Abstract: A device for analyzing a whole blood sample is provided. The device comprises a conventionl hematology analyzer integrated with a fluorescence cyometry analyzer. A controller is provided for controlling the analyzers, obtaining and utilizing data from both and reporting a quantitative result. Methods are also provided for analyzing a whole blood sample. One such method comprises the steps of performing on a single instrument an analysis of impedance associated with the blood sample, an analysis of light scatter associated with the blood sample, and an analysis of fluorescence associated with the blood sample. Data is collected and utilized. A result is reported.

Abstract: Provided are automated methods for distinguishing and differentiating cells in a whole blood sample. In one of the methods, a whole blood sample is provided. One or more tests to be performed on the whole blood sample is selected. The tests to be performed on the whole blood sample are correlated. A volume of the whole blood sample is aspirated into an automated instrument system which automatically performs conventional hematology analysis and fluorescent cytometry analysis on the whole blood sample. A first aliquot of the whole blood sample is dispensed into at least one sample receiving vessel. The first aliquot of the whole blood sample is mixed with a fluorescent reagent. The first aliquot of the whole blood sample mixed with fluorescent reagent is diluted and transported through a flow transducer system.

Abstract: A method of performing a first analysis and a second analysis on a single blood sample obtained with a single blood draw from a patient with an automated analyzer includes the steps of supplying the single blood sample obtained with the single blood draw from the patient to the automated analyzer. A memory on the automated analyzer containing a software routine is automatically accessed. The software routine is useful to adapt an optical system on the automated analyzer to correspond to the first analysis and the second analysis. The optical system on the automated analyzer is automatically adapted with the software routine in real time to correspond to the first analysis. The first analysis is automatically performed with the automated analyzer. The optical system on the automated analyzer is automatically adapted with the software routine in real time to correspond to the second analysis. The second analysis is automatically performed with the automated analyzer.

Abstract: A device for analyzing a whole blood sample is provided. The device comprises a conventionl hematology analyzer integrated with a fluorescence cyometry analyzer. A controller is provided for controlling the analyzers, obtaining and utilizing data from both and reporting a quantitative result. Methods are also provided for analyzing a whole blood sample. One such method comprises the steps of performing on a single instrument an analysis of impedance associated with the blood sample, an analysis of light scatter associated with the blood sample, and an analysis of fluorescence associated with the blood sample. Data is collected and utilized. A result is reported.

Abstract: A pseudo telecentric flow cytometric optical system for the simultaneous detection of several characteristics of particles suspended in a flowing medium. The system is made up of a flowcell through which the particles pass substantially one particle at a time, an optical system for directing light from a light source onto the flowing particles in the flowcell, a side angle optical collection system for receiving light from the flowing particles and for directing the light to one or more of a first set of detectors, and a forward angle collection system for receiving light from the flowing particles and for directing the light to one or more of a second set of detectors.

Abstract: A device for analyzing a whole blood sample is provided. The device comprises a conventional hematology analyzer integrated with a fluorescence cytometry analyzer. A controller is provided for controlling the analyzers, obtaining and utilizing data from both and reporting a quantitative result. Methods are also provided for analyzing a whole blood sample. One such method comprises the steps of performing on a single instrument an analysis of impedance associated with the blood sample, an analysis of light scatter associated with the blood sample, and an analysis of fluorescence associated with the blood sample. Data is collected and utilized. A result is reported.

Abstract: A dual laser excitation apparatus comprises a first laser for providing a first beam of light with a plurality of energy lines. A filter or wavelength disperser is included for dividing the first beam of light into two portions. One of these portions of the light beam is spectrally separated and at least one separated line is directed to a first area of illumination. A second laser is positioned to receive the other portion of the divided light beam and is adapted to be energized thereby. The second laser produces a second beam of light directed to a second area of illumination. Such a dual laser excitation apparatus is well suited for flow cytometry purposes.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus for determining characteristics of cells or the like flowing in a liquid stream includes a nozzle for generating a liquid flow path for moving cells therethrough substantially one at a time. A light source, such as a laser, provides a beam of illumination. At least one prism is interposed in the path of the incident beam of illumination for expanding the beam in at least one direction and for directing the expanded beam toward the cells in the flow path. A lens is provided to focus the expanded beam on the moving cells. An appropriate sensor detects light with respect to each moving cell for associating that detected light with a characteristic of such cell.

Abstract: Apparatus to perform correlation spectroscopy utilizes a zero dispersion monochromator having entrance, intermediate and exit slits. A ruled grating is located in the beam path between entrance and exit slits and is operable to disperse a beam of radiation incident thereon both prior and subsequent to radiation passage through the intermediate slit. A first axis is parallel to the grating rulings, the entrance and exit slits symmetrically disposed at opposite sides of a plane bisecting and normal to a line extending between the entrance and exit slits, the plane also passing through the intermediate slit. That axis is located to have intersection with and to extend at an angle .PSI. relative to a normal to the plane that passes through said intersection thereby to substantially eliminate spectral overlap.

Abstract: External coupling optics, including a spherical mirror, is located in the beam path between a curved slit and a detector for imaging the slit onto the detector; alternatively, the beam path is between a light source and the slit for imaging the slit onto the source; alternatively, the beam path is between the slit and a sample cell for imaging the slit onto the cell.

Abstract: Coupling optics is located in the beam path between intermediate slits S.sub.2 and S.sub.3 of an additive dispersion, double-pass monochromator, for imaging S.sub.2 onto S.sub.3 and for re-imaging an aperture stop back on itself, the stop defined by dispersing means. The slits S.sub.2 and S.sub.3 along with entrance and exit slits S.sub.1 and S.sub.4 may have curvature defining a circle.