Abstract: A closure adapted for insertion in a tube having a first end and an opposed second end and a bore extending therethrough. The tube adapted to draw a liquid into the tube by virtue of capillary action. The closure at least partially insertable in the first end and adapted to be slidably movable between a first position and a third position. The closure includes a substantially cylindrical body having an outer surface and a proximal end adapted to be inserted inside the bore and a distal end in close proximity with the first end. The body having a plurality of channels extending along the outer surface between the proximal end and the distal end, and a seal region extending along a periphery of the outer surface between the distal end and the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A centrifuge including a rotor having at least one recess, at least one protrusion or a combination of the at least one recess or the at least one protrusion defining a concave arrangement, each of the at least one recess, the at least one protrusion or the combination of the at least one recess or the at least one protrusion adapted to receive a corresponding specimen container.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes light sources to provide different illumination states depending on the status of the centrifuge to communicate the status of the centrifuge. The light sources, when activated, project light in the centrifuge chamber and through the centrifuge lid. The light sources are preferably light-emitting diodes. The illumination state is visible up to at least a distance from the centrifuge at which no other visual information on the centrifuge is available. The illumination states allow staff to visually identify the status of a centrifuge from a distance and may reduce turnaround times by enabling staff to identify a completed centrifuge cycle more quickly, reduce staff time wasted checking on the status of a centrifuge, and reduce turnaround time wasted as a result of specimens sitting in a centrifuge after the centrifuge cycle has completed.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes light sources to provide different illumination states depending on the status of the centrifuge to communicate the status of the centrifuge. The light sources, when activated, project light in the centrifuge chamber and through the centrifuge lid. The light sources are preferably light-emitting diodes. The illumination state is visible up to at least a distance from the centrifuge at which no other visual information on the centrifuge is available. The illumination states allow staff to visually identify the status of a centrifuge from a distance and may reduce turnaround times by enabling staff to identify a completed centrifuge cycle more quickly, reduce staff time wasted checking on the status of a centrifuge, and reduce turnaround time wasted as a result of specimens sitting in a centrifuge after the centrifuge cycle has completed. Methods of communicating the status of a centrifuge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for analyzing a hematologic sample centrifuged within a capillary tube is provided. The device includes a tube holder, a sample imaging device, a processor, and a sample data display. The sample imaging device is operable to create a digital image of the sample within a region of the tube. The region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube in the region where the float resides after centrifugation. The sample imaging device is operable to produce signals representative of the image. The processor is adapted to produce information relating to bands of interest within the image based on the signals from the sample imaging device. The sample data display is adapted to display the results therefrom and/or a digital image of the sample within the region.

Abstract: A method and device for analyzing a hematologic sample centrifuged within a capillary tube is provided. The device includes a tube holder, a sample imaging device, a processor, and a sample data display. The sample imaging device is operable to create a digital image of the sample within a region of the tube. The region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube in the region where the float resides after centrifugation. The sample imaging device is operable to produce signals representative of the image. The processor is adapted to produce information relating to bands of interest within the image based on the signals from the sample imaging device. The sample data display is adapted to display the results therefrom and/or a digital image of the sample within the region.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes light sources to provide different illumination states depending on the status of the centrifuge to communicate the status of the centrifuge. The light sources, when activated, project light in the centrifuge chamber and through the centrifuge lid. The light sources are preferably light-emitting diodes. The illumination state is visible up to at least a distance from the centrifuge at which no other visual information on the centrifuge is available. The illumination states allow staff to visually identify the status of a centrifuge from a distance and may reduce turnaround times by enabling staff to identify a completed centrifuge cycle more quickly, reduce staff time wasted checking on the status of a centrifuge, and reduce turnaround time wasted as a result of specimens sitting in a centrifuge after the centrifuge cycle has completed. Methods of communicating the status of a centrifuge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for analyzing a hematologic sample centrifuged within a capillary tube is provided. The device includes a tube holder, a sample imaging device, a processor, and a sample data display. The sample imaging device is operable to create a digital image of the sample within a region of the tube. The region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube in the region where the float resides after centrifugation. The sample imaging device is operable to produce signals representative of the image. The processor is adapted to produce information relating to bands of interest within the image based on the signals from the sample imaging device. The sample data display is adapted to display the results therefrom and/or a digital image of the sample within the region.

Abstract: A centrifuge including a first portion having a first end opposite a second end, the first portion positioned substantially vertically above a second portion. The first portion having a rotor for receiving at least one specimen holder insertable in the rotor from a position vertically above the rotor. The second portion raises the first end of the first portion relative to the second end of the first portion with respect to a horizontal plane coincident with an upper segment of the second end for permitting viewing of at least a fraction of the rotor associated with the at least one specimen holder from a vantage point near the second end and vertically positioned above or at least about coincident with the horizontal plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of analyzing hematologic samples deposited within a capillary tube is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) imaging a region of sample centrifuged within a capillary tube using a first analysis device, which region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube where the float resides after centrifugation, and producing signals representative of the image; b) communicating the signals representative of the image to a second analysis device independent of, and remotely located from, the first analysis device; c) processing the signals representative of the image using the second analysis device and producing analysis data based on the signals; and d) displaying the image of the region of the sample using the second analysis device.

Abstract: A sample containment unit and sample containment process are disclosed. The sample containment unit includes a sample containment region, a body extending around the sample containment region, and an access portion configured to selectively enclose the sample containment region. The body includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a foam positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall and the outer wall are a continuous piece of polymeric material. The sample containment process includes positioning a sample in a sample containment unit and transporting the sample containment unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the efficiency of finding a field of focus, and for increasing the accuracy of field of view in reading slides with fluorescent microscopy technology, including tuberculosis slides.

Abstract: A fluorescent microscope attachment is disclosed that includes a removable filter arm to provide an adaptor for use in transforming a light microscope into a fluorescent microscope. The adaptor may further include an LED light source and/or a magnetic microscope objective attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of analyzing hematologic samples deposited within a capillary tube is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) imaging a region of sample centrifuged within a capillary tube using a first analysis device, which region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube where the float resides after centrifugation, and producing signals representative of the image; b) communicating the signals representative of the image to a second analysis device independent of, and remotely located from, the first analysis device; c) processing the signals representative of the image using the second analysis device and producing analysis data based on the signals; and d) displaying the image of the region of the sample using the second analysis device.

Abstract: A method and device for analyzing a hematologic sample centrifuged within a capillary tube is provided. The device includes a tube holder, a sample imaging device, a processor, and a sample data display. The sample imaging device is operable to create a digital image of the sample within a region of the tube. The region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube in the region where the float resides after centrifugation. The sample imaging device is operable to produce signals representative of the image. The processor is adapted to produce information relating to bands of interest within the image based on the signals from the sample imaging device. The sample data display is adapted to display the results therefrom and/or a digital image of the sample within the region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the efficiency of finding a field of focus, and for increasing the accuracy of field of view in reading slides with fluorescent microscopy technology, including tuberculosis slides.