Microfluidic apparatus and method for preparing cytological specimens

1. An apparatus for processing a specimen obtained from a fluid sample, comprising:

a filter;

a slide disposed adjacent the filter;

a plurality of input microfluidic channels configured to deliver the fluid sample fluid to the filter, wherein the fluid sample comprises particles in a liquid suspension, and wherein the apparatus is configured to collect a specimen comprising substantially a monolayer of the particles from the liquid suspension onto the filter, each input microfluidic channel having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the input microfluidic channels all lying in a single plane; and

a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the specimen from the filter to the stratum slide.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transfer mechanism comprises an inflatable bladder.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising an output microfluidic channel configured to remove fluid flowing through the filter.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the output microfluidic channel is disposed on the inflatable bladder.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising

a fluid sample container connected or connectable to a pressure source and to the plurality of input microfluidic channels, and

a fluid flow gauge configured to measure a fluid flow rate through the filter.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a stain source connected to the plurality of input microfluidic channels.

7. An apparatus for processing a specimen from a fluid sample, comprising:

a filter;

a stratum disposed adjacent the filter;

a first layer comprising a plurality of input microfluidic channels configured to deliver the fluid sample to the filter, each input microfluidic channel having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the input microfluidic channels all lying in a single plane;

a second layer comprising an output microfluidic channel configured to remove fluid flowing through the filter; and

a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the specimen from the filter to the stratum.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the transfer mechanism comprises an inflatable bladder.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the sample comprises particles in a liquid suspension, and the apparatus is configured to collect a spatial distribution of the particles from the liquid suspension and disposes the collected particles on the stratum, the spatial distribution comprising substantially a monolayer, the stratum comprising a slide.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the output microfluidic channel is disposed on the inflatable bladder.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising

a sample container connected or connectable to a pressure source and the plurality of input microfluidic channels,

a fluid flow gauge configured to measure a fluid flow rate through the filter, and

a stain source connected to the plurality of input microfluidic channels.

12. An apparatus for processing a specimen obtained from a fluid sample, comprising:

a plurality of input microfluidic channels configured to deliver a sample fluid to a filter disposed adjacent thereto, each input microfluidic channel having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the input microfluidic channels all lying in a single plane, wherein the filter is configured to collect thereon a specimen comprising substantially a monolayer of particles from the fluid sample; and

a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the collected specimen from the filter to a slide disposed adjacent thereto.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the transfer mechanism comprises an inflatable bladder.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising an output microfluidic channel configured to remove fluid flowing through the filter.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the output microfluidic channel is disposed on the inflatable bladder.