Abstract: A blood analyzer is provided with means to automatically pierce the sealed closure of a vacuum container or to aspirate through an aspirator tip blood samples to be analyzed. The samples are drawn serially through a repositionable valve structure, preferably of rotary form, and having three members in layers with aligned ports in one position to receive the blood that is drawn through the valve by a syringe type aspirator. Another position of the valve connects diluent supplies providing measured amounts of diluent to wash out the bores of the middle member of the valve containing amounts of blood measured by the size of the bores. In the case of the red blood cell measurement, where the bore is extremely small, a larger by-pass port is provided in parallel with the sample containing bore to allow more rapid flow simultaneously through both.Blood analysis is performed by separate conventional cell counter arrangements for each of the red and white counts.

Abstract: An apparatus for making blood counts is provided with computer and instrument control to optimize performance of the apparatus. Means for counting blood cells such as platelets, white blood and red blood cells enables a plot of the number of particles counted in each of the adjacent bands or channels inclusive within a selected range of particle size so that a plot of count against particle size may be made. The computer enables analyses of plots thus obtained by system algorithms in order to correct errors of various types which may occur in the plot. For example, by calculating the logarithms of the counts of particles and of mean particle size for each particle size channel, a further plot of log count against log of blood particle size of generally symmetrical bell shape may be generated. The computer further calculates change of logarithm (.DELTA. log) of counts in adjacent channels.