CA1249145A - Specimen slide for analysis of liquid specimens - Google Patents
Specimen slide for analysis of liquid specimensInfo
- Publication number
- CA1249145A CA1249145A CA000467299A CA467299A CA1249145A CA 1249145 A CA1249145 A CA 1249145A CA 000467299 A CA000467299 A CA 000467299A CA 467299 A CA467299 A CA 467299A CA 1249145 A CA1249145 A CA 1249145A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- specimen
- viewing surface
- examination
- slide
- specimen 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.)
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- Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A transparent specimen slide is made up of a series of isolated specimen viewing surfaces, each surrounded by a channel or groove and a shallow well com-municates with each channel and with a notched portion which projects into the viewing surface from the channel opposite to the well of each channel. Pads are formed at spaced interva1s along the top surface of the slide together with locating ribs in order to properly position a cover slip in predetermined spaced relation to the viewing surface portions so that when a liquid specimen is depo-sited in each well it is free to flow by capillary attrac-tion uniformly over the viewing surface portion.
Description
91~
This invention relates to devices for the exami-nation of liquid specimens; and more particularly relates to a novel and improved specimen slide adapted to receive and retain samples of blood, urine and the like for obser-vation and evaluation using a microscope or other optical instrument~
In the ield of medicine and biological sciences, it is desirable to perform qualitative analysis of certain substances with speed and accuracy. When the subject spe-cimen is a liquid, such as, blood or urine, examination isoften undertaken by isolating and fixing a small amount of the substance on a transparent plate for viewing through a lighted optical instrument, such as, a microscope. This procedure is especially suited for the observation and eva-luation of particulate matter in the specimen; for instance, estimation of sedin~ent in urine or enumeration of red blood cells. Accordingly, it is important that the liquid be spread into a very thin layer of uniform depth.
An early approach to "wet mount" examination of specimens, still very much in use today, involves depositing a drop of the liquid onto a smooth, transparent plate of glass or plastic. A thin cover slip is then placed over the plate to protect and retain the specimen and distribute it as a fairly thin, even fi1m over the viewing area. A disadvan-tage of this practice is the tendency to introduce too much liquid onto the slide surface, resulting in overflcw off the slide surface, displacement of the cover slide, and an uneven or undesirably thick layer of the specimen over the viewing area. Moreover, preparation and handling of the flat slides and fragile cover slips is unnecessarily ~wk-ward, often resulting in spillage or runoff and possible , 1~
g~L~5 contamination of the liquid sample. Finally, each slide can accommodate only one specimen at a time; if comparison between samples is desired, then slides must be prepared and viewed separately, which is time-consuming and necessi-tates even further handling.
Previous attempts to overcome the foregoing limi-tations have generally proposed that the slide be provided with an arrangement of channels in communication ~ith a somewhat raised viewing surface. A cover slip is posi-tioned over the viewing area so that liquid placed in thechannel will be drawn across the space by the process of capillary action. Representative of this approach is U.S.
Letters Patent No. 2,039,219 to Hausser et al which disclo-ses a haemacytometer having a series of transverse c~annels and a pair of oppositely inclined surfaces leading to a raised examination area. A cover slide is placed over the raised and channeled areas and a narrow chamber is formed therebetween~. The specimen is introduced, as by a dropper, onto one of the inclined portions and is drawn into the chamber; excess liquid remains in the reservoirs formed by the inclined surfaces.
U.S. Letters Patent ~o. 3,565,537 to Fielding :
~ teaches a somewhat similar approach to a blood specimen , holder~for use with an opti~cal~measaring instrument. This arrangement features a pair of translucent plastic plates, one being formed with a shallow recess, which are welded , ~
~ together to form an intermediate channel for receiving the s~ liquid sample by capillary action. The slide may then be :
examined under an optical instrument specifically designed to measure the color o~ blood and thereby determine hemoglobin content.
This invention relates to devices for the exami-nation of liquid specimens; and more particularly relates to a novel and improved specimen slide adapted to receive and retain samples of blood, urine and the like for obser-vation and evaluation using a microscope or other optical instrument~
In the ield of medicine and biological sciences, it is desirable to perform qualitative analysis of certain substances with speed and accuracy. When the subject spe-cimen is a liquid, such as, blood or urine, examination isoften undertaken by isolating and fixing a small amount of the substance on a transparent plate for viewing through a lighted optical instrument, such as, a microscope. This procedure is especially suited for the observation and eva-luation of particulate matter in the specimen; for instance, estimation of sedin~ent in urine or enumeration of red blood cells. Accordingly, it is important that the liquid be spread into a very thin layer of uniform depth.
An early approach to "wet mount" examination of specimens, still very much in use today, involves depositing a drop of the liquid onto a smooth, transparent plate of glass or plastic. A thin cover slip is then placed over the plate to protect and retain the specimen and distribute it as a fairly thin, even fi1m over the viewing area. A disadvan-tage of this practice is the tendency to introduce too much liquid onto the slide surface, resulting in overflcw off the slide surface, displacement of the cover slide, and an uneven or undesirably thick layer of the specimen over the viewing area. Moreover, preparation and handling of the flat slides and fragile cover slips is unnecessarily ~wk-ward, often resulting in spillage or runoff and possible , 1~
g~L~5 contamination of the liquid sample. Finally, each slide can accommodate only one specimen at a time; if comparison between samples is desired, then slides must be prepared and viewed separately, which is time-consuming and necessi-tates even further handling.
Previous attempts to overcome the foregoing limi-tations have generally proposed that the slide be provided with an arrangement of channels in communication ~ith a somewhat raised viewing surface. A cover slip is posi-tioned over the viewing area so that liquid placed in thechannel will be drawn across the space by the process of capillary action. Representative of this approach is U.S.
Letters Patent No. 2,039,219 to Hausser et al which disclo-ses a haemacytometer having a series of transverse c~annels and a pair of oppositely inclined surfaces leading to a raised examination area. A cover slide is placed over the raised and channeled areas and a narrow chamber is formed therebetween~. The specimen is introduced, as by a dropper, onto one of the inclined portions and is drawn into the chamber; excess liquid remains in the reservoirs formed by the inclined surfaces.
U.S. Letters Patent ~o. 3,565,537 to Fielding :
~ teaches a somewhat similar approach to a blood specimen , holder~for use with an opti~cal~measaring instrument. This arrangement features a pair of translucent plastic plates, one being formed with a shallow recess, which are welded , ~
~ together to form an intermediate channel for receiving the s~ liquid sample by capillary action. The slide may then be :
examined under an optical instrument specifically designed to measure the color o~ blood and thereby determine hemoglobin content.
- 2 -:: ,, : ., -' '' ~
~2~ 5 A further example of the art in this field is U.S.
Letters Patent No. 3,777,283 to Elkins which defines a uni-tary plastic slide adapted to accommoaate a plurality of specimens. Each sample is retained by capillary action in an open-sided chamber which is molded to a predetermined area and depth within the body of the slide. Excess liquid remaining in an introduction channel leading to the chamber may be removed by tapping the open or channel side of the slide against absorbent toweling or the like. Further, as the specimen chamber is formed integrally with the slide, this arrangement does not employ a cover slip.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved transparent slide arrangement suitable for examining li~uid specimens, such as, blood and urine in a reliable and efficient manner.
Another object of the present invention is to pro-vide for a novel and 1mproved liquid specimen slide arrangement in which a liquid specimen is drawn uniformly across a viewing surface in such a way as to present a good o representative sample for purposes of examination and qualitative analysis.
It i5 a further object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved liquid specimen slide which is so constructed and arranged as to encourage uni-form flow of a~liquid across a viewing surface and removal of eYCess liquid which may flow over the edges of the viewing surface thereby preventing displacement of a cover slip or leakage of the specimen into adjacent viewing areas.
30Yet another ob ject o~ the present invention is to provide for a novel and lmproved transparent slide arrange-~ 3 --. . .
91~5 ment having a plurality of viewing areas formed thereon, for example, ~o facilitate comparison of different specimens while avoiding contamination and intermixture, to catalog related specimens, or to test specimen reaction to a series of xeagents.
Still ano~her object of the present inventlon is to provide a transparent slide whe~ein a liquicl specimen is rapidly drawn by capillary action into a narrow viewing space, and is distributed within the space in an extremely thin layer of substantiaIly constant depth so as to permit undistorted and accurate examination of the specimen and any particulate matter suspended therein.
A further object of the invention is to provide a ~;
specimen slide having novel and improved means to act as a positioning guide and retaining means for a cover sllp placed over the specimen viewing areas.
Yet another ohject of the present invention is to provide a transparent slide arrangement which may be , manufactured with rèlative ease and economy using inexpensi~e materials, such as, plastics so that the slide~may be either discarded~after use or sterili~ed for reuse.
In~ summary, the inventlon provldes a speci:en slide assembly used~for examining liquid speclmens. The specimen slide has a plate with an upper, substantially fIat examination surface~whlch lncludes at~le:st~one vlewln~ sur~ace wlth a continuous channel disposed~in surrounding relation thereto so ~' :: :
as to isolate the viewing sur~ace from the rest o~ the examination sur~ace. The channel has a broadened reaessed area which contacts a side edge of the viewing surface and whiah includes a well` to receive a liquid speclmen. ~ ~ransparent cover plate and a locator on the examination surface~of the ..
~ 5 65~95-118 slide plate is operative to support the cover plate in predetermined spaced relation to the vi~wing surfacs and a side edge of the cover plate is aligned to partially expose a portion of the broadened recessed area.
In accordance wi~h the present invention, a specimen slide has been devised for use in combination with a conventional cover plate for the microscopic examlnation of liquid specimens, such as, blood and urlne. The slide is an elongated transparent plate of yenerally rectangular configuration having opposite ends and sides and is provided with an upper examination surface, at least one open rectangular chanr,el beiny formed in the examination surface and spaced from the ends and sides of the plate so as to define a flat viewing surface within the channel which ls completely isolated from the rest o~ the examination surface. The cover plate is removabl~ disposed over the viewing surface portion and is sized to leave at least a~portion of the channel exposed for introduction of a liquid samp~le, ~he spaclng between the viewing surface~ and facing or contlguous surface of the cover plate being such as to permit uniform distribution of a portion of the liquid sample over the viewing surface. Preferably, a series of isolated viewing~surfaces are formed in this manner and unlformly spaced along the length of th~e slide with a channel or groove surrounding and defining each viewing , `surface, each channel including a shallow well or broadened rece6s of semi-circular conflguration which communicates with each viewing surface through a notch which extends a ~. . . .
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. .
limited distance from the channel into the viewing surface midway alo~g one side edge of the viewing surface. The examination surface preferably is slightly raised above the viewing surface to establish a predetermined spacing bet-ween the cover plate and viewing surfaces, and locating ribs are disposed around outer edges of the slide to faci-litate proper positioning of the cover slip with respect to the slide.
The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present inve~tion will become more readily understood and appreciated from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred form of specimen slide ln accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a cross~sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of Figure li and Figure 4 is a somewhat perspective view of the :
pre-ferred form of invention.
Referring in detail to the drawings, a preferred form of slide 10 is specifically adaptable for use in ~ualitative analysis of liquid specimens, such as, bloQd, urine and the like. As illustrated, the slide 10 is in the form of a thin, transparent plate of generally rectan~ular configuration having opposite ends 11 and 12, opposite sides 13 and 14 and upper and lower spaced parallel sur-faces 15 and 16. The upper surface 15 serves as the exami-nation surface and is divided i.nto a series of isolated ~ ' '',, ~ ',:
4~
viewing surface portions 18, each portion 18 being in the form of a flat rectangular platform and each completely surrounded by a rectangular channel 20. Each channel 20 in turn is spaced from an ad]acent channel 20 by intermediate flat surface portions 22 in the original plane of the upper examination surface as are the viewing surface portions 18.
Moreover, each viewing surface portion 18 and its asso-ciated channel 20 are spaced inwardly from the ends and sides 11, 12 and 13, 14, respectively, It will be seen that the viewing surfaces 18 are spaced along the length of the slide 10 and, as described, are completely isolated from one another so as to define independent areas or portions for the examination of a liquid specimen. In order to receive a liquid specimen for viewing purposes, a well 24 of generally semi-circular con-figuration i5 formed as a broadened recess area along one section of each channel adjacent to a side edge 14 but is spaced inwardly therefrom. A beveled notch 25 of generally V-ahaped configuration is inset into an outside edge of a viewing surface portion 18 midway therealong so as to be aligned directly opposite to each well and to communicate with its respective well through the channel extending therebetween. The channel and well for each viewing sur-face are of uniform depth so as to form a continuous con-duit for the liquid which i~ introduced, for example, by a dropper into each well; and, at the same time, serves as a :.
receptacle for any excess liquid deposited in the well and which is not drawn over the viewing surface portion in a manner to be hereinafter described.
In the preferred form, in order to establish a predetermined spacing between the cover slip C and viewing S
surface portions 18, raised surface portions or pads 26 are disposed for extension across the substantial width of the examination surface at each end thereof together with an intermediate pad 27 which extends transversely between the innermost adjacent viewing surface portions. In addition, a pad 28 which is relatively narrow compax~ed to the pads 26 and 27 extends along one side 13 o* ~he examination surface in spaced relation to the pads 26 and 27. The pads 26 to 28 as described are raised slightly above the original plane of the examination surface, such as, by addition of a film or thin sheet, or by the formation of roughened areas at the sectors designated for the pads and which thickness may be anywhere on the order of up to 0.004". In addition, cover slip C is guided into proper position with respect to the vlewing surface portion of the channels by outer locating ribs which in the preferred form include ribs 30 at opposite ends of the examination surface and a rib 32 around the one side edge 13 bordering the outsides of the pads 26 and 28, respectively. As previously noted, pads 26 and 27 terminate short of the pad 28, and as shown the ribs 30 terminate short of the rib 32 so as to define ar~ unin-terrupted inner passage 35 when the cover slip is posi~
tioned in place over the examination surface. Stated another way, the air passage 35 is de*ined merely by the original plane of the examination surface and the confronting surface of the cover slip to permit adequate ventin~ or release of air from or within the channels 20 when liquid is deposited. In this respect, it will be seen that limited air space or passages 36 are formed imme-diately surrounding each of the channels and the forwardedge 14 of the slide.
In practice, when a 5Iip iS positioned over the slide it is dimensioned to seat snugly within and against the locating ribs 30, 32 while resting on the pads 26 and 28. As shown, it is dimensioned to overlie the viewing surface portions 18 with one outer side 34 partially overlapping the channels or the channel portions in which the wells are formed so as to leave the wells fully exposed fo'r placement of a liquid specimenO Both the slide 10 and cover slip C may be composed of a stiff transparent glass or plastic material having deslred characteristics of wet-tability and for example may be composed of a clear or crystal polystyrene or acrylic material. Typically, for a slide 3" in length, 1" wide four viewing surface portions 18 are spaced along the length o~ the one side 14. For a . ~ .
slide .070" thick, the channels are given a depth on the order of .030" as are the wel~s communicating with the channels. Each viewing surface portion 18 has an area on the order of Q.141 square inches and the channels are 0.090" wide. These dimensions are given more for the pur-pose of illustration and not limitation, the important con-sideration being in the ability to isolate the viewing surface portion 18, yet to permit uniform distribution of a ; liquid~specimen by capillary attraction over the viewing surface. It has b~een found ~hat the notched area aids 25 in the initial movement or migration of the liquid ~rom the well upwardly alon~ the surface of the notch onto the ;: :
`~ viewing surface portion 18. Thus, it is~necessary only to place a thickne=s or amount of liquid in each well necessary only to partially fill the channel, and the -~
30 liqui~ then will be drawn by capillary attraction over the viewing sur~ace portion. It is only on those occasions _ g _ ~2g~
when the channel should become filled with excess liquid adjacent to the well that the remainder of the channel 20 will provide a ready conduit for removal of the excess as it is slowly drawn onto the viewing surface.
It is therefore to be understood that various modifications and c~anges may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts comprising the preferred embodi-ment of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accom-10 panying claims and any reasonable equivalents thereo~.
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~2~ 5 A further example of the art in this field is U.S.
Letters Patent No. 3,777,283 to Elkins which defines a uni-tary plastic slide adapted to accommoaate a plurality of specimens. Each sample is retained by capillary action in an open-sided chamber which is molded to a predetermined area and depth within the body of the slide. Excess liquid remaining in an introduction channel leading to the chamber may be removed by tapping the open or channel side of the slide against absorbent toweling or the like. Further, as the specimen chamber is formed integrally with the slide, this arrangement does not employ a cover slip.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved transparent slide arrangement suitable for examining li~uid specimens, such as, blood and urine in a reliable and efficient manner.
Another object of the present invention is to pro-vide for a novel and 1mproved liquid specimen slide arrangement in which a liquid specimen is drawn uniformly across a viewing surface in such a way as to present a good o representative sample for purposes of examination and qualitative analysis.
It i5 a further object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved liquid specimen slide which is so constructed and arranged as to encourage uni-form flow of a~liquid across a viewing surface and removal of eYCess liquid which may flow over the edges of the viewing surface thereby preventing displacement of a cover slip or leakage of the specimen into adjacent viewing areas.
30Yet another ob ject o~ the present invention is to provide for a novel and lmproved transparent slide arrange-~ 3 --. . .
91~5 ment having a plurality of viewing areas formed thereon, for example, ~o facilitate comparison of different specimens while avoiding contamination and intermixture, to catalog related specimens, or to test specimen reaction to a series of xeagents.
Still ano~her object of the present inventlon is to provide a transparent slide whe~ein a liquicl specimen is rapidly drawn by capillary action into a narrow viewing space, and is distributed within the space in an extremely thin layer of substantiaIly constant depth so as to permit undistorted and accurate examination of the specimen and any particulate matter suspended therein.
A further object of the invention is to provide a ~;
specimen slide having novel and improved means to act as a positioning guide and retaining means for a cover sllp placed over the specimen viewing areas.
Yet another ohject of the present invention is to provide a transparent slide arrangement which may be , manufactured with rèlative ease and economy using inexpensi~e materials, such as, plastics so that the slide~may be either discarded~after use or sterili~ed for reuse.
In~ summary, the inventlon provldes a speci:en slide assembly used~for examining liquid speclmens. The specimen slide has a plate with an upper, substantially fIat examination surface~whlch lncludes at~le:st~one vlewln~ sur~ace wlth a continuous channel disposed~in surrounding relation thereto so ~' :: :
as to isolate the viewing sur~ace from the rest o~ the examination sur~ace. The channel has a broadened reaessed area which contacts a side edge of the viewing surface and whiah includes a well` to receive a liquid speclmen. ~ ~ransparent cover plate and a locator on the examination surface~of the ..
~ 5 65~95-118 slide plate is operative to support the cover plate in predetermined spaced relation to the vi~wing surfacs and a side edge of the cover plate is aligned to partially expose a portion of the broadened recessed area.
In accordance wi~h the present invention, a specimen slide has been devised for use in combination with a conventional cover plate for the microscopic examlnation of liquid specimens, such as, blood and urlne. The slide is an elongated transparent plate of yenerally rectangular configuration having opposite ends and sides and is provided with an upper examination surface, at least one open rectangular chanr,el beiny formed in the examination surface and spaced from the ends and sides of the plate so as to define a flat viewing surface within the channel which ls completely isolated from the rest o~ the examination surface. The cover plate is removabl~ disposed over the viewing surface portion and is sized to leave at least a~portion of the channel exposed for introduction of a liquid samp~le, ~he spaclng between the viewing surface~ and facing or contlguous surface of the cover plate being such as to permit uniform distribution of a portion of the liquid sample over the viewing surface. Preferably, a series of isolated viewing~surfaces are formed in this manner and unlformly spaced along the length of th~e slide with a channel or groove surrounding and defining each viewing , `surface, each channel including a shallow well or broadened rece6s of semi-circular conflguration which communicates with each viewing surface through a notch which extends a ~. . . .
;., .~ :: ' , . .
. .
limited distance from the channel into the viewing surface midway alo~g one side edge of the viewing surface. The examination surface preferably is slightly raised above the viewing surface to establish a predetermined spacing bet-ween the cover plate and viewing surfaces, and locating ribs are disposed around outer edges of the slide to faci-litate proper positioning of the cover slip with respect to the slide.
The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present inve~tion will become more readily understood and appreciated from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred form of specimen slide ln accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a cross~sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of Figure li and Figure 4 is a somewhat perspective view of the :
pre-ferred form of invention.
Referring in detail to the drawings, a preferred form of slide 10 is specifically adaptable for use in ~ualitative analysis of liquid specimens, such as, bloQd, urine and the like. As illustrated, the slide 10 is in the form of a thin, transparent plate of generally rectan~ular configuration having opposite ends 11 and 12, opposite sides 13 and 14 and upper and lower spaced parallel sur-faces 15 and 16. The upper surface 15 serves as the exami-nation surface and is divided i.nto a series of isolated ~ ' '',, ~ ',:
4~
viewing surface portions 18, each portion 18 being in the form of a flat rectangular platform and each completely surrounded by a rectangular channel 20. Each channel 20 in turn is spaced from an ad]acent channel 20 by intermediate flat surface portions 22 in the original plane of the upper examination surface as are the viewing surface portions 18.
Moreover, each viewing surface portion 18 and its asso-ciated channel 20 are spaced inwardly from the ends and sides 11, 12 and 13, 14, respectively, It will be seen that the viewing surfaces 18 are spaced along the length of the slide 10 and, as described, are completely isolated from one another so as to define independent areas or portions for the examination of a liquid specimen. In order to receive a liquid specimen for viewing purposes, a well 24 of generally semi-circular con-figuration i5 formed as a broadened recess area along one section of each channel adjacent to a side edge 14 but is spaced inwardly therefrom. A beveled notch 25 of generally V-ahaped configuration is inset into an outside edge of a viewing surface portion 18 midway therealong so as to be aligned directly opposite to each well and to communicate with its respective well through the channel extending therebetween. The channel and well for each viewing sur-face are of uniform depth so as to form a continuous con-duit for the liquid which i~ introduced, for example, by a dropper into each well; and, at the same time, serves as a :.
receptacle for any excess liquid deposited in the well and which is not drawn over the viewing surface portion in a manner to be hereinafter described.
In the preferred form, in order to establish a predetermined spacing between the cover slip C and viewing S
surface portions 18, raised surface portions or pads 26 are disposed for extension across the substantial width of the examination surface at each end thereof together with an intermediate pad 27 which extends transversely between the innermost adjacent viewing surface portions. In addition, a pad 28 which is relatively narrow compax~ed to the pads 26 and 27 extends along one side 13 o* ~he examination surface in spaced relation to the pads 26 and 27. The pads 26 to 28 as described are raised slightly above the original plane of the examination surface, such as, by addition of a film or thin sheet, or by the formation of roughened areas at the sectors designated for the pads and which thickness may be anywhere on the order of up to 0.004". In addition, cover slip C is guided into proper position with respect to the vlewing surface portion of the channels by outer locating ribs which in the preferred form include ribs 30 at opposite ends of the examination surface and a rib 32 around the one side edge 13 bordering the outsides of the pads 26 and 28, respectively. As previously noted, pads 26 and 27 terminate short of the pad 28, and as shown the ribs 30 terminate short of the rib 32 so as to define ar~ unin-terrupted inner passage 35 when the cover slip is posi~
tioned in place over the examination surface. Stated another way, the air passage 35 is de*ined merely by the original plane of the examination surface and the confronting surface of the cover slip to permit adequate ventin~ or release of air from or within the channels 20 when liquid is deposited. In this respect, it will be seen that limited air space or passages 36 are formed imme-diately surrounding each of the channels and the forwardedge 14 of the slide.
In practice, when a 5Iip iS positioned over the slide it is dimensioned to seat snugly within and against the locating ribs 30, 32 while resting on the pads 26 and 28. As shown, it is dimensioned to overlie the viewing surface portions 18 with one outer side 34 partially overlapping the channels or the channel portions in which the wells are formed so as to leave the wells fully exposed fo'r placement of a liquid specimenO Both the slide 10 and cover slip C may be composed of a stiff transparent glass or plastic material having deslred characteristics of wet-tability and for example may be composed of a clear or crystal polystyrene or acrylic material. Typically, for a slide 3" in length, 1" wide four viewing surface portions 18 are spaced along the length o~ the one side 14. For a . ~ .
slide .070" thick, the channels are given a depth on the order of .030" as are the wel~s communicating with the channels. Each viewing surface portion 18 has an area on the order of Q.141 square inches and the channels are 0.090" wide. These dimensions are given more for the pur-pose of illustration and not limitation, the important con-sideration being in the ability to isolate the viewing surface portion 18, yet to permit uniform distribution of a ; liquid~specimen by capillary attraction over the viewing surface. It has b~een found ~hat the notched area aids 25 in the initial movement or migration of the liquid ~rom the well upwardly alon~ the surface of the notch onto the ;: :
`~ viewing surface portion 18. Thus, it is~necessary only to place a thickne=s or amount of liquid in each well necessary only to partially fill the channel, and the -~
30 liqui~ then will be drawn by capillary attraction over the viewing sur~ace portion. It is only on those occasions _ g _ ~2g~
when the channel should become filled with excess liquid adjacent to the well that the remainder of the channel 20 will provide a ready conduit for removal of the excess as it is slowly drawn onto the viewing surface.
It is therefore to be understood that various modifications and c~anges may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts comprising the preferred embodi-ment of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accom-10 panying claims and any reasonable equivalents thereo~.
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Claims (18)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A specimen slide assembly adapted for examination of liquid specimens comprising in combination:
a slide plate having an upper, substantially flat examination surface, said examination surface including at least one viewing surface portion, a con-tinuous channel disposed in surrounding relation to each said viewing surface portion to isolate each said viewing surface portion from the rest of said examination surface, said channel provided with a broadened recessed area in contact with a side edge of said viewing surface portion, said broadened recessed area defining a well to receive a liquid specimen;
a transparent cover plate; and locating means on said examination surface of said slide plate operative to support said transparent cover plate in predetermined spaced relation to said viewing surface portion with a side edge of said cover plate aligned to partially expose a portion of said broadened recessed area.
a slide plate having an upper, substantially flat examination surface, said examination surface including at least one viewing surface portion, a con-tinuous channel disposed in surrounding relation to each said viewing surface portion to isolate each said viewing surface portion from the rest of said examination surface, said channel provided with a broadened recessed area in contact with a side edge of said viewing surface portion, said broadened recessed area defining a well to receive a liquid specimen;
a transparent cover plate; and locating means on said examination surface of said slide plate operative to support said transparent cover plate in predetermined spaced relation to said viewing surface portion with a side edge of said cover plate aligned to partially expose a portion of said broadened recessed area.
2. In a specimen slide assembly according to claim 1, said cover plate being spaced on the order of 0.004" above each said viewing surface portion.
3. In a specimen slide assembly according to claim 1, wherein said locating means includes raised surface por-tions provided with air vent passages extending between each said channel and outer edges of said slide plate.
4. In a specimen slide assembly according to claim 3, said locating means including ribs disposed outwardly of said raised surface portions and being recessed to establish uninterrupted extension of said air passages bet-ween said channels and outer edges of said slide plate.
5. In a specimen slide assembly according to claim 1, said slide plate being composed of a transparent glass or plastic material.
6. In a specimen slide assembly according to claim 1, a generally V-shaped notch formed in one side edge of said viewing surface portion adjacent to said well.
7. In a specimen slide assembly according to claim 1, the spacing between said slide plate and cover plate being such that liquid is drawn by capillary action from said well onto said viewing surface portion.
8. In a specimen slide assembly according to claim 1, there being a plurality of viewing surface portions extending in spaced relation across said examining surface, and said locating means disposed at opposite ends and along one side of said examination surface.
9. In a specimen slide assembly according to claim 1, said locating means being spaced to define air passages extending between said channels and outer edges of said slide plate.
10. A specimen slide adapted for use in combination with a cover plate in the microscopic examination of liquid specimens, such as, blood and urine, said specimen slide comprising an elongated transparent plate of generally rec-tangular configuration having opposite ends and sides and provided with an upper examination surface, a plurality of generally rectangular channels uniformly spaced along the substantial length of said examination surface, said chan-nels being isolated from one another and from said ends and sides of said specimen slide, said channels defining a corresponding plurality of viewing surface portions spaced along the substantial length of said examination surface, said cover plate disposed on said examination surface and being sized to completely cover said viewing surface por-tion while leaving at least a portion of said channel exposed for introduction of a liquid specimen into said channel, and means supporting said cover plate on said exa-mination surface to establish a predetermined spaced rela-tionship between said cover plate and said viewing surface portions for uniform distribution of said liquid specimen from said channel across each said viewing surface portion.
11. In a specimen slide according to claim 10, one side of each said channel disposed parallel to said sides of said specimen slide including a wider recessed area for the introduction of a liquid specimen into each said chan-nel.
12. In a specimen slide according to claim 11, said wider recessed area including a notched portion intruding into one side of each said viewing surface portion.
13. In a specimen slide according to claim 12, said notched portion being of beveled generally V-shaped con-figuration.
14. In a specimen slide according to claim 10, said support means for said cover plate including pads raised above said viewing surface portions.
15. In a specimen slide according to claim 14, including locating ribs in surrounding relation to said support means.
16. In a specimen slide according to claim 10, each channel including a shallow well of generally semi-circular configuration in communication with a portion of said channel which extends parallel through said sides of said specimen slide.
17. In a specimen slide according to claim 10, including air passages extending between said support means and said channels.
18. A specimen slide assembly adapted for examination of liquid specimens comprising in combination:
a slide plate having an upper, substantially flat examination surface, said examination surface including at least one viewing surface portion, a continuous channel disposed in surrounding relation to said viewing surface portion to isolate said viewing surface portion from the rest of the said examination surface, said channel provided with a broadened recessed area in contact with a side edge of said viewing surface portion, said broadened recessed area defining a well to receive a liquid specimen and including a notched portion intruding into one side of said viewing surface portion;
a transparent cover plate; and locating means on said examination surface of said slide plate operative to support said transparent cover plate in predetermined spaced relation to said viewing surface portion with a side edge of said cover plate aligned to partially expose a portion of said broadened recessed area.
a slide plate having an upper, substantially flat examination surface, said examination surface including at least one viewing surface portion, a continuous channel disposed in surrounding relation to said viewing surface portion to isolate said viewing surface portion from the rest of the said examination surface, said channel provided with a broadened recessed area in contact with a side edge of said viewing surface portion, said broadened recessed area defining a well to receive a liquid specimen and including a notched portion intruding into one side of said viewing surface portion;
a transparent cover plate; and locating means on said examination surface of said slide plate operative to support said transparent cover plate in predetermined spaced relation to said viewing surface portion with a side edge of said cover plate aligned to partially expose a portion of said broadened recessed area.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000467299A CA1249145A (en) | 1984-11-08 | 1984-11-08 | Specimen slide for analysis of liquid specimens |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000467299A CA1249145A (en) | 1984-11-08 | 1984-11-08 | Specimen slide for analysis of liquid specimens |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1249145A true CA1249145A (en) | 1989-01-24 |
Family
ID=4129106
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000467299A Expired CA1249145A (en) | 1984-11-08 | 1984-11-08 | Specimen slide for analysis of liquid specimens |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1249145A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-11-08 CA CA000467299A patent/CA1249145A/en not_active Expired
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