Patent ID: 6858432

Claim:
A method of staining with a thiazin-eosin stain a hematology sample fixed to a microscope slide and using automated staining equipment wherein a slide having the sample thereon is placed in a carousel for rotation at controlled speeds, rotation of the carousel moving the slide therein past spray nozzles that apply reagent to the slide and sample thereon by controllably spraying reagents onto the slide and sample as the slide moves past the nozzles during rotation of the carousel, comprising the steps of: a) with the microscope slide having the sample fixed thereto placed in the carousel and the carousel rotating at an application speed which allows reagent applied to the slide to remain on the sample, applying to the slide in the carousel a concentrated staining solution having a water concentration of about 10% to about 60% by volume, organic solvent concentration of about 40% to about 90% by volume; eosin and thiazin dyes at a concentration of about 1 to about 5 g/liter, and with the solution having a buffered pH of from about 6 to about 9; b) accelerating staining of the sample by rotating the carousel at a speed and for a time sufficient to evaporate a portion of the organic solvent and thereby reduce the organic solvent concentration as well as increase the concentration of the stain on the sample; c) rinsing the sample to remove excess stain and precipitate formed during staining by applying a rinse solution with the carousel rotating at an application speed and then rotating the carousel at a speed sufficient to remove the applied rinse solution and to dry the sample; and d) removing the slide with the stained sample thereon from the carousel for evaluation.