Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: A filtering device is provided to an analyzing instrument to block the passage of oversized particles that may otherwise clog the aperture of a sample analyzing device. The filtering device can be arranged to be proximate to the mixing chamber. In certain examples, the filtering device is placed at or adjacent an output port of the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A filtering device is provided to an analyzing instrument to block the passage of oversized particles that may otherwise clog the aperture of a sample analyzing device. The filtering device can be arranged to be proximate to the mixing chamber. In certain examples, the filtering device is placed at or adjacent an output port of the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: A filtering device is provided to an analyzing instrument to block the passage of oversized particles that may otherwise clog the aperture of a sample analyzing device. The filtering device can be arranged to be proximate to the mixing chamber. In certain examples, the filtering device is placed at or adjacent an output port of the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly sensitive and accurate method and system for the discrimination and quantification of platelets in a whole blood sample using automated hematology instruments. The method and system of the invention provide the accurate measurements of platelet dry mass and platelet component concentration in both normal blood samples and in abnormal blood samples, such as those from thrombocytopenic patients. The determination of platelet dry mass and platelet component concentration can serve to assess the activation state of platelets since activated platelets possess measurably lower component concentrations and refractive indices than do non-activated platelets. The method and system of the invention also allows the clinician or skilled practitioner to determine the age of a blood sample on the basis of the measured parameter of platelet component concentration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly sensitive and accurate method and system for the discrimination and quantification of platelets in a whole blood sample using automated hematology instruments. The method and system of the invention provide the accurate measurements of platelet dry mass and platelet component concentration in both normal blood samples and in abnormal blood samples, such as those from thrombocytopenic patients. The determination of platelet dry mass and platelet component concentration can serve to assess the activation state of platelets since activated platelets possess measurably lower component concentrations and refractive indices than do unactivated platelets. The method and system of the invention also allows the clinician or skilled practitioner to determine the age of a blood sample on the basis of the measured parameter of platelet component concentration.

Abstract: Methods for blood sample preparation using reagent compositions which include a zwitterionic surfactant for sphering of cells to eliminate orientational noise. When the reagent composition including a dye for staining a subset of cells is reacted with a blood sample, and the reaction mixture is passed through the sensing region of a flow cytometer, the light scattered and absorbed by each cell is measured, the stained cells can be distinguished from the unstained cells, and when the cells are reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes, respectively, the volume and hemoglobin concentration of each reticulocyte or erythrocyte, and the hemoglobin content, mean cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mean cell hemoglobin of the reticulocytes or erythrocytes are calculated from the measured cell-by-cell volume and hemoglobin concentration.

Abstract: A reagent composition which includes organic cationic dyes for staining the reticulocytes in a blood sample and buffer solutions for maintaining a pH of about 6 to about 9 is provided. The dyes may be the blue absorption dyes Oxazine 750 or New Methylene Blue. A zwitterionic surfactant is included in the reagent composition for isovolumetric sphering of the reticulocytes and erythrocytes. The reagent composition and whole blood sample mixture are passed through the sensing region of a flow cytometer. The light scattered and absorbed by each cell is measured; the erythrocytes can be distinguished from reticulocytes and the volume, hemoglobin concentration and the hemoglobin content of each reticulocyte or erythrocyte, and the mean cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mean cell hemoglobin of the reticulocytes or erythrocytes are calculated from the measured cell-by-cell volume and hemoglobin concentration.

Abstract: A reagent composition which include an organic cationic dye for staining the reticulocytes in the blood sample and a buffer solution for maintaining a pH of about 6 to about 9 is provided. The dyes may be the red excitable fluorescent dye Oxazine 750, or the blue excitable fluorescent dyes Acridine Orange or derivatives of Acridine Orange. A zwitterionic surfactant is included in the reagent composition for isovolumetric sphering of the reticulocytes and erythrocytes.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing and distinguishing reticulocytes and mature red blood cells use reagent compositions which include an organic cationic dye for staining the reticulocytes in the blood sample and a buffer solution for maintaining a pH of about 6 to about 9. The dyes may be the red excitable fluorescent dye Oxazine 750, or the blue excitable fluorescent dyes Acridine Orange or derivatives of Acridine Orange.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing and distinguishing reticulocytes and mature red blood cells use reagent compositions which include organic cationic dyes for staining the reticulocytes in the blood sample and buffer solutions for maintaining a pH of about 6 to about 9. The dyes may be the blue absorption dyes Oxazine 750 or New Methylene Blue.

Abstract: Methods for blood sample preparation using reagent compositions which include a zwitterionic surfactant for sphering of cells to eliminate orientational noise. When the reagent composition including a for staining a subset of cells is reacted with an anticoagulated blood sample, and the reaction mixture is passed through the sensing region of a flow cytometer, the light scattered and absorbed by each cell is measured, the stained cells can be distinguished from the unstained cells, and when the cells are reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes, respectively, the volume and hemoglobin concentration of each reticulocyte or erythrocyte, and the hemoglobin content, mean cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mean cell hemoglobin of the reticulocytes or erythrocytes are calculated from the measured cell-by-cell volume and hemoglobin concentration.