Inventors:
Daniel Dashui Gao - Miami FL
Cynthia J. Sperber - Fort Lauderdale FL
Assignee:
Coulter International Corp. - Miami FL
International Classification:
B01L 302
B01L 306
Abstract:
An improved method and apparatus for making blood smears on microscope slides are disclosed. The method is characterized by the step of temporarily deforming the normally planar surface of a slide on which the smear is being made, rendering it slightly concave in shape. This step has been found to substantially reduce streaking and other artifacts which interfere with the formation of an uninterrupted, substantially uniform monolayer of blood cells on the slide. Preferably, the movement of a blood-smearing member across the slide is controlled as a function of various predetermined physical parameters of the blood.