# US 11,906,405 B2 · Methods and systems for preparing cytological samples > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,405 B2 - Document ID: US11906405B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/188,955 - Filed: 2021-03-01 - Published: 2021-06-17 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-28 - Assignees: Leavitt Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Leavitt Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Sorin Musat - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906405B2 ## CPC - G01N 1/31: Apparatus therefor - G01N 1/36: Embedding or analogous mounting of samples - G01N 1/14: Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices - G01N 1/2813: {Producing thin layers of samples on a substrate, e.g. smearing, spinning-on (G01N1/30 takes precedence)} - G01N 1/40: Concentrating samples - G01N 1/4077: {by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids} - G01N 1/42: Low-temperature sample treatment, e.g. cryofixation - G01N 2001/1418: {Depression, aspiration} - G01N 2001/4088: {filtration} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract The disclosed methods for preparing cytological samples may include placing a cytological sample in a concave filter in a filtration system, applying a negative pressure to an outer side of the concave filter with a vacuum device to withdraw a liquid from the cytological sample, applying a sectionable matrix material over the filtered cellular material within the concave filter, and removing an assembly including the filtered cellular material and the sectionable matrix material from the filtration system. Various other related methods, systems, and materials are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for preparing cytological samples, the system comprising: a filter cavity shaped and sized for receiving a concave filter and a cytological sample within a cavity of the concave filter; and a vacuum device in fluid communication with the filter cavity, the vacuum device configured to apply a negative pressure to an outer surface of the concave filter to withdraw a liquid from the cytological sample, wherein, after applying the negative pressure to the outer surface of the concave filter, a sectional matrix material comprising a liquid or molten sectional matrix material is applied over a filtered cellular material positioned within the concave filter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a cooling device configured to withdraw heat from a material within the filter cavity. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the filter cavity comprises a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface includes at least one recess for applying the negative pressure to the outer surface of the concave filter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the recess comprises a spiral recess. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the recess is in fluid communication with one or more holes extending through the bottom surface, wherein the vacuum device is in fluid communication with the hole to apply the negative pressure through the hole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a funnel positioned, shaped, and configured to direct the cytological sample into the filter cavity. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the concave filter comprises a handle portion to facilitate installation and removal of the concave filter. ### Claim 8 A sectionable matrix material for processing cytological samples, comprising: a first sectionable matrix material, comprising: a bottom surface; a central depression on a side of the first sectionable matrix material opposite the bottom surface, wherein the central depression is shaped and sized to receive a concave filter; and a plurality of channels extending through the first sectionable matrix material from an inner surface of the central depression to the bottom surface, wherein the channels are configured to apply a negative pressure across the first sectionable matrix material; and a second sectional matrix material comprising a liquid or molten sectional matrix material, wherein the second sectional matrix material is applied over a filtered cellular material positioned within the concave filter after applying the negative pressure across the first sectionable matrix material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sectionable matrix material of claim 8, wherein at least some of the channels differ in at least one of: cross-sectional shape, or cross-sectional size. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The sectionable matrix material of claim 8, wherein at least one of the channels has a rectangular cross-section and at least one other of the channels has a circular cross-section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The sectionable matrix material of claim 8, wherein a material of the sectionable matrix material comprises an applied pigment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The sectionable matrix material of claim 8, further comprising at least one radial recess extending outward from the central depression. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The sectionable matrix material of claim 8, wherein the plurality of channels are parallel to each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The sectionable matrix material of claim 8, wherein the bottom surface is substantially planar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The sectionable matrix material of claim 8, wherein a material of the sectionable matrix material comprises a wax material, a protein material, a lipid material, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the concave filter comprises a lower concave filter and an upper concave filter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the filter cavity is shaped and sized for further receiving a sectionable matrix material configured to support the concave filter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum device comprises a pump. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control operation of the vacuum device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a drain positioned for removing a filtered liquid from the system. ### Claim 21 A system for preparing cytological samples, the system comprising: a filter cavity shaped and sized for receiving a concave filter and a cytological sample within a cavity of the concave filter; and a vacuum device in fluid communication with the filter cavity, the vacuum device configured to apply a negative pressure to an outer surface of the concave filter to withdraw a liquid from the cytological sample, wherein: prior to applying a sectionable matrix material, an additional concave filter is positioned over a filtered cellular material; and the filtered cellular material is positioned within the concave filter.