Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an output device (34), and a blood sample (12) that was drawn from a subject. A microscope system (10) acquires first and second images of the blood sample at respective times. A computer processor (28) determines whether, between acquisitions of the first and second images, there was relative motion between at least one erythrocyte within the sample and at least one entity within the sample, by comparing the first and second images to one another. At least partially in response thereto, the computer processor determines whether the entity is an extra-erythrocytic or an intra-erythrocytic entity, and generates an output on the output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including acquiring microscopic images of a blood sample, and identifying deformed red blood cells within the microscopic images. A degree of red blood cell deformity within the sample is determined, at least partially based upon the identified deformed red blood cells. A sample-informative parameter that is indicative of a characteristic of the blood sample as a whole is determined, at least partially based upon the degree of red blood cell deformity within the sample. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including staining a blood sample with one or more stains. A plurality of microscopic images of the stained blood sample are acquired, using a microscope. Staining-quality parameters for respective microscopic images are determined, using a computer processor, the staining-quality parameters being indicative of a quality of the staining within each of the respective microscopic images. An action is performed by the computer processor, based upon the staining-quality parameters of the respective microscopic images. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use with a blood sample are described. The blood sample is stained with Hoechst stain and Acridine Orange stain. A plurality of images of the blood sample are acquired. An object is identified as being a white blood cell candidate. A first stained area, which is stained by the Hoechst stain and which is disposed within the white blood cell candidate, is identified. A second stained area, which is stained by the Acridine Orange stain and which is disposed within the white blood cell candidate, is identified. A white blood cell is detected by determining that structural features of the stained areas satisfy predetermined criteria associated with a white blood cell. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing a bodily sample are described. A microscope system acquires one or more microscope images of the bodily sample. A computer processor identifies, in the one or more images, at least one element as being a candidate of a given entity. The computer processor extracts, from the one or more images, at least one candidate-informative feature associated with the candidate of the given entity, and at least one sample-informative feature that is indicative of a characteristic of the bodily sample as a whole. The computer processor processes the candidate-informative feature in combination with the sample-informative feature, and generates an output upon the output device, in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing a bodily sample are described. A microscope system acquires one or more microscope images of the bodily sample. A computer processor identifies, in the one or more images, at least one element as being a candidate of a given entity. The computer processor extracts, from the one or more images, at least one candidate-informative feature associated with the candidate of the given entity, and at least one sample-informative feature that is indicative of a characteristic of the bodily sample as a whole. The computer processor processes the candidate-informative feature in combination with the sample-informative feature, and generates an output upon the output device, in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a microscope system (11) configured to acquire one or more microscope images of a bodily sample, an output device (34), and at least one computer processor (28). The computer processor identifies, in the one or more images, at least one element as being a pathogen candidate, and extracts, from the one or more images, at least one candidate-informative feature associated with the pathogen candidate. The compute processor extracts, from the one or more images, at least one sample-informative feature that is indicative of contextual information related to the bodily sample. The computer processor classifies a likelihood of the bodily sample being infected with a pathogenic infection, by processing the candidate-informative feature in combination with the sample-informative feature, and generates an output upon the output device, in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a blood sample (48, 50), including measuring hemoglobin concentration within at least a portion (48) of the blood sample, by performing a first measurement on the blood sample. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin in the blood sample (48, 50) is measured, by performing a second measurement on the blood sample (48, 50). A parameter of the blood sample is determined, based on a relationship between the concentration of hemoglobin and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including introducing a cell suspension comprising red blood cells into a carrier that is a closed cavity that includes a base surface, via an inlet defined by the carrier. The cells in the cell suspension are allowed to settle on the base surface of the carrier to form a monolayer of cells on the base surface of the carrier. At least one microscope image of at least a portion of the monolayer of cells is acquired. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a method for imaging a blood sample and a kit and system for executing the method. The method includes introducing a cell suspension including red blood cells onto a base surface of a carrier having a vertical height (H) being greater than or equal to a vertical depth (h) of the cell suspension when on the base carrier, the cell suspension including a cell concentration (C) being determined by a defined function; allowing the cells in the cell suspension to settle on the base surface of the carrier to form a monolayer of cells thereon; and acquiring at least one microscope image of at least a portion of the monolayer of cells; wherein the at least one microscope image is obtained by a microscope set to Depth Of Field that is not more than 20% of the vertical height of the cell suspension settled on the base surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a microscope system (11) configured to acquire one or more micro scope images of a bodily sample, an output device (34), and at least one computer processor (28). The computer processor identifies, in the one or more images, at least one element as being a pathogen candidate, and extracts, from the one or more images, at least one candidate-informative feature associated with the pathogen candidate. The compute processor extracts, from the one or more images, at least one sample-informative feature that is indicative of contextual information related to the bodily sample. The computer processor classifies a likelihood of the bodily sample being infected with a pathogenic infection, by processing the candidate-informative feature in combination with the sample-informative feature, and generates an output upon the output device, in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a method for imaging a blood sample and a kit and system for executing the method. The method includes introducing a cell suspension including red blood cells onto a base surface of a carrier having a vertical height (H) being greater than or equal to a vertical depth (h) of the cell suspension when on the base carrier, the cell suspension including a cell concentration (C) being determined by a defined function; allowing the cells in the cell suspension to settle on the base surface of the carrier to form a monolayer of cells thereon; and acquiring at least one microscope image of at least a portion of the monolayer of cells; wherein the at least one microscope image is obtained by a microscope set to Depth Of Field that is not more than 20% of the vertical height of the cell suspension settled on the base surface.

Abstract: Provided is a method for imaging a blood sample and a kit and system for executing the method. The method includes introducing a cell suspension including red blood cells onto a base surface of a carrier having a vertical height (H) being greater than or equal to a vertical depth (h) of the cell suspension when on the base carrier, the cell suspension including a cell concentration (C) being determined by a defined function; allowing the cells in the cell suspension to settle on the base surface of the carrier to form a monolayer of cells thereon; and acquiring at least one microscope image of at least a portion of the monolayer of cells; wherein the at least one microscope image is obtained by a microscope set to Depth Of Field that is not more than 20% of the vertical height of the cell suspension settled on the base surface.

Abstract: Provided is a method for imaging a blood sample and a kit and system for executing the method. The method includes introducing a cell suspension including red blood cells onto a base surface of a carrier having a vertical height (H) being greater than or equal to a vertical depth (h) of the cell suspension when on the base carrier, the cell suspension including a cell concentration (C) being determined by a defined function; allowing the cells in the cell suspension to settle on the base surface of the carrier to form a monolayer of cells thereon; and acquiring at least one microscope image of at least a portion of the monolayer of cells; wherein the at least one microscope image is obtained by a microscope set to Depth Of Field that is not more than 20% of the vertical height of the cell suspension settled on the base surface.