Large area cytocentrifuge sample chamber

Abstract

A cytocentrifuge sample chamber includes a sample receiving well to receive and hold a sample to be centrifuged and a sedimentation chamber adjacent a microscope slide upon which cells and/or other sediment material in the sample is to be deposited. A passage, such as a spillway, connects the sample receiving well and the sedimentation chamber, so that sample flows from the sample well under the influence of centrifugal force as centifugation begins into the sedimentation chamber where the sample is forced by centrifugal force against the microscope slide leaving a vacant space at the inner end of the sedimentation chamber. Sedimentation of the sample takes place against the microscope slide. When centrifugation ends, the liquid components of the sample flow back into the vacant space in the sedimentation chamber and can be removed from the vacant space at the inner end of the sedimentation chamber through a removal chamber. This avoids contamination of equipment and users and allows a secondary centrifugation to take place.