AUTOMATED SMEAR MAKING APPARATUS

摘要

An automated smear making apparatus used to prepare and smear samples on glass slides. In some embodiments a smearing subsystem generally includes a smear cartridge having an input reel, a deflection component, a take-up reel, and a smearing tape. The smearing tape may include a plurality of perforations formed therein. The smearing tape may be wrapped around the deflection component such that each of the plurality of perforations forms a blade that extends from the smearing tape to expose a smear surface as the smearing tape is drawn into the take-up reel. A slide transport surface is also provided to move a slide across the smear surface.