Abstract: An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.

Abstract: An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.

Abstract: An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring images of objects distributed within a specimen affixed to a surface of a slide, the specimen having an uneven height relative to the slide surface using a camera having an objective lens with an optical axis that forms a non-orthogonal angle with the surface of the slide, the method including acquiring a first plurality of images of a first linear portion of the specimen; evaluating a focus of objects within the linear portion of the specimen captured in the first plurality of images; and acquiring a second plurality of images of the first linear portion or of a second linear portion of the specimen different from the first, wherein a height of the objective lens relative to the slide surface is varied during acquisition of the second plurality of images based on the evaluated focus of the objects captured in the first plurality of images.

Abstract: An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.

Abstract: An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing a cytological specimen from a patient sample in a sample container include or employ mechanisms for quickly and accurately adjusting the pressure in a pressure unit during the specimen preparation. The systems include a specimen transfer device configured for being positioned within the sample container, a pressure tank coupled to the specimen transfer device and configured for applying at least one of positive pressure and vacuum pressure through the specimen transfer device, and a temperature adjusting unit coupled to the pressure tank, and configured for incrementally adjusting the pressure in the pressure tank by heating or cooling the tank. The method includes steps of performing a coarse pressure adjustment using a supply valve and/or a bleed valve coupled to the pressure tank, and, after the coarse adjustment, performing a fine pressure adjustment using a temperature adjusting element coupled to the pressure tank.

Abstract: An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing a cytological specimen from a patient sample in a sample container include or employ mechanisms for quickly and accurately adjusting the pressure in a pressure unit during the specimen preparation. The systems include a specimen transfer device configured for being positioned within the sample container, a pressure tank coupled to the specimen transfer device and configured for applying at least one of positive pressure and vacuum pressure through the specimen transfer device, and a temperature adjusting unit coupled to the pressure tank, and configured for incrementally adjusting the pressure in the pressure tank by heating or cooling the tank. The method includes steps of performing a coarse pressure adjustment using a supply valve and/or a bleed valve coupled to the pressure tank, and, after the coarse adjustment, performing a fine pressure adjustment using a temperature adjusting element coupled to the pressure tank.

Abstract: The median value of data values at the intersections of each of a plurality of coordinates of one type with a plurality of coordinates of another type are respectively derived and the median of the data values thus selected is used as the display value at any of the intersections.

Abstract: Apparatus for interpolating data along radial lines so that it can be displayed at display points arranged in orthogonal rows and columns by recursively adding stored values to derive signals indicative of the radial position of each display point along the radial data lines and its angular position between the radial data lines. Interpolation is done along each radial line to derive first and second intermediate interpolated values, and these values are interpolated so as to derive the final data value for the display point at its angular position. Alternatively, the intermediate interpolated values can be attained by angular interpolation and the final data value by radial interpolation.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying the information represented by data samples occurring along radial lines at display points arranged in rows and columns wherein intermediate interpolated data values are derived at the intersections of a row containing a display point for which a final data value is sought with radii on either side of the display point and interpolating the first and second intermediate interpolated data values so as to derive a final interpolated data value at the angular position of the display point with respect to the radii.