Abstract: A method and apparatus for focusing a device for imaging a biologic sample is provided. A method aspect includes the steps of: disposing lenslets within a biologic sample, which lenslets have a height and a refractive index, which refractive index is different from that of the sample, wherein one or both of the imaging device and the sample are relatively locatable so a focal position of the imaging device can be moved along the height of the lenslets; imaging a portion of the sample including lenslets using transmittance at one or more wavelengths; determining an average light transmittance intensity of the sample at the wavelengths; determining an average light transmittance intensity of a region of each lenslet at the wavelengths; and determining the focal position of the imaging device using the average light transmittance intensity of the sample and the average light transmittance intensity of the region of the lenslets.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: providing a blood sample having one or more of each first and second constituents; admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the first constituents and second constituents to fluoresce and absorb light; illuminating at least a portion of the sample; e) imaging a portion of the sample; determining a fluorescence value for each the first constituents and second constituents; determining an optical density value for each of the first constituents and second constituents; and identifying the first constituents and the second constituents using the determined fluorescence and optical density values.

Abstract: A method for determining the area of an analysis chamber covered by a biologic fluid sample quiescently residing within the chamber is provided. The chamber has a first panel with an interior surface, and a second panel with an interior surface, both of which panels are transparent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for focusing a device for imaging a biologic sample is provided. A method aspect includes the steps of: disposing lenslets within a biologic sample, which lenslets have a height and a refractive index, which refractive index is different from that of the sample, wherein one or both of the imaging device and the sample are relatively locatable so a focal position of the imaging device can be moved along the height of the lenslets; imaging a portion of the sample including lenslets using transmittance at one or more wavelengths; determining an average light transmittance intensity of the sample at the wavelengths; determining an average light transmittance intensity of a region of each lenslet at the wavelengths; and determining the focal position of the imaging device using the average light transmittance intensity of the sample and the average light transmittance intensity of the region of the lenslets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying reticulocytes within a blood sample is provided.

Abstract: Detection and characterization of immunologically detected substances are performed electronically on human and animal biological fluids such as whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, milk, pleural and peritoneal fluids, and semen, which fluids are contained in a thin chamber forming a quiescent fluid sample, which chamber has at least two parallel planar walls, at least one of which is transparent.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: providing a blood sample having one or more of each first and second constituents; admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the first constituents and second constituents to fluoresce and absorb light; illuminating at least a portion of the sample; e) imaging a portion of the sample; determining a fluorescence value for each the first constituents and second constituents; determining an optical density value for each of the first constituents and second constituents; and identifying the first constituents and the second constituents using the determined fluorescence and optical density values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one hemoglobin related parameter of a whole blood sample is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample disposed within an analysis chamber, the method including the steps of: a) imaging at least a portion of the sample that contains one or more red blood cells and one or more areas void of red blood cells; b) determining a representative optical density value for a plurality of image units optically aligned with portions of the red blood cells, and assigning an optical density first boundary value to those image units; c) determining a representative optical density value of a plurality of image units optically aligned with the one or more regions of the sample devoid of red blood cells, and assigning a second optical density boundary value to those image units; and d) determining the hematocrit of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of analyzing hematologic samples deposited within a capillary tube is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) imaging a region of sample centrifuged within a capillary tube using a first analysis device, which region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube where the float resides after centrifugation, and producing signals representative of the image; b) communicating the signals representative of the image to a second analysis device independent of, and remotely located from, the first analysis device; c) processing the signals representative of the image using the second analysis device and producing analysis data based on the signals; and d) displaying the image of the region of the sample using the second analysis device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing a biologic sample is provided. The apparatus includes a capillary tube, a machine readable identity tag, and an analysis device. The tube is operable to hold the biologic sample. The machine readable identity tag is disposed on the tube, and indicates a production source of the tube. The analysis device is operable to analyze the biologic sample. The analysis device includes a reader adapted to read the identity tag, and the analysis device is operable to authenticate the tube based on the identity tag read from the tube.

Abstract: A method for enumerating platelets within a blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into a sample container having an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, and an amount of colorant that platelets absorb and which fluoresces upon exposure to one or more predetermined first wavelengths of light; 2) imaging at least a portion of the sample disposed in the analysis chamber, including producing image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the platelets illuminated by first wavelengths of light; 3) identifying the platelets using the image signals; and 4) enumerating individual platelets and clumped platelets within the sample using one or more of fluorescent emissions, area, shape, and granularity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one hemoglobin related parameter of a whole blood sample is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a serological agglutination assay in a liquid sample. The system provides a simple method for creating an in-situ sample/reagent admixture within a sample analysis chamber without the use of any precision fluid-handling components.

Abstract: A container for holding a biologic fluid sample for analysis is provided which includes a chamber and a label. The chamber includes a first wall, a transparent second wall, and a plurality of features including features spatially located within the chamber. The transparent second wall permits a fluid sample quiescently residing within the chamber to be imaged through the second wall. The plurality of features, including those spatially located within the chamber, are operable to enable the analysis of the biologic fluid. The label directly or indirectly contains information regarding the features and the spatial location of the features within the chamber. The sample is analyzed by an analytical device that utilizes the information communicated through the label.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: providing a blood sample having one or more of each first and second constituents; admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the first constituents and second constituents to fluoresce and absorb light; illuminating at least a portion of the sample; e) imaging a portion of the sample; determining a fluorescence value for each the first constituents and second constituents; determining an optical density value for each of the first constituents and second constituents; and identifying the first constituents and the second constituents using the determined fluorescence and optical density values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of anisotropic crystals within a biologic fluid sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) disposing the sample within a sample chamber in a sample layer having a height not greater than about fifteen microns (15?); b) disposing the sample layer within the sample chamber between a polarizing filter and an analyzing filter; c) disposing the polarizing filter, sample chamber, and analyzing filter in a configuration relative to a light source such that polarized light passes through the sample, and subsequently impinges on the analyzing filter; and d) wherein polar orientations of the polarizing filter and the analyzing filter are such that the polarized light will not pass through the analyzing filter, and light passing through an anisotropic crystal disposed within the sample will pass through the analyzing filter and appear as a point of light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one hemoglobin related parameter of a whole blood sample is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for focusing a device for imaging a biologic sample is provided. A method aspect includes the steps of: disposing lenslets within a biologic sample, which lenslets have a height and a refractive index, which refractive index is different from that of the sample, wherein one or both of the imaging device and the sample are relatively locatable so a focal position of the imaging device can be moved along the height of the lenslets; imaging a portion of the sample including lenslets using transmittance at one or more wavelengths; determining an average light transmittance intensity of the sample at the wavelengths; determining an average light transmittance intensity of a region of each lenslet at the wavelengths; and determining the focal position of the imaging device using the average light transmittance intensity of the sample and the average light transmittance intensity of the region of the lenslets.

Abstract: A tube and float system for use in separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat includes a transparent or semi-transparent, flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The float includes a main body portion of reduced diameter to provide a clearance gap between the inner wall of the sample tube and the float. One or more protrusions on the main body portion serve to support the flexible tube. During centrifugation, the centrifugal force causes the diameter of the flexible tube to expand and permit density-based axial movement of the float in the tube. The float further includes a pressure relief system to alleviate pressure build up in the trapped red blood cell blood fraction below the float, thereby preventing red blood cells from being forced into the annular gap containing the buffy coat layers.