Abstract: A lockable storage compartment can be mounted in and removed from a medicine cabinet housing in a manner similar to that in which the shelves are mounted and removed. The storage compartment includes a fixed panel and a movable panel. The movable panel is connected to the fixed panel by one or more hinges at the forward edge of the fixed panel and can be swung to open or close the storage compartment. The storage compartment may have a catch that is releasable only from inside the storage compartment for preventing removal of the storage compartment from the medicine cabinet when the storage compartment is closed and locked.

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 cyanide-free method and reagent for determining the concentration of total hemoglobin in a whole blood sample accurately in less than 10 seconds comprising a ligand selected from the group consisting of imidiazole, imidazole derivatives, N-hydroxyacetamide, N-hydroxyl amine, pyridine, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, pyrimidine, purine, quinoline, and isoquinoline, and a surfactant with strong erythrolytic capability selected from the group consisting of lauryl dimethylamine oxide and octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol. The reagent pH is adjusted to about 11 to about 14. Rapid mixing of the reagent with a blood sample leads to the formation of a stable chromogen whose absorbance can be measured between 540 and 550 nm. The cyanide-free reagent is ideal for use on an automated high through-put clinical hematology analyzer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatuses and methods for preparing fluid. In one method, a heater thermally associated with a housing for receiving fluid is operated to apply thermal energy to the housing. A second predetermined volume of a second fluid is introduced to the housing. The second predetermined volume of the second fluid is moved with the housing for a first predetermined time period. The first predetermined volume of the first fluid is introduced to the housing. The first predetermined volume of first fluid and the second predetermined volume of second fluid are moved with the housing for a second predetermined time period. The first predetermined volume of first fluid and the second predetermined volume of second fluid are removed from the housing. Another embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a first housing for containing fluid. A second housing is operatively connected with the first housing.

Abstract: A method and a device for the simultaneous and quantitative, flow cytometric analysis of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) and white blood cells (WBC) in a whole blood sample.

Abstract: A multipurpose reagent system for rapid analysis of a whole blood sample allowing the determination of at least five classes of peripheral white blood cells, nucleated red blood cells, and lymphocyte immunophenotyping on automated hematology instrumentation. The multipurpose reagent system lyses red cells rapidly, while it concurrently fixes white cells and preserves surface antigens on lymphocytes. The multipurpose reagent system comprises from about 3 to 7 grams per liter of a non-quaternary ammonium salt, from about 0.04 to about 0.10 percent by volume of an aliphatic aldehyde with one to four carbons, from about 10 mM to about 20 mM of a non-phosphate buffer which is inert to the aliphatic aldehyde, and a sufficient amount of water to give a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 and an osmolality of between about 160 to about 310 mOsm per liter.

Abstract: Shelves that have a length less than the full width of the interior of a medicine cabinet housing may be relocated in housing to accommodate articles of different sizes. The housing has horizontal slots along its side walls and vertical slots on its rear wall. Each shelf fits between a side wall and a vertical slot. One end of each shelf has a tab for engaging the horizontal slots, and the other end has a hook for engaging the vertical slots. Two shelves may be installed in a side-by-side configuration to provide a surface that has a length approximately equal to the full width of the interior of the housing by engaging their hooks in the same vertical slot.

Abstract: A flow cytometry method for reproducibly detecting and counting a lymphocyte population of interest in a leukocyte suspension or whole blood sample in which the red cells are subsequently lysed. The suspension (or sample) is combined with a reagent comprising a primary antibody, either native, carrying an attached enzyme or biotin or other label, and a fixative reagent, in either order. Where the enzyme is not attached, an enzyme is coupled specifically to the primary antibody. The fixed suspension is reacted with a color-producing enzyme-cytochemical reagent. The suspension, now including stained and unstained fixed cells, is passed through a flow cytometer and the cells are characterized and counted on the basis of their light-scattering and light-absorbing properties.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed of blood serum sample preparation for improved, more accurate and precise, electrooptical method for measuring erythrocyte volumes, individually and as an average.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the rapid determination of a differential white blood cell count in a sample, which method comprises:(a) preparing a reagent solution comprisingformaldehyde or paraformaldehyde;a surfactant;a sugar or sugar alcohol; anda buffer; and(b) rapidly mixing the reagent solution with the sample to be analyzed to form a reaction mixture, wherein both the reagent solution and the sample are initially at room temperature; and(c) rapidly heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of from about 62.degree. C. to about 72.degree. C. in order to lyse the red blood cells in the sample and fix the white blood cells in said sample. The invention also relates to the reagent solution of part (a) of the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the rapid determination of a differential white blood cell count in a sample, which method comprises:(a) preparing a reagent solution comprising;formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde;a surfactant;a sugar or sugar alcohol; anda buffer; and(b) rapidly mixing the reagent solution with the sample to be analyzed to form a reaction mixture, wherein both the reagent solution and the sample are initially at room temperature; and(c) rapidly heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of from about 62.degree. C. to about 72.degree. C. in order to lyse the red blood cells in the sample and fix the white blood cells in the sample.

Abstract: A rapid one step, one reagent method is disclosed for the isovolumetric sphering and fixing of whole blood erythrocytes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of blood serum sample preparation for improved, more accurate and precise, electro-optical method for measuring erythrocyte volumes, individually and as an average.