Abstract: A subject of the invention is a packaging device for automated biological analyses, characterized in that it comprises the sample(s) to be analyzed, reagent(s), and the information necessary to carry out one (or more) analyse(s) of a sample of biological liquid and a location intended to receive the waste products from the analysis and optionally to treat them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reagent and a process for the identification and counting of biological cells in a sample. This reagent comprises a cell lysing agent selected from at least one detergent in a concentration capable of specifically lysing a given type of cells in the sample, and a stain capable of marking the intracellular nucleic acids of the remaining unlysed cells. Application in particular for the identification and counting of cells using an automated analysis system based on flow cytometry.

Abstract: An optical device for examining a fluid including a measuring space including a compulsory passage for the fluid to be examined, at least one source delivering a selected light to an optical illuminator serving to collect at least part of the light having traversed the compulsory passage and to deliver the selected light to analyze the collected light so as to deliver signals representing data borne by the collected light. The optical illuminator includes a first light guide including one end, opposite the source, and configured to deliver the light, derived from the source, in accordance with a selected geometry to illuminate the compulsory passage in a substantially uniform manner and under a substantially constant intensity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing analyses of total blood samples and to a device that is useful for implementing the method, said samples being conserved in tubes including at least one identification means for identifying the sample, the device comprising: at least one compartment constituting a said storage zone for storing said tubes before and after analysis; and at least one said read means for reading said identification means of said tubes; and at least one preparation zone for preparing said blood samples prior to analysis and including means for verifying and/or treating said tubes containing said samples, and in particular at least one agitator means for agitating said tubes; and at least one access zone giving access to at least one automatic analyzer of total blood, said access zone enabling a said tube to be placed in said analyzer; and robotic gripper and displacement means controlled by an automatic controller and suitable for taking hold of and replacing said tubes ind

Abstract: A device including a pre-analytical module provided with at least one tube stirrer for homogenizing blood and preventing clot formation and disposed on a line for single-tube transfer between an area for storing analyzable tubes, and at least one unitary operating whole blood analyzer and automatic tube-loading/unloading device arranged between the tube stirrer and the single-tube transfer line. The device is suitable for blood analyzers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (DA) for analyzing microscopic elements, comprising firstly a measuring space (CM) for microscopic elements to be analyzed, secondly at least one source (S) delivering conjugated rays at the measuring space (CM), having at least two different analyzing wavelengths and designed to interact with the microscopic elements in the measuring space (CM) to form interacting rays, thirdly coding means (M) for encoding the rays upstream of the measuring space (CM) with different codes, fourthly optical filtering means (FO) for selectively filtering the interacting rays of fluorescence and/or diffusion depending on their wavelength, fifthly detecting means (DE, DF) for transforming into electric signals part at least of the interacting rays from the measuring space (CM), and sixthly analyzing means (MA) including decoding means (DRE, DRF) for decoding the electric signals to enable data representing the analyzed microscopic elements to be determined.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for differentiating and counting cellular components present in a biological fluid sample comprising a primary cytological analysis step typically implemented by a flow cytometry equipment (1) to obtain a set of primary results enabling the set of cellular components of the sample to be differentiated and counted in different populations; and a complementary step of cytological analysis of a particular type of cellular components, based on an identified cellular peculiarity, to obtain complementary results enabling at least one cell population or subpopulation of the sample to be differentiated and counted for identification of said cellular peculiarity. The invention is applicable in particular to hematological analyses.

Abstract: A dedicated polychromatic light generating device including optical pumping devices used to deliver radiation with at least two different excitation wavelengths and a light-guiding device used to deliver polychromatic light at an output when excited by the radiation in a non-linear interaction regime.

Abstract: A device for supplying whole blood analyzers with tubes of blood. A stirring device is arranged upstream with respect to at least one analyzer. A first transport device conveys blood tubes one after another in front of the stirring device, and a second transport device conveys the blood tubes stirred by the stirring device one after another to a sampling point of the analyzer. A mechanism picks up separately the blood tubes which are not yet stirred, places the tubes in front of the stirring device to be stirred thereby, and to be separately removed from the stirring device and placed on a transport for conveying the stirred tubes to the sampling point of the analyzer, thereby making it possible to use at least one analyzed devoid of stirring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reagent and a process for the identification and counting of biological cells in a sample. This reagent comprises a cell lysing agent selected from at least one detergent in a concentration capable of specifically lysing a given type of cells in the sample, and a stain capable of marking the intracellular nucleic acids of the remaining unlysed cells. Application in particular for the identification and counting of cells using an automated analysis system based on flow cytometry.

Abstract: A quality control device for a blood analyzer using whole blood, which specifically can be used to check the correct operation of the blood analyzer. The device includes a storage for storing control bloods by cooling; a mechanism for bringing the control bloods back to the temperature specified by the control blood manufacturer; a stirring mechanism used for resuspension of the cells; and a mechanism for sampling the blood thus prepared.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reagent for determination of leucocytes and measurement of haemoglobin in a sample of blood. This reagent comprises a buffer system that is suited to adjust selectively the pH of the reagent to an acidic value, at least one detergent of cationic type, a nitrogenous compound and, optionally, at least one inorganic salt. This reagent can be used in haematological analyses in human medicine and also permits the identification of a leucocytic subpopulation, in particular the basophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Abstract: A device for processing samples of blood products contained in tubes (18) closed by bungs (20) and loaded into cassettes (12), includes transfer component (10) designed to individually move the cassettes (12) on a pre-determined path, agitation component (30) having at least one pick-up mechanism (32) capable of being actuated by driving component (88) to pick up at least one selected tube (18) from a cassette (12) immobilised on the path, to move said tube away from the cassette, to agitate the tube and replace it in the cassette, and sampling component (34) designed to draw off a given sample quantity from the pre-agitated tube which has been replaced in the cassette.

Abstract: A device for automatic preparation of blood smears on plates comprises a storage unit for stacked new plates, an extractor unit to extract a plate from the stack, a depositing unit. To deposit a drop of blood on a plate, a spreading unit, to spread a drop of blood and produce a blood smear, a marking unit, comprising a marking head which can place means of identification on a reserved area of the plate, a drying unit, which can dry the blood smear, a coloring unit), which can color the blood smear, an output unit to unload the plate, and transfer means, to displace the plate between the aforementioned units, according to a pre-determined path.

Abstract: A reagent for measurement of the haemoglobin and determination of the leukocytes in a blood sample is provided. This reagent comprises at least one detergent of the cationic type; a compound of the glycoside type, and in particular a saponin; at least one inorganic salt and/or an osmotic and/or leukoprotective agent; and an organic and/or inorganic buffer which can adjust the pH of the agent selectively, either to a substantially neutral value, e.g. pH between 5 and 8, or to a basic value, e.g. pH between 8 and 12. The reagent can be used in haematological analyses in human and veterinary medicine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a staining reagent for the determination of blood cells, in particular reticulocytes, which contains a stain capable of labelling cells after incubation, as well as an additive which is able to encourage penetration of the stain into the cells, this additive being chosen from an ionophoric compound, a detergent and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The analyzer (4) comprises a single box (1) for the distribution of reagents and which is removable from, and connectable to, the said analyzer, the said box containing a plurality of flexible, retractable bags filled with reagent and a flexible bag for collecting the residues. The box (1) is places on a horizontal supporting plate (5) which slides along the side of the apparatus and which is mounted on springs (6). Upwardly orientated fixed metallic needles (7) pass through orifices (9) in the said supporting plate.

Abstract: A device for agitating and taking samples of blood products from tubes which are closed by stoppers and grouped together in a rack. The device includes a rack support adapted for holding at least one rack, at least one rack held by the rack support which is capable of holding a plurality of tubes with each tube being held in a selected position, a sampling station from which a sample of blood product can be withdrawn from a tube, a gripping device which is capable of taking hold and withdrawing from the rack one of the tubes at a selected position, bringing the tube to the sampling station and back to the selected position without agitation and replacing the tube in its selected position, and a drive device for displacing the gripping device. The device of the invention further includes a device for agitating the rack support and the rack which is operable during operation of the device for bringing and a device for withdrawing.

Abstract: A device for transferring, agitating, and sampling blood products sealed in tubes which are grouped together in cassettes wherein each cassette containing sample tubes is extracted from a storage receptacle by a moving loading and ejection carriage which shifts and positions it, using a retractable finger, in the cavity of a rotary carriage. The rotary carriage mixes the samples and stops so that sampling of tubes in the cassette can be performed by a sampling station which is movable in relation to the tubes temporarily immobilized in a vertical position with plugs facing downwards. The device is usable as a hematological analyzer.

Abstract: A displaceable needle (16) for sampling the liquid from the flask is mounted on a slide (5) that is mobile vertically in relation to a support bracket (1) integrated in the sampling apparatus. The sampling needle passes through a percussion head (10) mounted on the base of the bracket and to which is connected a piercing needle. A conduit (12) for rinsing places the percussion head in communication with the outside.Application to blood sampling in a haematological analysis apparatus.