title: The development of a cervical smear preparation procedure from the BioPEPR image analysis system.
abstract: The preparation procedure for the BioPEPR automated image analysis system is described. Cervical cells are collected in a preservative solution and disaggregated by an automated syringing apparatus, giving about 50% single cells. After centrifugation, the preservative solution is discarded, 2% polyethyleneglycol in 50% ethanol (carbowax) is added, and the cell solution is automatically spread onto a glass slide, resulting in a cell density of about 50 cells/sq mm in the central area of the smear. Increasing cell density is shown to lead to a gradual linear decrease in single cells. All preparation steps have been critically evaluated, and the possibility of implementing this preparation procedure in a fully automated system is discussed.
mesh_terms: D001322:Autoanalysis; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002469:Cell Separation; D002498:Centrifugation; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*