Abstract: A sample acquiring device, an apparatus and a method for spectrophotometric measurement of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and at least one of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and glucose (FPG).

Abstract: A sample acquiring device, an apparatus and a method for spectrophotometric measurement of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and at least one of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and glucose (FPG).

Abstract: A sample acquiring device for detection of biological components in a liquid sample is disclosed, comprising a measurement cavity for receiving a liquid sample and a reagent comprising an antibody linked with a magnetic particle and arranged in a dry form inside the measurement cavity. A method is further disclosed, comprising mixing the reagent with the liquid sample, introducing the liquid sample into the measurement cavity, applying a magnetic field to the liquid, wherein the magnetic particles move in the magnetic field, thereby moving the biological components to which the magnetically labeled antibodies are bound to, acquiring at least one digital image of the sample after the magnetic field has been removed, digitally analysing the at least one digital image for identifying biological components and detecting the magnetically labeled biological components in the measurement cavity. A system comprising the sample acquiring device and a measurement apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for enumeration of particles or white blood cells in a sample comprises: a holder, which is arranged to receive a sample acquiring device that holds a sample, an imaging system, comprising a magnifying means and at least one digital image acquiring means, said imaging system being arranged to acquire at least one digital image of the sample, and an image analyser, which is arranged to analyse the digital image for identifying particles or white blood cells and determining the number of particles or white blood cells and which is arranged to analyse the digital image for identifying particles or white blood cells that are imaged in focus, determining types of these particles or white blood cells, the types being distinguished by physical features and determining the ratio of different types of particles or white blood cells.

Abstract: A method is provided for ensuring the quality of a sample carrier in connection with performing an analysis of a sample in the sample carrier in an analysis instrument for in vitro diagnosis, wherein the sample carrier is provided with a symbol for confirming the compatibility of the sample carrier with the analysis instrument. The method comprises bringing the sample carrier to an imaging position in the analysis instrument, acquiring an image of the sample carrier, and analyzing the acquired image to detect the presence of a symbol for identifying the genuineness of the sample carrier. Where the sample carrier is identified as genuine, the sample carrier is approved for use in the analysis instrument and the analysis instrument is enabled to perform an analysis of the sample in the sample carrier. The analysis comprises irradiating the sample by transmitting electromagnetic radiation through the sample carrier.

Abstract: A sample acquiring device for volumetric enumeration of white blood cells in a blood sample comprises a measurement cavity for receiving a blood sample. The measurement cavity has a predetermined fixed thickness. The sample acquiring device further comprises a reagent, which is arranged in a dried form on a surface defining the measurement cavity. The reagent comprises a hemolysing agent for lysing red blood cells in the blood sample, and a staining agent for selectively staining white blood cells in the blood sample. A system comprises the sample acquiring device and a measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus comprises a sample acquiring device holder, a light source, and an imaging system for acquiring a digital image of a magnification of the sample. The measurement apparatus further comprises an image analyser arranged to analyse the acquired digital image for determining the number of white blood cells in the blood sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for analysis of particles in a liquid sample, the sample being retained in a sample retaining device, the method comprising: acquiring, by means of an image acquiring device, a plurality of images of said sample at different focus planes within the sample retaining device; analysing said images, by means of an image analyser, for identifying which, if any, of the particles of the sample are imaged in focus in each of the images, and analysing those particles which have been identified as being imaged in focus; wherein said plurality of images are acquired at different, essentially parallel, focus planes, which planes are separated from each other by a distance, said distance being less than 10 micrometers. The invention also relates to apparatuses adapted to be used for the inventive methods.

Abstract: A cuvette for taking up a body fluid sample and for providing the body fluid sample to an analysis comprises an inlet cavity for receiving a body fluid sample to be analyzed, a centrifugation reception cavity, which is arranged in communication with the inlet cavity such that spontaneous flow from the inlet cavity to the centrifugation reception cavity is prevented and such that body fluid from the inlet cavity may be forced into the centrifugation reception cavity by applying a centrifugation force on the cuvette, an analysis sample reception cavity, which is arranged in capillary connection with at least part of the centrifugation reception cavity for providing a sample transport by capillary action from the centrifugation reception cavity to the analysis sample reception cavity, wherein the analysis sample reception cavity has an opening through an outer wall of the cuvette, said opening extending over the entire width of the analysis sample reception cavity.

Abstract: A sample acquiring device for volumetric enumeration of thrombocytes in a blood sample is provided which comprises a measurement cavity for receiving a blood sample. The measurement cavity has a predetermined fixed thickness. The sample acquiring device further comprises a reagent, which is arranged in a dried form on a surface defining the measurement cavity. The reagent comprises a haemolyzing agent for lysing red blood cells in the blood sample, and optionally a staining agent for selectively staining thrombocytes in the blood sample. A system comprises the sample acquiring device and a measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus comprises a sample acquiring device holder, a light source, and an imaging system for acquiring a digital image of a magnification of the sample. The measurement apparatus further comprises an image analyzer arranged to analyze the acquired digital image for determining the number of thrombocytes in the blood sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an image of a sample retained by a sample acquiring device, comprises an image capturing unit comprising a lens arrangement with a fixed focal plane, a sample holder comprising a first magnet unit, and a second magnet unit. The sample holder is adapted to receive the sample acquiring device and is movable in relation to the lens arrangement to a first position. The sample holder is movable from the first position to a second position by means of magnetic interaction of the first magnet unit and the second magnet unit, and the image capturing unit is adapted to capture an image of the sample by means of the lens arrangement when the sample holder is in the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for analysis of particles in a liquid sample, the sample being retained in a sample retaining device, the method comprising: acquiring, by means of an image acquiring device, a plurality of images of said sample at different focus planes within the sample retaining device; analysing said images, by means of an image analyser, for identifying which, if any, of the particles of the sample are imaged in focus in each of the images, and analysing those particles which have been identified as being imaged in focus; wherein said plurality of images are acquired at different, essentially parallel, focus planes, which planes are separated from each other by a distance, said distance being less than 10 micrometers. The invention also relates to apparatuses adapted to be used for the inventive methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measurement apparatus, and method, for analysis of particles in a liquid sample, the apparatus comprising: an image acquiring device, an image analyser, a holder arranged to hold a sample retaining device, and a light refractor positioned between said image acquiring device and said holder; whereby at least one of the image acquiring device, the light refractor and the holder is movable by means of a piezoelectric motor, thereby moving a focus plane within the sample retaining device when it is held by the holder whereby the image acquiring device is adapted to acquire a plurality of images of said sample at different focus planes within the sample retaining device; wherein the image analyser is arranged to analyse at least one acquired image for identifying which of the particles are imaged in focus, and analysing those particles which have been identified as being imaged in focus.

Abstract: A sample acquiring device for volumetric enumeration of thrombocytes in a blood sample is provided which comprises a measurement cavity for receiving a blood sample. The measurement cavity has a predetermined fixed thickness. The sample acquiring device further comprises a reagent, which is arranged in a dried form on a surface defining the measurement cavity. The reagent comprises a haemolysing agent for lysing red blood cells in the blood sample, and optionally a staining agent for selectively staining thrombocytes in the blood sample. A system comprises the sample acquiring device and a measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus comprises a sample acquiring device holder, a light source, and an imaging system for acquiring a digital image of a magnification of the sample. The measurement apparatus further comprises an image analyser arranged to analyse the acquired digital image for determining the number of thrombocytes in the blood sample.

Abstract: A sample acquiring device for volumetric enumeration of white blood cells in a blood sample that includes a measurement cavity for receiving a blood sample. The measurement cavity has a predetermined fixed thickness. The sample acquiring device also has a reagent, which is arranged in a dried form on a surface defining the measurement cavity. The reagent has a hemolysing agent for lysing red blood cells in the sample and a staining agent for selectively staining white blood cells in the sample. Also, a system with the sample acquiring device and a measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus has a sample acquiring device holder, a light source, and an imaging system for acquiring a digital image of a magnification of the sample The measurement apparatus also has an image analyzer arranged to analyze the acquired digital image for determining the number of white blood cells in the blood sample.

Abstract: A method for quantitative hemoglobin determination in undiluted, unhemolyzed whole blood is provided which comprises: acquiring a sample of unaltered whole blood into a capillary cuvette, presenting the cuvette to a set-up for an absorption measurement, delaying absorption measurement for a determined period of time, performing a first absorption measurement at a first wavelength in the range 490-520 nm directly on the sample in the cuvette, further conducting a second absorption measurement at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength and at which the absorption is substantially smaller than at the first wavelength, and processing results of the first and second absorption measurements to determine the concentration of hemoglobin in the sample. A system for implementing the method also is provided.

Abstract: A sample acquiring device for detection of biological components in a liquid sample is provided comprising a measurement cavity for receiving a liquid sample, wherein the measurement cavity has a predetermined fixed thickness, and a reagent, which is arranged in a dry form inside the measurement cavity. The reagent comprises a fluorophore conjugated molecule.