초록 ▼

The present invention provides a low cost imaged-based system for detecting, measuring and/or counting labeled features of biological samples, particularly blood specimens. In one aspect, the invention includes a system for imaging multiple features of a specimen that includes one or more light sour

The present invention provides a low cost imaged-based system for detecting, measuring and/or counting labeled features of biological samples, particularly blood specimens. In one aspect, the invention includes a system for imaging multiple features of a specimen that includes one or more light sources capable of successively generating illumination beams each having a distinct wavelength band and a plurality of differentially excitable labels capable of labeling a specimen comprising multiple features, such that each different feature is labeled with a different differentially excitable label.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for analyzing in a blood specimen non-red cells labeled with a plurality differentially excitable labels, the apparatus comprising: a sample chamber having a top wall and a bottom wall capable of containing a blood specimen, wherein the distance between the top wall and the bottom wa

1. An apparatus for analyzing in a blood specimen non-red cells labeled with a plurality differentially excitable labels, the apparatus comprising: a sample chamber having a top wall and a bottom wall capable of containing a blood specimen, wherein the distance between the top wall and the bottom wall is configured to preclude the formation of a light-obstructing layer of red blood cells;a blood specimen present in the sample chamber, wherein the blood specimen is labelled with a plurality of differentially excitable labels positioned in the sample chamber, such that each different non-red cell component of the blood specimen is labeled with a different differentially excitable label that emits an optical signal within the same wavelength band;multiple light sources each capable of illuminating the blood specimen with an illumination beam having a distinct wavelength band;a controller coupled to the multiple light sources for successively directing the illumination beam of each light source onto the specimen;an optical system capable of collecting such emitted optical signals and forming successive images corresponding thereto on a light-responsive surface to form successive sets of image data; andenumerating the non-red cells in the blood specimen by analyzing the successive sets of image data. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the distance between the top surface and bottom surface of the sample chamber is equivalent to the diameter of the non-red blood cells labelled with the differentially excitable labels. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the distance between the top wall and the bottom wall ranges from 50 μm to 100 μm. 4. An apparatus for analyzing in a blood specimen non-red cells labeled with a plurality differentially excitable labels, the apparatus comprising: an observation area configured to receive a sample chamber having a top wall and a bottom wall capable of containing a blood specimen, wherein the distance between the top wall and the bottom wall is configured to preclude the formation of a light-obstructing layer of red blood cells;multiple light sources each capable of illuminating the blood specimen with an illumination beam having a distinct wavelength band;a controller coupled to the multiple light sources for successively directing the illumination beam of each light source onto the specimen;an optical system capable of collecting such emitted optical signals and forming successive images corresponding thereto on a light-responsive surface to form successive sets of image data; and enumerating the non-red cells in the blood specimen by analyzing the successive sets of image data.