Abstract: Kits and methods for qualifying automated biological screening system. At least one biological specimen having a plurality of marked target zones (MTZs) exhibiting an attribute is provided. The biological specimen(s) is processed through the automated biological screening system to determine locations of biological objects suspected of exhibiting the attribute. The locations of the MTZs can be compared to the locations of the suspicious biological objects in order to determine a number of matches. The automated biological screening system can then be qualified based on the number of matches, and optionally based on statistical information related to the biological specimen. The statistical information can be acquired by processing the biological specimen through a qualified automated biological screening system over a number of runs.

Abstract: Kits and methods for qualifying automated biological screening system. At least one biological specimen having a plurality of marked target zones (MTZs) exhibiting an attribute is provided. The biological specimen(s) is processed through the automated biological screening system to determine locations of biological objects suspected of exhibiting the attribute. The locations of the MTZs can be compared to the locations of the suspicious biological objects in order to determine a number of matches. The automated biological screening system can then be qualified based on the number of matches, and optionally based on statistical information related to the biological specimen. The statistical information can be acquired by processing the biological specimen through a qualified automated biological screening system over a number of runs.

Abstract: Instruments and processes according to the invention provide for the preparation of a fluid sample that has a substantially known concentration of a select particulate matter. In one aspect, the invention is understood as laboratory instruments for sample preparation. These instruments can include a filter that is submersible within a fluid suspension of particulate matter. To collect particulate matter from the fluid suspension, the instruments can cause a fluid flow that pulls fluid across the filter to trap particulate matter against one surface of the filter. The instruments can then remove the filter from the fluid suspension and dispose the filter above a collection vessel such that the side of the filter that is carrying particulate matter is positioned above the opening of the collection vessel.

Abstract: Instruments and processes according to the invention provide for the preparation of a fluid sample that has a substantially known concentration of a select particulate matter. In one aspect, the invention is understood as laboratory instruments for sample preparation. These instruments can include a filter that is submersible within a fluid suspension of particulate matter. To collect particulate matter from the fluid suspension, the instruments can cause a fluid flow that pulls fluid across the filter to trap particulate matter against one surface of the filter. The instruments can then remove the filter from the fluid suspension and dispose the filter above a collection vessel such that the side of the filter that is carrying particulate matter is positioned above the opening of the collection vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of cytological material. Specifically, the invention relates to stains and methods of producing the stains, methods of staining cells for cytological or histological analysis to contrast the nuclear portion of the cell from the cytoplasmic portion, and systems and methods for illuminating and imaging a cytological sample. The analysis can be automated or manual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of cytological material. Specifically, the invention relates to stains and methods of producing the stains, methods of staining cells for cytological or histological analysis to contrast the nuclear portion of the cell from the cytoplasmic portion, and systems and methods for illuminating and imaging a cytological sample. The analysis can be automated or manual.

Abstract: Instruments and processes according to the invention provide for the preparation of a fluid sample that has a substantially known concentration of a select particulate matter. In one aspect, the invention is understood as laboratory instruments for sample preparation. These instruments can include a filter that is submersible within a fluid suspension of particulate matter. To collect particulate matter from the fluid suspension, the instruments can cause a fluid flow that pulls fluid across the filter to trap particulate matter against one surface of the filter. The instruments can then remove the filter from the fluid suspension and dispose the filter above a collection vessel such that the side of the filter that is carrying particulate matter is positioned above the opening of the collection vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of cytological material. Specifically, the invention relates to stains and methods of producing the stains, methods of staining cells for cytological or histological analysis to contrast the nuclear portion of the cell from the cytoplasmic portion, and systems and methods for illuminating a cytological sample. The analysis can be automated or manual.

Abstract: Instruments and processes according to the invention provide for the preparation of a fluid sample that has a substantially known concentration of a select particulate matter. In one aspect, the invention is understood as laboratory instruments for sample preparation. These instruments can include a filter that is submersible within a fluid suspension of particulate matter. To collect particulate matter from the fluid suspension, the instruments can cause a fluid flow that pulls fluid across the filter to trap particulate matter against one surface of the filter. The instruments can then remove the filter from the fluid suspension and dispose the filter above a collection vessel such that the side of the filter that is carrying particulate matter is positioned above the opening of the collection vessel.

Abstract: Instruments and processes according to the invention provide for the preparation of a fluid sample that has a substantially known concentration of a select particulate matter. In one aspect, the invention is understood as laboratory instruments for sample preparation. These instruments can include a filter that is submersible within a fluid suspension of particulate matter. To collect particulate matter from the fluid suspension, the instruments can cause a fluid flow that pulls fluid across the filter to trap particulate matter against one surface of the filter. The instruments can then remove the filter from the fluid suspension and dispose the filter above a collection vessel such that the side of the filter that is carrying particulate matter is positioned above the opening of the collection vessel.

Abstract: An aqueous alcohol buffer solution for substantially ambient, in vitro preservation of mammalian cells for a selected duration. The solution generally contains a water-miscible alcohol in an amount sufficient to fix the sample cells without coagulation, an anti-clumping agent, and a buffer agent to maintain the solution at a pH within a range of four to seven.

Abstract: Cellular analysis in accordance with the invention involves staining cellular material with a thionin stain to distinguish the nuclear portion from the cytoplasm, counterstaining, illuminating the thionin-stained cellular material with energy in the infrared spectrum, and imaging the stained cellular material. The analysis can be automated or manual.