Abstract: The invention relates to a syringe block (1) comprising a plurality of syringes (2) and a collector (3), the syringes each having a suction volume, and the collector comprising electromagnetic valves. First tubes directly link the electromagnetic valves to the internal volumes and second tubes extend from the electromagnetic valves towards the containers for the sample and/or other liquids, at least one of the syringes being an air pump (15, 16). The syringe block can be used as a support for various components used for the operation thereof, and can be arranged in a climatic condition reproducer. One such syringe block is especially adapted to be used in a liquid analyser, the air pump being used especially to take a sample and/or to drain and clean different recipients containing a sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reagent for determination of leucocytes and measurement of haemoglobin in a sample of blood. This reagent comprises a buffer system that is suited to adjust selectively the pH of the reagent to an acidic value, at least one detergent of cationic type, a nitrogenous compound and, optionally, at least one inorganic salt. This reagent can be used in haematological analyses in human medicine and also permits the identification of a leucocytic subpopulation, in particular the basophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Abstract: A device for processing samples of blood products contained in tubes (18) closed by bungs (20) and loaded into cassettes (12), includes transfer component (10) designed to individually move the cassettes (12) on a pre-determined path, agitation component (30) having at least one pick-up mechanism (32) capable of being actuated by driving component (88) to pick up at least one selected tube (18) from a cassette (12) immobilised on the path, to move said tube away from the cassette, to agitate the tube and replace it in the cassette, and sampling component (34) designed to draw off a given sample quantity from the pre-agitated tube which has been replaced in the cassette.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reagent and a process for the identification and counting of biological cells in a sample. This reagent comprises a cell lysing agent selected from at least one detergent in a concentration capable of specifically lysing a given type of cells in the sample, and a stain capable of marking the intracellular nucleic acids of the remaining unlysed cells. Application in particular for the identification and counting of cells using an automated analysis system based on flow cytometry.

Abstract: A device for processing samples of blood products contained in tubes (18) closed by means of bungs (20) and loaded into cassettes (12), includes means of transfer (10) designed to individually move the cassettes (12) on a predetermined path, means of agitation (30) having at least one pick-up mechanism (32) capable of being actuated by driving means (88) to pick up at least one selected tube (18) from a cassette (12) immobilised on the path, to move said tube away from the cassette, to agitate the tube and replace it in the cassette, and means of sampling (34) designed to draw off a given sample quantity from the pre-agitated tube which has been replaced in the cassette. Application to haematological analysers.

Abstract: A method for fractionated distribution of a blood sample, includes the steps of: a) drawing up a blood sample into a needle; b) distributing via the needle an aliquot corresponding to a specific fraction of the blood sample drawn up, into a flow of a reagent, to thereby produce a mixture of the aliquot and of the reagent; c) collecting the mixture in a mixing and/or measuring receptacle; and d) repeating steps b) and c) at least once to distribute a further aliquot corresponding to a further specific fraction of the blood sample, into a further flow of reagent.

Abstract: A device for automatic preparation of blood smears on plates comprises a storage unit for stacked new plates, an extractor unit to extract a plate from the stack, a depositing unit. To deposit a drop of blood on a plate, a spreading unit, to spread a drop of blood and produce a blood smear, a marking unit, comprising a marking head which can place means of identification on a reserved area of the plate, a drying unit, which can dry the blood smear, a coloring unit), which can color the blood smear, an output unit to unload the plate, and transfer means, to displace the plate between the aforementioned units, according to a pre-determined path.

Abstract: A reagent for measurement of the haemoglobin and determination of the leukocytes in a blood sample is provided. This reagent comprises at least one detergent of the cationic type; a compound of the glycoside type, and in particular a saponin; at least one inorganic salt and/or an osmotic and/or leukoprotective agent; and an organic and/or inorganic buffer which can adjust the pH of the agent selectively, either to a substantially neutral value, e.g. pH between 5 and 8, or to a basic value, e.g. pH between 8 and 12. The reagent can be used in haematological analyses in human and veterinary medicine.

Abstract: A device for agitating and taking samples of blood products from tubes which are closed by stoppers and grouped together in a rack. The device includes a rack support adapted for holding at least one rack, at least one rack held by the rack support which is capable of holding a plurality of tubes with each tube being held in a selected position, a sampling station from which a sample of blood product can be withdrawn from a tube, a gripping device which is capable of taking hold and withdrawing from the rack one of the tubes at a selected position, bringing the tube to the sampling station and back to the selected position without agitation and replacing the tube in its selected position, and a drive device for displacing the gripping device. The device of the invention further includes a device for agitating the rack support and the rack which is operable during operation of the device for bringing and a device for withdrawing.

Abstract: The analyzer (4) comprises a single box (1) for the distribution of reagents and which is removable from, and connectable to, the said analyzer, the said box containing a plurality of flexible, retractable bags filled with reagent and a flexible bag for collecting the residues. The box (1) is places on a horizontal supporting plate (5) which slides along the side of the apparatus and which is mounted on springs (6). Upwardly orientated fixed metallic needles (7) pass through orifices (9) in the said supporting plate.

Abstract: A device for transferring, agitating, and sampling blood products sealed in tubes which are grouped together in cassettes wherein each cassette containing sample tubes is extracted from a storage receptacle by a moving loading and ejection carriage which shifts and positions it, using a retractable finger, in the cavity of a rotary carriage. The rotary carriage mixes the samples and stops so that sampling of tubes in the cassette can be performed by a sampling station which is movable in relation to the tubes temporarily immobilized in a vertical position with plugs facing downwards. The device is usable as a hematological analyzer.

Abstract: A displaceable needle (16) for sampling the liquid from the flask is mounted on a slide (5) that is mobile vertically in relation to a support bracket (1) integrated in the sampling apparatus. The sampling needle passes through a percussion head (10) mounted on the base of the bracket and to which is connected a piercing needle. A conduit (12) for rinsing places the percussion head in communication with the outside.Application to blood sampling in a haematological analysis apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent and to a method of using the same for automatically determining at least one leukocyte sub-population from a total blood sample. Using this reagent, it is possible, in a single step, to lyse the erythrocytes through the action of saponin and SDS, as well as to ensure the differential staining of the leukocyte sub-populations, at the same time preserving the integrity and morphology of the cells, through the combined action of various components including chlorazol black, an alcohol, a surfactant and preserving agents. The reagent according to the invention can be applied to different types of automatic flow cytometry analyzers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acaricidal composition for decontaminating bees parasitized by Varroa jacobsoni, and a device containing said composition suitable for installation in the hive. The composition according to the invention comprises an acaricide, a substance having properties attractive to bees and a neutral vehicle. It is applied using a semirigid support facilitating installation in the hive. The invention is applicable to the field of beekeeping.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reagent and a method of using the same for automatically determining the population of the basophilic leukocytes in the blood. The invention relates more particularly to a new formulation for a differential lysing reagent that lyses all the blood cells except for the basophils, particularly suitable for the measuring principle based on resistivity measurement, that is to say the concentrations of the constitutents and the pH of the solution are suitable for ensuring good electrical conductivity of the medium. The reagent according to the invention will find an application in apparatus for automatically determining blood formulae by means of resistivity variation measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for counting and determining at least one leucocytic sub-population, comprising a case for injecting a flow of sample to be analyzed inside a measurement tank through which a light beam passes, comprising internal and external nozzles for sleeving the sample by means of a pressurized liquid. Electrodes for the resistivity measurements of the leucocytic sub-population are component elements of the injection case. Units for collecting and processing the signals delivered by the optical sensor and the electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: A device is provided for automatically taking liquid from a bottle, including a stopper piercing assembly with a mobile block serving as support for a sample taking needle which moves vertically along guide columns under the action of a cylinder, a rinsing receptacle being fixedly mounted on the guide columns and traversed by the needle.

Abstract: A linear displacement sampling valve and its fixing device are provided, the central assembly of the valve, formed by an element sliding between two fixed guide parts (2) placed on each side, being held in position on four of its faces by lower (7) and upper (8) guides, a metal plate (10) and a base (11) which are fixed members; it is held in position at its end by a manual release locking flange (14) and on one side by a rocker (18) returned by a spring (26) against the lateral face of a fixed guide part (2).

Abstract: A device is provided for cleaning a liquid sample taking needle, mounted fixedly on the frame of a sample taking apparatus, which device includes a mobile mechanism formed of a rinsing case (14) sliding over the sample taking needle (3) between a top position which it occupies during sample taking and a low position which it occupies during cleaning in which it covers the whole of the lower part of the needle, the end of this latter remaining withdrawn inside a cylindrical cleaning chamber (18) provided in the case through which the needle passes and at the lower part of which a depression is applied.

Abstract: A two or three way microelectrovalve with twin sealing membrane is provided in which the mobile assembly playing the role of closure member driven by the mobile core of an electromagnet is essentially formed of two flexible membranes mounted on each side of a core which passes through a central well in the main body of the microelectrovalve, whose two opposite faces are countersunk so as to form cups. The outgoing pipes which open into a zone of the cups set aside from the central well 6 are sealingly closed by each membrane by a small excentric part of the surface thereof.