Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090162940 | Specimen Analysis Tube - A method and apparatus for analyzing a fluid sample. More particularly, this relates to a specimen analysis tube ( | 06-25-2009 |
20090238437 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE HEMATOCRIT OF A BLOOD SAMPLE UTILIZING THE INTRINSIC PIGMENTATION OF HEMOGLOBIN CONTAINED WITHIN THE RED BLOOD CELLS - A method for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by the interior surfaces of first and second panels and a height extending there between, wherein both panels are transparent, and the height is such that at least some of the red blood cells within the sample contact both interior surfaces of the panels and one or more lacunae within the quiescent sample extend between the interior surfaces; 2) imaging at least a portion of the quiescent sample, which sample portion contains the red blood cells and one or more lacunae to determine an optical density of the imaged portion of the sample on a per image unit basis; 3) selecting and averaging the optical density values of the image units aligned with the red blood cells contacting the interior surfaces, and assigning an upper boundary value of 100% to the average optical density value of those image units; 4) selecting the optical density values of the image units aligned with the one or more lacunae, and assigning a lower boundary value of 0% to the optical density values of those image units; and 5) determining the hematocrit of the sample by assigning relative values to the optical density value of each image of the imaged sample portion as a function of the upper and lower boundary values, and averaging the relative values. | 09-24-2009 |
20090238438 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING RED BLOOD CELL INDICES OF A BLOOD SAMPLE UTILIZING THE INTRINSIC PIGMENTATION OF HEMOGLOBIN CONTAINED WITHIN THE RED BLOOD CELLS - A method for the determination of the red blood cell indices including the volume, and hemoglobin content and concentration for individual red blood cells, as well as red blood cell population statistics, including total number of red blood cells present in the sample, and mean values for each of the aforementioned indices within a substantially undiluted blood sample is provided. | 09-24-2009 |
20090238439 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND COUNTING PLATELETS INDIVIDUALLY AND IN AGGREGATE CLUMPS - A method for enumerating platelets within a blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by a first panel and a second panel, both of which panels are transparent; 2) admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the platelets to fluoresce upon exposure to one or more predetermined first wavelengths of light; 3) illuminating at least a portion of the sample containing the platelets at the first wavelengths; 4) imaging the sample, including producing image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the platelets, which fluorescent emissions have an intensity; 5) identifying the platelets by their fluorescent emissions, using the image signals; 6) determining an average fluorescent emission intensity value for the individual platelets identified within the sample; 7) identifying clumps of platelets within the sample using one or more of their fluorescent emissions, area, shape, and granularity; and 8) enumerating platelets within each platelet clump using the average fluorescent emission intensity value determined for the individual platelets within the sample. | 09-24-2009 |
20090239257 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING INDIVIDUAL CELLS OR PARTICULATES USING FLUORESCENT QUENCHING AND/OR BLEACHING - A method for analyzing a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: a) providing a blood sample having one or more first constituents and one or more second constituents, which second constituents are different from the first constituents; b) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by a first panel and a second panel, both of which panels are transparent; c) admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the first constituents and second constituents to fluoresce upon exposure to predetermined first wavelengths of light, and which colorant is operative to absorb light at one or more predetermined second wavelengths of light; d) illuminating at least a portion of the sample containing the first constituents and the second constituents at the first wavelengths and at the second wavelengths; e) imaging the at least a portion of the sample, including producing image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the first constituents and the second constituents and the optical density of the first constituents and the second constituents; f) determining a fluorescence value for each the first constituents and second constituents using the image signals; g) determining an optical density value for each of the first constituents and second constituents, which optical density is a function of the colorant absorbed by the constituents, using the image signals; and h) identifying the first constituents and the second constituents using the determined fluorescence and optical density values. | 09-24-2009 |
20090251683 | VIRTUAL SEPARATION OF BOUND AND FREE LABEL IN A LIGAND ASSAY FOR PERFORMING IMMUNOASSAYS OF BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS, INCLUDING WHOLE BLOOD - Detection and characterization of immunologically detected substances are performed electronically on human and animal biological fluids such as whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, milk, pleural and peritoneal fluids, and semen, which fluids are contained in a thin chamber forming a quiescent fluid sample, which chamber has at least two parallel planar walls, at least one of which is transparent. | 10-08-2009 |
20090252399 | SELF-CALIBRATING GRADIENT DILUTION IN A CONSTITUENT ASSAY AND GRADIENT DILUTION APPARATUS PERFORMED IN A THIN FILM SAMPLE - A method and apparatus for measuring antibody titers in a thin film sample in an automated system which does not require multiple dilutions. The system provides a simple method for creating an in-situ dilution within a sample analysis chamber without the use of any precision fluid-handling components, and further, to use the same principles to provide a wide range of sample dilutions within the chamber so as to obviate the need for additional dilution steps when dealing with samples possibly containing wide ranges of analyte concentrations. | 10-08-2009 |
20090253218 | METHOD FOR SEROLOGIC AGGLUTINATION AND OTHER IMMUNOASSAYS PERFORMED IN A THIN FILM FLUID SAMPLE - A method and system for performing a serological agglutination assay in a liquid sample. The system provides a simple method for creating an in-situ sample/reagent admixture within a sample analysis chamber without the use of any precision fluid-handling components. | 10-08-2009 |
20090258371 | METHOD OF DETECTING VERY LOW LEVELS OF ANALYTE WITHIN A THIN FILM FLUID SAMPLE CONTAINED IN A THIN THICKNESS CHAMBER - A method and apparatus for the detection and quantification of very low levels of a target analyte using an imaging system is provided. In the case of some analytes such as certain hormones, for example TSH, their levels may be as low as several tens of thousands of molecules per micro liter. These extremely low levels can be measured by using the present invention to count the individual molecules of analyte. The invention also has the advantage of being a primary quantitative method, which is one which needs no standardization. | 10-15-2009 |
20100073464 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING AND DISPLAYING A THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGE - A method for producing stereoscopic views of an object is provided that includes the steps of: a) providing an imaging device having “n” number of independent lenses, where “n” is an integer equal to or greater than two; b) creating “n” number of electronic perspective images of the object using the imaging device, each of which perspective images are created from a vantage point different from the vantage point of the other images, wherein the electronic perspective images are created at substantially the same time, and each electronic perspective image is created through a different one of the “n” number of independent lenses; and c) combining a first of the perspective images and a second of the perspective images into a single electronic collective image within the imaging device, wherein the first perspective image is disposed substantially contiguous with the second perspective image within the electronic collective image. | 03-25-2010 |
20100255509 | DETECTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN A HUMAN OR ANIMAL BY MEASURING SPECIFIC PHAGOCYTOSIS IN A THIN FILM SAMPLE OF THEIR ANTICOAGULATED BLOOD - A method for performing a target analyte assay of a thin film anticoagulated blood sample, wherein the target analyte is the presence or absence of specific phagocytosis and/or binding of particles coated with a particular antigen or antigens by white blood cells present in the anticoagulated blood sample, wherein the particles are coated with the particular antigen or antigens, which antigens are similar or identical to antigens expressed by a defined pathogenic infectious agent of interest. | 10-07-2010 |
20100289725 | APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AN IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE FOR VIEWING MULTI-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES - A viewer for use with a portable image display device that has an image display screen is provided. The viewer includes a first end panel, an image display device holder, a second end panel, a left viewing lens and a right viewing lens. The holder is attached to the first end panel. The second end panel has at least one aperture. The left and right viewing lenses are mounted relative to the second end panel, and each is aligned with the one or more apertures disposed within the second end panel. The lenses are aligned to view there through the image display screen of a display device held within the viewer. The viewer is configurable in a closed position wherein the first end panel and the second end panel are in relative close proximity and in one or more open positions wherein the first and second end panels are further apart from one another than in the closed position. | 11-18-2010 |
20110059481 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING RED BLOOD CELL INDICES OF A BLOOD SAMPLE UTILIZING THE INTRINSIC PIGMENTATION OF HEMOGLOBIN CONTAINED WITHIN THE RED BLOOD CELLS - A method for the determination of the red blood cell indices including the volume, and hemoglobin content and concentration for individual red blood cells, as well as red blood cell population statistics, including total number of red blood cells present in the sample, and mean values for each of the aforementioned indices within a substantially undiluted blood sample is provided. | 03-10-2011 |
20110067488 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING EXPANSION OF FLUID CONTRAINING TUBES DURING CENTRIFUGATION - Systems and methods for determining the presence of a target material in a suspension are provided. In one embodiment, a system ( | 03-24-2011 |
20110149061 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING RETICULOCYTES WITHIN A BLOOD SAMPLE - A method and apparatus for identifying reticulocytes within a blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, and the chamber has a known or determinable height extending between the interior surfaces of panels, which height is such that at least one red blood cell, or an aggregate of red blood cells, within the sample contacts both of the interior surfaces; b) admixing a supravital dye with the sample, which dye is operable to cause reticulin to fluoresce when excited by light of one or more predetermined wavelengths; c) imaging the sample using light that includes the one or more predetermined wavelengths that cause reticulin to fluoresce; d) imaging the sample using light that is absorbed by hemoglobin to produce values of optical density on a per image unit basis; and e) identifying reticulocytes within the sample using the image of the sample created with light that causes the dyed reticulin to fluoresce, and using the per image unit optical density values. | 06-23-2011 |
20110193957 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND COUNTING PLATELETS INDIVIDUALLY AND IN AGGREGATE CLUMPS - A method for enumerating platelets within a blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by a first panel and a second panel, both of which panels are transparent; 2) admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the platelets to fluoresce upon exposure to one or more predetermined first wavelengths of light; 3) illuminating at least a portion of the sample containing the platelets at the first wavelengths; 4) imaging the sample, including producing image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the platelets, which fluorescent emissions have an intensity; 5) identifying the platelets by their fluorescent emissions, using the image signals; 6) determining an average fluorescent emission intensity value for the individual platelets identified within the sample; 7) identifying clumps of platelets within the sample using one or more of their fluorescent emissions, area, shape, and granularity; and 8) enumerating platelets within each platelet clump using the average fluorescent emission intensity value determined for the individual platelets within the sample. | 08-11-2011 |
20110200239 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY PERFORMING HEMATOLOGIC ANALYSIS UTILIZING A TRANSMITTED IMAGE OF A CENTRIFUGED ANALYSIS TUBE - 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. | 08-18-2011 |
20110201045 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING HEMATOLOGIC ANALYSIS USING AN ARRAY-IMAGING SYSTEM FOR IMAGING AND ANALYSIS OF A CENTRIFUGED ANALYSIS TUBE - A method and device for analyzing a hematologic sample centrifuged within a capillary tube is provided. The device includes a tube holder, a sample imaging device, a processor, and a sample data display. The sample imaging device is operable to create a digital image of the sample within a region of the tube. The region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube in the region where the float resides after centrifugation. The sample imaging device is operable to produce signals representative of the image. The processor is adapted to produce information relating to bands of interest within the image based on the signals from the sample imaging device. The sample data display is adapted to display the results therefrom and/or a digital image of the sample within the region. | 08-18-2011 |
20110230740 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE HEMATOCRIT OF A BLOOD SAMPLE UTILIZING THE INTRINSIC PIGMENTATION OF HEMOGLOBIN CONTAINED WITHIN THE RED BLOOD CELLS - A method for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by the interior surfaces of first and second panels and a height extending there between, wherein both panels are transparent, and the height is such that at least some of the red blood cells within the sample contact both interior surfaces of the panels and one or more lacunae within the quiescent sample extend between the interior surfaces; 2) imaging at least a portion of the quiescent sample, which sample portion contains the red blood cells and one or more lacunae to determine an optical density of the imaged portion of the sample on a per image unit basis; 3) selecting and averaging the optical density values of the image units aligned with the red blood cells contacting the interior surfaces, and assigning an upper boundary value of 100% to the average optical density value of those image units; 4) selecting the optical density values of the image units aligned with the one or more lacunae, and assigning a lower boundary value of 0% to the optical density values of those image units; and 5) determining the hematocrit of the sample by assigning relative values to the optical density value of each image of the imaged sample portion as a function of the upper and lower boundary values, and averaging the relative values. | 09-22-2011 |
20110256573 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AT LEAST ONE HEMOGLOBIN RELATED PARAMETER OF A WHOLE BLOOD SAMPLE - A method and apparatus for determining at least one hemoglobin related parameter of a whole blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by an interior surface of a first panel, and an interior surface of a second panel, and the chamber has a height extending between the interior surfaces of the panels, wherein the chamber is configured to increase the oxygenation state of the sample to a substantially oxygenated state within a predetermined amount of time after entry into the chamber; b) imaging the at least one red blood cell contacting the interior surfaces, and producing image signals; c) determining an optical density of at least a portion of the imaged red blood cell contacting both interior surfaces; and d) determining the at least one hemoglobin related parameter of the red blood cell contacting the interior surfaces, using the determined optical density and a molar extinction coefficient for oxygenated hemoglobin. | 10-20-2011 |
20110294200 | VIRTUAL SEPARATION OF BOUND AND FREE LABEL IN A LIGAND ASSAY FOR PERFORMING IMMUNOASSAYS OF BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS, INCLUDING WHOLE BLOOD - Detection and characterization of immunologically detected substances are performed electronically on human and animal biological fluids such as whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, milk, pleural and peritoneal fluids, and semen, which fluids are contained in a thin chamber forming a quiescent fluid sample, which chamber has at least two parallel planar walls, at least one of which is transparent. | 12-01-2011 |
20110305755 | METHOD OF ADDING BOTANICAL AGENTS/DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS TO PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS IN A PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC REGIMEN - A method for administering an active pharmaceutical agent (APA) is provided that includes the steps of: a) providing a medicine having a dose of at least one APA and at least one active botanical agent (ABA) or dietary supplement; and b) dosing the APA within the medicine such that within each subsequent dose of the medicine, the amount of the APA decreases and the amount of the ABA increases, or remains the same, or decreases relative to an earlier amount. A trace of the APA may or may not remain in the pill toward the end of medicine application. | 12-15-2011 |
20110311622 | METHOD FOR ADDING SENSORY CONDITIONING CUES IN A PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC REGIMEN - A method for administering pharmaceutical agents to a subject is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a course of treatment for a subject, which course includes periodically administering an amount of medicine to the subject, which amount of medicine includes a dose of at least one active pharmacological agent (APA) and an amount of at least one non-active pharmacological agent (NPA), which NPA provides at least one non-visual sensory cue; and b) varying the dosage amount of the APA within the periodically administered amount of medicine, while the amount of the NPA contained within each periodically administered amount of medicine is provided at a level that maintains the sensory cue at a substantially constant level. | 12-22-2011 |
20120021456 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF ANISOTROPIC CRYSTALS AND HEMOZOIN PRODUCING PARASITES IN LIQUID BLOOD - An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of anisotropic crystals within a biologic fluid sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) disposing the sample within a sample chamber in a sample layer having a height riot greater than about fifteen microns (15μ); b) disposing the sample layer within the sample chamber between a polarizing filter and an analyzing filter; a) disposing the polarizing filter, sample chamber, and analyzing filter in a configuration relative to a light source such that polarized light passes through the sample, and subsequently impinges on the analyzing filter; and d) wherein polar orientations of the polarizing filter and the analyzing filter are such that the polarized light will not pass through the analyzing filter, and light passing through an anisotropic crystal disposed within the sample will pass through the analyzing filter and appear as a point of light. | 01-26-2012 |
20120093883 | METHOD OF TREATING AND PREVENTING NEURO-OLFACTORY TRIGGERED OR AGGRAVATED ILLNESSES OR RELATED CONDITIONS - A method for treating at least one of neuro-olfactory triggered illnesses, and related conditions within a subject is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a composition that includes one or more agents adapted to induce a level of anosmia/hyposmia in the subject, which level of anosmia/hyposmia is sufficient to substantially decrease olfactory sensory stimulation within the subject and a neurologic response to the stimulation that is one or both of triggering and aggravating the illness or condition; and b) applying the composition to a nasopharynx region of the subject. | 04-19-2012 |
20120147357 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND COUNTING PLATELETS INDIVIDUALLY AND IN AGGREGATE CLUMPS - A method for enumerating platelets within a blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into a sample container having an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, and an amount of colorant that platelets absorb and which fluoresces upon exposure to one or more predetermined first wavelengths of light; 2) imaging at least a portion of the sample disposed in the analysis chamber, including producing image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the platelets illuminated by first wavelengths of light; 3) identifying the platelets using the image signals; and 4) enumerating individual platelets and clumped platelets within the sample using one or more of fluorescent emissions, area, shape, and granularity. | 06-14-2012 |
20120164682 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING INDIVIDUAL CELLS OR PARTICULATES USING FLUORESCENT QUENCHING AND/OR BLEACHING - A method for analyzing a blood sample residing within an analysis chamber, which sample has one or more first and second constituents, which constituents are different from one another. The method includes the steps of: a) imaging the sample containing the first and second constituents, which sample is mixed with a colorant that causes the first and second constituents to fluoresce upon exposure to light, and which colorant is also operative to absorb light, the imaging produces image signals representative of fluorescent emissions from the sample and optical density of the sample; b) determining one or more values representative of fluorescent emission from the first and second constituents; c) determining one or more values representative of optical density for the first and second constituents; and d) distinguishing the first constituents from the second constituents using the fluorescent emission representative values and the optical density representative values. | 06-28-2012 |
20120164719 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING INDIVIDUAL CELLS OR PARTICULATES USING FLUORESCENT QUENCHING AND/OR BLEACHING - A method for analyzing a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: providing a blood sample having one or more of each first and second constituents; admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the first constituents and second constituents to fluoresce and absorb light; illuminating at least a portion of the sample; e) imaging a portion of the sample; determining a fluorescence value for each the first constituents and second constituents; determining an optical density value for each of the first constituents and second constituents; and identifying the first constituents and the second constituents using the determined fluorescence and optical density values. | 06-28-2012 |
20120195489 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE HEMATOCRIT OF A BLOOD SAMPLE UTILIZING THE INTRINSIC PIGMENTATION OF HEMOGLOBIN CONTAINED WITHIN THE RED BLOOD CELLS - A method and apparatus for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample disposed within an analysis chamber, the method comprising the steps of: a) imaging at least a portion of the sample that contains one or more red blood cells contacting the interior surfaces of the chamber and one or more areas void of red blood cells; b) determining a representative optical density value for a plurality of image units optically aligned with portions of the red blood cells that are in contact the interior surfaces, and assigning an optical density first boundary value to those image units; c) determining a representative optical density value of a plurality of image units optically aligned with the one or more regions of the sample devoid of red blood cells, and assigning a second optical density boundary value to those image units; and d) determining the hematocrit of the sample. | 08-02-2012 |
20120204112 | METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE INTRODUCTION OF USERS WITH SIMILAR OR COMPLEMENTARY INTERESTS IN A GIVEN LOCALE WITHIN A GIVEN TIMEFRAME - A method of confirming a meeting time, date or location for a pre-selected activity wherein two or more users on a social utility website or app interact is provided. The method includes the following steps: a) both users indicate times and dates they are available to meet; b) both users indicate the geographical parameters within which they are available to meet; c) the website provides both users with a set of results that includes a list of options within the intersecting choices of both users; d) one user selects an option on the list, which is then highlighted on the second user's screen; e) the second user may click on the highlighted option to confirm, or alternatively click on a different selection, which is then highlighted on the first user's screen; and f) when an item is chosen by both users, it is displayed as confirmed on both users' screens. | 08-09-2012 |
20120219457 | BIOLOGIC FLUID ANALYSIS CARTRIDGE WITH SAMPLE HANDLING PORTION AND ANALYSIS CHAMBER PORTION - A biological fluid analysis cartridge is provided. In certain embodiments, the cartridge includes a base plate extending between a sample handling portion and an analysis chamber portion. A handling upper panel is attached to the base plate within the sample handling portion. A collection port is at least partially formed with the handling upper panel. An initial channel and a secondary channel are formed between the handling upper panel and the base plate. The collection port and initial and secondary channels are in fluid communication with one another. A chamber upper panel is attached to the base plate within the analysis chamber portion. At least one analysis chamber is formed between the chamber upper panel and the base plate. The secondary channel and the analysis chamber are in fluid communication with one another. | 08-30-2012 |
20120282635 | SELF-CALIBRATING GRADIENT DILUTION IN A CONSTITUTENT ASSAY AND GRADIENT DILUTION APPARATUS PERFORMED IN A THIN FILM SAMPLE - A method and apparatus for measuring antibody titers in a thin film sample in an automated system which does not require multiple dilutions. The system provides a simple method for creating an in-situ dilution within a sample analysis chamber without the use of any precision fluid-handling components, and further, to use the same principles to provide a wide range of sample dilutions within the chamber so as to obviate the need for additional dilution steps when dealing with samples possibly containing wide ranges of analyte concentrations. | 11-08-2012 |
20130029373 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING INDIVIDUAL CELLS OR PARTICULATES USING FLUORESCENT QUENCHING AND/OR BLEACHING - A method for analyzing a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: providing a blood sample having one or more of each first and second constituents; admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the first constituents and second constituents to fluoresce and absorb light; illuminating at least a portion of the sample; e) imaging a portion of the sample; determining a fluorescence value for each the first constituents and second constituents; determining an optical density value for each of the first constituents and second constituents; and identifying the first constituents and the second constituents using the determined fluorescence and optical density values. | 01-31-2013 |
20130078668 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF INTRAERYTHROCYTIC PARASITES - An apparatus and method for determining the presence of an intraerythrocytic organism within a sample of liquid whole blood is provided. The method includes the steps of a) creating an image of the sample quiescently residing within a sample chamber; b) evaluating the image for the presence of at least one red blood cell within the image containing at least one first region of decreased hemoglobin content and/or hemoglobin concentration within the red blood cell, which red blood cell has an otherwise homogenous distribution of hemoglobin; and c) determining the presence of an intraerythrocytic organism within the sample using the evaluation of the image. | 03-28-2013 |
20130142839 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADDING SENSORY CONDITIONING CUES IN A PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC REGIMEN - A method and system for administering pharmaceutical agents to a subject is provided. The system includes a course of treatment regimen, which includes a prescribed order of medicine amounts for periodic administration to the subject in the prescribed order. The amount of medicine includes a dose of at least one active pharmacological agent (APA) and an amount of at least one non-active pharmacological agent (NPA). The NPA provides at least one non-visual sensory cue. The dosage amounts of the APA contained within the amounts of medicine periodically administered in the prescribed order are varied within the course of treatment regimen, and the amount of the NPA contained within the amounts of medicine periodically administered in the prescribed order are held constant within the course of treatment regimen. | 06-06-2013 |
20130170729 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING RETICULOCYTES WITHIN A BLOOD SAMPLE - A method and apparatus for identifying reticulocytes within a blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, and the chamber has a known or determinable height extending between the interior surfaces of panels, which height is such that at least one red blood cell, or an aggregate of red blood cells, within the sample contacts both of the interior surfaces; b) admixing a supravital dye with the sample, which dye is operable to cause reticulin to fluoresce when excited by light of one or more predetermined wavelengths; c) imaging the sample using light that includes the one or more predetermined wavelengths that cause reticulin to fluoresce; d) imaging the sample using light that is absorbed by hemoglobin to produce values of optical density on a per image unit basis; and e) identifying reticulocytes within the sample using the image of the sample created with light that causes the dyed reticulin to fluoresce, and using the per image unit optical density values. | 07-04-2013 |
20130176551 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND COUNTING PLATELETS INDIVIDUALLY AND IN AGGREGATE CLUMPS - A method for enumerating platelets within a blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into a sample container having an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, and an amount of colorant that platelets absorb and which fluoresces upon exposure to one or more predetermined first wavelengths of light; 2) imaging at least a portion of the sample disposed in the analysis chamber, including producing image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the platelets illuminated by first wavelengths of light; 3) identifying the platelets using the image signals; and 4) enumerating individual platelets and clumped platelets within the sample using one or more of fluorescent emissions, area, shape, and granularity. | 07-11-2013 |
20130208862 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY - A method and apparatus for digital radiography is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing an apparatus that includes an X-ray generator operable to generate and project X-rays, and a digital X-ray sensor operable to receive X-rays projected by the X-ray generator; b) determining whether the X-ray sensor is in an operable mode, or a non-operable mode; c) using the X-ray generator to project X-rays through a subject target area if the X-ray sensor is in the operable mode, or to prevent the generator from projecting X-rays through the subject target area if the X-ray sensor is in the non-operable mode; and d) using the X-ray sensor to receive the projected X-rays after they have transversed the subject target area if the X-ray sensor is in the operable mode. | 08-15-2013 |
20130208972 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE HEMATOCRIT OF A BLOOD SAMPLE UTILIZING THE INTRINSIC PIGMENTATION OF HEMOGLOBIN CONTAINED WITHIN THE RED BLOOD CELLS - A method and apparatus for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample disposed within an analysis chamber, the method comprising the steps of: a) imaging at least a portion of the sample that contains one or more red blood cells contacting the interior surfaces of the chamber and one or more areas void of red blood cells; b) determining a representative optical density value for a plurality of image units optically aligned with portions of the red blood cells that are in contact the interior surfaces, and assigning an optical density first boundary value to those image units; c) determining a representative optical density value of a plurality of image units optically aligned with the one or more regions of the sample devoid of red blood cells, and assigning a second optical density boundary value to those image units; and d) determining the hematocrit of the sample. | 08-15-2013 |
20130217146 | VIRTUAL SEPARATION OF BOUND AND FREE LABEL IN A LIGAND ASSAY FOR PERFORMING IMMUNOASSAYS OF BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS, INCLUDING WHOLE BLOOD - Detection and characterization of immunologically detected substances are performed electronically on human and animal biological fluids such as whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, milk, pleural and peritoneal fluids, and semen, which fluids are contained in a thin chamber forming a quiescent fluid sample, which chamber has at least two parallel planar walls, at least one of which is transparent. | 08-22-2013 |
20140004554 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AT LEAST ONE HEMOGLOBIN RELATED PARAMETER OF A WHOLE BLOOD SAMPLE | 01-02-2014 |
20140084055 | QUALITY CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED ANALYSES OF BIOLOGIC FLUID SAMPLE - An apparatus and method for analyzing a biologic sample is provided. The apparatus includes a capillary tube, a machine readable identity tag, and an analysis device. The tube is operable to hold the biologic sample. The machine readable identity tag is disposed on the tube, and indicates a production source of the tube. The analysis device is operable to analyze the biologic sample. The analysis device includes a reader adapted to read the identity tag, and the analysis device is operable to authenticate the tube based on the identity tag read from the tube. | 03-27-2014 |
20140178311 | METHOD OF ADDING BOTANICAL AGENTS/DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS TO PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS IN A PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC REGIMEN - A method for administering an active pharmaceutical agent (APA) is provided that includes the steps of: a) providing a medicine having a dose of at least one APA and at least one active botanical agent (ABA) or dietary supplement; and b) dosing the APA within the medicine such that within each subsequent dose of the medicine, the amount of the APA decreases and the amount of the ABA increases, or remains the same, or decreases relative to an earlier amount. A trace of the APA may or may not remain in the pill toward the end of medicine application. | 06-26-2014 |
20140248647 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING INDIVIDUAL CELLS OR PARTICULATES USING FLUORESCENT QUENCHING AND/OR BLEACHING - A method for analyzing a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: providing a blood sample having one or more of each first and second constituents; admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the first constituents and second constituents to fluoresce and absorb light; illuminating at least a portion of the sample; e) imaging a portion of the sample; determining a fluorescence value for each the first constituents and second constituents; determining an optical density value for each of the first constituents and second constituents; and identifying the first constituents and the second constituents using the determined fluorescence and optical density values. | 09-04-2014 |
20150030215 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AN IMAGE OF UNDILUTED WHOLE BLOOD SAMPLE HAVING WRIGHT STAIN COLORATION - An apparatus and method for imaging a sample of substantially undiluted whole blood is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a substantially undiluted whole blood sample admixed with at least one non-Wright stain colorant, which colorant is operable to differentially identify constituents containing cytoplasmic material; providing an analysis device having an analyzer with at least one processor, at least one sample illuminator, and at least one image sensor; creating an image of the sample using the analysis device; and using the analysis device to transform the image to a transformed image having a coloration recognizable as a Wright stained sample. | 01-29-2015 |