Blood cell counting device and method
First Claim
1. A device for use in imaging a liquid sample, the device comprising:
- an inlet for accepting a sample into the device;
a connection conduit;
a detection chamber for optical detection of the sample;
a metering chamber arranged to hold a predefined volume of the sample, wherein the metering chamber is in fluidic connection with the inlet and the connection conduit;
a split feature arranged between the metering chamber and the connection conduit to split the sample between the metering chamber and the connection conduit; and
a downstream chamber in fluidic connection with the metering, chamber and arranged to receive the predefined volume of the sample;
wherein the connection conduit connects the inlet to the detection chamber,wherein the connection conduit contains one or more dry reagents for reaction with the sample as the sample passes through the connection conduit,wherein at least one dimension of the connection conduit is less than the smallest dimension of the inlet and at least one dimension of the detection chamber is less than the smallest dimension of the connection conduit,wherein the device is arranged for rotation about an axis of rotation to drive liquid flow to the downstream chamber, andwherein the split feature is arranged to separate a volume of the sample in the metering chamber from a volume of the sample in the connection conduit in response to the centrifugal force.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for use in imaging a liquid sample comprises an inlet for accepting the sample, a connection conduit and a detection chamber for detection of the sample, preferably optical detection of the sample. The connection conduit connects the inlet to the detection chamber and contains one or more dry reagents for reaction with the sample as the sample passes through the connection conduit. Specific embodiments include devices arranged for treating a blood sample, in particular lysing and staining the sample. The liquid flow may be driven by capillary effect. The device may further include liquid handling structures arranged for centrifugally driven liquid flow, for example to meter a volume of sample and separate the sample into phases by centrifugation.
18 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for use in imaging a liquid sample, the device comprising:
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an inlet for accepting a sample into the device; a connection conduit; a detection chamber for optical detection of the sample; a metering chamber arranged to hold a predefined volume of the sample, wherein the metering chamber is in fluidic connection with the inlet and the connection conduit; a split feature arranged between the metering chamber and the connection conduit to split the sample between the metering chamber and the connection conduit; and a downstream chamber in fluidic connection with the metering, chamber and arranged to receive the predefined volume of the sample; wherein the connection conduit connects the inlet to the detection chamber, wherein the connection conduit contains one or more dry reagents for reaction with the sample as the sample passes through the connection conduit, wherein at least one dimension of the connection conduit is less than the smallest dimension of the inlet and at least one dimension of the detection chamber is less than the smallest dimension of the connection conduit, wherein the device is arranged for rotation about an axis of rotation to drive liquid flow to the downstream chamber, and wherein the split feature is arranged to separate a volume of the sample in the metering chamber from a volume of the sample in the connection conduit in response to the centrifugal force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for imaging a liquid sample, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a sample into a first chamber of a cartridge; causing the sample to flow by capillary action from the first chamber through a connection conduit into a detection chamber; while the sample flows through the connection conduit gradually re-suspending one or more dry reagents in the sample filling a metering chamber with the sample by capillary action; rotating the cartridge to separate cellular material from blood plasma in the downstream chamber and imaging the sample in the downstream chamber once cellular material has been separated; and capturing at least one image of the sample in the detection chamber. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification