Abstract: A system includes an optical measurement unit that measures an optical property of a whole blood sample deposited on a surface of a substrate, an ion source that causes ions derived from the whole blood sample, including ions formed from an analyte of interest present in the whole blood sample, to be emitted from the substrate, a mass analyzer that receives the ions emitted from the substrate and measures an abundance of at least one ion species corresponding to the analyte of interest, and at least one computing device that determines, based on the measured optical property, a hematocrit of the whole blood sample, and determines, based on the determined hematocrit of the whole blood sample and the measured abundance of the at least one ion species, a concentration of the analyte of interest per unit volume of blood plasma.

Abstract: A hematology analyzer is provided. In certain embodiments, the hematology analyzer comprises: a) a flow cell; b) a light source for directing light to the flow cell; c) a plurality of detectors for detecting a plurality of optical characteristics of a blood cell passing through the flow cell; and d) a data analysis workstation programmed to: i. enumerate test blood cells passing through the flow cell; and ii. flag a blood sample as containing lysis-resistant red blood cells or fragile white blood cells.

Abstract: A system includes an optical measurement unit that measures an optical property of a whole blood sample deposited on a surface of a substrate, an ion source that causes ions derived from the whole blood sample, including ions formed from an analyte of interest present in the whole blood sample, to be emitted from the substrate, a mass analyzer that receives the ions emitted from the substrate and measures an abundance of at least one ion species corresponding to the analyte of interest, and at least one computing device that determines, based on the measured optical property, a hematocrit of the whole blood sample, and determines, based on the determined hematocrit of the whole blood sample and the measured abundance of the at least one ion species, a concentration of the analyte of interest per unit volume of blood plasma.

Abstract: A system for measuring hematocrit in a whole blood sample is provided. An absorbent substrate is adapted to receive a whole blood sample. At least one light source is positioned to illuminate the sample on the substrate at first and second wavelengths. The first and second wavelengths are different from each other. A spectral sensor is positioned to measure a first intensity and a second intensity of light diffusely reflected from the sample at the first and second wavelengths, respectively. The diffusely reflected first and second intensities of light are compared to reference values to generate first and second reflectance values. A controller, coupled to the spectral sensor, is configured to determine a first differential reflectance between the first and second reflectances. The hematocrit level of the sample is determined based on a first stored relationship between hematocrit and a differential reflectance corresponding to the first and second wavelengths.

Abstract: A system for measuring hematocrit in a whole blood sample is provided. An absorbent substrate is adapted to receive a whole blood sample. At least one light source is positioned to illuminate the sample on the substrate at first and second wavelengths. The first and second wavelengths are different from each other. A spectral sensor is positioned to measure a first intensity and a second intensity of light diffusely reflected from the sample at the first and second wavelengths, respectively. The diffusely reflected first and second intensities of light are compared to reference values to generate first and second reflectance values. A controller, coupled to the spectral sensor, is configured to determine a first differential reflectance between the first and second reflectances. The hematocrit level of the sample is determined based on a first stored relationship between hematocrit and a differential reflectance corresponding to the first and second wavelengths.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a wet blood sample is disclosed. The method includes dispensing a wet blood sample onto a substrate. The method also includes spotting a zinc sulfate solution onto the wet blood sample to fix or set the wet blood sample in place on the substrate, thereby trapping blood components inside the blood spot. The method further includes generating ions of an analyte in the wet blood sample and analyzing the ions.

Abstract: A hematology analyzer is provided. In certain embodiments, the hematology analyzer comprises: a) a flow cell; b) a light source for directing light to the flow cell; c) a plurality of detectors for detecting a plurality of optical characteristics of a blood cell passing through the flow cell; and d) a data analysis workstation programmed to: i. enumerate test blood cells passing through the flow cell; and ii. flag a blood sample as containing lysis-resistant red blood cells or fragile white blood cells.

Abstract: A hematology analyzer is provided. In certain embodiments, the hematology analyzer comprises: a) a flow cell; b) a light source for directing light to the flow cell; c) a plurality of detectors for detecting a plurality of optical characteristics of a blood cell passing through the flow cell; and d) a data analysis workstation programmed to: i. enumerate test blood cells passing through the flow cell; and ii. flag a blood sample as containing lysis-resistant red blood cells or fragile white blood cells.

Abstract: A hematology analyzer is provided. In certain embodiments, the hematology analyzer comprises: a) a flow cell; b) a light source for directing light to the flow cell; c) a plurality of detectors for detecting a plurality of optical characteristics of a blood cell passing through the flow cell; and d) a data analysis workstation programmed to: i. enumerate test blood cells passing through the flow cell; and ii. flag a blood sample as containing lysis-resistant red blood cells or fragile white blood cells.

Abstract: A hematology analyzer is provided. In certain embodiments, the hematology analyzer comprises: a) a flow cell; b) a light source for directing light to the flow cell; c) a plurality of detectors for detecting a plurality of optical characteristics of a blood cell passing through the flow cell; and d) a data analysis workstation programmed to: i. enumerate test blood cells passing through the flow cell; and ii. flag a blood sample as containing lysis-resistant red blood cells or fragile white blood cells.

Abstract: A hematology analyzer is provided. In certain embodiments, the hematology analyzer comprises: a) a flow cell; b) a light source for directing light to the flow cell; c) a plurality of detectors for detecting a plurality of optical characteristics of a blood cell passing through the flow cell; and d) a data analysis workstation programmed to: i. enumerate test blood cells passing through the flow cell; and ii. flag a blood sample as containing lysis-resistant red blood cells or fragile white blood cells.

Abstract: A method for identifying, characterizing, categorizing and enumerating cells within a cell population. The survivorship characteristics of the different cell populations is used to obtain quantitative and qualitative information about the cell populations initially present in the sample solution before conditions were imposed on the sample solution to elicit a response. The monitored cell survivorship response may be either direct disappearance of intact cells or the appearance of cell structures, carcasses, ghosts or residuum. In a preferred embodiment, a leukocyte cell decay rate in the presence of an erythrolytic agent is determined by monitoring leukocyte counts at several time intervals after the addition of the erythrolytic agent to the sample solution. The leukocyte decay rate is then used to indicate the presence of a fragile leukocyte population, and to accurately estimate the number of leukocytes initially present in the whole blood sample.