Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma is provided. The method includes illuminating a sample of the fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between the sample and the spatially coherent light beam; and processing the time series of images. The processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in the speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma, the method including: illuminating a sample of the fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between the sample and the spatially coherent light beam; and processing the time series of images; wherein the processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in the speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma, the method including: illuminating a sample of the fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between the sample and the spatially coherent light beam; and processing the time series of images; wherein the processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in the speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: A method of counting thrombocytes contained in a sample of blood, the method having the steps: mixing said sample with: fluorescent markers suitable for bonding specifically with the thrombocytes; and an agent for inhibiting activation of said thrombocytes; introducing the sample (E) into a fluidic chamber (CF) having at least one transparent face; acquiring at least one digital image (IN) of said sample by fluorescence microscopy under stationary illumination; and counting the thrombocytes (T) present in said or each image by image processing computer means (O). Apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assaying catalytic plasma enzymes, such as transaminases and NADH-dependent enzymes, in a sample of whole blood, by measuring, in a microfluidic chamber, the decrease in the fluorescence of NADH consumed during the enzymatic reactions catalyzed by the NADH-dependent enzymes.

Abstract: A method of counting thrombocytes contained in a sample of blood, the method having the steps: mixing said sample with: fluorescent markers suitable for bonding specifically with the thrombocytes; and an agent for inhibiting activation of said thrombocytes; introducing the sample (E) into a fluidic chamber (CF) having at least one transparent face; acquiring at least one digital image (IN) of said sample by fluorescence microscopy under stationary illumination; and counting the thrombocytes (T) present in said or each image by image processing computer means (O). Apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma, the method comprising: illuminating a sample of said fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between said sample and said spatially coherent light beam; and processing said time series of images; wherein said processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in said speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.