Abstract: A reagent bottle includes a reservoir adapted to contain a reagent, a pipette tip defining a fluid channel extending into the reservoir and a resilient seal fixedly disposed within the reservoir and surrounding the pipette tip, the seal functioning to reduce reagent loss when the pipette tip is withdrawn from the reagent bottle. The fluid channel of the pipette tip is defined by the pipette tip being in direct fluid communication, or interrupted fluid communication, with the exterior of the reagent bottle, the pipette tip being directly or indirectly engageable through a fluid-tight fitting with a pipette. A base member of the reagent bottle is adapted for selective engagement with one or more rotation pin and has an indexing feature for properly aligning the reagent bottle within an automated system. The base member adapted for selective engagement with one or more spring pins for raising and lowering the reagent bottle.

Abstract: A slide pocket includes a first shell portion having a slide well with a depth suitable for accepting a sample-containing portion of a slide thereby positioning a sample affixed to the sample-containing portion of the slide within the slide well. The slide well has a plurality of beveled interior walls, the beveled portions functioning to prevent the sample affixed to the sample-containing portion of the slide from contacting any surface of the slide well during insertion. The slide pocket has a second shell portion, mateable in fluid tight engagement with the first shell portion. The second shell portion has a slide well. The first and second shell portions engage to define a single continuous slide chamber, a fluid input channel and fluid input port in communication with the single continuous slide chamber, and a fluid output channel and fluid output port in communication with the single continuous slide chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugation device comprising a combined sample chamber and slide holder adapted to be mounted, with a microscope slide (26), in a centrifuge in a predetermined position, after placing a fluid biological sample containing cells in the sample chamber. The device comprises an integrally moulded body (10) affording a base (14) which engages the microscope slide, and also affording a back plate (14) connected with the base plate by an integral hinge (22) a latch mechanism formed integrally with the remainder of the device is arranged, when the back plate (14) is closed against the rear of a microscope slide (26) engaged with the base (14), to locate the slide between the base and the back plate and to hold the back plate in this closed position until fracture of a retaining element from the integrally moulded body. Thus the device can be used once only.

Abstract: A centrifugation device comprising a combined sample chamber and slide holder adapted to be mounted, with a microscope slide, in a centrifuge in a predetermined position, after placing, in the sample chamber, a fluid biological sample containing cells, the centrifugation device comprising a body (10) affording a base (14) adapted for engagement with a microscope slide, structure on one side of the base defining a chamber for a fluid sample, with an opening (15) for the introduction of fluid to said chamber, the base (14) including an aperture (18) and carrying a means for sealing the edges of such aperture with respect to the surface of a microscope slide placed across the base (14), or for allowing the passage of liquid but obstructing the passage of cells, the centrifugation device further including a back plate (12) arranged, when the back plate (12) is closed against the rear of a microscope slide engaged with the base (14), to locate the slide between the base and the cover plate and to hold the cover pl

Abstract: A tissue processor is disclosed for processing biological tissue, for example, for mounting on microscope slides. The tissue processor has a valve arrangement in the bottom of a tissue processing chamber, whereby a selected one of a plurality of fluid ports formed in a base of the tissue processing chamber may be connected with the interior of the chamber for supply of processing fluid thereto or discharge of fluid from the chamber. In this way different processing fluids may be passed into and removed from the processing chamber in succession, for processing of tissue samples contained in baskets within the chamber. The valve arrangement comprises a rotary disc at the bottom of the chamber and in sealing engagement with a valve surface on the base of said chamber, the valve surface being provided with a plurality of ports connected with respective said fluid inlets.