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 analysing 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: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining positions of objects contained within a sample. The apparatus comprises an image sensor configured to transform incident light to image data, an optical system comprising a lens arrangement and an aperture, a light emitting device configured to generate light towards said image sensor, and an image data processor configured to receive image data from said image sensor and to determine positions for objects in said image data. The optical system is configured such that a depth of field of said optical system is larger than or equal to a thickness of said sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling device for taking up a blood sample and for providing the blood sample for analysis of total cholesterol in said blood sample. The device comprises a receiving cavity for receiving, through capillary action, the blood sample to be analysed, said receiving cavity having a predetermined small volume; and an analysis cavity, arranged in communication with the receiving cavity, said analysis cavity having a predetermined optical path length. The receiving cavity contains a dried buffer, and the analysis cavity contains a dried reagent. The invention also relates to a method for quantitative determination of the total cholesterol concentration in a blood sample of serum/plasma by end point analysis.

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: A passive optical component directs first electromagnetic radiation incident on the component in a first direction and second electromagnetic radiation incident on the component in a second direction to a mutual direction. The optical component comprises an interacting surface which is arranged to interact with said first and second electromagnetic radiation. The interacting surface comprises first portions, each having a surface extending in a third direction, which is essentially perpendicular to the mutual direction, and second portions, each having a surface extending in a fourth direction. The optical component reflects essentially all the first electromagnetic radiation and transmits at least a significant portion of the second electromagnetic radiation for directing the first and the second electromagnetic radiation to a mutual direction. An optical system and a method using the passive optical component are also shown.

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: A handheld medical logging apparatus for recording and logging data related to a person's blood glucose level comprises measuring means adapted to measure a glucose level, one or more buttons, and control circuitry coupled to the buttons. The control circuitry is adapted to, in response to an activation of a specific button, directly enter an event logging mode, in which mode an occurrence of events may be recorded in the apparatus, wherein each event may affect the blood glucose level and is represented by a predetermined code. The control circuitry is further, in the event logging mode, adapted to interpret activations of the buttons as the code representing an event and create a signal indicative of the occurred event. The apparatus further comprises a memory coupled to the control circuitry and adapted to receive the signal, and in response thereof record the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for quantitative hemoglobin determination in undiluted, unhemolyzed whole blood comprising the steps of: providing a disposable, capillary, which has an optical path length of less than 1 mm; filling said cuvette with a sample of unaltered whole blood; performing a first absorption measurement at a wavelength in the range 490-520 nm directly on the sample in the cuvette, and further conducting a second absorption measurement, and processing results of the first and second absorption measurements to determine the concentration of hemoglobin in the sample, wherein the step of processing comprises compensating for scattering in the sample, said compensating being dependent on the result of the second absorption measurement. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for continuous production of disposable capillary plastic microcuvettes including the steps of providing a first and a second sheet; providing at least one depression having a predetermined depth at a predetermined place in at least one of the sheets; introducing at least one additive or reagent in at least one depression; joining the first sheet and the second sheet for obtaining a body member including at least one cavity, the inner walls of which are defined by the at least one depression and a predetermined area of the opposite sheet and cutting out microcuvettes including at least one cavity and having a predetermined size and configuration from the body member, in such a way that at least one cavity of the microcuvette is communicating with the exterior atmosphere of the microcuvette through a capillary sample inlet opening. The invention also concerns a cuvette prepared according to the new method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out mixing in a thin liquid layer, which is arranged between essentially parallel walls at a capillary distance from each other. The mixing is carried out by subjecting the walls to a motion essentially in the plane of the liquid layer, balancing the motion against the capillary force exerted by the walls on the liquid, and selecting the interface between the liquid layer and the surrounding medium so that it functions as an elastic membrane. The invention also concerns a cuvette which is designed for mixing according to the method.

Abstract: A photometer for determining the transmission of a liquid sample in a microcuvette (7, 20, 22) has a cavity for a capillary layer of the liquid sample with a free liquid surface extended transversely of the principal plane of the cavity. The cavity is initially prepared with a reagent to achieve a reaction, which affects the transmission of the liquid sample for indicating its contents of a predetermined substance. The photometer has a holder (6) for the microcuvette and measuring means (9, 10) for measuring the transmission of a bundle of rays directed towards the microcuvette. The cuvette holder (6) is mounted on bearings for vibration in a direction having a component, which extends in the plane of the free liquid surface and is parallel with the principal plane of the cavity, thereby achieving a mixing to accelerate the dissolution and the reaction.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an integral capillary microcuvette comprising a body member and a cavity including a measuring zone within the body member. The cavity is defined by two opposite, substantially parallel inner surfaces of the body member and includes an outer peripheral edge comprising a sample inlet and an inner peripheral zone having a channel of higher capillary force than the measuring zone. The channel extends around the entire inner peripheral zone with ends of the channel communicating with the atmosphere at the exterior of the microcuvette.

Abstract: A device for rapidly performing a sedimentation-rate test is described. A tube (17) containing a given amount of blood specimen is placed in a holder (13, 21, 22) which rotates (23) the tube (17) a predetermined number of revolutions at a given speed about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube while rotating (24) the tube about its longitudinal axis, to then stop the tube for a given period of time about 60.degree. from the vertical, and to finally turn the tube (17) to the vertical position at a speed which is but a fraction of the first-mentioned speed also while turning the tube about the longitudinal axis. Means (26) are arranged to monitor the rotational movements of the tube, preferably by means of markings on a plug (18) closing the tube end.