Fluid level regulator

1. A biological specimen collection and transfer system, comprising:

a biological sample container configured for storing a biological fluid sample;

a vacuum source;

a specimen filter having an interior chamber and an opening in communication with the chamber; and

a fluid level regulator configured to determine a fluid level in the biological sample container and to dispense a fluid into the container if the determined fluid level is less than a desired fluid level, wherein the fluid level regulator comprises:

a fluid level monitor;

a fluid dispenser; and

a controller in communication with the fluid level monitor and the fluid dispenser,

wherein the fluid level monitor comprises

a sound source configured to emit sound towards a surface of the fluid sample, and

a sound detector configured to measure sound reflected from the surface of the fluid sample, wherein the controller determines the fluid level based at least in part on a measurement of reflected sound emitted from the sound source.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a filtration based biological specimen slide processor.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising

a vacuum conduit configured to couple the vacuum source to the specimen filter chamber.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an elevator for moving the sample container relative to the specimen filter, wherein the controller uses a relative position of the elevator in determining the fluid level.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the opening in the specimen filter is positioned at the desired fluid level.

6. A biological specimen collection and transfer system, comprising:

a biological sample container configured for storing a biological fluid sample, the fluid sample container being translucent;

a fluid level regulator configured to determine a fluid level in the biological sample container and to dispense a fluid into the container if the determined fluid level is less than a desired fluid level, wherein the fluid level regulator comprises:

a fluid level monitor;

a fluid dispenser; and

a controller in communication with the fluid level monitor and the fluid dispenser,

wherein the fluid level monitor comprises

a sound source configured to emit sound towards a surface of the fluid sample, and

a sound detector configured to measure sound reflected from the surface of the fluid sample, wherein the controller determines the fluid level based at least in part on a measurement of reflected sound emitted from the sound source.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a filtration based biological specimen slide processor.

8. A method of regulating a fluid level of a biological fluid sample in a container during a process of transferring biological matter in the fluid sample to a specimen slide, the method comprising:

monitoring a pressure of an interior chamber of a specimen filter, the chamber coupled to a vacuum source and having one end submerged in the fluid sample; and

monitoring a fluid level of the fluid sample in the container based on a measurement of sound emitted from a sound source and reflected from a surface of the fluid sample.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising adding a liquid to the container if the fluid level is less than a desired fluid level.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the fluid is added automatically upon a determination that the fluid level is less than a desired fluid level, until a further determination is made that the fluid level is at or above a desired fluid level.