Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for making blood smears on microscope slides are disclosed. The method is characterized by the step of temporarily deforming the normally planar surface of a slide on which the smear is being made, rendering it slightly concave in shape. This step has been found to substantially reduce streaking and other artifacts which interfere with the formation of an uninterrupted, substantially uniform monolayer of blood cells on the slide. Preferably, the movement of a blood-smearing member across the slide is controlled as a function of various predetermined physical parameters of the blood.

Abstract: A blood analyzer system is provided with improved slide making capability by coupling a blood analyzer apparatus to an automatic slidemaking apparatus by means of a clinically effective blood specimen transport assembly, which includes a blood conduit forming a curvilinear flow path that imparts a substantial angular velocity component to blood moving therein. The system enables a blood analyzer portion and a smear slide portion of a given sample to be aspirated with physical and temporal proximity.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for making blood smears on microscope slides are disclosed. The method is characterized by the step of temporarily deforming the normally planar surface of a slide on which the smear is being made, rendering it slightly concave in shape. This step has been found to substantially reduce streaking and other artifacts which interfere with the formation of an uninterrupted, substantially uniform monolayer of blood cells on the slide. Preferably, the movement of a blood-smearing member across the slide is controlled as a function of various predetermined physical parameters of the blood.