Method and apparatus for remotely performing hematologic analysis utilizing a transmitted image of a centrifuged analysis tube

摘要

An apparatus for and method of analyzing hematologic samples deposited within a capillary tube is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) imaging a region of sample centrifuged within a capillary tube using a first analysis device, which region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube where the float resides after centrifugation, and producing signals representative of the image; b) communicating the signals representative of the image to a second analysis device independent of, and remotely located from, the first analysis device; c) processing the signals representative of the image using the second analysis device and producing analysis data based on the signals; and d) displaying the image of the region of the sample using the second analysis device.

主权项

1. A system for analyzing a hematologic sample centrifuged within a capillary tube, which tube has an internal compartment with a radial width and an axial length and a float disposed within the tube, the device comprising:
at least one first analysis device that includes a tube holder, a sample imaging device adapted to capture a single digital image of the sample residing within a region of the tube, which single image depicts substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube where the float resides after centrifugation, which image is created while the sample image device and the tube are positionally static relative to one another for a period of time adequate to create the single image, and the sample imaging device is adapted to produce signals representative of the image; and a second analysis device adapted to be remotely located from the first analysis device, and adapted to communicate with the first analysis device, including receiving the signals representative of the image, which second analysis device includes a processor adapted to produce information relating to bands of interest within the image based on the signals, and a sample data display adapted to display the digital image of the sample within the region.