Abstract: A method that enables handling whole blood for assays where the whole blood is directly taken from a patient without any prior treatment and being put in a collection tube or other container ready to use for further analysis. The method can enable simple processing of the whole blood while avoiding any clots or aggregates and without damaging white cells in a reproducible and automatable way. The method can furthermore enable an automatic and reproducible pipetting of whole blood cells inside several wells to be tested.

Abstract: A machine for automatic in vitro detection of analytes, the machine being of the type including an optical reader device capable of detecting the optical response of the reaction solution to electromagnetic stimulation using a photoelectric receiver that is carried by a movable carriage of the machine and that moves under automatic control in order to bring the photoelectric receiver into various positions, each corresponding to various respective analysis zones. The photoelectric receiver forms part of a spectrometer capable of delivering a chromatic spectral decomposition of the optical response. Also provided are methods of automatic in vitro detection and/or quantification of analytes. In one method, a chromatic spectral decomposition of the optical response is acquired and two distinct optical agents are detected separately using the spectral decomposition.

Abstract: A composition for enzyme immunoassay using immunofluorescence comprises (i) a fluorogenic enzymatic substrate and (ii) a quenched fluorogenic compound that forms a fluorescent compound after hydrolysis of the fluorogenic enzymatic substrate. The composition may be useful for performing a method for in vitro detection and/or quantification of an analyte of a liquid test sample liable to contain the analyte.

Abstract: A machine for automatic in vitro detection of analytes, the machine being of the type comprising an optical reader device (30) capable of detecting the optical response of the reaction solution to electromagnetic stimulation using a photoelectric receiver (70) that is carried by a movable carriage (32) of the machine and that moves under automatic control in order to bring the photoelectric receiver into various positions, each corresponding to various respective analysis zones (26?), the machine being characterized in that the photoelectric receiver (70) forms part of a spectrometer (64) capable of delivering a chromatic spectral decomposition of the optical response. The invention also provides methods of automatic in vitro detection and/or quantification of analytes. In one method, a chromatic spectral decomposition of the optical response is acquired and two distinct optical agents are detected separately by means of said spectral decomposition.

Abstract: An optical device (1) including a fixed focus camera having a predetermined depth of field with an optical axis (55), wherein the optical device (1) comprises a diaphragm (5) positioned in the optical axis (55) of the camera and comprising a light passing aperture (53) for increasing the predetermined depth of field of said camera to provide an increased depth of field, wherein the diaphragm is attached to the camera, wherein the light passing aperture (53) of the diaphragm (5) is circular shaped within an opaque screen and positioned to have its centre point coincide with the optical axis (55) of the camera and wherein the optical device (1) further comprises illumination means evenly positioned around the optical axis (55) for evenly illuminating an object positioned within the increased depth of field of the camera.

Abstract: A composition for enzyme immunoassay using immunofluorescence comprises (i) a fluorogenic enzymatic substrate and (ii) a quenched fluorogenic compound that forms a fluorescent compound after hydrolysis of the fluorogenic enzymatic substrate. The composition may be useful for performing a method for in vitro detection and/or quantification of an analyte of a liquid test sample liable to contain the analyte.

Abstract: An optical device (1) including a fixed focus camera having a predetermined depth of field with an optical axis (55), wherein the optical device (1) comprises a diaphragm (5) positioned in the optical axis (55) of the camera and comprising a light passing aperture (53) for increasing the predetermined depth of field of said camera to provide an increased depth of field, wherein the diaphragm is attached to the camera, wherein the light passing aperture (53) of the diaphragm (5) is circular shaped within an opaque screen and positioned to have its centre point coincide with the optical axis (55) of the camera and wherein the optical device (1) further comprises illumination means evenly positioned around the optical axis (55) for evenly illuminating an object positioned within the increased depth of field of the camera.