Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods. According to certain embodiments, provided is an integrated analysis system that includes a first module including a sample analysis component and a first internal container conveyor system. The integrated analysis system further includes a second module including a second internal container conveyor system. The first and second modules are positioned adjacent each other such that the first and second internal container conveyor systems are aligned and adapted to transport containers from the first module to the second module. Also provided are methods of analyzing and preparing samples (e.g., blood and body fluid samples), as well as components that find use within the analysis systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods. According to certain embodiments, provided is an integrated analysis system that includes a first module including a sample analysis component and a first internal container conveyor system. The integrated analysis system further includes a second module including a second internal container conveyor system. The first and second modules are positioned adjacent each other such that the first and second internal container conveyor systems are aligned and adapted to transport containers from the first module to the second module. Also provided are methods of analyzing and preparing samples (e.g., blood and body fluid samples), as well as components that find use within the analysis systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods. According to certain embodiments, provided is an integrated analysis system that includes a first module including a sample analysis component and a first internal container conveyor system. The integrated analysis system further includes a second module including a second internal container conveyor system. The first and second modules are positioned adjacent each other such that the first and second internal container conveyor systems are aligned and adapted to transport containers from the first module to the second module. Also provided are methods of analyzing and preparing samples (e.g., blood and body fluid samples), as well as components that find use within the analysis systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: A method for increasing the throughput and/or the precision of a flow cytometer, or a hematology analyzer employing a flow cytometer, and for further reducing the complexity of such a cytometer or analyzer. The system and method includes utilizing the technique of laser rastering in combination with a lysis-free single-dilution method.

Abstract: A method for increasing the throughput and/or the precision of a flow cytometer, or a hematology analyzer employing a flow cytometer, and for further reducing the complexity of such a cytometer or analyzer. The system and method includes utilizing the technique of laser rastering in combination with a lysis-free single-dilution method.

Abstract: A method for increasing the throughput, or the precision, or both the precision and the throughput, of a flow cytometer, or of a hematology analyzer employing a flow cytometer, and for further reducing the complexity of such a cytometer or analyzer, by utilizing the technique of laser rastering in combination with a lysis-free single-dilution method. Laser rastering involves sweeping a laser beam across a flowing sample stream in a hematology analyzer. A lysis-free single-dilution method involves performing all the flow cytometer measurements on a sample using a single aliquot, a single lysis-free reagent solution, a single dilution, and a single pass of said dilution through the measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A method for increasing the throughput, or the precision, or both the precision and the throughput, of a flow cytometer, or of a hematology analyzer employing a flow cytometer, and for further reducing the complexity of such a cytometer or analyzer, by utilizing the technique of laser rastering in combination with a lysis-free single-dilution method. Laser rastering involves sweeping a laser beam across a flowing sample stream in a hematology analyzer. A lysis-free single-dilution method involves performing all the flow cytometer measurements on a sample using a single aliquot, a single lysis-free reagent solution, a single dilution, and a single pass of said dilution through the measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A device for enabling the user of a clinical analyzer, such as, for example, an automated clinical analyzer, e.g., an automated hematology analyzer, to identify samples that require additional processing subsequent to an initial run through the clinical analyzer. The device can also indicate the location of sample containers to assist the user in finding a sample from a sample retention area. The device comprises a rack comprising a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle having a recessed area for holding a sample container, e.g., a sample tube. Each receptacle is associated with an indicator for signaling when a sample container in a given receptacle area requires additional processing.

Abstract: A method for determining the value of MCV of a fresh sample of blood when the value of MCV for that sample of blood is known, but the period of time that the sample of blood has been stored is not known. The method of this invention allows an automated hematology analyzer to provide a more reliable indication of the initial value of MCV of a sample of blood, i.e., the value of MCV that would have been expected for the sample of blood when the sample was fresh. Furthermore, the method of this invention uses data that is readily available as part of the blood count data.

Abstract: A method for determining the value of MCV of a fresh sample of blood when the value of MCV for that sample of blood is known, but the period of time that the sample of blood has been stored is not known. The method of this invention allows an automated hematology analyzer to provide a more reliable indication of the initial value of MCV of a sample of blood, i.e., the value of MCV that would have been expected for the sample of blood when the sample was fresh. Furthermore, the method of this invention uses data that is readily available as part of the blood count data.