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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: A system collects fluid waste within a closed waste vessel where a waste disposal cycle is determined based upon the pressure level within the waste vessel. In the preferred embodiment, a closed liquid waste vessel accepts waste solutions through conduits having valves controlling conduit fluid communication with treatment vessels. A pressure sensor determines the level of pressure within the waste vessel. A pressurizing device reduces the level of pressure within the vessel. When the pressure within the vessel is lowered to a predetermined level, the valve is opened. When the pressure sensed within the liquid waste vessel then rises above an appointed value, the valve is closed, completing the waste collection of a treated sample. This corresponds to the point in time when the treatment vessel is empty, allowing a sudden rush of air into the waste vessel, raising the vessel pressure to ambient and closing the valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent and to a method of using the same for automatically determining at least one leukocyte sub-population from a total blood sample. Using this reagent, it is possible, in a single step, to lyse the erythrocytes through the action of saponin and SDS, as well as to ensure the differential staining of the leukocyte sub-populations, at the same time preserving the integrity and morphology of the cells, through the combined action of various components including chlorazol black, an alcohol, a surfactant and preserving agents. The reagent according to the invention can be applied to different types of automatic flow cytometry analyzers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reagent and a method of using the same for automatically determining the population of the basophilic leukocytes in the blood. The invention relates more particularly to a new formulation for a differential lysing reagent that lyses all the blood cells except for the basophils, particularly suitable for the measuring principle based on resistivity measurement, that is to say the concentrations of the constitutents and the pH of the solution are suitable for ensuring good electrical conductivity of the medium. The reagent according to the invention will find an application in apparatus for automatically determining blood formulae by means of resistivity variation measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for counting and determining at least one leucocytic sub-population, comprising a case for injecting a flow of sample to be analyzed inside a measurement tank through which a light beam passes, comprising internal and external nozzles for sleeving the sample by means of a pressurized liquid. Electrodes for the resistivity measurements of the leucocytic sub-population are component elements of the injection case. Units for collecting and processing the signals delivered by the optical sensor and the electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: The diaphragm comprises an outer flexible part and a central part in which is overmoulded a rocking lever. The rod portion of said rocking lever is at right angles to the diaphragm plan and intended to be received in a recess of a sliding sleeve. The diaphragm rocking lever assembly is linked to an axle passing through the rocking lever and bearing on the valve body. The microvalve may be used in chemical and medical analysis devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluid switching microelectrovalve in which the mobile member playing the role of closure member for one or other of the pipes (18,19) is a single membrane (23) with oriented deformation applied by a rocker (24) against one or other of the pipes to be closed, the rocker (24) being moved from one to the other of its two balance positions corresponding to the two closure positions of the membrane by a spool (3) sliding in the valve body (1) under the action of the core of an electromagnet.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic drain device with membrane for pneumatic circuits. A flexible membrane (11) which separates the opening (2) of a jar (1) from a drain pipe (6) is precurved in a top position against this opening and against a skull-cap (8) against which it bears, which skull-cap then closes a communication orifice (14) provided on one side of the membrane. Under the action of the pressure in the jar, the membrane moves down to come to bear against a discharge end-piece (5) freeing, during this movement, orifice (14) and making drainage possible.

Abstract: A linear displacement sampling valve and its fixing device are provided, the central assembly of the valve, formed by an element sliding between two fixed guide parts (2) placed on each side, being held in position on four of its faces by lower (7) and upper (8) guides, a metal plate (10) and a base (11) which are fixed members; it is held in position at its end by a manual release locking flange (14) and on one side by a rocker (18) returned by a spring (26) against the lateral face of a fixed guide part (2).

Abstract: A two or three way microelectrovalve with twin sealing membrane is provided in which the mobile assembly playing the role of closure member driven by the mobile core of an electromagnet is essentially formed of two flexible membranes mounted on each side of a core which passes through a central well in the main body of the microelectrovalve, whose two opposite faces are countersunk so as to form cups. The outgoing pipes which open into a zone of the cups set aside from the central well 6 are sealingly closed by each membrane by a small excentric part of the surface thereof.