| Abstract: | The computer-assisted microscope demands rigid specifications for specimen preparation. This paper addresses the variety of techniques developed by researchers attempting to automatically screen uterine cervical specimens. These same techniques could also be utilized for specimens from other body sites. In contrast to the easily prepared routine Papanicolaou smear, these techniques can be broken down into various steps as follows: transport media, cellular disaggregation, cell number estimation, cell separation and specimen enrichment, cellular adhesion to glass slide and cell transfer onto the slide. Variations on the theme are contrasted among specimen preparation methods utilized by prominent research groups. The plea for a simpler preparation method or, hopefully, utilization of the routine Papanicolaou smear for computer-assisted microscopy is made. |
