Abstract: A process of microdissection where a tissue sample is conventionally visualized in a microscope. A selectively activatable convex surface is provided, preferably on the periphery at the distal end of a rod. This selectively activatable convex surface when locally activated, typically with a laser through an optic light path in the microscope, provides the activated region with adhesive properties. The tissue sample has at least one portion, which is to be extracted is identified. This identified portion is contacted with a portion of the selectively activatable convex surface on the periphery of the rod. When the convex surface is locally activated, typically by exposure to laser light in the footprint of the desired portion, an adhesive transfer surface on the selectively activatable convex surface is activated which adheres to the desired cells in the footprint of the desired portion.

Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves: forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes an activatable adhesive layer which provides chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated. During separation the zone of cells of interest remains adhered to the transfer surface and is thus separated from the tissue sample.

Abstract: A system for assessing platelet viability in a transparent flexible bag. The apparatus employed consists of a support for clampingly receiving the bag and defining an optically exposed constricted region in the bag. A laser beam is passed perpendicularly through the constricted region of the bag. The opposite side portions of the bag are alternately periodically compressed and released to provide laminar fluid flow through the constricted region to align platelet discs face-on with respect to the beam. Scattered light from the beam is passed through an annular gate, defining a selected scatter angle relative to the beam axis. The selected scattered light is directed by a lens onto a photodiode detector. The output of the detector is processed and furnished to a computer, which is employed to derive respective quantities indicating the concentration of non-aggregated platelets and the percentage that are discs.