US 12,337,315 B2
Automated microscopic cell analysis
Ronald Jones, Newton, NH (US); Adrian Gropper, Watertown, MA (US); Robert Hagopian, Belmont, MA (US); Charles Rogers, Halifax, MA (US); Thomas Vitella, Sandown, NH (US); Tyler Cote, Chelmsford, MA (US); Donald Barry, Groton, MA (US); Dirk Osterloh, Unna (DE); and Chen Yi, Boxborough, MA (US)
Assigned to Medica Corporation, Bedford, MA (US)
Filed by Medica Corporation, Bedford, MA (US)
Filed on Feb. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/114,754.
Application 18/114,754 is a continuation of application No. 16/803,897, filed on Feb. 27, 2020, granted, now 11,590,496.
Application 16/803,897 is a continuation of application No. 15/616,327, filed on Jun. 7, 2017, granted, now 10,625,259.
Application 15/616,327 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/221,285, filed on Jul. 27, 2016, granted, now 9,767,343.
Application 15/221,285 is a continuation of application No. 15/017,498, filed on Feb. 5, 2016, granted, now 11,478,789.
Application 15/017,498 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/947,971, filed on Nov. 20, 2015, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/394,702, filed on Sep. 14, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/360,236, filed on Jul. 8, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/138,359, filed on Mar. 25, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/113,360, filed on Feb. 6, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/084,760, filed on Nov. 26, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0024866 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 15/14 (2024.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 15/10 (2024.01); G01N 15/1434 (2024.01); G01N 21/05 (2006.01); G01N 33/487 (2006.01); G01N 33/49 (2006.01); G01N 33/50 (2006.01); G01N 33/80 (2006.01); G06V 20/69 (2022.01); G01N 1/10 (2006.01); G01N 1/30 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/502715 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502738 (2013.01); G01N 15/1434 (2013.01); G06V 20/693 (2022.01); G06V 20/698 (2022.01); B01L 2200/027 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0605 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0647 (2013.01); B01L 2200/16 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0627 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0633 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0644 (2013.01); G01N 1/10 (2013.01); G01N 1/30 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1006 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1486 (2013.01); G01N 21/05 (2013.01); G01N 33/487 (2013.01); G01N 33/49 (2013.01); G01N 33/4915 (2013.01); G01N 33/5094 (2013.01); G01N 33/80 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of counting and analyzing red cells, white cells, and platelets, utilizing an automated microscope with image processing software, and a single use test cartridge having a single, serpentine imaging chamber, the method comprising:
a) diluting a known volume of test sample of whole blood with a known volume of diluent and/or stain to obtain a known dilution ratio between 10:1 to 250:1,
b) mixing the test sample and diluent and/or stain to a substantially uniform mixture,
c) introducing a portion of the mixture into single the imaging chamber of the test cartridge, the chamber having a shape in planar view which is serpentine, wherein the imaging chamber is defined by walls in the test cartridge and has a bottom and a predetermined depth, wherein the serpentine chamber has dimensions that keep a distribution of cells and platelets in the chamber substantially uniform, at the known dilution ratio, as the cells and platelets in the mixture settle to the bottom of the imaging chamber to form a monolayer wherein the cells and platelets do not crowd or overlap,
d) introducing the test cartridge with the portion of the mixture into the automated microscope with image processing software,
e) capturing one or more digital images of the settled red cells, white cells and platelets in the portion of the mixture in the monolayer in the single serpentine imaging chamber that are selected to be statistically representative of a number and distribution of the red cells, white cells, and platelets in the mixture in the imaging chamber, and
f) deriving a quantitative characterization of the distribution of the red cells, white cells, and platelets in the serpentine imaging chamber based on the images captured of the settled red cells, white cells and platelets in the portion of the mixture.