An apparatus for microfluidic flow cytometry analysis of a particulate containing fluid An apparatus for microfluidic flow cytometry analysis of a particulate containing fluid comprises a hydrodynamic focussing apparatus for providing a focused stream of particulate containing fluid; and a microfluidic chip. The chip has a plurality of layers and comprises a microfluidic channel that extends through the chip substantially orthogonal to a plane of the layers of the chip, and is in fluid communication with the hydrodynamic focusing apparatus for receipt of a focused steam of particulate containing fluid. The chip also comprises a detection zone comprising at least one pair of electrodes in electrical communication with the microfluidic channel. At least one pair of electrodes comprise an excitation electrode coupled to an AC signal source and a detection electrode configured to detect AC impedance changes in the microfluidic channel between the electrodes resulting from particles passing between the electrodes in the microfluidic channel. Methods of sorting mammalian sperm cells according to sex is also described.

A measuring cuvette for counting and/or characterizing cells, the measuring cuvette including a base and a transparent lateral enclosure extending from the base so as to form with the latter an optical measurement chamber; the base having a through-orifice with a diameter of 30 to 100 m for cells to pass through, characterized in that the base and the transparent lateral enclosure form a one-piece cuvette suitable both for impedance measurement and for optical measurement. Also, a system for characterizing cells, which includes the measuring cuvette.

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.

In the particle analyzing apparatus of the present invention, first, an inner space with a negative pressure having a predetermined volume is formed in the cylinder of a syringe device for sucking a sample liquid in the measuring chamber, then, the negative pressure is applied to the measuring chamber, the sample liquid is sucked, and measurement of particle is performed in the measuring flow path. The control device calculates a particle analysis value from the measurement signal obtained by the measurement. The particle analysis value is obtained by the sucking force of the negative pressure and the control device further corrects the particle analysis value based on a standard pressure predetermined for the inner space.

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.

The present invention provides methods and systems to combine the capabilities of a hematology analyzer with those of a flow cytometer to yield a far more powerful analytical system than either device alone. In one embodiment, a method of analyzing a cell sample includes receiving a first data generated by an analysis of a first aliquot of the sample on a first particle analyzer having a fluorescence measurement device such as a flow cytometer, detecting at least one unresolved cell population in the first data, and accessing a second data stored on a storage device wherein the second data was previously generated by interrogating a second aliquot of the sample using at least one of a cell volume measurement device and a cell conductivity measurement device in a second particle analyzer such as a hematology analyzer. The unresolved cell population in the first data is then resolved using the second data. Corresponding system embodiments are also disclosed.

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 blood measuring device control method, the device including a sample preparing part that prepares a measurement sample by mixing a blood sample and a reagent, and a measuring part that measures the measurement sample, where the method includes preparing the reagent by mixing a high concentration reagent and pure water; and performing a washing operation by washing sites of the blood measuring device least affecting the measurement results of the measurement sample with pure water, and washing sites of the blood measuring device affecting the measurement results of the measurement sample with the reagent.

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 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.