Abstract: Methods and apparatuses relating to measuring sample parameters and cell parameters (e.g., cell size, cell shape) are provided herein. The present disclosure provides additional methods, systems and techniques for improving osmotic gradient generating systems for vise in technologies to accurately determine red blood cell volume and the osmolality at which cells achieve a maximum volume.

Abstract: Methods of treating and preventing malaria infection, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of cell permeability modulating therapy are provided herein. Among other things, the present disclosure provides parameters that define subjects who are relatively susceptible or resistant to malaria infection. The present disclosure also provides therapeutic strategies for increasing malarial resistance and/or imparting a resistant state on subjects.

Abstract: Methods of treating and preventing cancer, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of cell membrane permeability restoring therapy are provided herein.

Abstract: Diagnostic and screening technologies, therapy recommendations, and computer systems based on red blood cell membrane permeability characteristics are provided herein.

Abstract: A method of determining a measure of the number of platelets in a cell suspension containing platelets. The number of small particles in the suspension is counted. The suspension is agitated in the presence of a gas. The number of small particles in the suspension after agitation is counted. The two counts are compared to obtain a measure of the number of platelets.

Abstract: In this invention, a measurement of cell permeability is determined by obtaining a measure of the volume of fluid which crosses a sample cell membrane in response to an altered environment. A lytic agent may be used to drive fluid across the cell membranes and thereby cause a change in cell volume. An alteration in osmolality of a sample suspension is preferred, in which the sample suspension is subjected to a continuous osmotic gradient.

Abstract: A method of determining a measure of the number of platelets in a cell suspension containing platelets. The number of small particles in the suspension is counted. The suspension is agitated in the presence of a gas. The number of small particles in the suspension after agitation is counted. The two counts are compared to obtain a measure of the number of platelets.

Abstract: In this invention, a cell parameter, for example cell volume, is determined by subjecting one or more aliquots of a sample cell suspension to one or more alterations of at least one parameter of the cell environment to identify a point at which the cells achieve a particular shape to obtain a sample specific shape compensation factor. Preferably, the environmental parameter change is a reduction in osmolality.

Abstract: In this invention, a cell parameter, for example cell volume, is determined by subjecting one or more aliquots of a sample cell suspension to one or more alterations of at least one parameter of the cell environment to identify a point at which the cells achieve a particular shape to obtain a sample specific shape compensation factor. Preferably, the environmental parameter change is a reduction in osmolality.

Abstract: A method for testing a cell suspension comprises the steps of: (1) diluting a portion of the cell suspension such that the liquid of the diluted suspension has the same osmolality as the extra cellular liquid of the cell suspension (plasma), and (2) subjecting the cells in the diluted suspension formed in step (1) to a cell size measurement while suspended in said diluted suspension. The method involves the testing of cells at their in vivo osmolality, thereby minimizing the possibility of swelling over time and mimicking the cells in vivo condition in respect of its osmotic environment.

Abstract: A coupling link (1) comprises a unitary body having a first main limb (2), a second main limb (3), and a third limb (4) which forms an open loop (6), one end of which extends between the first and second main limbs. Loading of ropes, slings or protection onto the coupling limnk (1) is simply a matter of temporarily deforming the rope or device and looping it over the third limb (4). The required unloading action is too complex for it to happen accidently. The three dimensional topology of the coupling link (1) eliminates the requirement for a spring biased gate and is therefore inherently safer than a conventional karabiner. In a preferred example, the first and second main limbs are joined to form a closed loop (5).

Abstract: An electrode assembly (1) for resistive pulse spectroscopy comprises two flat electrodes (3) substantially equal in size and shape and supported in face-to-face, parallel relationship to one another, and a plate-like fluid-tight insulator (2) positioned between electrodes and extended beyond the periphery of the electrodes with the electrodes (3) being fixed to the insulator (2). Each electrode has a hole (4) extending through the electrode in a central region thereof (4), the holes (4) of the two electrodes (3) being aligned with one another. The insulator (2) having a preformed aperture (16) therein which is located substantially centrally with respect to the holes (4) in the electrodes (3) and has a smaller diameter than the holes, the aperture (16) being located such as to allow a flow of liquid to pass therethrough and through the holes in the electrode.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus comprising two or more delivery syringes (17), each delivery syringe comprising a syringe housing (18) defining a tube with a passage having a fluid outlet, and a syringe plunger arranged to slide axially within the tubular passage and seal one end of the tubular passage. The apparatus also includes a syringe plunger drive arranged to drive the syringe plunger along at least part of the length of the tubular passage according to a predetermined velocity profile or the delivery syringe and discharge fluid through the fluid outlet. The predetermined velocity profile of each delivery syringe is such that, in use, a combined flow rate fluid discharge simultaneously from the outlets from the delivery syringes is maintained substantially constant over at least a quarter of the range of movement of each of the plungers.

Abstract: Generating a clock signal having a desired frequency is accomplished by generating a pulse each time a stored accumulator value is found to be greater than or equal to a stored trigger value The seored accumulator value is incremented by a first iterative value n (r) until the stored accumulator value is greater than or equal to the stored trigger value. Subsequently, the stored accumulator value is decremented by a second iterative value until the stored accumulator value is less than the stored trigger value. During each iteration incrementing the stored accumulator value, a current frequency of the clock spinal is compared to a desired frequency value, and if the two values are different, the first iterative value (r) is corrected by a predetermined rate over one or more subsequent iterations until the frequency of the generator clock signal corresponds to the detected value of the desired frequency.