Abstract: A cell activity assay apparatus (“CAAA”) and method using electromagnetic radiation detection beams to measure the activity, e.g., chemotactic response, includes an opaque membrane having a plurality of off-axis pores which prevent experimentally significant amounts of the electromagnetic radiation from traversing the membrane. The membrane is fabricated from opaque films that have been either ablated with substantially off axis excimer laser electromagnetic radiation to form pores, or bombarded by substantially off-axis charged particles and then etched to form pores.

Abstract: The present invention is a single site or multiple site chemotaxis test apparatus or chemotaxis chamber for measuring the effect of concentration gradients of diffusible chemicals upon the directional response of biological cells. The chemotactic test apparatus of the present invention comprise two compartments separated by a thin passage. The dimensions of the thin passage are selected such that cells cannot flow through the thin passage, but must deform themselves by flattening out and then "crawl" or migrate through the passage. These chambers can be used to study the migration or orientation of mobile adherent or non-adherent cells.

Abstract: A simple chemotactic apparatus and method wherein surface tension is used to hold cell suspensions, chemotactic factors, and control fluids in place on membrane filters. In some embodiments, chemotaxis factors and controls are placed on one side of a membrane filter, and cell suspensions are placed on the other. Gravitational flow is limited by the effect of surface tension on the fluids. In some of the preferred embodiments, grids, sheets, or occluding materials are used to further limit the gravitational fluid flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing fine-needle aspiration biopsies are disclosed. Each method and apparatus includes a needle having an opening which can be occluded during both the penetration and withdrawal stages of the aspiration cycle. After penetration of the target area, the needle is reciprocated a predetermined number of times determined by the desired cytological sample yield. The needle is unoccluded during the reciprocation phase of the cycle. Both manual and automatic apparatus for performing the fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedures in accordance with the disclosed method are disclosed. Numerous sheath configurations for various biopsy applications are illustrated, including those applicable to prostate and breast or other soft tissue biopsies and for use in conjunction with ultrasonic transducers. Alternative needle configurations are disclosed to improve sample yield, reduce coring and minimize needle fouling.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing fine-needle aspiration biopsies are disclosed. Each method and apparatus includes a needle having an opening which can be occluded during both the penetration and withdrawal stages of the aspiration cycle. After penetration of the target area, the needle is reciprocated a predetermined number of times determined by the desired cytological sample yield. The needle is unoccluded during the reciprocation phase of the cycle. Both manual and automatic apparatus for performing the fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedures in accordance with the disclosed method are disclosed. Numerous sheath configurations for various biopsy applications are illustrated, including those applicable to prostate and breast or other soft tissue biopsies and for use in conjunction with ultrasonic transducers. Alternative needle configurations are disclosed to improve sample yield, reduce coring and minimize needle fouling.

Abstract: A chemotaxis assay instrument comprising a plate assembly with a bottom plate, a gasket seal mounted to the bottom plate and an intermediate plate mounted on the other side of the gasket seal and spaced by the gasket seal from the bottom plate. The intermediate plate defines a plurality of wells to hold a sample and a filter membrane is mounted on the intermediate plate. A second intermediate plate is spaced from the first intermediate plate by the filter membrane and second gasket seal is mounted on the other side of the second intermediate plate with a top plate mounted on said second gasket seal and spaced by the second gasket seal from the second intermediate plate, the plate assembly being held together by fasteners in a sealed relationship.