FDA approves TriPath's PREPmate accessory:

The US FDA has approved for sale TriPath Imaging's accessory product for automating several steps needed to prepare thin-layer slides used with its AutoCyte PREP system for cervical cancer screening. The PREPmate system automatically mixes and removes the specimen from the CytoRich preservative fluid vials and layers the specimen onto the CytoRich density reagent in a test tube for automated slide preparation and staining, says the Burlington, North Carolina firm. With the manual method, the cell suspension is layered onto the slide and stained by a technician.