Microfluidic card for RBC analysis
First Claim
1. A fluidic analyzer system comprising:
- a removable cartridge having a microfluidic circuit; and
a housing for holding the removable cartridge; and
wherein;
the microfluidic circuit is for at least partially providing a blood count of a sample; and
the microfluidic circuit comprises;
a first structure for reducing sediment settling of the sample;
a second structure for reducing clumping of the sample;
a sphering mechanism connected to the second structure;
a sheathing mechanism;
a hydrodynamic focusing chamber connected to the sphering mechanism and the sheathing mechanism; and
an optical channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing chamber for at least partially achieving the blood count.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microfluidic circuit cartridge for a complete blood count, including analyses of red blood cells. Various parameters of the red blood cells may be attained. The cartridge may have sphering mechanism which has a channel or loop with a configuration for reducing or eliminating cell settling. The channel or loop may incorporate a combination of straight and curve paths in the context of gravity. The channel may alternatively have a hydrophilic or hydrophobic inside surface. Again alternatively, the channel may have an electro-wettable inside surface. Or, the channel may be subject to an electric or magnetic field. There may also be a mechanism for reducing or eliminating clumping of a sample.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A fluidic analyzer system comprising:
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a removable cartridge having a microfluidic circuit; and a housing for holding the removable cartridge; and wherein; the microfluidic circuit is for at least partially providing a blood count of a sample; and the microfluidic circuit comprises; a first structure for reducing sediment settling of the sample; a second structure for reducing clumping of the sample; a sphering mechanism connected to the second structure; a sheathing mechanism; a hydrodynamic focusing chamber connected to the sphering mechanism and the sheathing mechanism; and an optical channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing chamber for at least partially achieving the blood count. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A cytometer comprising:
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a microfluidic circuit; and wherein; the microfluidic circuit comprises; a shearing mechanism; and a sphering mechanism; and the sphering mechanism comprises a channel for sphering red blood cells; the shearing mechanism comprises an injector attached to the channel to form a junction for providing blood into the channel so as to produce a shear on the blood at a wall in the channel to reduce or eliminate clumping. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A hematology analyzer comprising:
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a fluidic circuit for providing a blood count; and wherein; the blood count comprises a red blood count, a platelet count, mean cell volume determination of RBCs, multi-part differential counts of white blood cells (WBCs), and/or hemoglobin absorbence-based measurements; and the fluidic circuit comprises; a shearing mechanism; a sphering mechanism connected to the shearing mechanism; a sheathing mechanism; a hydrodynamic focusing chamber connected to the sphering mechanism and the sheathing mechanism; and an optical channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing chamber for at least partially achieving the blood count. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification