Method and apparatus for treatment of human or animal cell samples

Abstract

Apparatus for treatment of human or animal cell samples on a microscopic slide includes an element having a recessed face defined by rails which are adapted to slide on surface of the slide. An opening at the leading edge of the element has a bevelled edge and provides access to a cavity formed between the face and the surface of the slide when the rails bear on the slide. The slide is tilted slightly and a vacuum nozzle is arranged at the lower edge of the slide. An end stop may be clamped to the end of the slide opposite to the end where the nozzle is located and has a bevelled edge complimentary to the bevelled edge of the element for closing the opening. A method of spreading liquid over the surface and the sample involves placing the rails on the surface with the cavity displaced laterally from the sample and the face and surface parallel, dispensing the liquid onto the surface and moving the element relative to the surface whereby the liquid becomes trapped in the cavity, and is spread evenly over the sample. The method also involves removing excess liquid after incubation by exposing the cavity to the vacuum nozzle by sliding the element over the lower edge of the slide and allowing the nozzle to suck the excess liquid away. Further treatment liquid may be added adjacent to the opening during the suction process to provide a second treatment without exposing the sample to air between treatments.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.