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.

Abstract: Cleaning solutions and related methods for cleaning and removing stains and residues from items and surfaces such as laboratory equipment and surfaces uses cleaning solutions containing from about 25 wt % to about 99 wt % of a liquid sulfoxide and from about 1 wt % to about 75 wt % of a base-water solution. A variety of bases can be used in the base-water solution so long as the base-water solution has a pH of at least about 8. The cleaning solutions are particularly fast and effective in cleaning stains caused by biological staining reagents and solutions. A preferred embodiment of the cleaning solution contains between about 80 wt % liquid sulfoxide, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and between about 10 wt % and about 20 wt % base-water solution, such as a 4.5% potassium hydroxide-water solution.

Abstract: Automated staining equipment that can mix reagents is used to spray a Romanowsky stain onto slide mounted specimens which are then briefly centrifuged. The centrifugation step removes excess stain leaving only a thin film. Depending on the time of the centrifugation step, most of the organic solvent and part of the water in the stain are evaporated by airflow through the equipment. This greatly accelerates the staining reaction and preserves water soluble structures such as the granules in basophilic leukocytes. For optimal performance, this staining procedure requires a thiazin-eosin stain with about 90% to about 40% organic solvent, such as methanol, and only about 10% to about 60% water. This is a unique staining reagent in Romanowsky staining.

Abstract: Automated staining equipment that can mix reagents is used to spray a Romanowsky stain onto slide mounted specimens which are then briefly centrifuged. The centrifugation step removes excess stain leaving only a thin film. Depending on the time of the centrifugation step, most of the organic solvent and part of the water in the stain are evaporated by airflow through the equipment. This greatly accelerates the staining reaction and preserves water soluble structures such as the granules in basophilic leukocytes. For optimal performance, this staining procedure requires a thiazin-eosin stain with about 90% to about 40% organic solvent, such as methanol, and only about 10% to about 60% water. This is a unique staining reagent in Romanowsky staining.

Abstract: A cytocentrifugation device of the type disclosed by the copending Stokes-Quirante U.S. application Ser. No. 07/788,310 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,228 on Oct. 12, 1993) is improved by the provision of elongate, rounded projections on and protruding from the clamping face of the delivery conduit flange at the delivery end of such conduit and the flattening of the otherwise rounded and flange contacting end faces of the clamping arms. Further improvements include a floating mounting for the clamping arms so as to ensure even clamping of the annular area of the absorption pad marginal to the absorption pad opening confronting the cell deposition area of the microscope slide that is otherwise covered by the absorption pad, and the provision for positively, properly aligning the several items to be clamped together during operation of the cytocentrifuge apparatus.

Abstract: A cytocentrifugation device, rotor, and apparatus are improved by providing the device with a plurality of liquid-receiving chambers arranged serially along and opening into an elongate conduit leading to and terminating within a filter-pad-holder so that a filter-pad-prewetting liquid can be passed along such conduit and into a liquid-flow opening of a filter pad held by such holder in advance of passage along said conduit and through such liquid-flow opening in the filter pad of a cell-carrying liquid sample during a centrifugation run of the apparatus. Retention of prewetting liquid in the filter pad around the sample liquid flow helps to prevent loss of cells to the filter pad. Various other structural modifications of the cytocentrifugation device and filter pads used therewith also help to prevent loss of cells to the filter pad.

Abstract: A cytocentrifugation device, rotor, and apparatus are improved by providing the device with a plurality of liquid-receiving chambers arranged serially along and opening into an elongate conduit leading to and terminating within a filter-pad-holder so that a filter-pad-prewetting liquid can be passed along such conduit and into a liquid-flow opening of a filter pad held by such holder in advance of passage along said conduit and through such liquid-flow opening in the filter pad of a cell-carrying liquid sample during a centrifugation run of the apparatus. Retention of prewetting liquid in the filter pad around the sample liquid flow helps to prevent loss of cells to the filter pad. Various other structural modifications of the cytocentrifugation device and filter pads used therewith also help to prevent loss of cells to the filter pad.

Abstract: In the field of staining methods for histology and cytology specimens, the improvements of the invention are three-fold. First included is a drying-clearing step whereby a specimen is cleared by drying. Thus, the use of hazardous chemical-clearing agents to remove washing-dehydrating solution prior to cover-slipping is eliminated. Second, in a staining method using spray staining equipment, the use of a low molarity, combination, bluing-washing solution which serves the dual purpose of a washing solution and a bluing reagent, eliminates the use of water in a staining procedure. Third, and also in a staining method using spray staining equipment, the use of a series of sprays of fresh, essentially anhydrous, washing-dehydrating solution to dehydrate a specimen replaces immersion in a series of washing-dehydrating solutions and thereby decreases the amount of chemical consumed and also avoids contamination of the reagent with water and specimen debris.

Abstract: Cytocentrifugation apparatus is improved by providing centrifuging devices with a plurality of liquid-receiving chambers arranged serially along and opening into an elongate conduit leading to and terminating within a filter-pad-holder so that a filter-pad-prewetting liquid can be passed along such conduit and into a liquid-flow opening of a filter pad held by such holder in advance of passage along said conduit and through such liquid-flow opening in the filter pad of a cell-carrying liquid sample during a centrifugation run of the apparatus. Retention of prewetting liquid in the filter pad around the sample liquid flow helps to prevent loss of cells to the filter pad. Various other structural modifications of the cytocentrifugation device and filter pads used therewith also help to prevent loss of cells to the filter pad.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to one or more miscroscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time or angular rotation during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry determines the position of the slides and carousel in the spray chamber and coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides. The slide holding carousel may be replaced by an interchangable centrifuge rotor when it is desired to perform cytocentrifuging tests.

Abstract: A fixative solution for fixing biological smears, such as blood smears, to a slide for subsequent staining of the smear, which can be used in automated slide staining equipment, includes a fixative liquid, a stabilizing agent to reduce water spotting problems during fixing and/or to stabilize cellular components of the smear, and a solubilizing agent for maintaining the stabilizing agent in solution in the solubilizing agent after evaporation of the fixative liquid to thereby prevent formation of the solid residue normally formed by the stabilizing agent upon evaporation of the fixative liquid. The invention also includes the method fo preventing formation of a solid residue upon evaporation of the fixative liquid from a fixative liquid-stabilizing agent solution by the addition of a solubilizing agent thereto. The mixture of the stabilizing agent and solubilizing agent can be made as a concentrated additive to be added to a fixative liquid prior to use.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to a microscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides.

Abstract: An electrical conductivity testing device for detecting mastitis in dairy cows includes an inlet for receiving a sample of milk to be tested, a conductivity cell having a milk flow-through testing passage in flow communication with the inlet, and a milk discharge outlet in flow communication with the conductivity cell, so that a milk sample enters the inlet, flows through the conductivity cell, and flows out through the discharge outlet. The flow described may be continuous or may be discontinuous so that the sample is held in the conductivity cell at least during taking of the conductivity measurement. The conductivity cell is arranged so that it is completely filled with milk during the taking of conductivity measurements. Electrical circuitry is provided to produce an electrical signal proportional to the conductivity of the milk in the conductivity cell.

Abstract: A sweat-collection device formed as a solid body having a shallowly concave, sweat-collecting surface at a face thereof defining a concavity with a rim lying wholly within a common plane for firm placement over an iontophoresis-stimulated area of a person's skin to collect sweat from the skin area and pass it through a bore at the center of the concavity. The concavity is so shallow that no dead space occurs between the collecting surface and the skin and flesh bulged into the concavity when the device is applied to a patient whose sweat is to be collected for testing. Optionally, the concavity may be modified without introducing dead space thereinto, to incorporate barrier means for preventing unusually soft skin and flesh of infants and some adults from bulging into and closing the bore.

Abstract: The invention is a pipette controller for facilitating the handling of liquids by a pipette. The pipette attaches to the pipette controller. The pipette controller has a handle which is proximate to the attached pipette and substantially parallel to the pipette. The user operates the pipette controller by working a thumb wheel on the handle which is mechanically coupled to a bellows which controls the liquid level in the attached pipette. When operating the pipette controller, the user grasps the hand below the thumb wheel at a position which is approximately medial to the length of a typical pipette.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating cells according to differences in sedimentation velocity comprises a vessel preferably constructed from a cylindrical body of ring formation, the height of which is substantially less than its diameter, and from top and bottom plates sealingly and removably attached to the ring. The vessel is preferably mounted on a tiltable platform for controlled movement between tilted and horizontal positions and has a small horizontal cross-sectional area in the tilted position relative to such area in the horizontal position. The vessel is provided with two ports; a lower port communicating with a lowermost level of the vessel while in the tilted position and an upper port communicating with the uppermost level in the tilted position. Flow distributing structure is provided preferably between each port and the interior of the vessel whereby the force of liquid flowing into the vessel through a port is dissipated.

Abstract: An iontophoretic electrode device, method, and hydrophilic, hydrated gel insert for the electrode device all involve a preformed, shape-retaining, gel body preferably of disc formation having mutually opposite, parallel faces. An agar gel disc having an ionic drug diffused throughout is the preferred, iontophoretic gel body that is packaged and sold as such for insertion in a cup-like receptacle and securement to an electrode plate within the receptacle, so as to protrude free and clear therefrom for pressing against the skin of a medical patient.

Abstract: A sweat collection device for use with equipment for inducing human sweat has an electrically heated cup member whose temperature is maintained substantially constant by monitoring the temperature of the cup and controlling the electrical power supplied thereto in accordance with requirements determined by the temperature monitoring.

Abstract: An in-situ, thermocouple, soil hygrometer or psychrometer probe equipped with a removable, moisture pervious thermocouple shield, so that the thermocouple may be periodically cleaned for increased life and improved performance, has an elastic, protective boot that retains the shield in place about the thermocouple and permits easy removal of such shield. The boot is made of low-vapor sink material, so as not to interfere with proper operation of the thermocouple, and is configured to firmly grip the thermocouple mount, so that pulling of the thermocouple from its lead wires during removal and replacement of the shield is avoided.