Smooth surface blood cell counting plate — CCP001

Smooth Surface Blood Cell Counting Plate, commonly known as a hemocytometer, is an essential precision instrument used in medical and biological laboratories for manually counting blood cells or other microscopic particles. It consists of a thick glass slide with a rectangular indentation that creates a central platform. This platform is meticulously engraved with a calibrated grid of perpendicular lines, typically the Improved Neubauer ruling, dividing the area into precise squares of known dimensions.

A key feature is its highly polished, optically flat smooth surface, which ensures minimal distortion and clear visualization under a microscope. When a special cover glass is correctly placed over the counting chamber, it creates a precise gap (usually 0.1 mm deep) between the grid and the cover slip. This defines the exact volume of liquid suspended over each square.

In practice, a diluted blood sample is introduced via capillary action. The technician then microscopically counts the cells within specific grid squares. Due to the fixed depth and area, the number of cells counted can be converted into a concentration (e.g., cells per microliter) using a standard formula.

The smooth, flawless surface is critical for accuracy. It prevents irregular sample distribution, minimizes cell trapping or distortion, and allows for consistent, reproducible measurements. This tool remains a fundamental method for cell counting, despite automated alternatives, serving as a reliable standard for calibration, low-count samples, or verifying automated hematology analyzer results in clinics and research settings.