US5480484A — Cytology centrifuge apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 195 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner having a central depression; a rotor removably supported for rotation in said central depression of said spinner, said rotor having a substantially planar bottom surface portion; and a cell concentrator disposed in said rotor for receiving a fluid specimen for centrifugation, said cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front chamber surface, and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said cell concentrator is stable when rested on said substantially planar bottom surface portion of said rotor prior to rotation of said rotor, with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said substantially planar bottom surface portion of said rotor so that received fluid specimen is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said substantially planar bottom surface portion of said rotor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 195 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner having a central depression; a rotor removably supported for rotation in said central depression of said spinner, said rotor having a substantially planar bottom surface portion; and a cell concentrator disposed in said rotor for receiving a fluid specimen for centrifugation, said cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front chamber surface, and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said cell concentrator is stable when rested on said substantially planar bottom surface portion of said rotor prior to rotation of said rotor, with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said substantially planar bottom surface portion of said rotor so that received fluid specimen is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said substantially planar bottom surface portion of said rotor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 54 words

The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a slide disposed between said backing plate and said chamber so that said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber is in fluid communication with a central portion of said slide and said mounting flange is adjacent to a perimeter portion of said slide.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said chamber includes three wells, each having a corresponding fluid receiving aperture disposed in said top chamber surface and a corresponding fluid expulsion aperture disposed in said front chamber surface.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said chamber is comprised of a substantially transparent plastic.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said cell concentrator further comprises a fluid seal bordering said fluid expulsion aperture and said central portion of said slide to provide a fluid seal between said fluid expulsion aperture and said central portion of said slide.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 56 words

The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said securing mechanism comprises a pair of clips, each one having opposing resilient surfaces spaced by an edge, wherein a first one of said opposing resilient surfaces contacts said mounting flange of said chamber and a second one of said opposing resilient surfaces contacts said rear backing plate surface.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 231 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner having a central depression; a rotor removably supported for rotation in said central depression of said spinner; a cell concentrator disposed in said rotor for receiving a fluid specimen for centrifugation, said cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front chamber surface, and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said cell concentrator is stable when rested on a planar surface with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said planar surface so that said received fluid specimen is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said planar surface; and a slide disposed between said backing plate and said chamber so that said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber is in fluid communication with a central portion of said slide and said mounting flange is adjacent to a perimeter portion of said slide, wherein said backing plate has a viewing aperture in alignment with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to enable viewing of cells on said slide.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 231 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner having a central depression; a rotor removably supported for rotation in said central depression of said spinner; a cell concentrator disposed in said rotor for receiving a fluid specimen for centrifugation, said cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front chamber surface, and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said cell concentrator is stable when rested on a planar surface with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said planar surface so that said received fluid specimen is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said planar surface; and a slide disposed between said backing plate and said chamber so that said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber is in fluid communication with a central portion of said slide and said mounting flange is adjacent to a perimeter portion of said slide, wherein said backing plate has a viewing aperture in alignment with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to enable viewing of cells on said slide.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 143 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface having an elongated front edge, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge substantially parallel to said elongated front edge of said bottom chamber surface, a front surface adjacent to said front surface of said chamber, and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said concentrator is stable when rested on a planar surface with said elongated front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said planar surface so that received fluid specimen is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said planar surface.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 143 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface having an elongated front edge, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge substantially parallel to said elongated front edge of said bottom chamber surface, a front surface adjacent to said front surface of said chamber, and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said concentrator is stable when rested on a planar surface with said elongated front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said planar surface so that received fluid specimen is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said planar surface.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 58 words

The cell concentrator recited in claim 8 further including a slide disposed between said front backing plate surface and said front chamber surface so that said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber is in fluid communication with a central portion of said slide and said flange of said chamber is adjacent to a perimeter portion of said slide.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 41 words

The cell concentrator recited in claim 9 further comprising a fluid seal bordering said fluid expulsion aperture and said central portion of said slide to provide a fluid seal between said fluid expulsion aperture and said central portion of said slide.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 62 words

The cell concentrator recited in claim 8 wherein said chamber includes three wells defined by said top, bottom, and front surfaces, said fluid receiving aperture being defined by an aperture disposed in said top chamber surface of each of said wells and a fluid expulsion aperture being defined by an aperture disposed in said front chamber surface of each of said wells.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 152 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front surface of said chamber, and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said concentrator is stable when rested on a planar surface with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said planar surface so that received fluid specimen is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said planar surface, wherein said backing plate has a viewing aperture in alignment with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to enable viewing of cells on said slide.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 152 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front surface of said chamber, and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said concentrator is stable when rested on a planar surface with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said planar surface so that received fluid specimen is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said planar surface, wherein said backing plate has a viewing aperture in alignment with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to enable viewing of cells on said slide.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 106 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front chamber surface, and a rear surface having a viewing aperture therein aligned with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to enable viewing of cells on a slide disposed between said chamber and said backing plate; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 106 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having a fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface; a backing plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front chamber surface, and a rear surface having a viewing aperture therein aligned with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to enable viewing of cells on a slide disposed between said chamber and said backing plate; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The cell concentrator recited in claim 13 further comprising a fluid seal bordering said fluid expulsion aperture to provide a fluid seal between said fluid expulsion aperture and the slide.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 55 words

The cell concentrator recited in claim 13 wherein said concentrator is stable when rested on a planar surface with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said planar surface so that said received carrier fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface toward said planar surface.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 58 words

The cell concentrator recited in claim 13 wherein said securing mechanism comprises a pair of clips, each one having a opposing resilient surfaces spaced by an edge, wherein a first one of said opposing resilient surfaces contacts said mounting flange of said chamber and a second one of said opposing resilient surfaces contacts said rear backing plate surface.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 117 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner; a rotor removably supported for rotation by said spinner, said rotor having a plurality of positions defined by separating walls, each of said plurality of positions having a substantially planar bottom portion; and a cell concentrator disposed unrestrained on said substantially planar bottom portion of one of said plurality of positions of said rotor prior to rotation of said rotor, said cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a fluid receiving aperture for receiving a fluid specimen and a fluid expulsion aperture; a slide in fluid communication with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber; a backing plate for receiving said slide; and a securing mechanism securing said backing plate to said chamber.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 117 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner; a rotor removably supported for rotation by said spinner, said rotor having a plurality of positions defined by separating walls, each of said plurality of positions having a substantially planar bottom portion; and a cell concentrator disposed unrestrained on said substantially planar bottom portion of one of said plurality of positions of said rotor prior to rotation of said rotor, said cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a fluid receiving aperture for receiving a fluid specimen and a fluid expulsion aperture; a slide in fluid communication with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber; a backing plate for receiving said slide; and a securing mechanism securing said backing plate to said chamber.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 136 words

The centrifuge apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein said chamber has a top surface in which said fluid receiving aperture is disposed, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange and having said fluid expulsion aperture disposed therein, and a rear surface and wherein said backing plate has a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface adjacent to said front chamber surface and a rear surface, wherein said cell concentrator is stable when rested on said substantially planar bottom portion of said rotor position with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting said substantially planar bottom portion of said rotor position so that received fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said substantially planar bottom portion of said rotor position.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 58 words

The centrifuge apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein said securing mechanism comprises a pair of clips, each one having a opposing resilient surfaces spaced by an edge, wherein a first one of said opposing resilient surfaces contacts said mounting flange of said chamber and a second one of said opposing resilient surfaces contacts said rear backing plate surface.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 40 words

The centrifuge apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein said apparatus further comprises a fluid seal bordering said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to provide a fluid seal between the fluid expulsion aperture and a central portion of said slide.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 109 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner; a rotor removably supported for rotation by said spinner; and a cell concentrator disposed unrestrained in said rotor for receiving a fluid specimen for centrifugation, said cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a fluid receiving aperture for receiving said fluid specimen and a fluid expulsion aperture; a slide in fluid communication with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber; a backing plate for receiving said slide; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said backing plate has a viewing aperture in alignment with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to enable viewing of cells on said slide.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 109 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner; a rotor removably supported for rotation by said spinner; and a cell concentrator disposed unrestrained in said rotor for receiving a fluid specimen for centrifugation, said cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a fluid receiving aperture for receiving said fluid specimen and a fluid expulsion aperture; a slide in fluid communication with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber; a backing plate for receiving said slide; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber, wherein said backing plate has a viewing aperture in alignment with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to enable viewing of cells on said slide.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 235 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner having a central depression and a lid; a rotor removably supported for rotation in said central depression of said spinner; and at least one cell concentrator disposed in said rotor, said at least one cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange, and a rear surface, said chamber having three wells, each one being associated with a corresponding fluid receiving aperture disposed in said top chamber surface and a corresponding fluid expulsion aperture disposed in said front chamber surface; a bibulous pad disposed within said chamber; a slide having a front surface disposed adjacent to said front chamber surface so that said mounting flange is adjacent to a perimeter portion of said slide and said fluid expulsion apertures are adjacent to a central portion of said slide; a fluid seal disposed adjacent to said front chamber surface around said fluid expulsion apertures to provide a fluid seal between each of said wells and said central portion of said slide; a backing plate having a front surface disposed adjacent to a rear surface of said slide and having top and bottom protruding edges for vertically aligning said slide and said chamber with said backing plate; and a securing mechanism securing said backing plate to said chamber so that said slide is sandwiched between said backing plate and said chamber.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 235 words

Centrifuge apparatus comprising: a spinner having a central depression and a lid; a rotor removably supported for rotation in said central depression of said spinner; and at least one cell concentrator disposed in said rotor, said at least one cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface bordered by a mounting flange, and a rear surface, said chamber having three wells, each one being associated with a corresponding fluid receiving aperture disposed in said top chamber surface and a corresponding fluid expulsion aperture disposed in said front chamber surface; a bibulous pad disposed within said chamber; a slide having a front surface disposed adjacent to said front chamber surface so that said mounting flange is adjacent to a perimeter portion of said slide and said fluid expulsion apertures are adjacent to a central portion of said slide; a fluid seal disposed adjacent to said front chamber surface around said fluid expulsion apertures to provide a fluid seal between each of said wells and said central portion of said slide; a backing plate having a front surface disposed adjacent to a rear surface of said slide and having top and bottom protruding edges for vertically aligning said slide and said chamber with said backing plate; and a securing mechanism securing said backing plate to said chamber so that said slide is sandwiched between said backing plate and said chamber.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 55 words

The centrifuge apparatus recited in claim 22 wherein said securing mechanism is a pair of clips, each one having opposing resilient surfaces spaced by an edge, wherein a first one of said opposing resilient surfaces contacts said chamber mounting flange and a second one of said opposing resilient surfaces contacts said rear backing plate surface.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 44 words

The centrifuge apparatus recited in claim 22 wherein said backing plate has a notch and said chamber has a locator tab complementary to said notch so that, when said tab is positioned in said notch, said chamber and said backing plate are horizontally aligned.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 36 words

The centrifuge apparatus recited in claim 22 wherein said rotor has four positions for receiving up to four cell concentrators and wherein said received cell concentrators are disposed unrestrained within a respective position of said rotor.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 67 words

The centrifuge apparatus recited in claim 25 wherein said at least one cell concentrator is stable when rested in one of said positions of said rotor with a front edge of said bottom chamber surface and said bottom backing plate edge contacting a bottom surface of said rotor so that a received fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface and toward said bottom rotor surface.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 198 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed for receiving a cell carrier fluid for centrifugation, a bottom surface, a front surface in which a fluid expulsion aperture is disposed to permit expulsion of cells from said carrier fluid onto an adjacent slide, and a rear surface, said chamber having a shelf extending horizontally from said rear surface partially toward said front surface, wherein said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation so that said fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface and said chamber is substantially vertically oriented during centrifugation when said cells are expelled through said fluid expulsion aperture toward said slide; a bibulous pad disposed within said chamber and below said shelf so that said carrier fluid is spaced from said bibulous pad by said shelf when said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation and so that carrier fluid flows under said shelf after centrifugation to be absorbed by said bibulous pad; a backing plate having a front surface adjacent to said slide and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber with said slide sandwiched therebetween.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 198 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed for receiving a cell carrier fluid for centrifugation, a bottom surface, a front surface in which a fluid expulsion aperture is disposed to permit expulsion of cells from said carrier fluid onto an adjacent slide, and a rear surface, said chamber having a shelf extending horizontally from said rear surface partially toward said front surface, wherein said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation so that said fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface and said chamber is substantially vertically oriented during centrifugation when said cells are expelled through said fluid expulsion aperture toward said slide; a bibulous pad disposed within said chamber and below said shelf so that said carrier fluid is spaced from said bibulous pad by said shelf when said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation and so that carrier fluid flows under said shelf after centrifugation to be absorbed by said bibulous pad; a backing plate having a front surface adjacent to said slide and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber with said slide sandwiched therebetween.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 220 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed for receiving a cell carrier fluid for centrifugation, a bottom surface, a front surface in which a fluid expulsion aperture is disposed to permit expulsion of cells from said carrier fluid onto an adjacent slide, and a rear surface, said chamber having a shelf extending horizontally from said rear surface partially toward said front surface, wherein said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation so that said fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface and said chamber is substantially vertically oriented during centrifugation when said cells are expelled through said fluid expulsion aperture toward said slide; a bibulous pad disposed below said shelf so that said carrier fluid is spaced from said bibulous pad by said shelf when said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation and so that carrier fluid flows under said shelf after centrifugation to be absorbed by said bibulous pad; a backing plate having a front surface adjacent to said slide and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber with said slide sandwiched therebetween, wherein said backing plate has a viewing aperture aligned with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to permit viewing of cells attached to said slide.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 220 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed for receiving a cell carrier fluid for centrifugation, a bottom surface, a front surface in which a fluid expulsion aperture is disposed to permit expulsion of cells from said carrier fluid onto an adjacent slide, and a rear surface, said chamber having a shelf extending horizontally from said rear surface partially toward said front surface, wherein said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation so that said fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface and said chamber is substantially vertically oriented during centrifugation when said cells are expelled through said fluid expulsion aperture toward said slide; a bibulous pad disposed below said shelf so that said carrier fluid is spaced from said bibulous pad by said shelf when said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation and so that carrier fluid flows under said shelf after centrifugation to be absorbed by said bibulous pad; a backing plate having a front surface adjacent to said slide and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber with said slide sandwiched therebetween, wherein said backing plate has a viewing aperture aligned with said fluid expulsion aperture of said chamber to permit viewing of cells attached to said slide.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 262 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed for receiving a cell carrier fluid for centrifugation, a bottom surface, a front surface in which a fluid expulsion aperture is disposed to permit expulsion of cells from said carrier fluid onto an adjacent slide, and a rear surface, said chamber having a shelf extending horizontally from said rear surface partially toward said front surface, wherein said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation so that said fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface and said chamber is substantially vertically oriented during centrifugation when said cells are expelled through said fluid expulsion aperture toward said slide; a bibulous pad disposed below said shelf so that said carrier fluid is spaced from said bibulous pad by said shelf when said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation and so that carrier fluid flows under said shelf after centrifugation to be absorbed by said bibulous pad; a backing plate having a front surface adjacent to said slide and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber with said slide sandwiched therebetween, wherein said bibulous pad comprises a first pad portion having a first fluid absorbing capacity and a second portion having a second fluid absorbing capacity lower than said first fluid absorbing capacity, wherein said first pad portion is disposed under said shelf and said second portion is disposed in fluid communication with said first pad portion and extends from said first pad portion toward said front chamber surface.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 262 words

A cell concentrator comprising: a chamber having a top surface in which a fluid receiving aperture is disposed for receiving a cell carrier fluid for centrifugation, a bottom surface, a front surface in which a fluid expulsion aperture is disposed to permit expulsion of cells from said carrier fluid onto an adjacent slide, and a rear surface, said chamber having a shelf extending horizontally from said rear surface partially toward said front surface, wherein said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation so that said fluid is kept away from said front chamber surface and said chamber is substantially vertically oriented during centrifugation when said cells are expelled through said fluid expulsion aperture toward said slide; a bibulous pad disposed below said shelf so that said carrier fluid is spaced from said bibulous pad by said shelf when said chamber is tilted prior to centrifugation and so that carrier fluid flows under said shelf after centrifugation to be absorbed by said bibulous pad; a backing plate having a front surface adjacent to said slide and a rear surface; and a securing mechanism for securing said backing plate to said chamber with said slide sandwiched therebetween, wherein said bibulous pad comprises a first pad portion having a first fluid absorbing capacity and a second portion having a second fluid absorbing capacity lower than said first fluid absorbing capacity, wherein said first pad portion is disposed under said shelf and said second portion is disposed in fluid communication with said first pad portion and extends from said first pad portion toward said front chamber surface.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-01-01	1999-07-03	2000-01-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-01-01	2003-07-03	2004-01-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-01-01	2007-07-03	2008-01-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Cytology centrifuge apparatus

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