A method of controlling a blood analyzer for measuring platelets is provided. The method comprises: determining a relationship between at least one first measurement value obtained by detecting platelets in at least one previous test by an electrical type detector of the blood analyzer and at least one second measurement value obtained by detecting the platelets in the at least one previous test by an optical type detector of the blood analyzer, and controlling the blood analyzer to prepare the first and/or second measurement sample for a current test according to the determined relationship.

End effector assemblies according to the present disclosure include a tool body mounted to a robotic arm and an impedance-measuring tip coupled to the tool body. The impedance-measuring tip defines a first volume to receive a fluid and a first dispensing outlet for dispensing the fluid. The impedance-measuring tip includes an impedance-measuring sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a change in impedance. A tip extension is fluidically coupled to the impedance-measuring tip that defines a second volume for receiving the fluid. A camera is coupled to the tool body and configured to capture image data of the second volume that captures at least a visual representation of a number of cells or other objects in the second volume. A pump is coupled to the impedance-measuring tip to dispense the fluid from the first volume into the second volume and from the second volume into a receptacle.

An apparatus comprising: a body having an aperture dimensioned to receive an air-borne particle of corresponding size; first and second electrodes positioned within the aperture between which a potential difference can be applied; and a measurement circuit configured to measure an electrical property between the first and second electrodes such that the presence of the air-borne particle within the aperture can be detected based on a change in the electrical property when the air-borne particle contacts both the first and second electrodes.

An apparatus comprising: a body having an aperture dimensioned to receive an air-borne particle of corresponding size; first and second electrodes positioned within the aperture between which a potential difference can be applied; and a measurement circuit configured to measure an electrical property between the first and second electrodes such that the presence of the air-borne particle within the aperture can be detected based on a change in the electrical property when the air-borne particle contacts both the first and second electrodes.

Described herein are cartridges and devices for operating said cartridges for analyzing a biological sample, such as a blood or saliva sample. Also described herein is an impedance sensor for analyzing a biological sample. Further described herein are methods of determining a cell count or detecting an analyte in a biological sample, which can include transporting the biological sample through a sensor comprising a channel or pore; applying an electrical current or voltage to the channel or pore; detecting an impedance within the channel or pore; and determining a cell count or detecting the analyte based on the detected impedance. Also described herein is an electrowetting electrode array that is configured to transport aqueous solutions using low voltage, such as about 50 volts or less. Further described herein are methods of transporting an aqueous liquid using electrowetting electrodes.

Systems and methods of assessing a probability that an individual will develop sepsis are provided. The systems and methods can include obtaining a set of parameters associated with the individual including white blood cell count (WBC) and monocyte distribution width (MDW) value, and determining whether the set of parameters provides an elevated risk status by comparing at least the WBC and the MDW value with respective predetermined criteria. In the event that the set of parameters is determined to provide the elevated risk status, the systems and methods can further include obtaining a secondary parameter associated with the individual; and providing the probability that the individual will develop sepsis.

A blood measuring apparatus includes: a liquid supply source storing a sheath liquid and applying a pressure to supply the sheath liquid to first and second chambers, pressures of the sheath liquids to be supplied to the first and second chambers different from each other; a sheath flow generator sending a blood sample supplied to the first chamber, to the aperture while causing the blood sample to be converged by a sheath flow due to the sheath liquid supplied from the liquid supply source; and a swirling flow generator causing the blood sample in the second chamber, to be converged by a swirling flow due to the sheath liquid supplied from the liquid supply source, thereby allowing the blood sample to flow in a direction separating from the aperture.

A method for processing a substrate by using fluid flowing through a particle detector is provided. The particle detector is utilized to detect nano-particles contained in fluid. The particle detector includes a substrate and a pair of sensing electrodes disposed on the substrate. The substrate includes nano-pores, wherein the pore size of the nano-pores is greater than the particle size of the nano-particles, allowing the nano-particles contained in the fluid passing through the nano-pores. The pair of sensing electrodes are positioned adjacent to at least one of the nano-pores.

A system and method for the label-free analysis of cells includes a purification device configured to receive a heterogeneous population of cells, the purification device temporarily trapping therein a subpopulation of cells from the heterogeneous population of cells and a cell analysis device positioned downstream of the purification device and configured to measure one or more cellular parameters including cell count, measured cell size, and/or cell morphology. In an alternative embodiment, the subpopulation of cells is analyzed while they are trapped within the purification device.

A method of antimicrobial susceptibility testing comprises: preparing samples of microorganisms suspended in an electrolyte, comprising a first sample of the microorganisms unexposed to antimicrobial agents and a second sample of the microorganisms exposed to an antimicrobial agent; passing the first sample through an impedance flow cytometer to obtain a first impedance signal representing one or more components of impedance values of the unexposed microorganisms; passing the second sample through the impedance flow cytometer to obtain a second impedance signal representing one or more components of the impedance values of the exposed microorganisms; comparing the first impedance signal and the second impedance signal; and determining a susceptibility of the microorganisms to the antimicrobial agent based on any differences between the first impedance signal and second impedance signal. A method of impedance flow cytometry comprises: flowing a sample of fluid comprising particles suspended in an electrolyte along a flow channel; applying electrical signals to current paths through the fluid, the current paths comprising at least a first current path, a second current path, a further first current path and a further second current path, wherein the electrical signals applied to the first current path and the further first current path have a frequency, magnitude and phase and the electrical signals applied to the second current path and the further second current path have substantially equal frequency and magnitude and opposite phase to the electrical signals applied to the first current path and the second current path; detecting current flow in the current paths; producing a first summed signal representing the sum of the current flow detected in the first current path and the second current path, and a second summed signal representing the sum of the current flow detected in the further first current path and the further second current path; and obtaining a differential signal representing the difference between the first summed signal and the second summed signal.