Wescor Inc.

Other

Gary D Bradshaw

Barry O Stokes

Wayne K Barlow

Carmelo G Quirante

Patti A Nelson

Dennis R Briscoe

Marilyn L Grover

Automated staining equipment that can mix reagents is used to spray a Romanowsky stain onto slide mounted specimens which are then briefly centrifuged. The centrifugation step removes excess stain leaving only a thin film. Depending on the time of the centrifugation step, most of the organic solvent and part of the water in the stain are evaporated by airflow through the equipment. This greatly accelerates the staining reaction and preserves water soluble structures such as the granules in basophilic leukocytes. For optimal performance, this staining procedure requires a thiazin-eosin stain with about 90% to about 40% organic solvent, such as methanol, and only about 10% to about 60% water. This is a unique staining reagent in Romanowsky staining.

Method and staining reagent for staining hematology sample in an automated staining apparatus

Apparatus for heating microscope slides

In accordance with the apparatus of the invention, a preferably vertically upstanding housing is provided, internally thereof, with a rack structure having an upstanding series of shelves, or other microscope-slide-supporting members, spaced one above another providing multiple, substantially horizontal slots arranged alternatively with the shelves and leading into corresponding compartments between the shelves for receiving microscope slides to be heated, which preferably lie flatwise on and against the shelves so as to be heated by conduction from the shelves. The method of the invention constitutes the placing of the slides in the heating compartments, preferably with corresponding ends projecting therefrom so as to remain relatively cool for grasping during removal, and turning on the heat.

Apparatus and method for heating microscope slides

Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to one or more miscroscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time or angular rotation during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry determines the position of the slides and carousel in the spray chamber and coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides. The slide holding carousel may be replaced by an interchangable centrifuge rotor when it is desired to perform cytocentrifuging tests.

Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to a microscope

Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to a microscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides.

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Wellsville, UT, United States of America

Gary D Bradshaw