A method for the monodisperse in cell preparation for automated cytology

Cytologic examination of cervical carcinoma is most useful for population screening in the world over, and it is anticipated that this will permit the efficient screening of a lot of specimens in automation cytology. However, it is important to obtain satisfactory monodisperse cell samples without clusters and aggregates of cells for the slide system. In this series, we evaluated the monodisperse state of cells on given one-mm2 areas of slide glasses in 35 premalignant and malignant lesions of uterine cervix. We scraped the target area of the uterine cervix by Ayre's wooden spatula, and then prepared cell samples by shaking spatula in 50% ethanol 5ml, diluted those materials with 1.0% Pluronic F 68, a surfactant, and made cell suspensions with as equal turbidity as the color of faint frosted glass.Smearing on slide glasses was done by autosmear apparatus provided with a cell container which has a stainless steel mesh filter. As the result, the following were found: 1) Wooden spatula scraping was suitable for the cell sample requirements. 2) Approximately 50 cells were included in given 1-mm2 areas on slide glasses and 5-7% of these cells were malignant cells. 3) 1% Pluronic F68was the most effective dispersing agent. 4) Aggregates of cells were minimal by filtration with a 37μ pore size stainless steel mesh. 5) Centrifugation was performed at 2, 000 r.p.m. for 5 minutes. 6) A 0.26-mm packing filter paper was available for monodispersing.