Abstract: A device for automatic preparation of blood smears on plates comprises a storage unit for stacked new plates, an extractor unit to extract a plate from the stack, a depositing unit. To deposit a drop of blood on a plate, a spreading unit, to spread a drop of blood and produce a blood smear, a marking unit, comprising a marking head which can place means of identification on a reserved area of the plate, a drying unit, which can dry the blood smear, a coloring unit), which can color the blood smear, an output unit to unload the plate, and transfer means, to displace the plate between the aforementioned units, according to a pre-determined path.

Abstract: In a fully automated tissue-smear preparation system, a configuration is disclosed for rapidly drying the slide smears prior to the system staining procedure. Slides bearing smeared tissue samples are briefly immersed into methyl alcohol solution, forcing liquid components in the smear cells to pass out. The smear slides are withdrawn and fanned to evaporate and dry liquid components and alcohol solution on the tissue smears. The process of drying the smear slides is accordingly optimized for the subsequent staining procedure.

Abstract: A method for treating a human or animal cell sample (4) arranged on a slide (2) comprises dispensing treatment liquid onto the slide between the sample and the leading edge (5) of a cover tile (1) having a recess or cavity (6). The leading edge is bevelled and has an opening (13) into the cavity. Once dispensing is completed the method involves moving the tile over the slide to trap the liquid in the cavity. A small volume of sealing liquid in the form of evaporation inhibitor liquid, preferably mineral oil, is then applied to the slide preferably at the leading and trailing edges of the tile in a manner causing the evaporation inhibitor liquid to wick around the entire perimeter of the tile to form an airtight seal between the tile and slide around the cavity.