CYBEST-CDMS; automated cell dispersion and monolayer smearing device for CYBEST

The design and operational procedures of the cell dispersion and monolayer smearing (CSMS) machine for the CYBEST automated cytoscreening and image analysis system are described. The CYBEST-CDMS consists of two units: an autosyringing device for cells dispersion and an autosmearing device basically consisting of a modified commercial centrifuge. The operations of both devices are carried out with the samples in specially constructed centrifuge chamber units. The autosyringing device sequentially processes pairs of samples held in a rotor with a capacity of 12 centrifuge chamber units. Cell dispersion is achieved by syringing the samples 20 times each through 23-gauge needles. The use of Saccomanno solution instead of Ringer's solution as the final suspension medium prior to autosmearing has resulted in improved preparations. The CYBEST-CSMS machine largely fulfills one of the major requirements for automated cytology: the provision of samples with a sufficient number of isolated cells and a minimum number of clumped and/or overlapping cells