housed in the housing; a storage unit storing a computer program readable by the at least one processor; a first pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and supplying methanol or ethanol as the target liquid to the first type of nozzle via a first tube; a second pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and supplying Victoria blue as the target liquid to the second type of nozzle via a second tube; a third pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and supplying picric acid ethanol as the target liquid to the third type of nozzle via a third tube; a fourth pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and supplying fuchsin as the target liquid to the fourth type of nozzle via a fourth tube; and a fourth pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and supplying fuchsin as the target liquid to the fourth type of nozzle via a fourth tube.
  • a fifth pump connected to the at least one processor and supplying cleaning water as the target liquid to the fifth type nozzle via a fifth pipe; a sixth pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and supplying air as the target gas to one of the other type of nozzle via a sixth pipe; and a seventh pump electrically connected to the at least one processor and supplying air as the target gas to the other nozzle of the other type of nozzle via a seventh pipe, wherein the at least one processor executes the computer program to operate any of the first pump to the seventh pump at a set timing for a set period of time, thereby discharging the target liquid or the target gas from any of the nozzles connected to any of the pumps among the first type of nozzle to the fifth type of nozzle and the other type of nozzle.
  • the computer program of the 28th aspect can be used in association with a staining device including: a support member that is housed in a storage space provided inside a housing and that places and supports a slide; at least one type of liquid nozzle that is housed in the storage space and is provided above the support member facing the support member, with each type of liquid nozzle being arranged to eject a target liquid corresponding to the liquid nozzle in a direction toward the support member; and at least one pump that supplies the target liquid via a tube to a corresponding type of liquid nozzle of the at least one type of liquid nozzle, and can be executed by at least one processor that is mounted on the staining device and electrically connected to the at least one pump, to cause the at least one processor to function such that one of the at least one pumps is operated at a set timing for a set period of time, thereby ejecting the target liquid from the liquid nozzle connected to the one of the pumps.
  • the computer program according to the twenty-ninth aspect may employ the configuration of the twenty-eighth aspect, in which "the dyeing device further comprises at least one gas nozzle that is accommodated in the accommodation space and provided above the support member and that ejects air, and at least one other pump that is electrically connected to the at least one processor and supplies air via a tube to a corresponding one of the at least one gas nozzle, and causes the at least one processor to function so as to eject air from the at least one gas nozzle connected to the at least one other pump by operating the at least one other pump at a set timing for a set time.”
  • the computer program according to the thirtieth aspect may employ the configuration of the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth aspect, in which "the at least one processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and/or a graphics processing unit (GPU)."
  • the method according to the thirty-first aspect can be "a method executed by at least one processor mounted on a staining device including:
  • the staining apparatus of the 36th aspect is the above-mentioned 34th or 35th aspect, in which "the at least one type of nozzle is turned on and off, and/or the air sent to the slide placed and supported on the support member is turned on and off at least twice or more during staining.”
  • the dyeing device according to a thirty-seventh aspect is any one of the thirty-fourth to thirty-sixth aspects, wherein "the ceiling of the storage space is provided with a mesh portion including a mesh.”

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PCT/JP2023/047126 2022-12-28 2023-12-27 染色装置、コンピュータプログラム及び方法 Ceased WO2024143513A1 (ja)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN211292258U (zh) * 2019-12-23 2020-08-18 江苏美克医学技术有限公司 染色机
CN211401881U (zh) * 2020-01-10 2020-09-01 郑州安图生物工程股份有限公司 批量玻片染色架
JP2021039033A (ja) * 2019-09-04 2021-03-11 平田機工株式会社 標本作製装置

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2021039033A (ja) * 2019-09-04 2021-03-11 平田機工株式会社 標本作製装置
CN211292258U (zh) * 2019-12-23 2020-08-18 江苏美克医学技术有限公司 染色机
CN211401881U (zh) * 2020-01-10 2020-09-01 郑州安图生物工程股份有限公司 批量玻片染色架

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