Abstract: A method of correction of particle interference to hemoglobin measurement of a blood sample on a hematology analyzer is provided. The method includes mixing an aliquot of a blood sample with a lytic reagent to lyse red blood cells and forming a sample mixture; measuring absorbance of the sample mixture at a predetermined wavelength of a hemoglobin chromogen formed in the sample mixture, and obtaining an apparent hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample using obtained absorbance; measuring concentration and size of cellular particles remaining in the sample mixture; removing contribution of the cellular particles to the apparent hemoglobin concentration using the concentration and the size of the cellular particles to obtain a corrected hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample; and reporting the corrected hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample.

Abstract: Methods and systems substantially eliminate data representative of coincident events from particle analyzer data. A fluid sample containing particles for analysis is prepared. Using an electrical or optical measurement device, signals are sensed. Each signal corresponds to events detected in a sub-sample of the fluid sample flowing through a measurement region in the particle analyzer. The existence of coincidence in the events is determined based on measuring a peak and first and second points of each of the signals. The first and second points have a signal value corresponding to a predetermined portion of the peak. Results data based upon the coincident events and non-coincident events is generated. The results data is then analyzed. In various examples, the method is applicable to a variety of particle types, and may be implemented on different types of particle analyzers including hematology analyzer and flow cytometers.

Abstract: A method of correction of particle interference to hemoglobin measurement of a blood sample on a hematology analyzer is provided. The method includes mixing an aliquot of a blood sample with a lytic reagent to lyse red blood cells and forming a sample mixture; measuring absorbance of the sample mixture at a predetermined wavelength of a hemoglobin chromogen formed in the sample mixture, and obtaining an apparent hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample using obtained absorbance; measuring concentration and size of cellular particles remaining in the sample mixture; removing contribution of the cellular particles to the apparent hemoglobin concentration using the concentration and the size of the cellular particles to obtain a corrected hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample; and reporting the corrected hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample.

Abstract: Methods and systems substantially eliminate data representative of coincident events from particle analyzer data. A fluid sample containing particles for analysis is prepared. Using an electrical or optical measurement device, signals are sensed. Each signal corresponds to events detected in a sub-sample of the fluid sample flowing through a measurement region in the particle analyzer. The existence of coincidence in the events is determined based on measuring a peak and first and second points of each of the signals. The first and second points have a signal value corresponding to a predetermined portion of the peak. Results data based upon the coincident events and non-coincident events is generated. The results data is then analyzed. In various examples, the method is applicable to a variety of particle types, and may be implemented on different types of particle analyzers including hematology analyzer and flow cytometers.

Abstract: A method for differentiating and enumerating nucleated red blood cells in a blood sample is described. The method includes the steps of lysing red blood cells of a blood sample with a lytic reagent, measuring nucleated blood cells by DC impedance measurement in a non-focused flow aperture, differentiating nucleated red blood cells from other cell types, and reporting nucleated red blood cells in the blood sample. The method further includes subtracting nucleated red blood cells and other interference materials from the count of remaining blood cells, and reporting a corrected white blood cell count of the blood sample. Additionally, the method further includes measuring spectrophotometric absorbance of the sample mixture at a predetermined wavelength of a hemoglobin chromogen formed upon lysing the blood sample, and reporting hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample.

Abstract: A method for differentiating and enumerating nucleated red blood cells in a blood sample is described. The method includes the steps of lysing red blood cells of a blood sample with a lytic reagent, measuring nucleated blood cells by DC impedance measurement in a non-focused flow aperture, differentiating nucleated red blood cells from other cell types, and reporting nucleated red blood cells in the blood sample. The method further includes subtracting nucleated red blood cells and other interference materials from the count of remaining blood cells, and reporting a corrected white blood cell count of the blood sample. Additionally, the method further includes measuring spectrophotometric absorbance of the sample mixture at a predetermined wavelength of a hemoglobin chromogen formed upon lysing the blood sample, and reporting hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample.

Abstract: A method for differentiating and enumerating nucleated red blood cells in a blood sample is described. The method includes the steps of lysing red blood cells of a blood sample with a lytic reagent, measuring nucleated blood cells by DC impedance measurement in a non-focused flow aperture, differentiating nucleated red blood cells from other cell types, and reporting nucleated red blood cells in the blood sample. The method further includes subtracting nucleated red blood cells and other interference materials from the count of remaining blood cells, and reporting a corrected white blood cell count of the blood sample. Additionally, the method further includes measuring spectrophotometric absorbance of the sample mixture at a predetermined wavelength of a hemoglobin chromogen formed upon lysing the blood sample, and reporting hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample.

Abstract: A specimen carrier comprises a unitary structure for receiving and retaining a specimen container in an upright orientation. Such unitary structure is defined by a pedestal having upper and lower platforms connected by a stem. Extending upwardly from the upper platform is a plurality of rigid members which support a plurality of opposing flexible fingers adapted to engage and press upon the side wall of a specimen container received by the carrier. Preferably, the specimen carrier of the invention has a chamber formed therein for housing a pre-programmed, programmable or otherwise radio-frequency (RF) identification tag in the form of an RF transponder. Upon being energized by a suitable RF field provided by an RF reader antenna or sensor positioned adjacent the carrier's intended path of movement, the tag transmits a unique identification code, such code being received by the antenna or sensor and decoded by the reader.

Abstract: A fluid transfer mechanism for rapidly and accurately picking up or aspirating a fluid quantity or aliquot in one position, moving it to a second position and dispensing the aspirated aliquot. The mechanism includes an arm mounted on a high helix shaft on one end and driven up and down the shaft by a first motor and rotated around the shaft by a second motor. The arm includes at a second end a fluid transfer probe which is moved into and out of the fluids to aspirate and dispense the fluids in precise angular locations. The arm may be accelerated and deaccelerated as it is rotated to avoid vibrations and spilling of the fluid from the probe. The probe may include a level sensing structure for sensing when the probe has contacted a fluid surface. The probe also may be coupled to an oscillator to oscillate the probe in a vessel into which the fluid has been dispensed to mix the fluids therein.

Abstract: A fluid transfer mechanism for rapidly and accurately picking up or aspirating a fluid quantity or aliquot in one position, moving it to a second position and dispensing the aspirated aliquot. The mechanism includes an arm mounted on a high helix shaft on one end and driven up and down the shaft by a first motor and rotated around the shaft by a second motor. The arm includes at a second end a fluid transfer probe which is moved into and out of the fluids to aspirate and dispense the fluids in precise angular locations. The arm may be accelerated and deaccelerated as it is rotated to avoid vibrations and spilling of the fluid from the probe. The probe may include a level sensing structure for sensing when the probe has contacted a fluid surface. The probe also may be coupled to an oscillator to oscillate the probe in a vessel into which the fluid has been dispensed to mix the fluids therein.