APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING COUNTS WITHIN A BIOLOGIC FLUID SAMPLE

• US 20100273244A1
• Filed: 04/27/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Wardlaw, Stephen C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,696,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.100
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1433 using image recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/012 Red blood cells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/016 White blood cells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/018 Platelets
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1486 Counting the particles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/34 Microscope slides, e.g. mounting specimens on microscope slides
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/101666 Particle count or volume standard or control [e.g., platelet count standards, etc.]

Abstract

An apparatus for enumerating one or more specific elements within a biologic fluid sample is provided. The apparatus includes a first planar member that is transparent, and a second planar member. The members are separated from one another by a substantially uniform height, and the height is sized relative to the specific elements within the sample such that the specific elements non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber.

Claims

1. An apparatus for enumerating first cellular elements and second cellular elements within a biologic fluid sample, comprising:

a first planar member that is transparent; and

a second planar member;

wherein the members are separated from one another by a substantially uniform height, and the height is sized relative to the first and second cellular elements within the sample such that the first and second cellular elements non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more sidewalls extending between the first planar member and the second planar member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an inlet port disposed in the first planar member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising one or more vent apertures.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more sidewalls include a bonding material.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sidewalls are formed into a shape that substantially or completely encloses a chamber region.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an inlet port disposed in the first planar member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising one or more vent apertures.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more sidewalls substantially consist of a bonding material.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sidewalls are formed into a shape that substantially or completely encloses a chamber region.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an inlet port disposed in the first planar member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising one or more vent apertures

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber is height is equal to or less than twenty microns.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber height is sized to such that the first cellular elements are white blood cells and the second cellular elements are red blood cells, which cells non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the height of the chamber is such that white blood cells introduced into the chamber are slightly compressed between the first and second planar members.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the height of the chamber is such that white blood cells tend to become entrapped within the chamber and are concentrated near an inlet of the chamber as the sample is drawn into the chamber.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber height is such that the sample is drawn into the chamber by capillary action upon being introduced into the chamber.

18. An apparatus for enumerating a plurality of biologic particulates in a biologic fluid sample, comprising:

a first planar member that is transparent; and

a second planar member;

wherein the members are separated from one another by a substantially uniform height, and the height is sized relative to the biologic particulates within the sample such that the biologic particulates non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the biologic particulates include platelets.