초록 ▼

The apparatus includes a receptacle member in the form of at least one row of receptacles for receiving cell samples, each having a closed end and an open end, and a holder adapted to receive the receptacle member in a predetermined orientation and having an abutment for determining the position of

The apparatus includes a receptacle member in the form of at least one row of receptacles for receiving cell samples, each having a closed end and an open end, and a holder adapted to receive the receptacle member in a predetermined orientation and having an abutment for determining the position of a microscope slide relative to the receptacle to allow use of the receptacle member in a centrifuge for sedimentation of the samples through the open ends of the receptacles onto the microscope slide at predetermined positions. The preferred material for the receptacle member is one having a high degree of optical transparency whilst being substantially non-adherent to cells especially tumour cells and several suitable materials are described.

대표청구항 ▼

In an apparatus for use in forming a plurality of cell samples on a receiving member for microscopic examination, comprising a plurality of receptacles for samples containing cells to be investigated, each receptacle having an open end and a closed end, a receiving member for said receptacles, an ab

In an apparatus for use in forming a plurality of cell samples on a receiving member for microscopic examination, comprising a plurality of receptacles for samples containing cells to be investigated, each receptacle having an open end and a closed end, a receiving member for said receptacles, an absorbent member defining a plurality of opening arranged for alignment with said open ends of said receptacles for interposition between said open ends of said receptacles and said receiving member, a holder for said receptacles allowing assembly to said receiving member with the interposition of said absorbent member, and securing means for holding said receiving member, said absorbent member, said holder and said receptacles together as an assembly with said open ends of said receptacles in contact with said absorbent member and each open end in register with a respective one of said openings therein whereby, upon centrifugation, supernatant liquid is absorbed by said absorbent member through edges defining said openings therein without leakage around said open end of each receptacle and the respective opening in the absorbent member, wherein the improvement comprises: said receptacles are joined together as a unitary receptacle member comprising at least one row of said receptacles, the internal surface of each said receptacle is at least substantially non-adherent to cell material whereby to allow at least said cells in a said sample to be transferred by centrifugation from each said receptacle through said open end thereof onto said receiving member, said holder receives said unitary receptacle member solely in a single predetermined orientation and has abutment means for abutment by said receiving member whereby to determine the relative position of said unitary receptacle member and said receiving member in an assembly constituted by said holder, said unitary receptacle member received therein, said absorbent member located with said openings in register with said open ends of said receptacles and said receiving member held together by said securing means, and wherein the closed ends of said receptacles are defined by bottom walls lying in a common plane and at least said bottom walls of each receptacle being composed of a material substantially transparent to light to allow the sample in the receptacle to be assayed by an optical technique involving the transmission of light through the sample and the bottom wall.