Aspects of the invention include WBC analysis reagents, systems and methods that can be used for analyzing a sample of whole blood to identify, classify, and/or quantify white blood cells (WBC) and WBC sub-populations in the sample. The WBC analysis reagents of the present disclosure generally include at least one membrane-permeable fluorescent dye, a WBC protecting reagent, and a surfactant. In some embodiments, the WBC reagents include a suitable amount of an osmolality adjusting component to adjust the osmolality of the WBC reagent into a desired range.

Devices and methods are described for measuring formed blood component sedimentation rate. Some of the methods may use (1) centrifugal techniques for separating red blood cells from plasma and (2) video and/or still imaging capability. Both may be used alone or in combination to accelerate formed blood component sedimentation and to measure its rate. In one example, the method may advantageously enable rapid measurement of sedimentation rate using small blood sample volumes. Automated image analysis can be used to determine both sedimentation rate and hematocrit. Automated techniques may be used to compensate for effects of hematocrit on uncorrected sedimentation rate data.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a cellular analytic system is described. The cellular analytic system includes a series of analytic devices. Each analytic device includes 1) a separator to separate a cellular particle from a surrounding fluid, 2) an analyzer coupled to a first outlet of the separator to analyze the surrounding fluid, and 3) at least one lysing device coupled to at least a second outlet of the separator to rupture a membrane of the cellular particle. An outlet of the lysing device is fluidly coupled to a separator of a downstream analytic device.

A method, system and storage medium for providing an alarm for indicating that an abnormality is present in a sample analyzer are provided. The method includes: mixing a first aliquot of a blood sample with a diluent agent to prepare a first test sample; mixing a second aliquot of the blood sample with a lytic reagent to prepare a second test sample; detecting electrical impedance signals of the first test sample; detecting at least two types of optical signals of the second test sample; acquiring first platelet detection data based on the electrical impedance signals; acquiring second platelet detection data based on the at least two types of optical signals; acquiring an evaluation result based on a difference between the first platelet detection data and the second platelet detection data; determining whether the evaluation result meets a preset condition to provide an alarm.

A reagent, a method for differentiating platelets under a hemolysis condition using the reagent and a blood cell analyzer are provided. The reagent includes a first reagent as a hemolytic agent, and a second reagent which is a membrane-specific dye or a mitochondrion-specific dye. By using the reagent, the method and the blood cell analyzer, platelets can be differentiated and an alarm about reticulocytes can be provided under a hemolysis condition, and white blood cell can further be classified and counted, thereby quickly and accurately analyzing a blood sample in a single channel.

Instances of the present technology may include a method for operating a hematology analyzer. The method may include passing a control material through a hematology analyzer. The control material may include a first cell population and a second cell population. The method may also include determining a first cell population volume measurement and a second cell population volume measurement. A first value of a first cell population distribution width and a second value of a second cell population distribution width may be calculated. The method may include comparing the first value to a first reference range. The method may also include comparing the second value to a second reference range. Furthermore, the method may include classifying an operational status of the hematology analyzer based on the comparison of the first value to the first reference range and based on the comparison of the second value to the second reference range.