A method for measuring concentrations of blood cell components is provided. The method comprises: obtaining a blood sample from a subject, the blood sample comprising at least one of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (PLTs); mixing the blood sample with a non-lysing aqueous solution to form a sample mixture comprising a predetermined tonicity; passing the sample mixture through a flow cell; emitting light towards the flow cell; measuring at least one of an amount of light absorbed by the RBCs to obtain an RBC absorption value, an amount of light scattered by WBCs to obtain a WBC scatter value, and an amount of light scattered by PLTs to obtain a PLT scatter value; and determining a concentration of at least one of the RBCs, WBCs, and PLTs present in the sample mixture.

An optimized Dipheylthiocarbazone or Dithizone (DTZ) solution was developed with preferred physical and chemical properties to characterize human islets and insulin producing cells differentiated from embryonic stem cells. Application of the newly formulated iDTZ (i stands for islet) over a range of temperatures, time intervals and cell and tissue types found to be robust for identifying these cells. The iDTZ, through high transition zinc binding, concentrated in insulin producing cells could also be used to delineate zinc levels in tissue and liquid samples.

An optimized Dipheylthiocarbazone or Dithizone (DTZ) solution was developed with preferred physical and chemical properties to characterize human islets and insulin producing cells differentiated from embryonic stem cells. Application of the newly formulated iDTZ (i stands for islet) over a range of temperatures, time intervals and cell and tissue types found to be robust for identifying these cells. The iDTZ, through high transition zinc binding, concentrated in insulin producing cells could also be used to delineate zinc levels in tissue and liquid samples.

An enricher, an enrichment system, a sample manufacturing system, and a sample detection system. The enricher comprises an enrichment housing, which encloses to form an enrichment cavity used for accommodating a suction liquid; a suction connection part, which is used to place a suction mechanism in communication with the enrichment cavity so that the enrichment cavity forms negative pressure under a vacuumization mechanism; and a blocking member, which is disposed on the enrichment housing; when the enrichment cavity forms negative pressure, a sample can, by means of the blocking member, form a suction liquid that enters the enrichment cavity, and a retentate remains on the blocking member.

An enricher, an enrichment system, a sample manufacturing system, and a sample detection system. The enricher comprises an enrichment housing, which encloses to form an enrichment cavity used for accommodating a suction liquid; a suction connection part, which is used to place a suction mechanism in communication with the enrichment cavity so that the enrichment cavity forms negative pressure under a vacuumization mechanism; and a blocking member, which is disposed on the enrichment housing; when the enrichment cavity forms negative pressure, a sample can, by means of the blocking member, form a suction liquid that enters the enrichment cavity, and a retentate remains on the blocking member.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for tissue processing and analysis. Tissue chambers are configured to allow single-container chemical processing, imaging, and wax embedding of tissue samples in a single container without manipulation between steps. Tissue chambers with features to support the tissue sample and allow fluid flow between the tissue sample and the tissue chamber surface are disclosed. The features may be index matched to sample structures of interest or dissolvable in clearing solution to allow for in-chamber imaging with minimal distortion. Specialized tissue processing and wax removal apparatuses are also disclosed including for use with tissue chambers having frangible portions to permit ease of wax removal.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for tissue processing and analysis. Tissue chambers are configured to allow single-container chemical processing, imaging, and wax embedding of tissue samples in a single container without manipulation between steps. Tissue chambers with features to support the tissue sample and allow fluid flow between the tissue sample and the tissue chamber surface are disclosed. The features may be index matched to sample structures of interest or dissolvable in clearing solution to allow for in-chamber imaging with minimal distortion. Specialized tissue processing and wax removal apparatuses are also disclosed including for use with tissue chambers having frangible portions to permit ease of wax removal.

The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g., saliva, urine), which can then be subjected to processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and/or another cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as biomarker discovery.

The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g., saliva, urine), which can then be subjected to processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and/or another cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as biomarker discovery.

The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g., saliva, urine), which can then be subjected to processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and/or another cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as biomarker discovery.