A smear preparing apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes: a first transporter that transports a storage tool in a first direction, the storage tool capable of holding microscope slides side by side in the first direction; a slide transfer unit that transfers a microscope slide having a stained sample to the storage tool transported by the first transporter; and a second transporter that is adjacent to the first transporter and that transports the storage tool housing the microscope slide transferred by the slide transfer unit, in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A smear preparing apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes: a first transporter that transports a storage tool in a first direction, the storage tool capable of holding microscope slides side by side in the first direction; a slide transfer unit that transfers a microscope slide having a stained sample to the storage tool transported by the first transporter; and a second transporter that is adjacent to the first transporter and that transports the storage tool housing the microscope slide transferred by the slide transfer unit, in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Embodiments provide slide navigation technology that addresses challenges in digital pathology of navigating and viewing high resolution slide images. Example systems comprise a virtual slide stage (VSS) having at least one sensor that detects user movement of a target placed on the VSS, and an input component, coupled to the VSS, which provides quick function movement control of the target via quick functions. The systems also comprise a connector component that connects the VSS to a user device and transmits output from the at least one sensor and input component to the user device. The systems further comprise a computer processor, in communication with the VSS, which processes the output using a computational model to generate data representing movement profiles of the target. The computer processor executes a software component, causing the output, translated based on the movement profiles, to be relayed via a viewing application on the user device.

Embodiments provide slide navigation technology that addresses challenges in digital pathology of navigating and viewing high resolution slide images. Example systems comprise a virtual slide stage (VSS) having at least one sensor that detects user movement of a target placed on the VSS, and an input component, coupled to the VSS, which provides quick function movement control of the target via quick functions. The systems also comprise a connector component that connects the VSS to a user device and transmits output from the at least one sensor and input component to the user device. The systems further comprise a computer processor, in communication with the VSS, which processes the output using a computational model to generate data representing movement profiles of the target. The computer processor executes a software component, causing the output, translated based on the movement profiles, to be relayed via a viewing application on the user device.

A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

A sample protection method is provided which may be used for protecting a biological sample on a microscope slide, such as during heat-induced target retrieval and/or after heat-induced target retrieval such that: 1) the sample remains adherent to the microscope slide; and 2) the microscopic morphology of the biological sample remains intact. In some embodiments, the sample protection method may include the steps of: creating a sectioned sample that is in contact with a microscope slide; applying a protecting reagent onto a sectioned sample that is in contact with a microscope slide and drying the protecting reagent in which the protecting reagent may be both applied and dried onto the sectioned sample before and/or after performing target retrieval on the sectioned sample. The protecting reagent may include a water-soluble polymer and/or a water-soluble wax, such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginic acid, and carrageenan.

A sample protection method is provided which may be used for protecting a biological sample on a microscope slide, such as during heat-induced target retrieval and/or after heat-induced target retrieval such that: 1) the sample remains adherent to the microscope slide; and 2) the microscopic morphology of the biological sample remains intact. In some embodiments, the sample protection method may include the steps of: creating a sectioned sample that is in contact with a microscope slide; applying a protecting reagent onto a sectioned sample that is in contact with a microscope slide and drying the protecting reagent in which the protecting reagent may be both applied and dried onto the sectioned sample before and/or after performing target retrieval on the sectioned sample. The protecting reagent may include a water-soluble polymer and/or a water-soluble wax, such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginic acid, and carrageenan.

A microscope includes at least one illuminating lens configured to guide at least one illuminating beam in the form of a light sheet for illuminating at least one specimen to be examined. The microscope also includes at least one detection lens configured to capture at least one detection beam issuing from the at least one specimen to be examined. The at least one illuminating lens has an optical axis at an angle α, which is not equal to 90°, to an optical axis of the at least one detection lens. The at least one illuminating beam enters the at least one illuminating lens at an entry angle β such that the light sheet lies within a focal plane of the at least one detection lens.

A microscope includes at least one illuminating lens configured to guide at least one illuminating beam in the form of a light sheet for illuminating at least one specimen to be examined. The microscope also includes at least one detection lens configured to capture at least one detection beam issuing from the at least one specimen to be examined. The at least one illuminating lens has an optical axis at an angle α, which is not equal to 90°, to an optical axis of the at least one detection lens. The at least one illuminating beam enters the at least one illuminating lens at an entry angle β such that the light sheet lies within a focal plane of the at least one detection lens.

The disclosed technology brings histopathology into the operating theatre, to enable real-time intra-operative digital pathology. The disclosed technology utilizes confocal imaging devices image, in the operating theatre, “optical slices” of fresh tissue—without the need to physically slice and otherwise process the resected tissue as required by frozen section analysis (FSA). The disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, includes a simple, operating-table-side digital histology scanner, with the capability of rapidly scanning all outer margins of a tissue sample (e.g., resection lump, removed tissue mass). Using point-scanning microscopy technology, the disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, precisely scans a thin “optical section” of the resected tissue, and sends the digital image to a pathologist rather than the real tissue, thereby providing the pathologist with the opportunity to analyze the tissue intra-operatively. Thus, the disclosed technology provides digital images with similar information content as FSA, but faster and without destroying the tissue sample itself.