An apparatus for determining a vertical position of at least one interface between a first component and at least one second component, the components comprised as different layers in a sample container. The apparatus comprises a first sensing unit and a first light detector configured to generate a first sensing signal, a second sensing unit comprising a second light detector configured to generate a second sensing signal, a driving unit configured to move the sample container, a position sensing unit configured to output a position sensing signal indicative of a vertical position of the sample container, a vertical position determining unit configured to match the first and the second sensing signal such that first and the second sensing signal correspond to identical vertical positions, and to determine the vertical position of the at least one interface in response to the matched sensing signals and the position sensing signal.

A method for measuring a concentration of molecules, characterized in that the method measures the concentration of molecules dissolved in a continuous phase of a colloid and includes obtaining a test sample by mixing a number of molecules with a volume of colloid, obtaining a control sample by mixing a number of molecules with a volume of a composition comprising a particle-free solution extracted from a fraction of the continuous phase of same colloid used in the obtaining the test sample, so that a value of the concentration of molecules in the mixture is equal to the value of the concentration of molecules in the test sample obtained in the obtaining the test sample, and submitting the test and the control samples obtained in the obtaining the test sample and obtaining the control sample to a process in order to concentrate the particles of the test sample.

An apparatus for determining the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in a whole blood sample includes a sample holder including an elongate sample chamber having an open end and a closed end. A holding member is adapted to receive and retain the sample holder. The holding member rotates may rotate about an axis of rotation. When the sample holder is received and retained by the holding member the sample chamber is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. First and second light sources are positioned on one side of the sample holder and are configured to emit light in respective different frequencies. At least one light sensor is positioned on a second side of the sample holder, opposite from the first side, so that light from the light source may pass through the sample chamber, in at least one rotational position of the sample holder, and impinge on the light sensor.

A method for measuring a concentration of molecules, characterized in that the method measures the concentration of molecules dissolved in a continuous phase of a colloid and includes obtaining a test sample by mixing a number of molecules with a volume of colloid, obtaining a control sample by mixing a number of molecules with a volume of a composition comprising a particle-free solution extracted from a fraction of the continuous phase of same colloid used in the obtaining the test sample, so that a value of the concentration of molecules in the mixture is equal to the value of the concentration of molecules in the test sample obtained in the obtaining the test sample, and submitting the test and the control samples obtained in the obtaining the test sample and obtaining the control sample to a process in order to concentrate the particles of the test sample.

An apparatus for determining a vertical position of at least one interface between a first component and at least one second component, the components comprised as different layers in a sample container. The apparatus comprises a first sensing unit and a first light detector configured to generate a first sensing signal, a second sensing unit comprising a second light detector configured to generate a second sensing signal, a driving unit configured to move the sample container, a position sensing unit configured to output a position sensing signal indicative of a vertical position of the sample container, a vertical position determining unit configured to match the first and the second sensing signal such that first and the second sensing signal correspond to identical vertical positions, and to determine the vertical position of the at least one interface in response to the matched sensing signals and the position sensing signal.

An apparatus for determining the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in a whole blood sample, comprising: a sample holder including an elongate sample chamber having an open end and a closed end; a holding member adapted to receive and retain the sample holder, wherein the holding member may rotate about an axis of rotation, and wherein, when the sample holder is received and retained by the holding member the sample chamber is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation; first and second light sources positioned on one side of the sample holder, configured to emit light in respective different frequencies; and at least one light sensor positioned on a second side of the sample holder, opposite from the first side, so that light from the light source may pass through the sample chamber, in at least one rotational position of the sample holder, and impinge on the at least one light sensor.

A method of testing a biological sample, the method comprising: providing a centrifuge sample holder having a camera; arranging a transparent container comprising a fluid test medium in a recess of said centrifuge sample holder, wherein the camera is arranged to image a portion of the container comprising said fluid test medium; arranging said biological sample above and not in contact with said fluid test medium in said container; and with the camera, imaging a mixing of said biological sample with said fluid test medium while centrifuging the sample holder.

A model-based method of classifying a specimen in a specimen container. The method includes capturing images of the specimen and container at multiple different exposures times, at multiple different spectra having different nominal wavelengths, and at different viewpoints by using multiple cameras. From the captured images, 2D data sets are generated. The 2D data sets are based upon selection of optimally-exposed pixels from the multiple different exposure images to generate optimally-exposed image data for each spectra. Based upon these 2D data sets, various components are classified using a multi-class classifier, such as serum or plasma portion, settled blood portion, gel separator (if present), tube, air, or label. From the classification data and 2D data sets, a 3D model can be generated. Specimen testing apparatus and quality check modules adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

A process for obtaining a monophasic liquid composition from a volume of a colloid; a monophasic liquid composition extracted from a colloid; a Kit for measuring the concentration of molecules solubilized in the continuous phase of a colloid, and a method for measuring the concentration of molecules dissolved in the continuous phase of a colloid.

A sample holder for use in a centrifuge, the sample holder being generally planar and comprising: an aperture or recess for releasably retaining a sample storage member including a sample chamber adapted to contain a volume of liquid; a centre point around which the holder will rotate during use; and one or more calibration features, wherein the calibration feature(s) comprise one or more outer edges, which lie on the side of the or each calibration feature which is furthest from the centre point, and the one or more outer edges comprise a series of radially spaced-apart outer edge portions or positions which are spaced at different distances from the centre point as a function of angular position around the centre point.