Claims
- 1. A method for rinsing a slide having a biological sample positioned on an upper surface of the slide, the method comprising the steps of:
applying a layer of fluid onto the upper surface of the slide so as to cover the biological sample with fluid; and removing at least a portion of the fluid applied onto the upper surface by pulling the fluid from the slide.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of removing at least a portion of the fluid includes pulling the fluid from an edge of the slide.
- 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of pulling the fluid from an edge of the slide includes directing at least one stream of the fluid in between the biological sample and the edge of the slide, the at least one stream of the fluid making an angle with the slide of less than 90°.
- 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the at least one stream of the fluid is directed near the edge of the slide.
- 5. The method of claim 3 wherein a distal end of the slide is farthest from the biological sample and wherein the at least one stream of fluid is directed to the distal end.
- 6. The method of claim I wherein the step of removing at least a portion of the fluid includes breaking a surface tension at an edge of the slide.
- 7. The method of claim 6 wherein breaking a surface tension at an edge of the slide includes directing a stream of the fluid near the edge of the slide.
- 8. The method of claim 6 wherein breaking a surface tension at an edge of the slide includes placing an object in contact with the edge of the slide.
- 9. The method of claim I wherein the step of removing at least a portion of the fluid includes directing a stream of the fluid at or near the edge of the slide, the stream of the fluid making an angle with the slide of less than 90°.
- 10. A method for rinsing a slide having a biological sample positioned on an upper surface thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
applying a layer of liquid onto the upper surface of the slide so as to cover the biological sample with the liquid; and directing at least one stream of fluid in between the biological sample and an end of the slide so as to reduce to amount of fluid on the upper surface of the slide, the at least one stream of the fluid making an angle with the slide of less than 90°.
- 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one stream of fluid is directed proximate to the end of the slide.
- 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one stream of fluid includes a plurality of streams of fluid.
- 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one stream of fluid includes at least one stream of the liquid which was applied during the step of applying a layer of liquid onto the upper surface of the slide.
- 14. An automated biological reaction apparatus comprising:
a controller including:
a processor; and a memory device in communication with the processor; a volume controlling device including:
means for applying fluid onto a slide, the means for applying fluid onto the slide being in communication with the processor; and means for pulling the fluid from the slide, the means for pulling the fluid from the slide being in communication with the processor.
- 15. The automated biological reaction apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for pulling the fluid from the slide includes a rinse device positioned above a slide, the rinse device having at least one nozzle outlet for directing at least one stream of fluid between a biological sample and an edge of the slide, the stream of fluid making an angle of less than 90° with the slide.
- 16. The automated biological reaction apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rinse device includes a plurality of nozzle outlets and wherein the rinse device is positioned above the slide to direct streams of fluid near the edge of the slide.
- 17. An automated biological reaction apparatus comprising:
a controller including:
a processor; and a memory device in communication with the processor; a volume controlling device including:
compressor; at least one container containing fluid, the container being connected to the compressor via a pressure line; at least one valve connected to the container, the at least one valve in communication with the processor; fluid reducing device connected to the at least one valve and positioned above a slide, the fluid reducing device having at least one nozzle outlet for directing at least one stream of fluid between a biological sample and an edge of the slide, the stream of fluid making an angle of less than 90° with the slide.
- 18. The automated biological reaction apparatus of claim 17 wherein the stream of fluid from fluid reducing device makes an angle of less than 45° with the slide.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US91/01149 |
Feb 1991 |
US |
|
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/352,966, filed on Dec. 4, 1994 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,707); a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/469,577 filed on Jun. 6, 1995 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,327); and a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/906,678 filed on Aug. 5, 1997. This application incorporates by reference the entire subject matter of U.S. application Ser. Nos. 08/352,966, 08/469,577 and 08/906,678.
Continuations (1)
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Date |
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Parent |
09415030 |
Oct 1999 |
US |
Child |
10236389 |
Sep 2002 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (5)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
07488601 |
Mar 1990 |
US |
Child |
09415030 |
Oct 1999 |
US |
Parent |
07924052 |
Aug 1992 |
US |
Child |
09415030 |
Oct 1999 |
US |
Parent |
08352966 |
Dec 1994 |
US |
Child |
09415030 |
Oct 1999 |
US |
Parent |
08469577 |
Jun 1995 |
US |
Child |
09415030 |
Oct 1999 |
US |
Parent |
08906678 |
Aug 1997 |
US |
Child |
09415030 |
Oct 1999 |
US |