Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing particles capable of irradiating uniform fluorescent excitation light efficiently, without difficulty in position adjustment, to a flat sample liquid flow containing particle components such as blood and urine, and capable of measuring side fluorescence or scattered light. By irradiating a sample liquid flat flow with fluorescent excitation light by a light source from the narrower side of a sample liquid flat flow, the fluorescence emitted from the broader side of the sample liquid flat flow is detected by a photo detector, and the signals from this photo detector are entered in a signal processor to be processed.

Abstract: An apparatus for aspirating and analyzing blood, urine or other specimens, in which an operating and display unit is built in the front cover. The operating and display unit is furnished with operation keys and a display screen is rotatably pivoted, at its one end, on the front cover by a the shaft. In this construction, in an automatic analyzer of blood, urine or the like having the operating and display unit built in the front cover, even with the front cover opened, the operation keys may be manipulated and the display screen may be observed easily.

Abstract: In an automatic analyzer, waste of specimens and reagents is prevented by having a function for detecting the remaining quantity of the liquids being used such as a reagent, a diluent liquid and a cleaning liquid. The weight data (m) of the reagent container only, and the gross weight data (M) of the reagent container and the reagent in the container are entered in an operation processor of the automatic analyzer, and the reagent remaining quantity (Q)=M-m in the reagent container is determined, while the required reagent quantity (D) necessary for specimen processing of the set specimens is determined, and by comparing the both (Q and D), it is judged whether or not to process the specimens.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing particle images by passing a sample liquid containing blood corpuscles, cells, microorganisms and other particles in a sheath flow, detecting the target particles, and taking the still images thereof efficiently in a simple construction. A sample containing fluorescence dyed particles is passed in a flow cell, the particles in the flow cell are irradiated with light of a specific wavelength, and the fluorescence emitted from the particles is detected by a photo detector to judge whether they are target particles or not in the particle passing judging circuit, and the white images or fluorescent images of the target particles are taken.

Abstract: A particle image analyzing apparatus including, a flow cell for enclosing a solution containing a particle to be analyzed in a sheathed flow to form the solution into a sample solution flow, an irradiation optical system for emitting light to irradiate the sample solution flow, a one dimension image sensor for receiving the light transmitted through the particle to scan the particle and output an image signal, an optical deflection device, including a variable deflection angle, for deflecting the transmitted light introduced to the image sensor, a controller for controlling the deflection angle of the optical deflection device such that the image sensor optically tracks the particle, and a signal processor for processing the output image signal of the image sensor to analyze the particle.

Abstract: A sample liquid flow containing particle components such as blood and urine is illuminated with light, and signals from particles are detected, and the particles are thereby analyzed. In this apparatus, using a prism or a diffraction grating, spectra of light signals are obtained, and more specific information regarding the particles is obtained. The fluorescence from the particles is separated by a prism or diffraction grating and classified into wavelength, the intensity of the obtained fluorescence spectra is amplified by an image intensifier, and the intensity is measured for each wavelength by an image sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flattened sample flow by passing a sample (liquid specimen) containing particle components such as blood and urine, in a broad, thin, flat flow. This apparatus is preferably used in an apparatus for analyzing particle images by emitting a strobe light to a sample flat flow, and taking the still images of the particle components. More specifically, the cross section of a measuring passage of a flow cell is rectangular with a side ratio of one to several times, with a shape that gradually narrows in width only in one direction of the lead-in passage, and the discharge port at the front end of the sample nozzle has a flat opening, or small discharge ports are arranged horizontally in a row. The decreasing direction of the width in the lead-in passage and the shorter diameter direction of the flat discharge port or the direction of the small discharge ports arranged horizontally in a row are matched.

Abstract: In an automatic analyzer such as blood analyzer, it is important to observe whether the sample, such as a blood sample, is sucked correctly or not. In an apparatus for observing suction of a sample, comprising a sample suction tube, a luminous element for emitting light toward the sample suction tube being driven by a driving circuit, a photo sensor for receiving the light from the sample suction tube, and a judging circuit for judging the sample suction on the basis of the signal from the photo sensor, a controller is provided in order to drive the luminous element so that the output (Vp) of the photo sensor may be nearly the reference value (Vr) before a sample suction, and to drive the luminous element so as to hold the driving state during the sample suction. Thus, the sensitivity adjustment of the apparatus for observing suction of a sample may be automated, and the observing capability of the apparatus is enhanced.

Abstract: A reagent blood coagulation that causes an increase in turbidity changes when added to a plasma sample containing a substance activating coagulation factor activating such as tissue thromboplastin, phospholipid and thrombin, calcium ion, and molecular substance such as high molecular vinyl and a high molecular polysaccharide. By adding a molecular substance to the reagent, the turbidity change due to blood coagulation is increased, and hence the changing quantity of transmitted light or scattered light increases, thereby making it possible to achieve a more accurate detection. Besides, by adjusting the electric conductivity, pH and osmotic pressure to proper values, the turbidity change due to blood coagulation may be further amplified.

Abstract: A sampling valve comprises two fixed elements, and a movable element held between these fixed elements, in which a flow-in passage (Q) is provided at one fixed element so as to communicate with at least one of the metering passages (P1) , . . . . Plural flow-out passages (R1), (R2), . . . are provided at the other or one fixed element so as to communicate with different metering passages individually. Relay passages (S1), . . . are also provided at the one or other fixed element so as to mutually connect the metering passages (P1), (P2), . . . in specified combinations. In such a construction, plural sampling routes are formed in the sampling valve. In the sampling valve for aspirating and pushing liquid specimens such as blood in cylindrical shape and removing it quantitatively, only the portion necessary for measurement may be selected and sampled.

Abstract: Reagents for enabling leukocytes to be classified and counted lyse erythrocytes and act on leukocytes to stabilize them are disclosed. The reagents contain polyoxyethylene-based surfactants, and may contain hyperosmotic or hypoosmotic agents and solubilizing agents. One embodiment of the invention contains surfactants selected from the anionic and nonionic polyoxyethylene-based surfactants having 18-30 repeating oxyethylene units per molecule. A second embodiment of the invention contains nonionic polyoxyethylene surfactants only, having 20-100 repeating oxyethylene units per molecule, does not employ either saponin or quaternary ammonium compounds, and provides for adjustment of the pH of the resulting solutions. The invention allows leukocytes to be classified into as many as five types, each type to be quantified, and enables the detection of abnormal cells, when used in conjunction with particulate analysis flow cytometers employing the RF method and the DC method.

Abstract: The apparatus for regulating liquid specimen temperature is used to maintain the liquid temperature of a sample constant in order to maintain a specific reaction state of the sample in an apparatus for analyzing samples, such as a blood analyzing apparatus. In this apparatus, a main body is included which is made of ceramics comprised mainly of silicon carbide high in thermal efficiency and excellent in chemical resistance. A liquid inlet is disposed at one end of a passage passing through the main body, which is used for heating. Preferably, the liquid inlet is opened toward the passage inner wall, and a liquid separating member for moving the liquid as it flows into the passage is disposed in the passage. When the liquid separating member is installed in the passage, the incoming liquid, not controlled in temperature, and the liquid leaving the passage already controlled in temperature may be separated, so that liquid control precision may be enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus for aspirating and discharging a specific volume of liquid sample, such as specimen and reagent, has a reaction plate serving a holding function and having a plurality of reaction containers, is provided which is low in cost and compact in design. On one side of a belt applied on two pulleys driven by one driving source an arm for holding a pipet is provided, while a reaction plate holding part is mounted on the other side of the belt (112), thereby constructing an apparatus for aspirating and discharging a liquid sample. When the arm ascends, the holding part descends, and when the arm descends, the holding part ascends. Thus, the arm and holding part are moved mutually in opposite directions by one driving source.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing particles in a sample liquid which classifies or counts components in the sample liquid by image processing. The liquid sample can be urine or the like and is passed in a flattened flow. The apparatus comprises sheath liquid supply apparatus sample liquid discharge apparatus a, temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature and temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature depending on the output of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge apparatus by correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit. The sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, and the sample liquid discharge quantity is corrected depending on the ambient temperature. When changed to the high scale factor taking state or low scale factor taking state, a different correction rate is set.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing liquid specimen comprising a sampling valve (11) consisting of two fixed elements (10), (14), and a movable element (12) held between these fixed elements, sample aspiration means (C0), diluent liquid dispensing means (Ci), and chamber (Bi) for receiving diluent liquid and sample, which further comprises measuring item setting means (30), control means (28) for selectively operating the dispensing means, and driving means (26) for driving each dispensing means according to its control signal. By composing in this manner, in the apparatus for analyzing liquid specimen for aspirating and pushing liquid specimen such as blood in cylindrical shape by means of a sampling valve, taking out quantitatively, treating as required, and analyzing, only a sample necessary for measurement is selected, and is diluted or otherwise treated.

Abstract: A blood analyzer system transports blood samples through at least one blood analyzer and an automatic blood smear generator under the control of a preprogrammable controller. Blood samples are stored in containers that identify the blood samples they contain. The containers move through the system mounted in protective racks that permit the reading of the identifications. The results of analysis by one or more blood analyzers in the system determines for each sample individually whether or not to make a blood smear. When a blood smear is to be made, the controller makes the smear thickness of each blood sample consistent with other samples whatever the consistency of the sample to be smeared. If a required sample is not made, a detector sounds an alarm, thereby alerting operators that the system has failed.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting corpuscles such as blood cells. The apparatus has an aperture and a constant-current source that supplies an electrical current to the aperture for detection of corpuscles. When corpuscles to be investigated pass through the aperture, the electrical impedance changes, producing a signal (herein referred to as the corpuscle signal). The apparatus further includes a pseudo signal-generating means for producing a pseudo signal in the form of pulses. The pseudo signal has a peak value proportional to the amplitude of the input current and is equivalent to the corpuscle signal detected when the corpuscles pass through the aperture. A signal selector means is disposed among the aperture, the constant-current source, and the pseudo signal-generating means. The signal selector means assumes either a first state or a second state.

Abstract: In the case of forming a distribution diagram based upon measured data consisting of measured values of two or more characteristics of particles and counted values thereof which are obtained by analyzing a specimen intermixedly including plural kinds of particles with a particle analyzing device, by plotting the particles in a co-ordinate system of two or more dimensions having said characteristics as its parameters, a method of collecting the measured data over a specific length of measuring time and seeking a time-related change of the distribution diagram to visually display the same, in which a space defined by the co-ordinate system is partitioned into plural domains, in the measuring time is divided into plural time intervals and the number of the particles belonging to each domain is counted for each time interval, thereby displaying the particle distribution diagram partitioned into domains on a display screen and also displaying a time-related change of the number of particles with a folded-line diag

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for analyzing cells in urine. A constricted zone through which various cells contained in a urine specimen flow in single file is irradiated with light having a light beam width in the direction of cell flow of between 1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m. Scattered light and fluorescent light emitted by the cells is converted into scattered-light intensity data and fluorescent light intensity data. Preferably, the individual cells have been stained with a stain such that DNA will specifically emit fluorescence. Cell diameter data is also generated from the detected scattered light. Cell judgment values are stored in a memory device, and the cells in the urine specimen are classified based upon the cell judgment values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for analyzing cells in urine. A constricted zone through which various cells contained in a urine specimen flow in single file is irradiated with light having a light beam width in the direction of cell flow of between 1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m. Scattered light and fluorescent light emitted by the cells is converted into scattered-light intensity data and fluorescent light intensity data. Preferably, the individual cells have been stained with a stain such that DNA will specifically emit fluorescence. Cell diameter data and peak-count data are also generated from the detected scattered light. Cell judgement values are stored in a memory device, and the cells in the urine specimen are classified based upon the cell judgement values.