Method and device for combined enrichment, processing and embedding of cytological specimens according to histological principles

A method for processing cytological specimens comprising:

• inserting the specimens to be processed into a cup-shaped receptacle having a closed bottom part and closed sidewalls, the closed sidewalls having an upper edge which defines an upper aperture in the receptacle having an area larger than an area of the bottom part, the sidewalls forming an obtuse angle of about 105.degree. to about 135.degree. with the bottom part, the aperture being covered with a perforated membrane for retaining the cytological specimens, wherein the membrane is a mesh having a mesh size up to 80 microns;
• inserting the receptacle with specimens in a tissue processing apparatus containing processing fluids with the perforated membrane in a vertical position so as to allow an exchange of processing fluids through the membrane and the introduction of paraffin;
• after processing and removal from the processing apparatus, the receptacle being turned so that the perforated membrane is in a horizontal position and directed upwards, thus permitting the enrichment of the specimens by sedimentation to form an enriched layer at the receptacle bottom;
• and
• after allowing to harden to form a paraffin block with the enriched layer at the bottom, the block being removed from the receptacle for histological examination.