Cytyc Corporation

Lewis T Polk, Jr

Stanley N Lapidus

Phillip P Brown

Hugh Vartanian

Walker MacLaughlin Sloan, Iii

Fredric L Farber

Anne A Hurley

J Morgan Barlas

Dean Kamen

Arlen M O'Lari

Richard R Villeneuve

Todd E Bottomley

Walker M Sloan Iii

A device for collecting particles, such as human cells, from a fluid sample, and for transferring the collected particles to a receiver, such as a glass microscope slide, provides substantially exact replication of the spatial distribution of the cells on the collection device. The device supports a surface-collecting filter on a tubular rim, with a precise degree of flatness, and fastens the filter in place at a mounting shoulder recessed below the rim. Distortions of the mounting shoulder or of the filter at the mounting shoulder, caused by securing the filter to the shoulder, are confined to the shoulder structure, and do not detract from the desired precision flatness of the filter and rim structure.

Apparatus for collection and transfer of particles and manufacture

Apparatus for collection and transfer of particles

A specimen processor, for operation with holder apparatus carrying a viewing screen and a filter device and a container of a biological sample, has a frame with reference structure for aligningly engaging the holder apparatus, and has a transport that carries a manipulation device. The processor operates the transport and the manipulation device to engage the filter device, remove it from support by the holder apparatus and collect cellular particles from the sample onto the filter device. The processor further operates the transport and manipulation device to abut the filter device with the viewing screen for transferring collected cellular particles to the screen, and to return the filter device to carrying by the holder apparatus.

Specimen processor method and apparatus

A cartridge-like holder or carrier for automatic operation with a specimen processor has a frame for removable and replaceable alignment in operative engagement with the specimen processor and has multiple supports, each of which removably and replaceably supports an implement such as a container of a biological specimen having cellular particles suspended in a liquid, a filter device for use in collecting cellular particles from the liquid in the sample container, a viewing screen onto which the collected cellular particles can be transferred from the filter device and, further, an output container for receiving the viewing screen with the cellular particles thereon. A transfer mechanism on the apparatus is operable for the automatic transfer of the viewing screen from a support on the frame, where it received the cellular particles, to an output container at a further support on the frame. The cartridge apparatus brings to the specimen processor the sample and all disposable devices, i.e., sample contacting implements, and receives the final prepared specimen and all waste materials and disposables, thereby leaving the processor clean of contact with the sample and operative with successive samples, by way of separate cartridges, without inter-sample cleaning and without risk of inter-sample contamination.

Clinical cartridge apparatus

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.

Apparatus for preparing cells for examination

A method and apparatus for the controlled instrumentation processing of cells and other paricles with a filter device measures a parameter of the flow through the filter device of a fluid carrying the particles. A measure of the change of fluid flow through the filter device yields desired information for quantizing the particles and for quantizing the obstruction of the filter device by the particles. The method and apparatus typically operate automatically.

Method and apparatus for control of flow through a filter chamber by

Method and apparatus for preparing cells for examination

Growing community of inventors

Bedford, MA, United States of America

Lewis T Polk, Jr