| 摘要 |
There is provided an apparatus and method for using a centrifuge to apply a treatment liquid, such as a fixative agent, to a specimen undergoing centrifugation analysis. There is provided a centrifuge sample chamber with a mounting flange for engagement with a microscope slide, so that specimen material is centrifuged to the slide for inspection. The sample chamber has an upper cavity and a lower specimen holding portion which are connected by a fluid passage. The specimen holding portion ideally includes a lower cavity with a lower leg extending down therefrom for holding the specimen prior to centrifugation. An upper hollow leg in communication with the upper cavity holds the treatment liquid while the chamber is at rest prior to centrifugation. Activation of the centrifuge tilts the chamber to incline the upper and lower legs, so that the treatment liquid flows into, and is held within, the upper cavity by centrifugal force. Centrifugal forces simultaneously cause the specimen to flow out of the lower leg, through the lower cavity and through a discharge port, and to the microscope slide. Upon deactivation of the centrifuge, the chamber tilts by gravity back to the rest position, allowing the treatment liquid to fall by gravity from the upper cavity, through the passage, and into the lower leg. Reactivation of the centrifuge again tilts the chamber to incline the lower leg, and centrifugal forces cause the treatment liquid to flow out of the lower leg and through the discharge port for centrifugal application to the specimen on the microscope slide. The invention thus minimizes the amount of specimen and slide manipulation required reliably to apply a treatment liquid, such as a fixative, to a centrifuged specimen.
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