Abstract: A blood smear slide outloader including a platen for transferring a succession of slides from a dryer to a slide storage basket. The slides are sequentially discharged from one end of the dryer onto a platen and held firmly in place by a gripper. A single stepper motor then rotates the platen to a vertical position as it lowers both into alignment above a slot in the storage basket. A linear actuator causes the gripper to release the slide and deposit it into the slot. The platen then returns to the discharge end of the dryer to receive the next slide.

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: Apparatus for drying a succession of microscope slides having wet blood specimen smears on a first major surface, including a belt transport for moving slides along a longitudinal drying path with their wet surfaces facing in a common direction and means for directing low velocity, heated air flows toward the non-smeared, major slide surfaces. Air flow proximate the slides preferably is about 15.degree. C. above ambient and at a velocity of about 10 to 30 feet per minute for a drying period of about 75 to 135 seconds, per slide.

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.