Sample processing for microscopy
In some instances, an apparatus can include a light sensitive imaging sensor having a surface to receive a fluid sample, a body to be moved relative to the light sensitive imaging sensor and having a surface to touch a portion of the fluid sample, and a carrier to move the body toward the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor to cause the surface of the body to touch the portion of the fluid sample, so that as the surface of the body touches the portion of the fluid, the surface of the body (i) is parallel to the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor, and (ii) settles on top of the fluid sample independently of motion of the carrier.
1. A point-of-care apparatus comprising:
a light sensitive imaging sensor having a surface to receive a fluid sample obtained from a person, the fluid sample to be in contact with the surface of the imaging sensor,
a body configured to be moved relative to the light sensitive imaging sensor, the body comprising (a) a body surface configured to touch a portion of the fluid sample when the fluid sample is in contact with the surface of the light-sensitive imaging sensor and is situated between the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor and the body surface, and (b) a component comprising a protruding element bearing the body surface, the component being held by the body, the body and the component being configured so that as the body surface of the protruding element touches the portion of the fluid sample, the component becomes unsupported by the body; and
a housing to hold the light-sensitive imaging sensor and the body.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
as the body surface touches the portion of the fluid sample, the body surface is parallel to the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the body permits passage of light onto the light sensitive imaging sensor.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the protruding element has features that match corresponding features on the body.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a device that causes an adjustment to a distance between the body surface and the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor to receive the fluid sample comprises a hydrophilic coating.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the body configured to touch a portion of the fluid sample comprises a hydrophilic coating.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a sample delivery component configured to deliver the fluid sample to the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the sample delivery component comprises at least two volumetric capillary tubes, a nozzle for mixing fluids within the at least two tubes, and an output tip through which the fluid sample is delivered to the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the protruding element comprises a truncated pyramid.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body includes at least one weighting element configured to keep the body substantially parallel relative to the surface of the light imaging surface as the body is moved relative to the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a mechanism configured for applying pressure to the component.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body surface of the body is configured to settle on the fluid sample as the body is moved relative to the light sensitive imaging sensor.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein as the body surface touches the portion of the fluid, the body settles on the fluid sample independently.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a chamber top.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a lid.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body is driven by one or more springs.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body is driven by magnetism.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the component is configured to hold the body releasably.
20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein as the surface of the body touches the fluid sample, the body settles on the fluid sample.
21. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a coupler to couple the light-sensitive imaging sensor electronically to a mobile device.
22. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a mechanism to move the body relative to the light sensitive imaging sensor.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the mechanism is configured to move the body to adjust a volume of the fluid sample.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the mechanism is configured to cause a portion of the fluid sample to flow out from surface of the light-sensitive imaging sensor.
25. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid sample comprises whole blood of the person.
26. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to form a chamber between the body surface and the surface of the light sensitive imaging sensor.
27. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an area of the body surface corresponds to an area of the light sensitive imaging sensor.
28. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a transparent material.