A method for deforming deformable bodies, preferably droplets or cells, comprising feeding a sample fluid into a microfluidic channel to create a laminar flow of the sample fluid, wherein the sample fluid transports deformable bodies, and feeding a sheath fluid into the microfluidic channel to create a laminar flow of the sheath fluid such that the sheath fluid directly borders the sample fluid in a border region of the microfluidic channel and flows in the same direction as the sample fluid at least in the border region. The viscosity of the sheath fluid is greater than the viscosity of the sample fluid, and the average flow rate of the sample fluid is greater than that of the sheath fluid.

Particles such as blood cells can be categorized and counted by a digital image processor. A digital microscope camera can be directed into a flowcell defining a symmetrically narrowing flowpath in which the sample stream flows in a ribbon flattened by flow and viscosity parameters between layers of sheath fluid. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell, for example at an edge of a rear illumination opening. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Blood cell images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

A microfluidic chip having a micro channel for processing a sample is provided. The micro channel may focus the sample by using focusing fluid and a core stream forming geometry. The core stream forming geometry may include a lateral fluid focusing component and one or more vertical fluid focusing components. A microfluidic chip may include a plurality micro channels operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

A technique is presented for aligning, in a desired region within a flow chamber of a flow cell, a non-spherical biological entity carried in a sample. The flow chamber has a rectangular cross-section. A bottom flow input module, a top flow input module and a sample input module provide a viscoelastic first fluid, a second viscoelastic fluid, and the sample, respectively, to the flow chamber. The first and the second viscoelastic fluids laminarly flow along a bottom and a top wall of the flow chamber and the sample laminarly flows sandwiched between them. By controlling rate of flow of the first and/or the second viscoelastic fluids the sample flow, and thus the non-spherical biological entity, is focused in the desired region. A gradient of sheer within the sample flow set up due to the first and second viscoelastic fluids orients the non-spherical biological entity in the desired region.

Particles such as blood cells can be categorized and counted by a digital image processor. A digital microscope camera can be directed into a flowcell defining a symmetrically narrowing flowpath in which the sample stream flows in a ribbon flattened by flow and viscosity parameters between layers of sheath fluid. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell, for example at an edge of a rear illumination opening. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Blood cell images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

A microfluidic chip having a micro channel for processing a sample is provided. The micro channel may focus the sample by using focusing fluid and a core stream forming geometry. The core stream forming geometry may include a lateral fluid focusing component and one or more vertical fluid focusing components. A microfluidic chip may include a plurality micro channels operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

For analyzing a sample containing particles of at least two categories, such as a sample containing blood cells, a particle counter subject to a detection limit is coupled with an analyzer capable of discerning particle number ratios, such as a visual analyzer, and a processor. A first category of particles can be present beyond detection range limits while a second category of particles is present within respective detection range limits. The concentration of the second category of particles is determined by the particle counter. A ratio of counts of the first category to the second category is determined on the analyzer. The concentration of particles in the first category is calculated on the processor based on the ratio and the count or concentration of particles in the second category.

The present description provides, in some embodiments, an apparatus for mixing a fluid in a circuit having an inlet channel defining a flow path for a fluid including particulate matter, a first reagent channel in fluid communication with the inlet channel and defining a first reagent flow path for a first reagent, the inlet channel and first reagent channel configured to shear the fluid entering the first reagent channel from the inlet channel at a first junction, a shearing channel in fluid communication with the inlet channel and first reagent channel at the first junction, and a diffusion channel in fluid communication with the shearing channel at a second junction, the sheared fluid collectable into the diffusion channel such that the fluid is compressed at least in part by the first reagent to have a thickness close to a diameter of the particulate matter in the fluid.

For analyzing a sample containing particles of at least two categories, such as a sample containing blood cells, a particle counter subject to a detection limit is coupled with an analyzer capable of discerning particle number ratios, such as a visual analyzer, and a processor. A first category of particles can be present beyond detection range limits while a second category of particles is present within respective detection range limits. The concentration of the second category of particles is determined by the particle counter. A ratio of counts of the first category to the second category is determined on the analyzer. The concentration of particles in the first category is calculated on the processor based on the ratio and the count or concentration of particles in the second category.

Aspects and embodiments of the instant disclosure provide a particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment agent for a particle analyzer used to analyze particles contained in a sample. An exemplary particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment agent includes an aqueous solution, a viscosity modifier, and/or a buffer.