US3683850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for preparing blood specimens on slides
Assignee: Systematiks Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-14
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-09-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for preparing blood specimens on slides having a test surface comprising guide means, a carrier mounted on the guide means for movement back and forth therealong, the carrier providing means for holding the slide to expose its test surface to receive a drop of blood at a predetermined spot thereon. A member extends toward the path of movement of the carrier preferably but not necessarily to engage the test surface of the slide held thereby. Drive means is provided for moving the carrier at a predetermined speed in one direction along the guide means, the carrier being movable in the opposite direction along the guide means to the point at which such a drop of blood on the said predetermined spot just contacts and wets the said member. The member which engages the slide is preferably a resiliently flexible, thin strip-like member which may be resiliently urged against the test surface of the slide to provide, adjacent the test surface and in contact therewith, a portion of the member which is at least slightly curved about an axis extending generally parallel to the test surface and generally perpendicular to the path of movement of the carrier or which is inclined relative to the test surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H Grabhorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/2813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for preparing blood specimens on slides having a test surface comprising guide means, a carrier mounted on said guide means for movement back and forth therealong, said carrier providing means for holding such a slide to expose its test surface to receive a drop of blood at a predetermined spot thereon, means for defining said spot, a member extending toward the path of movement of said carrier and the test surface of the slide held thereby, means for holding said member relative to said guide means, and drive means for moving said carrier at a predetermined speed in one direction along said guide means, said carrier being movable in the opposite direction along said guide means to the point at which a drop of blood on said predetermined spot of such a slide contacts said member to effect a capillary spread of said blood and whereby, upon return movement of the carrier in said one direction, a blood smear is obtained.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for preparing blood specimens on slides having a test surface comprising guide means, a carrier mounted on said guide means for movement back and forth therealong, said carrier providing means for holding such a slide to expose its test surface to receive a drop of blood at a predetermined spot thereon, means for defining said spot, a member extending toward the path of movement of said carrier and the test surface of the slide held thereby, means for holding said member relative to said guide means, and drive means for moving said carrier at a predetermined speed in one direction along said guide means, said carrier being movable in the opposite direction along said guide means to the point at which a drop of blood on said predetermined spot of such a slide contacts said member to effect a capillary spread of said blood and whereby, upon return movement of the carrier in said one direction, a blood smear is obtained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said member is resiliently flexible and in which said holding means is positioned relative to said carrier so that said member is resiliently urged against the test surface of the slide to provide, adjacent the test surface and in contact therewith, a portion of said member curving about an axis to provide an outer peripheral surface to be contacted by such a drop of blood.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including means for stopping movement of said carrier in said opposite direction at said point, said stopping means being positioned so that, when said carrier is at said point, such a drop of blood on said spot will contact and wet said portion of said member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said axis of curvature extends generally parallel to the test surface and generally perpendicular to the path of movement of said carrier, said member being cantilevered from said holding means so that said curved portion is its free end portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the portion of said member adjacent and against the test surface is formed to extend toward the test surface and in said opposite direction, and including means for stopping movement of said carrier in said opposite direction at said point, said stopping means being positioned so that, when said carrier is at said point, such a droP of blood on said spot will contact and wet by capillary action said formed portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which said member is cantilevered from said holding means so that said formed portion is its free end portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said member is a thin, strip-like member, said formed portion being curved about an axis extending generally parallel to the test surface and generally perpendicular to the path of movement of said carrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said member is resiliently flexible, said holding means being positioned relative to said carrier so that said member is resiliently urged against the test surface of the slide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said drive means includes a spring for moving said carrier in said one direction away from said point.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for controllably resisting movement of said carrier by said spring, thereby to determine the speed of movement in said one direction away from said point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for mounting a roll of tape and feeding discrete pieces of said tape to said carrier, said discrete pieces serving as the slides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said mounting means is connected to said carrier for movement therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the portion of said member adjacent the test surface is formed to provide an inclined surface extending the test surface and in said opposite direction, and including means for stopping movement of said carrier in said opposite direction at said point, said stopping means being positioned so that, when said carrier is at said point, such a drop of blood on said spot will contact and wet said inclined surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which said member provides spaced apart contact points which engage the test surface and a straight edge portion extending transversely across and above the test surface, said contact points being effective to hold said straight edge portion at the desired height above and in parallelism with the test surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which there are two of said contact points engaging, respectively, opposite side edges of the test surface and in which said straight edge portion extends between said contact points.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which said portion of said member is inclined at an angle of approximately 25* relative to the test surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which said portion is inclined at an angle of from approximately 25* to approximately 45*.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said drive means includes a spring motor, and transmission means drivingly connecting said spring motor to said carrier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 18 in which said transmission means includes a rack connected to said carrier and extending in the direction of said guide means and gear means drivingly connecting said rack to said spring motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including braking means drivingly connected to said transmission means and arranged to control the speed at which said rack is driven.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 20 in which energy is stored in said spring motor by manually moving said carrier in said opposite direction to said point.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 21 including means for stopping movement of said carrier in said opposite direction at said point, said stopping means being positioned so that, when said carrier is at said point, such a drop of blood on said spot will contact said member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 21 in which the portion of said member adjacent the test surface is formed to provide an inclined surface extending toward the test surface and in said opposite direction, and including means for stopping movement of said carrier in said opposite direction at said point, said stopping means being positioned so that, when said carrier is at said point, such a drop of blood on saId spot will contact and wet said inclined surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the means defining said spot is visible through said slide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3470847A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |