Abstract: A reagent pack includes a first reservoir having a continuous rigid wall defining a constant inner space that opens to the ambient environment. An air-tight second reservoir has a flexible wall that defines a variable inner space with one or more second openings. The second reservoir is arranged within the first reservoir and stores fluid reagent. A closure element completely fills the first opening of the first reservoir and includes a first fluid passage fluidly connecting the inner space of the first reservoir, as the waste reservoir, to receive waste liquid. Second fluid passages fluidly connect the second openings of said second reservoirs with respective reagent inlets to supply fluid reagent to the sample analyzer. The inner space of the first reservoir further includes an air passage to allow gaseous communication with the ambient environment to maintain a controlled pressure within said inner space while receiving waste liquid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an instrument and method of use in which a sample is taken from a sample container with a sampling member (10) and is directly transferred to an inlet of a flow structure that includes a aliquoting chamber for segmenting an aliquot of the sample with high-precision. That is, there is no need to direct the sample over a long passageway in the sampling member (10) before a sample portion could be dispensed by a sampling unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow cytometer (10) for in vitro assaying of human or animal whole blood and to an investigation method using the flow cytometer. Enhanced detection properties are achieved by it relative to the prior art cytometers of the same kind. Here, automated beam positioning is also solved. To these ends, collection of light scattered by the cellular components of human or animal whole blood and its transmission to suitable optical sensing elements take place by a coupling member with a particular end construction, in particular through one or more optical fiber bundles. Preparation of a blood sample for the assay, that is, mixing up said human or animal whole blood with appropriate reagents is performed by a hydro-pneumatical unit (12) of a particular design. Moreover, the actual assaying takes place in a flow cell (22) of a particular construction, which assists to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the present flow cytometer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow cytometer (10) for in vitro assaying of human or animal whole blood and to an investigation method using the flow cytometer. Enhanced detection properties are achieved by it relative to the prior art cytometers of the same kind. Here, automated beam positioning is also solved. To these ends, collection of light scattered by the cellular components of human or animal whole blood and its transmission to suitable optical sensing elements take place by a coupling member with a particular end construction, in particular through one or more optical fiber bundles. Preparation of a blood sample for the assay, that is, mixing up said human or animal whole blood with appropriate reagents is performed by a hydro-pneumatical unit (12) of a particular design. Moreover, the actual assaying takes place in a flow cell (22) of a particular construction, which assists to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the present flow cytometer.