Cytyc Corporation

Fredric L Farber

Stanley N Lapidus

Lewis T Polk, Jr

Anne A Hurley

J Morgan Barlas

An apparatus and method provide automated collection and transfer of particles from a liquid suspension to a glass slide for visual examination. A magnet is positioned adjacent to a solution which contains particles tagged with magnetic beads, for example cells, so that the magnetic particles flow toward the magnet and collect against a collection surface positioned between the particles and the magnet. A transfer mechanism applies a selected pressure to a second side of the collection surface for transferring collected cells to a viewing slide. The apparatus includes a device for dispersing the liquid suspension of particles prior to the collection process and for collecting particles against the collection surface with a spatial distribution advantageous for visual examination. The transfer operation maintains this spatial distribution. The cell-dispersing device and the collection surface are on a common structure, for unitary movement, and which is readily disposable and replaceable for each sample of particles

Method and apparatus for magnetically separating biological particles

An apparatus and method provide automated collection and transfer of particles from a liquid suspension to a glass slide for visual examination. A solution which contains particles, for example cells, is drawn through a filter element so that particles too large to pass through the filter element collect against a first surface of the filter element. A transfer fluid, such as alcohol, is applied from a second surface of the filter element to the first surface, to transfer cells from the filter element to a glass slide positioned adjacent the filter element. An alternative transfer mechanism applies a selected pneumatic signal to the filter element for transferring collected cells to the viewing slide. The apparatus includes a device for dispersing the liquid suspension of particles prior to the collection process and particles collect against the filter element with a spatial distribution advantageous for visual examination. The transfer operation maintains this spatial distribution. The cell-dispersing device and the filter element are on a common structure, for unitary movement, and which is readily disposable and replaceable for each sample of particles.

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Chestnut Hill, MA, United States of America

Fredric L Farber