Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a sample carrier (22) configured to carry a portion of a bodily sample, at least a portion of the sample carrier being configured to fluoresce, at least under certain conditions. An optical measurement device (24) performs optical measurements upon the portion of the bodily sample that is housed within the sample carrier (22), and at least partially photobleaches an area within the portion of the sample carrier (22) by causing the area to fluoresce. By detecting that the area within the portion of the sample carrier (22) has been photobleached, an output is generated indicating that at least a portion of the sample carrier (22) is contaminated or that optical measurements cannot be performed on the portion of the sample carrier (22), or the optical measurement device (24) is prevented from performing optical measurements upon a sample portion housed within the given portion of the sample carrier (22).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including placing a sample into a sample carrier that comprises a plurality of regions having upper and lower surfaces, having respective heights that are different from each other, and being configured such that cells form a monolayer, the monolayer within respective regions of the sample carrier having respective, different densities from each other, due to the respective regions of the sample carrier having respective heights that are different from each other. Microscopic images are acquired of each of the plurality of regions. Measurements are performed upon cell types that have a relatively high density upon microscopic images of a region of the sample chamber having a relatively low height, and measurements are performed upon cell types that have a relatively low density upon microscopic images of a region of the sample chamber having a relatively great height. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an output device, and a blood sample that was drawn from a subject. A microscope system acquires first and second images of the blood sample at respective times. A computer processor determines whether, between acquisitions of the first and second images, there was relative motion between at least one erythrocyte within the sample and at least one entity within the sample, by comparing the first and second images to one another. At least partially in response thereto, the computer processor determines whether the entity is an extra-erythrocytic or an intra-erythrocytic entity, and generates an output on the output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an output device (34), and a blood sample (12) that was drawn from a subject. A microscope system (10) acquires first and second images of the blood sample at respective times. A computer processor (28) determines whether, between acquisitions of the first and second images, there was relative motion between at least one erythrocyte within the sample and at least one entity within the sample, by comparing the first and second images to one another. At least partially in response thereto, the computer processor determines whether the entity is an extra-erythrocytic or an intra-erythrocytic entity, and generates an output on the output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a property of a bodily sample using a microscope are described. A sample carrier includes a plurality of microscopy sample chambers configured to receive a least a portion of the bodily sample, while the sample is imaged by the microscope. Each of the microscopy sample chambers has an upper and a lower surface, and the microscopy sample chambers have respective heights between the upper and lower surfaces that are different from each other. The sample carrier defines a microscopy sample chamber inlet hole, that is fluid communication with all of the microscopy sample chambers, such as to facilitate filling of all of the microscopy sample chambers with the portion of the bodily sample, via the microscopy sample chamber inlet hole. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for determining a property of a bodily sample using a microscope and optical-density-measurement apparatus, the apparatus including a sample carrier that includes a plurality of microscopy sample chambers configured to receive a first portion of the sample and to facilitate imaging of the first portion of the sample by the microscope, each of the microscopy sample chambers having an upper and a lower surface, and having respective heights between the upper and lower surfaces that are different from each other. The sample carrier includes at least one optical-density-measurement chamber configured to receive a second portion of the sample, and to facilitate optical density measurements being performed optical-density-measurement apparatus upon the second portion of the sample. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a property of a bodily sample using a microscope are described. A sample carrier includes a plurality of microscopy sample chambers configured to receive a least a portion of the bodily sample, while the sample is imaged by the microscope. Each of the microscopy sample chambers has an upper and a lower surface, and the microscopy sample chambers have respective heights between the upper and lower surfaces that are different from each other. The sample carrier defines a microscopy sample chamber inlet hole, that is fluid communication with all of the microscopy sample chambers, such as to facilitate filling of all of the microscopy sample chambers with the portion of the bodily sample, via the microscopy sample chamber inlet hole. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including preparing a blood sample for analysis by depositing the blood sample within a sample chamber (52), and placing the sample chamber, with the blood sample deposited therein, within a microscopy unit (24). One or more microscopic images of the sample chamber (52) with the blood sample deposited therein are acquired, using a microscope of the microscopy unit. Based upon the one or more images, an amount of one or more cell types within the sample chamber that had already settled within the sample chamber, prior to acquisition of the one or more microscopic images is determined. A characteristic of the sample is determined, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including placing at least a portion of a blood sample within a sample chamber (52), and acquiring microscopic images of the portion of the blood sample. Candidates of a given entity within the blood sample are identified, within the microscopic image. At least some of the candidates as being the given entity are validated, by performing further analysis of the candidates. A count of the candidates of the given entity is compared to a count of the validated candidates of the given entity, and at least the portion of the sample is invalidated from being used for performing at least some measurements upon the sample, at least partially based upon a relationship between the count of candidates and the count of validated candidates. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for determining a property of a biological sample. A sample carrier (22) includes one or more sample chambers (40) that define at least a first region (42) and a second region (44), the height of the one or more sample chambers varying between the first and second regions in a predefined manner. A computer processor (28) receives data relating to a first optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the first region, receives data relating to a second optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the second region, and determines the property of the sample by using a relationship between the first optical measurement, the second optical measurement, and the predefined variation in height between the regions. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including measuring hematocrit within a blood sample, by performing a first measurement on a first portion of the blood sample. Mean corpuscular volume in the blood sample is measured, by performing a second measurement on a second portion of the blood sample, the second portion being diluted with respect to the first portion. A red blood cell count per unit volume within the blood sample is determined by dividing the hematocrit measured within the first portion by the mean corpuscular volume measured within the second portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a blood sample (48, 50), including measuring hemoglobin concentration within at least a portion (48) of the blood sample, by performing a first measurement on the blood sample. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin in the blood sample (48, 50) is measured, by performing a second measurement on the blood sample (48, 50). A parameter of the blood sample is determined, based on a relationship between the concentration of hemoglobin and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including placing a sample into a sample carrier that comprises a plurality of regions having upper and lower surfaces, having respective heights that are different from each other, and being configured such that cells form a monolayer, the monolayer within respective regions of the sample carrier having respective, different densities from each other, due to the respective regions of the sample carrier having respective heights that are different from each other. Microscopic images are acquired of each of the plurality of regions. Measurements are performed upon cell types that have a relatively high density upon microscopic images of a region of the sample chamber having a relatively low height, and measurements are performed upon cell types that have a relatively low density upon microscopic images of a region of the sample chamber having a relatively great height. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a property of a bodily sample using a microscope are described. A sample carrier includes a plurality of microscopy sample chambers configured to receive a least a portion of the bodily sample, while the sample is imaged by the microscope. Each of the microscopy sample chambers has an upper and a lower surface, and the microscopy sample chambers have respective heights between the upper and lower surfaces that are different from each other. The sample carrier defines a microscopy sample chamber inlet hole, that is fluid communication with all of the microscopy sample chambers, such as to facilitate filling of all of the microscopy sample chambers with the portion of the bodily sample, via the microscopy sample chamber inlet hole. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for determining a property of a bodily sample using a microscope and optical-density-measurement apparatus, the apparatus including a sample carrier that includes a plurality of microscopy sample chambers configured to receive a first portion of the sample and to facilitate imaging of the first portion of the sample by the microscope, each of the microscopy sample chambers having an upper and a lower surface, and having respective heights between the upper and lower surfaces that are different from each other. The sample carrier includes at least one optical-density-measurement chamber configured to receive a second portion of the sample, and to facilitate optical density measurements being performed optical-density-measurement apparatus upon the second portion of the sample. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including placing a first portion of a biological sample into a source sample portion chamber of a sample carrier, and placing a second portion of the biological sample into a diluted sample portion chamber. The second portion of the biological sample is diluted with respect to the first portion of the biological sample. Using an optical measurement device, a bulk-level measurand of the sample that relates to a parameter of the biological sample as a whole is measured, by performing a measurement upon the first portion of the biological sample. Microscopic images of the second portion of the biological sample are acquired. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for determining a property of a biological sample. A sample carrier includes a glass substrate configured to define a first surface of a sample chamber that is configured to receive the sample, and a plastic substrate configured to define a second surface of the sample chamber. The height of the sample chamber at each location within the sample chamber is defined by a gap between the first surface and the second surface. An adhesive adheres the glass substrate to the plastic substrate. The plastic substrate is shaped such that the sample chamber defines a first region and a second region, with the sample chamber defining a predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a sample carrier (22) configured to carry a portion of a bodily sample, at least a portion of the sample carrier being configured to fluoresce, at least under certain conditions. An optical measurement device (24) performs optical measurements upon the portion of the bodily sample that is housed within the sample carrier (22), and at least partially photobleaches an area within the portion of the sample carrier (22) by causing the area to fluoresce. By detecting that the area within the portion of the sample carrier (22) has been photobleached, an output is generated indicating that at least a portion of the sample carrier (22) is contaminated or that optical measurements cannot be performed on the portion of the sample carrier (22), or the optical measurement device (24) is prevented from performing optical measurements upon a sample portion housed within the given portion of the sample carrier (22).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an output device (34), and a blood sample (12) that was drawn from a subject. A microscope system (10) acquires first and second images of the blood sample at respective times. A computer processor (28) determines whether, between acquisitions of the first and second images, there was relative motion between at least one erythrocyte within the sample and at least one entity within the sample, by comparing the first and second images to one another. At least partially in response thereto, the computer processor determines whether the entity is an extra-erythrocytic or an intra-erythrocytic entity, and generates an output on the output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for determining a property of a biological sample. A sample carrier (22) includes one or more sample chambers (40) that define at least a first region (42) and a second region (44), the height of the one or more sample chambers varying between the first and second regions in a predefined manner. A computer processor (28) receives data relating to a first optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the first region, receives data relating to a second optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the second region, and determines the property of the sample by using a relationship between the first optical measurement, the second optical measurement, and the predefined variation in height between the regions. Other applications are also described.