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.

A device for monitoring a bioreactor is configured for in-situ analysis, e.g., by NIR, without the need for withdrawing a sample into a sample cell or into an ex-situ arrangement. The device can be inserted into a port of the bioreactor and provides a sample detection region defined by an optical element such as a lens and a photodetector. The electrical signal obtained from a photodetector that is part of the device can be directed to an analyzer via a detachable electrical connection.

A device for monitoring a bioreactor is configured for in-situ analysis, e.g., by NIR, without the need for withdrawing a sample into a sample cell or into an ex-situ arrangement. The device can be inserted into a port of the bioreactor and provides a sample detection region defined by an optical element such as a lens and a photodetector. The electrical signal obtained from a photodetector that is part of the device can be directed to an analyzer via a detachable electrical connection.

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 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.

A set of 10 or more standards containing a defined number of particles from 1000 to 1,000,000 wherein the defined number of particles is within a degree of error of 10% or less between each standard of the set.

A sample analyzer comprising: a sample preparing section for preparing first and second measurement sample including reagent and sample; a first detector for detecting a predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; a second detector for detecting the predetermined component in the second measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; and a controller configured for performing operations, comprising: (a) controlling the first detector to detect the predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; (b) determining the reliability of the result detected by the first detector; (c) controlling the sample preparing section to prepare the second measurement sample from the same sample when the result has been determined to be unreliable; and (d) controlling the second detector to detect the predetermined component in the second measurement sample, is disclosed.

Embodiments of the microfluidic device may include of an array of microfluidic cell capture chambers, each functionalized with a different antibody to recognize a target antigen, and a network of code-multiplexed Coulter counters placed at strategic nodes across the device to quantify the fraction of cell population captured in each microfluidic chamber. For example, an apparatus may comprise a fluid inlet port divided into a plurality of separate microfluidic paths, each separate microfluidic path configured to transport a plurality of cells, the plurality of separate microfluidic paths, each comprising a plurality of microfluidic cell capture chambers, an outlet port to discharge a merged output of cells from the plurality of microfluidic cell capture chambers, and a plurality of sensors to detect cells passing into or out of a microfluidic cell capture chamber.

An optical flow cytometer for blood cell characterization, comprising: a flowcell providing a blood cells flow, at least one light-emitting diode for illuminating blood cells that are flowing in the flowcell, an epifluorescence module in which a same first lens group is used for focusing the—excitation light in the blood cells flow and for collecting fluorescence light coming from each blood cell, and a unitary photodetector for detecting the epifluorescence light coming from the first lens group, at least one of the following measurement modules includes: a light scattering measurement module, an axial light losses measurement module, a particle impedance measurement module.

An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for detecting microbiological activity in an industrial process may include a plurality of satellite units, a processing unit, and a main analysis unit. Each satellite unit may be configured to sample a liquid from the industrial process at a plurality of respective locations, periodically analyse a sample, carry out an impedance analysis to count and measure the size of particles passing through an orifice, and generate sample results data corresponding to the number and size of particles in each sample. The processing unit may be configured to compare the sample results data to a predetermined criterion and to generate an alert signal if the particle data is outside of the predetermined criterion. The main analysis unit may be configured to carry out a combined impedance and electromagnetic emission analysis of a sample of liquid from the industrial process following generation of the alert signal.