Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying and mitigating a risk of deathloss of an animal, comprising receiving, at a processor from a hematology analyzer, information obtained from a sample from said animal, wherein said information comprises a leukocyte absolute count and a leukocyte differential from said sample, said sample comprising leukocytes, analyzing, by said processor, said leukocyte absolute count and said leukocyte differential to determine a survivability index for said animal, and managing the animal based on the survivability index.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a blood sample from a subject includes loading the blood sample into a single chamber; acquiring, via an imaging system, a stack of serial focal plane images of the blood sample from a plurality of fields of view of the chamber; creating a virtual three dimensional image of the blood sample from selected ones of the stacks of serial focal plane images; and analyzing the virtual three dimensional image to identify blood formed elements within the blood sample. Identifying blood formed elements within the blood sample may include identifying a type and amount of white blood cells, and/or identifying an amount of red blood cells and/or hematocrit, and/or identifying an amount of platelets. Identifying blood formed elements within the blood sample may include determining numbers and percentage by volume in the blood sample of one or more types of white blood cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying an animal for which antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy is appropriate, comprising: a) collecting a sample from said animal; b) performing a leukocyte differential cell count on said sample; c) comparing said leukocyte differential cell count of (b) with an index of infection; and d) initiating antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy of said animal on the basis of said comparing step.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., a blood vessel, such as the vein, artery or capillary bed of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a test or collection device. In general, the apparatus comprises: (a) a body having a chamber formed therein, said chamber having an inlet and outlet, with said chamber configured to draw blood therein; (b) a hollow barrel connected to said chamber outlet; (c) an ejector operatively associated with said barrel; (d) a hollow needle connected to said body, with said hollow needle in fluid communication with said chamber through said inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into said chamber through said needle. The needle is optionally removed and blood dispensed from the body into a test or collection device by actuating the ejector.

Abstract: A collection device includes a base housing member having at least one chamber. A cover housing member has at least one aperture therein, and the cover housing member is configured to cover the base housing member such that the at least one aperture is positioned in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. The cover housing member includes a cartridge holding interface configured to releasably engage with a cartridge that is configured to cover and receive a fluid from the at least one chamber via the at least one aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., a blood vessel, such as the vein, artery or capillary bed of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a test or collection device. In general, the apparatus comprises: (a) a body having a chamber formed therein, said chamber having an inlet and outlet, with said chamber configured to draw blood therein; (b) a hollow barrel connected to said chamber outlet; (c) an ejector operatively associated with said barrel; (d) a hollow needle connected to said body, with said hollow needle in fluid communication with said chamber through said inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into said chamber through said needle. The needle is optionally removed and blood dispensed from the body into a test or collection device by actuating the ejector.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., the vein of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a collection device includes: (a) a capillary body having a capillary chamber formed therein, with the chamber having an inlet and outlet, and with said chamber configured to draw blood therein through the inlet by capillary action; (b) a hollow barrel connected to the chamber outlet; (c) a plunger positioned in the barrel; and (d) a hollow needle connected to the capillary body, with the hollow needle in fluid communication with the capillary chamber through the capillary inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into the capillary chamber through the needle by the combined action of vein pressure (or other pressure, if present, such as arterial pressure) and capillary action.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid (e.g., milk) therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a (stationary or movable) carrier (in some embodiments in the form of an end cap, or connected to an end cap; in other embodiments in the form of an agitator in said elongate chamber).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying an animal for which antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy is appropriate, comprising: a) collecting a sample from said animal; b) performing a leukocyte differential cell count on said sample; c) comparing said leukocyte differential cell count of (b) with an index of infection; and d) initiating antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy of said animal on the basis of said comparing step.

Abstract: A collection device includes a base housing member having at least one chamber. A cover housing member has at least one aperture therein, and the cover housing member is configured to cover the base housing member such that the at least one aperture is positioned in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. The cover housing member includes a cartridge holding interface configured to releasably engage with a cartridge that is configured to cover and receive a fluid from the at least one chamber via the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid (e.g., milk) therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a (stationary or movable) carrier (in some embodiments in the form of an end cap, or connected to an end cap; in other embodiments in the form of an agitator in said elongate chamber).

Abstract: A sample cartridge (40) for microscopic imaging of a biological sample comprises a body having an end portion (43) and a pair of generally parallel opposing side edge portions (44), a locking edge portion (45) formed on the body; a carrier removably connected to or permanently connected to the body; and at least one anti-analyte antibody coupled to either the carrier or to the chamber (41) side wall portion (e.g., at the surface to be imaged, or supporting the sample to be imaged). An XYZ stage (101) for receiving such a cartridge (40) is also described.