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.
1 . A device 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:
a tube holder;
a sample imaging device, operable to create a digital image of the sample within a region of the tube, 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 in the region where the float resides after centrifugation, and to a produce signals representative of the image;
a processor adapted to produce information relating to the image based on the signals from the sample imaging device;
a sample data display adapted to display the information relating to the digital image of the sample within the region.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sample data display is further adapted to display the information from the processor.
3 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a communication port adapted to send the signals representative of the image to a location remote from the device.
4 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a centrifuge with a platen configured to hold at least one capillary tube in a position where the tube extends radially outward from a central axis, and is operable to centrifugally spin the tube containing the sample about the central axis at speeds sufficient to create constituent layer separation within the sample disposed in the tube.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sample imaging device includes one or more digital cameras.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the digital camera is operable to create a single image of the region of the tube, wherein the region is defined by substantially all of the width and axial length of the sample within the tube.
7 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the digital camera is a Bayer-type matrix color camera.
8 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the digital camera is a grey-scaled black and white camera.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the tube holder, sample imaging device, processor, and sample data display are mounted in or on a housing.
10 . A method of analyzing a hematologic sample deposited within a capillary tube, which tube has an internal cavity with a radial width and an axial length, and a float disposed within the tube, the method comprising the steps of:
centrifuging the sample to create constituent bands within the sample disposed in the tube;
creating an image of a region of the centrifuged sample, 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 in a region where the float resides after centrifugation;
determining a position for one or more band boundaries using the image; and
producing analysis results based on the determined band boundaries.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of displaying the image.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of superimposing graphic markings in the displayed image at positions of the determined band boundaries.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the image is created using a digital camera.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of creating the image includes creating a single image of the region of the tube using the digital camera, wherein the region is defined by substantially all of the width and axial length of the sample within the tube.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of transmitting the image of the region of the centrifuged sample tube to a location remote from an image location where the image was created.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of analyzing the image at the remote location and producing data relating to the analysis, and transmitting the analysis data back to the image location.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of analyzing the image at the remote location for quality control and producing quality control data, and transmitting the quality control data back to the image location.
18 . A capillary tube, comprising:
a body having an internal cavity, an open top, and a vented bottom, wherein the internal cavity extends between the open top and the vented bottom, and is sized to permit the entry of liquid into the internal cavity through the open top by capillary action; and
fiduciary marks on or in the body, which marks are operable to permit geometric evaluation of sample within the internal cavity.
19 . The tube of claim 18 , wherein the fiduciary marks are positioned relative to the internal cavity to permit geometric evaluation of sample within the internal cavity.
20 . The tube of claim 18 , wherein the body is a generally cylindrical.