Method and apparatus for preparing cytological specimens

Abstract

An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated sample processing system for collecting particles of interest from each of a plurality of sample vials, the system comprising:
 a loading station configured for receiving a plurality of sample vials containing fluid samples having particles of interest suspended therein;   a processor-controlled specimen collection apparatus configured for collecting particles of interest from respective sample vials received by the loading station; and   a processor-controlled sample vial transfer assembly configured for automatically performing the steps of
 (a) removing a first individual sample vial from its respective location in the loading station, 
 (b) transferring the individual first sample vial to the specimen collection apparatus, wherein the specimen collection apparatus is configured for automatically collecting particles of interest from the individual first sample vial, 
 (c) returning the individual first sample vial to its respective location in the loading station, and 
 (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for each remaining sample vial of the plurality until all of the sample vials have been processed. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of interest comprise cells. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sample vial transfer assembly comprises a sample vial agitator configured for dispersing the particles of interest within the fluid contained in a respective sample vial. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sample vials is stored in a tray received by the loading station. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a subsystem configured for maintaining correlation between each sample vial and the respective particles of interest collected therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . An automated system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample vial transfer assembly is configured for uncapping and recapping each specimen vial prior to and after, respectively, the specimen collection apparatus has collected the particles of interest from the respective sample vial. 
     
     
         7 . An automated sample processing system for collecting particles of interest from each of a plurality of sample vials, the system comprising:
 a loading station configured for receiving a sample vial tray carrying a plurality of closed, capped sample vials, the sample vials containing fluid samples having particles of interest suspended therein;   a processor-controlled specimen collection apparatus configured for collecting particles of interest from respective sample vials carried in a sample vial tray loaded in the loading station; and   a processor-controlled sample vial transfer assembly configured for automatically performing the steps of
 (a) removing a first individual sample vial from its respective location in the sample tray, 
 (b) agitating the individual first sample vial using an automated agitator so as to disperse particles of interest in the respective patient fluid sample contained therein, 
 (c) uncapping the individual first sample vial, 
 (d) transferring the individual first sample vial to the specimen collection apparatus, wherein the specimen collection apparatus is configured for automatically collecting particles of interest from the individual first sample vial, 
 (e) recapping the individual first sample vial, 
 (f) returning the individual first sample vial to its respective location in the sample tray, and 
 (g) repeating steps (a) through (f) for each remaining sample vial carried by the tray until all of the sample vials have been processed. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the particles of interest comprise cells. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a subsystem configured for maintaining correlation between each sample vial and the respective particles of interest collected therefrom.