Methods and apparatus for electrosmear analysis

US7105081B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Peter Gascoyne · Bellaire, US
• Jody Vykoukal · Houston, US
• Chandra Das · Sugar Land, US
• Frederick F. Becker · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 2003
• Grant date: Sep 12, 2006
• Expiry date: Dec 22, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2030/007
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for preparing a smear for cytopathology or other analysis. In a representative embodiment, cells of a sample are subjected to a dielectrophoretic force to segregate the cells into two or more zones of a surface. The particles are attached to the surface, thereby defining a “segregated smear.” The segregated smear is then fixed and stained for cytopathology analysis.