Methods for automated tissue sample processing and imaging

摘要

Methods are provided for performing automated digital processing of a tissue sample. A tissue sample that is to be processed to produce a three-dimensional representation of the tissue sample is received, and is aligned with a cutting mechanism that comprises a blade. A plurality of sections of the tissue sample are produced by way of a rotating blade. The sections are moved from a first location to a second location on a surface of a transporting mechanism. During this move, electronic images of the each of the sections are captured using image capturing devices. The images for the each of the sections are compiled to generate a composite image for the each of the plurality of sections. The composite images are used to generate the three-dimensional representation of the tissue sample.

主权项

1. A method for performing automated digital processing of a tissue sample, the method comprising:
receiving a tissue sample that is unstained and that is to be processed to produce a three-dimensional representation of the tissue sample; aligning the tissue sample with a cutting mechanism, the cutting mechanism comprising a blade that is coupled to a rotation mechanism such that the blade makes at least a first rotation around an axis point of the rotation mechanism while the tissue sample remains stationary; causing, by way of the cutting mechanism, a plurality of sections of the tissue sample to be produced; receiving each of the plurality of sections at a transporting mechanism that, without user intervention, causes the each of the plurality of sections to move from a first location to a second location on a surface of the transporting mechanism; between the first location and the second location, capturing a plurality of electronic images of the each of the plurality of sections using a plurality of image capturing devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of image capturing devices captures electromagnetic energy within a different spectral band than others of the plurality of image capturing devices; compiling the plurality of images for the each of the plurality of sections to generate a composite image for the each of the plurality of sections; and utilizing the composite images to generate the three-dimensional representation of the tissue sample.