Apparatus for collection and transfer of particles and manufacture thereof

• US 5,772,818 A
• Filed: 01/26/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cytyc Corporation (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cytyc Corporation (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sloan, Walker M. III, Brown, Phillip P., Polk, Lewis T. Jr., Vartanian, Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): SELLS, JAMES D
• Application Number:
  US08/592,010
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 156/73.1, 156/69, 156/84, 156/85, 156/86, 156/292, 156/308.2, 156/308.4, 156/309.6, 264/442, 264/443, 264/445
• US Class Current: 156/73.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/08 Flat membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/081 Manufacturing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/087 Single membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/034 Thermal after-treatments
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/114 Single butt joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1228 comprising at least one monotone curved joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/131 Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/534 Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/712 the composition of one of the parts to be joined being different from the composition of the other part
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/727 being porous, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73711 oriented
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73715 heat-shrinkable
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8242 Pneumatic or hydraulic drives using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined B29C66/8266
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91231 of the joining tool
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91421 of the joining tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91431 : the temperature being kept constant over time
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/922 : by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9241 : by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/944 : by controlling or regulating the time
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2025/06 : PS, i.e. polystyrene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2069/00 : Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 : Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

Abstract

A device for collecting particles, such as human cells, from a fluid sample, and for transferring the collected particles to a receiver, such as a glass microscope slide, provides substantially exact replication of the spatial distribution of the cells on the collection device. The device supports a surface-collecting filter on a tubular rim, with a precise degree of flatness, and fastens the filter in place at a mounting shoulder recessed below the rim. Distortions of the mounting shoulder or of the filter at the mounting shoulder, caused by securing the filter to the shoulder, are confined to the shoulder structure, and do not detract from the desired precision flatness of the filter and rim structure.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating a particle collecting device, comprising the steps of

A. providing a tubular support body having a first axial end spaced from a second axial end,

B. providing rim means at said first axial end, and providing an annular attachment means recessed inwardly on said body below said rim, and intermediate said axial ends,

C. disposing a filter means on said rim means such that said particle-collecting portion of said filter is planar, and

D. securing a peripheral securing portion of said filter means to said attachment means for attachment of said filter means to said body.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said securing step is carried out by a technique selected from the group ultrasonic welding, thermal bonding and solvent bonding.

3. A method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of shrinking said filter means such that said particle collecting portion of said filter means is uniformly tensioned, said filter-shrinking process being applied to said filter means subsequent to said securing step.

4. A method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of shrinking the filter means subsequent to said securing step, by which said particle collecting portion of said filter means is heated and caused to shrink such that said particle collecting portion of said filter means is uniformly tensioned.

5. A method according to claim 1 further including the step of providing, prior to said disposing and said securing steps, annular trough means on said body between said attachment means and said rim means.

6. A method according to claim 1 further including the step of providing barrier means disposed between said attachment means and said rim means.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said securing step produces heat at said attachment means and further comprising the step of isolating said rim means from deformation by such heat.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said securing step includes flowing material on said attachment means for bonding the peripheral portion of said filter means to said attachment means.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said flowing of material includes any one of a solvent bonding step, an ultrasonic bonding step and a thermal bonding step.