Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for characterizing particles suspended in a liquid, especially a self-contained disposable cartridge for single-use analysis, such as for single-use analysis of a small quantity of whole blood. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for characterizing particles in liquid and a device for sampling a small and accurate volume of liquid. The apparatus comprises a housing having a mixing chamber and a collection chamber separated by a wall containing an opening, a first bore in the outer surface of the housing for entrance of a liquid sample, a first cavity for receiving and holding a first liquid sample, and a second cavity for receiving and holding a second liquid sample.
Abstract:
A method of calibration of a particle characterization apparatus, and a particle characterization apparatus, in which particles suspended in a liquid are passed through an orifice one by one for characterization of the particles, for instance by Coulter counting. The calibration does not require utilization of special calibration particles or liquids. A priori knowledge of the shape of a typical size distribution of a blood sample is utilized to adjust the apparatus based on an initial relatively short counting period of the sample in question. The initially determined size distribution is compared to the corresponding known typical size distribution and the apparatus is subsequently adjusted to counteract possible differences. Upon adjustment of the apparatus, the remaining part of the sample is passed through the orifice for determination of the actual particle size distribution of the remaining sample.
Abstract:
A method for characterizing particles suspended in a liquid, in a self-contained disposable cartridge for single-use analysis, such as for single-use analysis of a small quantity of whole blood. The method characterizes particles in liquid and samples a small and accurate volume of liquid. The cartridge includes a housing having a mixing chamber and a collection chamber separated by a wall containing an opening, a first bore in the outer surface of the housing for entrance of a liquid sample, a first cavity for receiving and holding a first liquid sample, and a second cavity for receiving and holding a second liquid sample.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for characterizing particles suspended in a liquid, especially a self-contained disposable cartridge for single-use analysis, such as for single-use analysis of a small quantity of whole blood. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for characterizing particles in liquid and a device for sampling a small and accurate volume of liquid. The apparatus comprises a housing having a mixing chamber and a collection chamber separated by a wall containing an opening, a first bore in the outer surface of the housing for entrance of a liquid sample, a first cavity for receiving and holding a first liquid sample, and a second cavity for receiving and holding a second liquid sample.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of determining pulse height distribution by using an apparatus comprising: an analogue to digital pulses height categorisation unit comparing the pulse to analogue threshold voltages and counting each event within each pulse height category using a micro controller. The method may comprise the steps of i) selecting a first set of threshold voltages, ii) performing a first measurement using the first set of threshold voltages, iii) selecting a new set of threshold voltages different from the first set of threshold voltages, iv) performing a new measurement using the new set of threshold voltages, v) determining cell size distribution based on the first measurement and the new measurement. The present invention further relates to an apparatus comprising an analogue to digital pulses height categorisation unit comparing the pulse to analogue threshold voltages, a micro controller configured for counting each event within each pulse height category, the micro controller further configured for i) selecting a first set of threshold voltages, ii) performing a first measurement using the first set of threshold voltages, iii) selecting a new set of threshold voltages different from the first set of threshold voltages, iv) performing a new measurement using the new set of threshold voltages, v) determining cell size distribution based on the first measurement and the new measurement.
Abstract:
A particle characterization apparatus in which particles suspended in a liquid pass through an orifice or aperture for detection and characterization of the particles utilizing impedance determination. In particular, the apparatus includes a membrane of a polymer as a base material for precision machining of a sub-millimeter orifice. Forming the orifice in a polymer membrane facilitates the construction of a single use cartridge for haematology analysis due to low material and production costs.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for characterizing particles suspended in a liquid, especially a self-contained disposable cartridge for single-use analysis, such as for single-use analysis of a small quantity of whole blood. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for characterizing particles in liquid and a device for sampling a small and accurate volume of liquid. The apparatus comprises a housing having a mixing chamber and a collection chamber separated by a wall containing an opening, a first bore in the outer surface of the housing for entrance of a liquid sample, a first cavity for receiving and holding a first liquid sample, and a second cavity for receiving and holding a second liquid sample.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a lysing reagent for use in the simultaneous automatic electronic enumeration and volumetric discrimination of different types of blood cells, such as leukocytes, thrombocytes, etc, in blood. Further, the present invention relates to a Coulter (impedance) counting apparatus containing the lysing reagent, for example a Coulter counting apparatus with a disposable cartridge for characterizing cells suspended in a liquid, especially a self-contained disposable cartridge for single-use analysis, such as for single-use analysis of a small quantity of whole blood.
Abstract:
An apparatus which enables characterization of particles suspended in a liquid includes a housing with a mixing chamber and a collection chamber separated by a wall containing an aperture for passage of particles between, the mixing chamber and the collection chamber, the mixing chamber further containing a mixing member, a first electrode in the mixing chamber and a second electrode in the collection chamber for conduction of an electrical current through the aperture, a processor that is adapted for controlling the measurement sequence of the apparatus and detecting possible blockage of the aperture by detecting extended duration of the electrical pulse caused by the blocking particle, and upon detection of a blockage, reversing the liquid flow while mixing in the mixing chamber for removal of the blocking particle, and restarting particle counting.
Abstract:
A disposable cartridge for characterizing particles suspended in a liquid, especially a self-contained disposable cartridge for single-use analysis, such as for single-use analysis of a small quantity of whole blood. The self-contained disposable cartridge facilitates a straightforward testing procedure, which can be performed by most people without any particular education. Furthermore, the apparatus used to perform the test on the cartridge is simple, maintenance free, and portable.