US20180238778A1 - Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same - Google Patents
Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180238778A1 US20180238778A1 US15/962,968 US201815962968A US2018238778A1 US 20180238778 A1 US20180238778 A1 US 20180238778A1 US 201815962968 A US201815962968 A US 201815962968A US 2018238778 A1 US2018238778 A1 US 2018238778A1
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- Prior art keywords
- wiper
- substrate
- frame
- fluid
- main body
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- Abandoned
Links
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Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
- G01N1/2813—Producing thin layers of samples on a substrate, e.g. smearing, spinning-on
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
- G01N1/30—Staining; Impregnating ; Fixation; Dehydration; Multistep processes for preparing samples of tissue, cell or nucleic acid material and the like for analysis
- G01N1/31—Apparatus therefor
- G01N1/312—Apparatus therefor for samples mounted on planar substrates
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
- B01L2200/0605—Metering of fluids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0809—Geometry, shape and general structure rectangular shaped
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
- B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
- B01L2400/0475—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to smearing a fluid and, in particular, to spreading a fluid across a substrate.
- Analysis of a biological sample includes the step of placing the biological sample on a substrate, such as a microscope slide, for examination. Once placed on the substrate, the biological sample may be smeared across the substrate, thereby forming a wider and thinner layer of the biological sample to enable more efficient processing, imaging and examination of components of the biological sample.
- a substrate such as a microscope slide
- non-uniformity may lead to problems with imaging and examination, thereby leading to errors and incorrect analysis.
- practitioners, researchers, and those working with suspensions or solutions continue to seek an apparatus and method for repeatedly and uniformly spreading a biological sample, a solution, or a suspension across a substrate.
- FIG. 1A-1C show an example spreader.
- FIGS. 2A-2B show an example a wiper.
- FIG. 2C shows an example wiper
- FIG. 3 shows an example frame.
- FIGS. 4A-4B show an example spreader.
- FIG. 5 shows an example spreader
- FIG. 6 shows an example wiper
- FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for spreading a sample with a spreader.
- a spreader includes a wiper and a frame.
- the wiper and the frame may mate to permit translation of the wiper across, and with respect to, the frame.
- the wiper spreads the fluid across the substrate and the frame supports the wiper and the substrate.
- the frame may also include a ramp to cause a portion of the wiper to lift away from the substrate.
- FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of a spreader 100 .
- the spreader 100 includes a wiper 102 and a frame 104 .
- the wiper 102 spreads a fluid across a substrate held in position by the frame 104 .
- the wiper 102 includes a handle 106 that enables a user to move the wiper 102 along the frame 104 while eventually spreading a fluid across the substrate held in place by the frame 104 .
- the wiper 102 also includes a platform 108 .
- the platform 108 includes an extension 110 extending from the handle 106 and a blade 112 extending downward from the extension 110 to engage the fluid.
- the platform 108 may be sized to contact at least a portion of a surface of the substrate or may be sized so as to not contact the surface of the substrate.
- the blade 112 may be straight, angled, or curved.
- the platform 108 may be composed of metal, ceramic, rubber, plastic, or a combination thereof.
- the extension 110 may be removed, and the blade 112 and the handle 106 may be longitudinally co-axial, thereby sharing the same central axis.
- the spreader 100 may allow for back and forth spreading, such that the wiper 102 is moved in a first direction and then is moved backwards in a second direction.
- the blade 112 may include a double plough to spread the suspension in opposite directions.
- the wiper 102 also includes a first wing 114 and a second wing 116 .
- the first and second wings 114 and 116 include first and second flanges 118 and 120 , respectively.
- the first and second flanges 114 and 116 are directed inward to mate with a first guide (not shown) and a second guide 118 , respectively, located on opposite sides of the frame 104 handle 106 flanges 114 and 116 .
- the frame 104 includes parallel first and second arms 122 and 124 that extend from a stanchion 126 .
- the first and second arms 122 and 124 each include a shelf 128 .
- the shelf 128 is a cut-out from an inner top portion of the respective side.
- the shelf 128 supports the substrate when the substrate is inserted into the frame 104 .
- the shelf 128 inhibits translation of the substrate relative to the frame 104 .
- the first and second arms 122 and 124 may be adjustable, thereby allowing for different dimensioned substrates to be used within the same frame 104 .
- the wiper 102 and the frame 104 may be interlockable via a tongue and groove connection to permit translation of the wiper 102 across, and with respect to, the frame 104 .
- the first and second flanges 118 and 120 of the wiper 102 i.e. the tongues
- a first guide not shown
- a second guide 130 i.e. the grooves
- the first guide (not shown) and the second guide 130 include a linear portion 132 and a ramp 134 .
- the linear portion 132 permits the wiper 102 to drag the fluid across the substrate at a consistent height.
- the ramp 134 may be angled or curved.
- the stanchion 126 may support at least a portion of the wiper 102 when the wiper 102 reaches the end of the ramp 134 in such a manner so as to prevent the blade 112 and/or the extension 110 from touching the stanchion 126 or any other portion of the frame 104 .
- movement of the wiper 102 relative to the frame 104 may be constrained to the x-y plane, such as by a flexure mechanism, motorized actuator, linear or non-linear guides, a rotary mechanism, rack-and-pinion, or the like.
- the flanges may be located on the frame 104 whereas the guides may be located on the wiper 102 .
- FIG. 1B shows an isometric view of the spreader 100 .
- FIG. 1C shows a cross-section of the spreader 100 taken along the line I-I.
- FIG. 2A shows an example of a wiper 200 .
- the wiper 200 is similar to the wiper 102 , except that the wiper 200 includes a connector 202 .
- the connector 202 may be located on a extension 204 of a platform 206 .
- the platform 206 also includes a blade 208 similar to the blade 112 .
- the connector 202 permits a vessel (not shown) to dispense a fluid onto the substrate without having to transfer the fluid or portion thereof to the substrate before being inserted into the frame.
- the connector 202 may be threaded or embedded with a Luer lock.
- the connector 202 may be any appropriate shape, including, but not limited to cylindrical, rectangular, conical, pyramidal, or the like.
- the connector 202 may be a hollow receptacle or may be a receptacle with a needle.
- a tube 210 with a flexible bottom 212 may be inverted such that a cap 214 is punctured by a needle 216 .
- the flexible bottom is pushed, which draws a pre-determined volume of fluid through the needle.
- the fluid is then dispensed onto the substrate from the needle 216 .
- the fluid may be dispensed via a syringe, a compressible cap, a pump via a fitting, or the like.
- FIG. 2C shows an example of a wiper 218 .
- the wiper 218 is similar to the wiper 200 , except that the wiper 218 includes a platform 220 where the extension 222 is enclosed on the sides to form a cavity 224 on an underside of the platform 220 .
- the extension 222 also includes a blade 226 similar to the blade 112 .
- the extension 222 may also include a connector 228 similar to the connector 202 .
- FIG. 3 shows an example of a frame 300 .
- the frame 300 is similar to the frame 104 , except that the frame 300 includes a stanchion 302 with a back plate 304 .
- the back plate 304 may include controllable drive mechanism 306 to move the wiper (not shown) along the frame 300 at a constant rate.
- the controllable drive mechanism 306 includes, but is not limited to, a spring, a damper (e.g. a rotary or linear damper) to move the wiper (not shown) at a constant rate.
- the controllable drive mechanism 306 may be used to move the wiper (not shown) along the frame at a predictable motion profile as the fluid droplet changes size across the substrate.
- FIG. 4A shows an isometric view of a spreader 400 .
- FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the spreader 400 taken along the line III-III.
- the spreader 400 includes a wiper 402 and a frame 404 .
- the wiper 402 includes a main body 406 connected to a first wing 408 and a second wing 410 .
- the first wing 408 includes a first flange (not shown) and the second wing 410 includes a second flange 412 .
- the first flange (not shown) and the second flange 412 mate with a guide 414 of a respective side of the frame 404 (such as by a tongue-and-groove joint) to guide the x-, y-, and z-positions of the wiper 402 .
- the first flange (not shown) and the second flange 412 extend towards the central axis of the main body 404 from the first and second wings 408 and 410 , respectively.
- the wiper 402 also includes a platform 416 .
- the platform 416 may include first and second support members 418 and 420 extending from and connected to the main body 406 .
- An extension 422 connects the first and second support members 418 and 420 at an end opposite the end at which the first and second support members 418 and 420 connect to the main body 406 .
- the extension 422 includes a blade 424 to interact with a fluid on a substrate, thereby spreading the fluid across the substrate.
- the blade 424 may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.
- the first and second support members 418 and 420 may include flexures 426 .
- the flexures 426 may be cut-outs from the first and second support members 418 and 420 or flexible material to permit flexion of the blade 424 relative to the main body 406 .
- the blade 424 may be sized to contact at least a portion of a surface of the substrate or may be sized so as to not contact the surface of the substrate.
- the blade 424 may be tapered or flat.
- the blade 424 may be composed of metal, ceramic, rubber, plastic, or a combination thereof.
- the wiper 402 also includes feet 428 at the junction of the extension 422 and the first and second support members 418 and 420 , respectively, which extend downward and may engage the substrate to maintain a consistent blade height relative to the substrate.
- the flexures 426 may also be pre-loaded to keep the feet 428 in constant contact with the substrate. Alternatively, the feet 428 may engage a shelf of the frame 404 .
- the wiper 402 may also include a connector 430 .
- the connector 430 may be located in the main body 406 .
- the connector 430 permits a vessel (not shown) to dispense a fluid onto the substrate without having to transfer the fluid or portion thereof to the substrate before being inserted into the frame.
- the connector 430 may be a hole, a hollow receptacle, or may be a receptacle with a needle.
- a tube or tubular main body with a flexible bottom may be inverted such that a cap is punctured by the needle. The flexible bottom is pushed, which draws a pre-determined volume of fluid through the needle.
- the fluid is then dispensed onto the substrate from the needle.
- the fluid may be dispensed via a syringe, a compressible cap, a pump via a fitting, or the like.
- the connector 430 may be threaded or embedded with a Luer lock.
- the connector 430 may be any appropriate shape, including, but not limited to cylindrical, rectangular, conical, pyramidal, or the like.
- the vessel, upon connection with the connector 430 may be used as a handle.
- the wiper 402 may also include handle to move the wiper 402 relative to the frame 404 .
- the frame 404 includes a first arm 432 and a second arm 434 , the first and second arms 432 and 434 being disconnected at one end and connected at another end via a stanchion 436 .
- the first and second arms 432 and 434 each include a shelf 438 .
- the shelf 438 is a cut-out from an inner top portion of the respective side.
- a lip 440 is then cut out from the respective shelf 438 within each side.
- the lip 440 supports the substrate when the substrate is inserted into the frame 404 , whereas the shelf 438 supports the feet 428 of the platform 416 .
- the lip 440 inhibits translation of the substrate relative to the frame 404 .
- the first and second arms 432 and 434 may be adjustable, thereby permitting different dimensioned substrates to be used within the same frame 404 .
- Each shelf 438 also includes a riser 442 that lifts the platform 416 away from the substrate when the wiper 402 reaches the end of the shelf 438 .
- the feet 428 of the platform 416 then rest in a detent 444 located behind each riser 442 .
- a dock 446 supports at least a portion of the wiper 402 , such as the blade 424 , when the feet 428 reach the detents 444 .
- the guides may be located on the wiper 402 whereas the flanges may be located on the frame 404 .
- the wiper 402 may be moved relative to the frame 404 manually or mechanically by, including, but not limited to, a flexure mechanism, motorized actuator, linear or non-linear guides, a rotary mechanism, or the like.
- the frame 404 may also include a back plate.
- the back plate may include a controllable drive mechanism to move the wiper 402 along the frame 404 at a constant rate.
- the controllable drive mechanism includes, but is not limited to, a spring, a damper (e.g. a rotary or linear damper) to move the wiper (not shown) at a constant rate.
- the controllable drive mechanism may be used to move the wiper (not shown) along the frame at a predictable motion profile as the fluid droplet changes size across the substrate.
- FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a spreader 500 .
- the spreader 500 includes a wiper 502 and a frame 504 .
- the wiper 502 includes a main body 506 connected to a first wing 508 and a second wing 510 .
- Each wing 508 and 510 includes a flange 512 .
- the flanges 512 mate with a guide 514 of a respective side of the frame 504 (such as by a tongue-and-groove joint) to guide the x-, y-, and z-positions of the wiper 502 .
- the flanges 512 extend towards the central axis of the main body 504 from the first and second wings 508 and 510 , respectively.
- the wiper 502 also includes a platform 516 .
- the platform 516 may include first and second support members 518 and 520 extending from and connected to the main body 504 .
- An extension 522 connects the first and second support members 518 and 520 at an end opposite the end at which the first and second support members 518 and 520 connect to the main body 506 .
- the extension 522 includes a blade 524 to interact with a fluid on a substrate, thereby spreading the fluid across the substrate.
- the blade 524 may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.
- the first and second support members 518 and 520 may include flexures 526 .
- the flexures 526 may be cut-outs from the first and second support members 518 and 520 or flexible material to permit flexion of the blade 524 relative to the main body 506 .
- the blade 524 may be sized to contact at least a portion of a surface of the substrate or may be sized so as to not contact the surface of the substrate.
- the blade 524 may be metal, ceramic, rubber, plastic, or a combination thereof.
- the blade 524 may be tapered or flat.
- the wiper 502 also includes feet 528 at the junction of the extension 522 and the first and second support members 518 and 520 , respectively, which extend downward and may engage the substrate to maintain a consistent blade height relative to the substrate.
- the flexures 526 may also be pre-loaded to keep the feet 528 in constant contact with the substrate. Alternatively, the feet 528 may engage a shelf of the frame 504 track 548 .
- the first and second wings 508 and 510 may include a cut-out 530 to permit an operator or another device to grip the wiper 502 to be dragged across the frame 504 .
- the first and second wings 508 and 510 may also include a guard 532 to prevent the operator or another device from disturbing other samples when at least two frames are placed side-by-side.
- the guard 532 may also permit for consistent grip height from wiper to wiper and when the wiper is moved from frame to frame.
- the wiper 502 may also include a connector 534 .
- the connector 534 may be a separate piece from the wiper 502 and may attach to the main body 506 of the wiper 502 via an attachment segment 536 .
- the attachment segment 536 may be a clip so as to slip onto the main body 506 .
- the connector 534 permits a vessel (not shown) to dispense a fluid onto the substrate without having to transfer the fluid or portion thereof to the substrate before being inserted into the frame.
- the connector 534 may include a bore 538 within a pedestal 540 extending from the attachment segment 536 towards the blade 542 of the wiper 502 .
- the bore 538 may accept or mate with the vessel and may be threaded or may include a Luer lock.
- the bore 538 may include a needle to puncture the vessel.
- a tube or tubular main body with a flexible bottom may be inverted such that a cap is punctured by the needle.
- the flexible bottom is pushed, which draws a pre-determined volume of fluid through the needle.
- the fluid is then dispensed onto the substrate from the needle.
- the fluid may be dispensed via a syringe, a compressible cap, a pump via a fitting, or the like.
- the frame 502 includes a stanchion 542 which adjoins first and second sides 544 and 546 .
- Each side of the frame 502 includes the guide 514 , which may extend the full length of the respective side or may extend only a portion of the respective side.
- the guide 514 may include a notch 548 to permit insertion of the wiper 502 onto the guide 514 .
- the track 548 may be angled to maintain a relative distance of the blade 524 to the sample based on the changing volume of the not-yet-smeared portion of the sample (i.e. to maintain a consistent blade 524 to smear area ratio).
- Each flange 512 may be passed through the respective notch 548 and then moved to engage the respective guide 514 .
- Each side also includes a shelf 550 to support the substrate when the substrate is inserted into the frame 504 and a mantle 552 to support and engage the feet 528 of the wiper 502 .
- the mantle 552 may include a riser 554 to lift the blade 524 of the wiper 502 away from the substrate.
- the frame 504 may also include a lip 556 to inhibit translation of the substrate relative to the frame 504 .
- Each side of the frame 504 may include a cut-out 558 to permit an operator or another device to grip the frame 504 while the wiper 502 is dragged across the frame 504 .
- Each side of the frame 504 may also include a base 560 so that the operator or another device may stabilize the frame 504 by exerting a force on the frame 504 .
- the frame 504 may also include a cavity 562 to permit the substrate to be inserted and removed from the frame 504 without touching the portion of the substrate that has or may receive the sample.
- the frame 504 may be level or angled (i.e. approximately)0.1°-5°.
- the frame 504 may also include a back plate.
- the back plate may include controllable drive mechanism (not shown) to move the wiper 502 along the frame 504 at a constant rate.
- the controllable drive mechanism (not shown) includes, but is not limited to, a spring, a damper (e.g. a rotary or linear damper) to move the wiper (not shown) at a constant rate.
- the controllable drive mechanism (not shown) may be used to move the wiper (not shown) along the frame at a predictable motion profile as the fluid droplet changes size across the substrate.
- FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a wiper 600 .
- the wiper 600 is similar to the wiper 502 except the wiper 600 includes a receptacle 602 extending from a brace 604 .
- the receptacle 602 includes a bore 606 that spans the length of the receptacle and is configured to receive a vessel.
- the receptacle 602 may also include a collar 608 , which may include fingers 610 , to secure the vessel within the receptacle 602 .
- the receptacle 602 holds the vessel containing a sample to be dispensed through an aperture 612 .
- the receptacle 602 may include a needle to be inserted into the vessel to draw a portion of the sample out and onto the substrate. The needle extends vertically, thereby being parallel with the wall of the receptacle 602 .
- the wiper 600 may also include an abutment 614 that extends between the main body 506 and the receptacle 602 to support the receptacle 602 .
- the brace 604 may be connected to the main body 506 via the flexures 526 .
- the brace 604 includes a blade 616 similar to the blade 524 .
- the wiper may be composed of a variety of different materials including, but not limited to, a ceramic; metals; organic or inorganic materials; and plastic materials; and combinations thereof.
- the wiper may be disposable or re-useable.
- the frame may be composed of a variety of different materials including, but not limited to, a ceramic; metals; organic or inorganic materials; and plastic materials; and combinations thereof.
- the frame may be disposable or re-useable.
- the tracks may be on the outer side of the respective first and second sides or may be on the inner side of the respective first and second sides.
- the spreader may include multiple frames lined up next to one another.
- a wiper may include multiple blades, such that the number of blades is equal to the number of frames.
- the blades may share a handle such that pulling on the handle causes all of the blades to move simultaneously.
- the blades may also share first and second arms so as to move off the substrates in unison.
- the spreader may be housed in a cartridge to be inserted into a machine and then ejected from the machine after use.
- a lid of the cartridge may be removable to access the contents or a handle and connector may extend through the lid, so as to dispense the fluid onto the substrate and the move wiper to spread the fluid.
- a sample fluid may be urine, blood, Buffy coat, red blood cells, plasma, bone marrow, cystic fluid, ascites fluid, stool, semen, cerebrospinal fluid, nipple aspirate fluid, saliva, amniotic fluid, vaginal secretions, mucus membrane secretions, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, vomit, and any other physiological fluid or semi-solid.
- the method and apparatus may also be used with another appropriate solution or suspension.
- the example fluids may be mixed with a processing solution, such as a preservative, a cell adhesion solution, a fixative, or the like, from previous processing or for subsequent processing and analysis.
- FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for spreading a sample with a spreader.
- a sample of buffy coat may be obtained, such enrichment and/or isolation, and held within a vessel.
- a substrate such as a microscope slide, may be pre-loaded onto a shelf of a frame.
- at least a portion of the buffy coat sample may be dispensed onto the substrate.
- the buffy coat may be dispensed in one drop or in more than one drop on the substrate. When one drop is dispensed onto the substrate, the drop may be approximately equidistant between the long sides of the substrate. When more than one drop is dispensed onto the substrate, the drops may be equally spaced apart between the long sides of the substrate.
- a wiper may be dragged across a frame to spread the sample on the substrate.
- the protrusion interacts with the buffy coat, thereby wicking the buffy coat outwards (i.e. width) and/or across (i.e. length) the microscope slide.
- the protrusion is lifted away from the microscope slide.
- the substrate may then be removed from the shelf either horizontally or vertically, so as to inhibit any run-off or movement of the buffy coat from the substrate.
- oval 714 when no buffy coat remains, the process ends. However, when buffy coat remains, the process continues, starting at block 704 and a new substrate is placed onto the shelf, the wiper is reset, and the process is repeated as many times necessary until the vessel is empty.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/948,327, filed Nov. 22, 2015, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/801,637, filed Jul. 16, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,857, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/465,065, filed Aug. 21, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,121,798, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/869,881, filed Aug. 26, 2013, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- This disclosure relates generally to smearing a fluid and, in particular, to spreading a fluid across a substrate.
- Analysis of a biological sample includes the step of placing the biological sample on a substrate, such as a microscope slide, for examination. Once placed on the substrate, the biological sample may be smeared across the substrate, thereby forming a wider and thinner layer of the biological sample to enable more efficient processing, imaging and examination of components of the biological sample. However, non-uniformity may lead to problems with imaging and examination, thereby leading to errors and incorrect analysis. As a result, practitioners, researchers, and those working with suspensions or solutions continue to seek an apparatus and method for repeatedly and uniformly spreading a biological sample, a solution, or a suspension across a substrate.
-
FIG. 1A-1C show an example spreader. -
FIGS. 2A-2B show an example a wiper. -
FIG. 2C shows an example wiper. -
FIG. 3 shows an example frame. -
FIGS. 4A-4B show an example spreader. -
FIG. 5 shows an example spreader. -
FIG. 6 shows an example wiper. -
FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for spreading a sample with a spreader. - This disclosure is directed to fluid spreaders and methods for spreading a fluid across a substrate. A spreader includes a wiper and a frame. The wiper and the frame may mate to permit translation of the wiper across, and with respect to, the frame. The wiper spreads the fluid across the substrate and the frame supports the wiper and the substrate. The frame may also include a ramp to cause a portion of the wiper to lift away from the substrate.
-
FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of aspreader 100. Thespreader 100 includes awiper 102 and aframe 104. Thewiper 102 spreads a fluid across a substrate held in position by theframe 104. Thewiper 102 includes ahandle 106 that enables a user to move thewiper 102 along theframe 104 while eventually spreading a fluid across the substrate held in place by theframe 104. Thewiper 102 also includes aplatform 108. Theplatform 108 includes anextension 110 extending from thehandle 106 and ablade 112 extending downward from theextension 110 to engage the fluid. Theplatform 108 may be sized to contact at least a portion of a surface of the substrate or may be sized so as to not contact the surface of the substrate. Theblade 112 may be straight, angled, or curved. Theplatform 108 may be composed of metal, ceramic, rubber, plastic, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, theextension 110 may be removed, and theblade 112 and thehandle 106 may be longitudinally co-axial, thereby sharing the same central axis. Alternatively, thespreader 100 may allow for back and forth spreading, such that thewiper 102 is moved in a first direction and then is moved backwards in a second direction. For example, theblade 112 may include a double plough to spread the suspension in opposite directions. - The
wiper 102 also includes afirst wing 114 and asecond wing 116. The first andsecond wings second flanges second flanges second guide 118, respectively, located on opposite sides of theframe 104handle 106flanges - The
frame 104 includes parallel first andsecond arms stanchion 126. The first andsecond arms shelf 128. Theshelf 128 is a cut-out from an inner top portion of the respective side. Theshelf 128 supports the substrate when the substrate is inserted into theframe 104. Theshelf 128 inhibits translation of the substrate relative to theframe 104. The first andsecond arms same frame 104. - The
wiper 102 and theframe 104 may be interlockable via a tongue and groove connection to permit translation of thewiper 102 across, and with respect to, theframe 104. The first andsecond flanges second guide 130 include alinear portion 132 and aramp 134. Thelinear portion 132 permits thewiper 102 to drag the fluid across the substrate at a consistent height. When thewiper 102 reaches and moves across theramp 134, theblade 112 is lifted away from the substrate to avoid spreading off of the edges and end of the substrate while also allowing for ease of removal of the substrate from theframe 104. Theramp 134 may be angled or curved. Thestanchion 126 may support at least a portion of thewiper 102 when thewiper 102 reaches the end of theramp 134 in such a manner so as to prevent theblade 112 and/or theextension 110 from touching thestanchion 126 or any other portion of theframe 104. Alternatively, movement of thewiper 102 relative to theframe 104 may be constrained to the x-y plane, such as by a flexure mechanism, motorized actuator, linear or non-linear guides, a rotary mechanism, rack-and-pinion, or the like. Alternatively, the flanges may be located on theframe 104 whereas the guides may be located on thewiper 102. -
FIG. 1B shows an isometric view of thespreader 100.FIG. 1C shows a cross-section of thespreader 100 taken along the line I-I. -
FIG. 2A shows an example of awiper 200. Thewiper 200 is similar to thewiper 102, except that thewiper 200 includes aconnector 202. Theconnector 202 may be located on aextension 204 of aplatform 206. Theplatform 206 also includes ablade 208 similar to theblade 112. Theconnector 202 permits a vessel (not shown) to dispense a fluid onto the substrate without having to transfer the fluid or portion thereof to the substrate before being inserted into the frame. Theconnector 202 may be threaded or embedded with a Luer lock. Theconnector 202 may be any appropriate shape, including, but not limited to cylindrical, rectangular, conical, pyramidal, or the like. Theconnector 202 may be a hollow receptacle or may be a receptacle with a needle. For example, as seen inFIG. 2B which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II, atube 210 with aflexible bottom 212 may be inverted such that acap 214 is punctured by aneedle 216. The flexible bottom is pushed, which draws a pre-determined volume of fluid through the needle. The fluid is then dispensed onto the substrate from theneedle 216. Alternatively, the fluid may be dispensed via a syringe, a compressible cap, a pump via a fitting, or the like. -
FIG. 2C shows an example of awiper 218. Thewiper 218 is similar to thewiper 200, except that thewiper 218 includes aplatform 220 where theextension 222 is enclosed on the sides to form acavity 224 on an underside of theplatform 220. Theextension 222 also includes ablade 226 similar to theblade 112. Theextension 222 may also include aconnector 228 similar to theconnector 202. -
FIG. 3 shows an example of aframe 300. Theframe 300 is similar to theframe 104, except that theframe 300 includes astanchion 302 with aback plate 304. Theback plate 304 may includecontrollable drive mechanism 306 to move the wiper (not shown) along theframe 300 at a constant rate. Thecontrollable drive mechanism 306 includes, but is not limited to, a spring, a damper (e.g. a rotary or linear damper) to move the wiper (not shown) at a constant rate. Thecontrollable drive mechanism 306 may be used to move the wiper (not shown) along the frame at a predictable motion profile as the fluid droplet changes size across the substrate. -
FIG. 4A shows an isometric view of aspreader 400.FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of thespreader 400 taken along the line III-III. Thespreader 400 includes awiper 402 and aframe 404. Thewiper 402 includes amain body 406 connected to afirst wing 408 and asecond wing 410. Thefirst wing 408 includes a first flange (not shown) and thesecond wing 410 includes asecond flange 412. The first flange (not shown) and thesecond flange 412 mate with aguide 414 of a respective side of the frame 404 (such as by a tongue-and-groove joint) to guide the x-, y-, and z-positions of thewiper 402. The first flange (not shown) and thesecond flange 412 extend towards the central axis of themain body 404 from the first andsecond wings - The
wiper 402 also includes aplatform 416. Theplatform 416 may include first andsecond support members main body 406. Anextension 422 connects the first andsecond support members second support members main body 406. Theextension 422 includes ablade 424 to interact with a fluid on a substrate, thereby spreading the fluid across the substrate. Theblade 424 may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic. The first andsecond support members flexures 426. Theflexures 426 may be cut-outs from the first andsecond support members blade 424 relative to themain body 406. Theblade 424 may be sized to contact at least a portion of a surface of the substrate or may be sized so as to not contact the surface of the substrate. Theblade 424 may be tapered or flat. Theblade 424 may be composed of metal, ceramic, rubber, plastic, or a combination thereof. Thewiper 402 also includesfeet 428 at the junction of theextension 422 and the first andsecond support members flexures 426 may also be pre-loaded to keep thefeet 428 in constant contact with the substrate. Alternatively, thefeet 428 may engage a shelf of theframe 404. - The
wiper 402 may also include aconnector 430. Theconnector 430 may be located in themain body 406. Theconnector 430 permits a vessel (not shown) to dispense a fluid onto the substrate without having to transfer the fluid or portion thereof to the substrate before being inserted into the frame. Theconnector 430 may be a hole, a hollow receptacle, or may be a receptacle with a needle. For example, a tube or tubular main body with a flexible bottom may be inverted such that a cap is punctured by the needle. The flexible bottom is pushed, which draws a pre-determined volume of fluid through the needle. The fluid is then dispensed onto the substrate from the needle. Alternatively, the fluid may be dispensed via a syringe, a compressible cap, a pump via a fitting, or the like. - The
connector 430 may be threaded or embedded with a Luer lock. Theconnector 430 may be any appropriate shape, including, but not limited to cylindrical, rectangular, conical, pyramidal, or the like. The vessel, upon connection with theconnector 430, may be used as a handle. Alternatively, thewiper 402 may also include handle to move thewiper 402 relative to theframe 404. - The
frame 404 includes afirst arm 432 and asecond arm 434, the first andsecond arms stanchion 436. The first andsecond arms shelf 438. Theshelf 438 is a cut-out from an inner top portion of the respective side. Alip 440 is then cut out from therespective shelf 438 within each side. Thelip 440 supports the substrate when the substrate is inserted into theframe 404, whereas theshelf 438 supports thefeet 428 of theplatform 416. Thelip 440 inhibits translation of the substrate relative to theframe 404. The first andsecond arms same frame 404. - The respective guides 414 are linear. Each
shelf 438 also includes ariser 442 that lifts theplatform 416 away from the substrate when thewiper 402 reaches the end of theshelf 438. Thefeet 428 of theplatform 416 then rest in adetent 444 located behind eachriser 442. Adock 446 supports at least a portion of thewiper 402, such as theblade 424, when thefeet 428 reach thedetents 444. Alternatively, the guides may be located on thewiper 402 whereas the flanges may be located on theframe 404. Thewiper 402 may be moved relative to theframe 404 manually or mechanically by, including, but not limited to, a flexure mechanism, motorized actuator, linear or non-linear guides, a rotary mechanism, or the like. - The
frame 404 may also include a back plate. The back plate may include a controllable drive mechanism to move thewiper 402 along theframe 404 at a constant rate. The controllable drive mechanism includes, but is not limited to, a spring, a damper (e.g. a rotary or linear damper) to move the wiper (not shown) at a constant rate. The controllable drive mechanism may be used to move the wiper (not shown) along the frame at a predictable motion profile as the fluid droplet changes size across the substrate. -
FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of aspreader 500. Thespreader 500 includes awiper 502 and aframe 504. Thewiper 502 includes amain body 506 connected to afirst wing 508 and asecond wing 510. Eachwing flange 512. Theflanges 512 mate with aguide 514 of a respective side of the frame 504 (such as by a tongue-and-groove joint) to guide the x-, y-, and z-positions of thewiper 502. Theflanges 512 extend towards the central axis of themain body 504 from the first andsecond wings - The
wiper 502 also includes aplatform 516. Theplatform 516 may include first andsecond support members main body 504. Anextension 522 connects the first andsecond support members second support members main body 506. Theextension 522 includes ablade 524 to interact with a fluid on a substrate, thereby spreading the fluid across the substrate. Theblade 524 may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic. The first andsecond support members flexures 526. Theflexures 526 may be cut-outs from the first andsecond support members blade 524 relative to themain body 506. Theblade 524 may be sized to contact at least a portion of a surface of the substrate or may be sized so as to not contact the surface of the substrate. Theblade 524 may be metal, ceramic, rubber, plastic, or a combination thereof. Theblade 524 may be tapered or flat. Thewiper 502 also includesfeet 528 at the junction of theextension 522 and the first andsecond support members flexures 526 may also be pre-loaded to keep thefeet 528 in constant contact with the substrate. Alternatively, thefeet 528 may engage a shelf of theframe 504track 548. The first andsecond wings wiper 502 to be dragged across theframe 504. The first andsecond wings guard 532 to prevent the operator or another device from disturbing other samples when at least two frames are placed side-by-side. Theguard 532 may also permit for consistent grip height from wiper to wiper and when the wiper is moved from frame to frame. - The
wiper 502 may also include aconnector 534. Theconnector 534 may be a separate piece from thewiper 502 and may attach to themain body 506 of thewiper 502 via anattachment segment 536. Theattachment segment 536 may be a clip so as to slip onto themain body 506. Theconnector 534 permits a vessel (not shown) to dispense a fluid onto the substrate without having to transfer the fluid or portion thereof to the substrate before being inserted into the frame. Theconnector 534 may include abore 538 within apedestal 540 extending from theattachment segment 536 towards theblade 542 of thewiper 502. Thebore 538 may accept or mate with the vessel and may be threaded or may include a Luer lock. Alternatively, thebore 538 may include a needle to puncture the vessel. For example, a tube or tubular main body with a flexible bottom may be inverted such that a cap is punctured by the needle. The flexible bottom is pushed, which draws a pre-determined volume of fluid through the needle. The fluid is then dispensed onto the substrate from the needle. Alternatively, the fluid may be dispensed via a syringe, a compressible cap, a pump via a fitting, or the like. - The
frame 502 includes astanchion 542 which adjoins first andsecond sides frame 502 includes theguide 514, which may extend the full length of the respective side or may extend only a portion of the respective side. When theguide 514 only extends a portion of the respective side, theguide 514 may include anotch 548 to permit insertion of thewiper 502 onto theguide 514. Thetrack 548 may be angled to maintain a relative distance of theblade 524 to the sample based on the changing volume of the not-yet-smeared portion of the sample (i.e. to maintain aconsistent blade 524 to smear area ratio). Eachflange 512 may be passed through therespective notch 548 and then moved to engage therespective guide 514. Each side also includes ashelf 550 to support the substrate when the substrate is inserted into theframe 504 and amantle 552 to support and engage thefeet 528 of thewiper 502. Themantle 552 may include ariser 554 to lift theblade 524 of thewiper 502 away from the substrate. Theframe 504 may also include alip 556 to inhibit translation of the substrate relative to theframe 504. Each side of theframe 504 may include a cut-out 558 to permit an operator or another device to grip theframe 504 while thewiper 502 is dragged across theframe 504. Each side of theframe 504 may also include a base 560 so that the operator or another device may stabilize theframe 504 by exerting a force on theframe 504. Theframe 504 may also include acavity 562 to permit the substrate to be inserted and removed from theframe 504 without touching the portion of the substrate that has or may receive the sample. Theframe 504 may be level or angled (i.e. approximately)0.1°-5°. - The
frame 504 may also include a back plate. The back plate may include controllable drive mechanism (not shown) to move thewiper 502 along theframe 504 at a constant rate. The controllable drive mechanism (not shown) includes, but is not limited to, a spring, a damper (e.g. a rotary or linear damper) to move the wiper (not shown) at a constant rate. The controllable drive mechanism (not shown) may be used to move the wiper (not shown) along the frame at a predictable motion profile as the fluid droplet changes size across the substrate. -
FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of awiper 600. Thewiper 600 is similar to thewiper 502 except thewiper 600 includes areceptacle 602 extending from abrace 604. Thereceptacle 602 includes abore 606 that spans the length of the receptacle and is configured to receive a vessel. Thereceptacle 602 may also include acollar 608, which may includefingers 610, to secure the vessel within thereceptacle 602. Thereceptacle 602 holds the vessel containing a sample to be dispensed through anaperture 612. Alternatively, thereceptacle 602 may include a needle to be inserted into the vessel to draw a portion of the sample out and onto the substrate. The needle extends vertically, thereby being parallel with the wall of thereceptacle 602. - The
wiper 600 may also include anabutment 614 that extends between themain body 506 and thereceptacle 602 to support thereceptacle 602. Thebrace 604 may be connected to themain body 506 via theflexures 526. Thebrace 604 includes ablade 616 similar to theblade 524. - The wiper may be composed of a variety of different materials including, but not limited to, a ceramic; metals; organic or inorganic materials; and plastic materials; and combinations thereof. The wiper may be disposable or re-useable. The frame may be composed of a variety of different materials including, but not limited to, a ceramic; metals; organic or inorganic materials; and plastic materials; and combinations thereof. The frame may be disposable or re-useable. The tracks may be on the outer side of the respective first and second sides or may be on the inner side of the respective first and second sides.
- Alternatively, the spreader may include multiple frames lined up next to one another. A wiper may include multiple blades, such that the number of blades is equal to the number of frames. The blades may share a handle such that pulling on the handle causes all of the blades to move simultaneously. The blades may also share first and second arms so as to move off the substrates in unison.
- Alternatively, the spreader may be housed in a cartridge to be inserted into a machine and then ejected from the machine after use. A lid of the cartridge may be removable to access the contents or a handle and connector may extend through the lid, so as to dispense the fluid onto the substrate and the move wiper to spread the fluid.
- For the sake of convenience, the methods are described with reference to an example fluid of buffy coat. But the methods described below are not intended to be so limited in their scope of application. The methods, in practice, may be used with any kind of suspension, solution, or fluid. For example, a sample fluid may be urine, blood, Buffy coat, red blood cells, plasma, bone marrow, cystic fluid, ascites fluid, stool, semen, cerebrospinal fluid, nipple aspirate fluid, saliva, amniotic fluid, vaginal secretions, mucus membrane secretions, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, vomit, and any other physiological fluid or semi-solid. The method and apparatus may also be used with another appropriate solution or suspension. Furthermore, the example fluids may be mixed with a processing solution, such as a preservative, a cell adhesion solution, a fixative, or the like, from previous processing or for subsequent processing and analysis.
-
FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for spreading a sample with a spreader. Inblock 702, a sample of buffy coat may be obtained, such enrichment and/or isolation, and held within a vessel. Inblock 704, a substrate, such as a microscope slide, may be pre-loaded onto a shelf of a frame. Inblock 706, at least a portion of the buffy coat sample may be dispensed onto the substrate. The buffy coat may be dispensed in one drop or in more than one drop on the substrate. When one drop is dispensed onto the substrate, the drop may be approximately equidistant between the long sides of the substrate. When more than one drop is dispensed onto the substrate, the drops may be equally spaced apart between the long sides of the substrate. - In
block 708, a wiper may be dragged across a frame to spread the sample on the substrate. The protrusion interacts with the buffy coat, thereby wicking the buffy coat outwards (i.e. width) and/or across (i.e. length) the microscope slide. When guides of the wiper slide up a ramp within a track of the frame, the protrusion is lifted away from the microscope slide. Inblock 710, the substrate may then be removed from the shelf either horizontally or vertically, so as to inhibit any run-off or movement of the buffy coat from the substrate. - In
diamond 712, a determination may be made as to whether or not any sample remains in the vessel to be distributed. Inoval 714, when no buffy coat remains, the process ends. However, when buffy coat remains, the process continues, starting atblock 704 and a new substrate is placed onto the shelf, the wiper is reset, and the process is repeated as many times necessary until the vessel is empty. - The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the systems and methods described herein. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented by way of examples for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive of or to limit this disclosure to the precise forms described. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments are shown and described in order to best explain the principles of this disclosure and practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize this disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of this disclosure be defined by the following claims and their equivalents:
Claims (14)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/962,968 US20180238778A1 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2018-04-25 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
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US201361869881P | 2013-08-26 | 2013-08-26 | |
US14/465,065 US9121798B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-08-21 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
US14/801,637 US9222857B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-07-16 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
US14/948,327 US10018538B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-11-22 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
US15/962,968 US20180238778A1 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2018-04-25 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
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US14/948,327 Continuation US10018538B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-11-22 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
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US14/465,065 Active US9121798B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-08-21 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
US14/801,637 Active US9222857B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-07-16 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
US14/948,327 Active 2035-05-30 US10018538B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-11-22 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
US15/962,968 Abandoned US20180238778A1 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2018-04-25 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
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US14/801,637 Active US9222857B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-07-16 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
US14/948,327 Active 2035-05-30 US10018538B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-11-22 | Apparatus for spreading a fluid across a substrate and method of using the same |
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FR3033715B1 (en) * | 2015-03-18 | 2017-04-14 | R A L Diagnostics | DEVICE FOR PREPARING A LAYER OF BIOLOGICAL CELLS ON A BLADE AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING A LAYER OF CELLS USING SAID DEVICE |
CN105203369B (en) * | 2015-10-22 | 2018-02-13 | 宜兴市妇幼保健所 | Semi-automatic staining of sperm instrument |
CN106645154A (en) * | 2016-12-23 | 2017-05-10 | 中山大学 | Enrichment and observation apparatus and method for parasite eggs |
Citations (2)
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US4392450A (en) * | 1981-02-12 | 1983-07-12 | Prevo Donald L | Device for spreading monolayered films |
US5676910A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1997-10-14 | Alpha Scientific Corporation | Automatic blood film preparation device |
Family Cites Families (15)
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US2655898A (en) | 1950-10-21 | 1953-10-20 | Mcneil Crichton | Apparatus for making blood films |
US3683850A (en) | 1970-09-14 | 1972-08-15 | Systematics | Apparatus for preparing blood specimens on slides |
US3880111A (en) | 1973-11-05 | 1975-04-29 | Geometric Data Corp | Automatic blood smear device |
US3888206A (en) | 1974-08-29 | 1975-06-10 | Geometric Data Corp | Automatic blood smear device with vibration damping means |
US4027623A (en) | 1975-06-23 | 1977-06-07 | Technicon Instruments Corporation | Sample mixer and spreader |
US4030341A (en) | 1975-07-24 | 1977-06-21 | Corning Glass Works | Fluid application device |
US4359013A (en) | 1980-09-08 | 1982-11-16 | Prevo Donald L | Device for spreading monolayered films |
US4516522A (en) | 1982-10-14 | 1985-05-14 | Coulter Electronics, Inc. | Slide preparation apparatus |
US4494479A (en) | 1982-10-14 | 1985-01-22 | Coulter Electronics, Inc. | Slide preparation apparatus |
US6083759A (en) | 1997-12-30 | 2000-07-04 | University Of Hawaii | Blood smearing cassette |
EP1210577A2 (en) | 1999-04-29 | 2002-06-05 | Arcturus Engineering, Inc. | Processing technology for lcm samples |
EP1503202B1 (en) | 2003-07-31 | 2018-07-25 | Sysmex Corporation | Smear preparing apparatus |
JP4871737B2 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2012-02-08 | ベンタナ・メデイカル・システムズ・インコーポレーテツド | Method and apparatus for efficient thin film liquid treatment of flat surfaces |
CA2573787C (en) | 2004-07-23 | 2010-11-30 | Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for applying fluids to a biological sample |
EP2565617B1 (en) | 2011-08-31 | 2018-11-28 | Sysmex Corporation | A smear preparation device |
-
2014
- 2014-08-21 US US14/465,065 patent/US9121798B2/en active Active
-
2015
- 2015-07-16 US US14/801,637 patent/US9222857B2/en active Active
- 2015-11-22 US US14/948,327 patent/US10018538B2/en active Active
-
2018
- 2018-04-25 US US15/962,968 patent/US20180238778A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4392450A (en) * | 1981-02-12 | 1983-07-12 | Prevo Donald L | Device for spreading monolayered films |
US5676910A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1997-10-14 | Alpha Scientific Corporation | Automatic blood film preparation device |
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US20150056695A1 (en) | 2015-02-26 |
US20160076979A1 (en) | 2016-03-17 |
US9222857B2 (en) | 2015-12-29 |
US10018538B2 (en) | 2018-07-10 |
US20150323428A1 (en) | 2015-11-12 |
US9121798B2 (en) | 2015-09-01 |
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