Patent ID: 8343444

Claim:
A device for facilitating preparation of a sample for imaging, comprising: a cartridge having a generally flat, upper surface, a lower surface, an input port extending between the upper and lower surfaces thereof and an output port extending between the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the cartridge including a first recess in the lower surface thereof having a first end communicating with the input port, a second end communicating with the output port and a length therebetween; a cover slip having an upper surface engageable with the lower surface of the cartridge such that a portion of the upper surface of the cover slip communicates with the entirety of the length of first recess in the lower surface of the cartridge; a substrate having an upper surface positioned against the lower surface of the cover slip, a lower surface, a thickness between the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate and an oblong opening extending between the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate and being in axial alignment with the first recess in the lower surface of the cartridge so as to overlap the portion of the cover slip, the opening: having a first end aligned the first end of the first recess and a second end aligned with the second end of the first recess; and being free of obstructions between the first and second ends thereof along the entire thickness of the substrate such that an image device is movable in the opening between a first position in alignment with the first end of the first recess and a second position in alignment with the second end of the first recess; and a removable connector selectively connectable to the cartridge and the substrate for removably connecting the cartridge to the substrate.