Abstract: Described is a hematology-diagnosis apparatus employing expert system technology. The apparatus comprises a computer/data processor which is provided with a memory facility, a central processor and a printer. Stored in the memory facility is a knowledge base applicable to hematologic diagnostics, and instructions by which the apparatus is to process input data, in the form of a plurality of--four in a specific exemplary embodiment--hematologic parametric numerics obtained from a patient's bood assay. The numerics are entered via entry means. The apparatus accordingly executes the instructions, and on the basis of the parametric numerics, prints out diagnostic and hematologic messages applicable to the patient.

Abstract: This invention concerns a flow apparatus and method for the detection of particles in a sample. Particles are moved, substantially one at a time, in a fluid flow stream. An incident beam of illumination is provided so as to be directed at the particles in the flow stream. Data associated with each moving particle as it passes through the beam of illumination is detected. A class of particles is established, these particles having common characteristics based on the data detected from such class of particles. The data is then stored. Such stored data is compared to data detected from sample particles of an unknown class. A determination is then made that particles from the unknown class belong to the established class as a result of matching respective data.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus includes a transparent liquid flow chamber and a nozzle for providing a stream of particles, to be analyzed, through the flow chamber. A light source is provided along with a lens for focusing the light from the source at a region within the flow chamber through which the particles pass and for collecting light associated with those particles. Photoreceptors and the like are provided for detecting one or more characteristics of the particles related to light which strikes the particles. A spring or like biasing member provides and maintains stability between the lens and the flow chamber to particularly stabilize the relative axial position of the flow chamber and the lens.

Abstract: An automatic recording fluorometer/densitometer has an integral viewer for viewing and photographing fluorescent samples which have been applied to a clear, thin-film substrate. Light from an ultraviolet source is on the opposite side of the sample from the viewer when the sample is placed in a viewer holder. When the sample is placed in a recording holder, light from the same source is on the opposite side of the sample from the recorder optics. By having the source on the opposite side from the optics, it is possible to have the source much closer to the sample and to thereby reduce the stray ultraviolet light in the instrument. Another source emits visible light for densitometric analysis of the sample. A movable filter holder can be indexed to different positions for placing an ultraviolet filter or one of the densitometric filters in the optical path between the sources and the recording device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical system for dividing a single optical image into two or more geometrically identical images which are contiguous and coplanar in space and which have the same magnification. A beam splitter and a fold mirror divide the original optical path into a first optical path which forms an image from light passing through the beam splitter and a second optical path which forms an image from light reflected from the beam splitter and fold mirror. A displacement block is inserted into the second optical path to move the image plane away from the fold mirror and cause the images formed from the first and second paths to become coplanar. The displacement block is mounted so that it can rotate about two axes so that one image can be positioned precisely adjacent to the other image. By forming the block from two glasses having different absorption characteristics light in the second path is adjustably attenuated.