Method and apparatus for preparing cytological specimens
US7579190B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/114998
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.