Apparatus developed to Gram-stain single slides automatically is flexible enough to accommodate other types of staining procedures. Method frees operator and eliminates necessity for subjective evaluations as to length of staining or decolorizing time

Mills, S. M.

Wilkins, J. R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

November 1974	 B74-10188 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
.
	
Langley Research Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program They are issued to encourage 
commercial application Tech Briefs are available on a Subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151 Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Automated Single-Slide Staining System 
An apparatus developed at the Langley Research 
Center laboratory to Gram-stain single slides auto-
matically is flexible enough to accommodate other 
types of staining procedures. This method of slide 
staining frees the operator for other laboratory work 
and eliminates the necessity for subjective evaluations 
tc to length of staining or (lecolori7ing time.
Observations over a 30-day period of both single and 
mixed cultures indicate no differences in the quality of 
the smears stained by the automatic versus the manual 
method. This procedure ensures the uniform and re-
peatable staining of smears while eliminating the possi-
bility of cross-contamination from other slides, which 
i.	 pi''.ihilit	 r.s l th H,	 ht ' ''	 ems. This equipment 
Automated Single-Slide Staining System
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, Neither the United Stales
	
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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could be used in any laboratory where the Gram stain 
is performed, and it should be especially useful to the 
practicing clinician requiring a rapid and easily-obtainable 
Gram stain of a specimen to aid in the diagnosis of a 
suspected infection. 
A front view of the automatic staining device is 
shown in the illustration. Four glass containers (reser-
voirs) which are coated with black enamel to prevent 
stain deterioration by light contain stains and reagents 
as follows: 
1. Gentian Violet (Weigert No. 1), 
2. Gram's iodine solution, 
3. Decolorizer, two parts 95-percent ethyl alcohol and 
one part acetone, and 
4. 1 percent aqueous safranine. 
The fifth reservoir is a plain glass container that holds 
distilled water for rinse cycles. Solenoid valves located 
directly below each glass container control the dis-
pensing of tube contents in proper sequence and for the 
required time to achieve optimum staining. Five cams 
attached to a timing motor shaft actuate microswitches 
for the control of each of the five valves and thus 
permit the adjustment of staining time. 
Stopcocks located directly above and below each of 
the solenoid valves control the flow rate of stains and 
reagents. Glass tubing from each lower stopcock is 
configured to a position over a glass slide retained in
a funnel, and tubing from the funnel permits the disposal 
of used stains and reagents. A selector switch provides 
the means for manually flushing the entire system. A 
complete staining cycle is initiated by holding the start 
button in position for 30 seconds. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Langley Research Center 
Mail Stop 139-A 
Hampton, Virginia 23665 
Reference: B74-10188 
Patent status: 
Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of 
this invention should be addressed to: 
Patent Counsel 
Langley Research Center 
Mail Stop 456 
Hampton Virginia 23665 
Source: Stacey M. Mills and 
Judd R. Wilkins 
Langley Research Center 
(LAR. 1 1649)
S 
S 
S 
B74-10188	 Category 05, 04,07


Automated single-slide staining system

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