Cell-counter for cell indices consists of a footboard with four pressure sensitive switches and an enclosure for the components and circuitry. This device increases the operators efficiency by reducing the number of required hand movements

Eisler, W. J., Jr.

Fry, R. J. M.

Le Buis, D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

September 1969	 Brief 69-10351 
ICY C
AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
TES
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innovations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Foot-Operated Cell-Counter 
The problem: 
Development of an efficient device for determining 
cell indices in autoradiographs and histological sec-
tions, and differential white-cell counts. During de-
terminations of cell indices, routinely done by hand, 
both the fine adjustment and the state of the micro-
scope are manipulated continually. Since one must 
remove his hand for operation of the typical labora-
tory counter, this process becomes tedious and in-
efficient. 
The solution: 
A foot-operated cell-counter for cell indices, con-
sisting of a footboard with four pressure-sensitive 
switches, and an enclosure for the components and 
circuitry (1). The device increases the operator's 
efficiency by reducing the number of hand move-
ments required. The counter has worked satisfac-
torily and accelerated the tabulation of indices. 
Operators had little difficulty in locating the cor-
rect pedals. In most counts, two classes of cells are 
frequent and the remaining classes are infrequent; 
therefore the amount of movement of the operator's 
foot is not excessive. 
How it's done: 
The apparatus has a footboard with four pressure-
sensitive switches, and an enclosure for the registers 
and circuitry. The electronics are completely solid 
state and consist of a separate board for each chan-
nel; the power supply is common to all channels. 
Each switch position is designed to discharge a 
capacitor into a "one-shot" multivibrator; the ap-
propriate register-driver and the register respond to 
this circuit. The cumulative register and a channel
register are driven simultaneously by a diode or gate. 
An audible alarm is connected to the "normally 
open" contacts of the cumulative register whose pre-
set feature allows the alarm to be set to any number 
up to 9,999. 
Reference: 
1. Eisler, W. J., Jr.; Fry, R. J. M.; Le Buis, D.: 
ANL-7409, Argonne National Laboratory, 1967; 
A Foot-Operated Cell Counter, Lab. Practice, in 
press, p. 196. 
Notes: 
1. This information may interest biological-research 
laboratories and blood-facility personnel. 
2. Inquiries may be directed to: 
Office of Industrial Cooperation 
Argonne National Laboratory 
9700 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Reference: B69-10351 
Source: W. J. Eisler, Jr., R. J. M. Fry, and

D. Le Buis

Biological and Medical Research Division

(ARG-10315) 
Patent status: 
Inquiries concerning rights for commercial use of 
this innovation may be made to: 
Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
Chicago Patent Group 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Chicago Operations Office 
9800 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439
Category 01 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic
	 liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per-
	 method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any vately owned rights.
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Foot-operated cell-counter

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