Microfluidic card for RBC analysis
A microfluidic circuit cartridge for a complete blood count, including analyses of red blood cells. Various parameters of the red blood cells may be attained. The cartridge may have sphering mechanism which has a channel or loop with a configuration for reducing or eliminating cell settling. The channel or loop may incorporate a combination of straight and curve paths in the context of gravity. The channel may alternatively have a hydrophilic or hydrophobic inside surface. Again alternatively, the channel may have an electro-wettable inside surface. Or, the channel may be subject to an electric or magnetic field. There may also be a mechanism for reducing or eliminating clumping of a sample.
1. A fluidic analyzer system comprising:
a removable cartridge having a microfluidic circuit; and
a housing for holding the removable cartridge; and
wherein:
the microfluidic circuit is for at least partially providing a blood count of a sample; and
the microfluidic circuit comprises:
a first structure for reducing sediment settling of the sample;
a second structure for reducing clumping of the sample;
a sphering mechanism connected to the second structure;
a sheathing mechanism;
a hydrodynamic focusing chamber connected to the sphering mechanism and the sheathing mechanism; and
an optical channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing chamber for at least partially achieving the blood count.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sphering mechanism is for providing a portion of blood to waste so as to maintain a continuous flow through the sphering mechanism to reduce sediment settling of the sample.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure is at least partially integrated with the sphering mechanism.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the blood count comprises a red blood count, a platelet count, a mean cell volume determination of RBCs, multi-part differential counts of white blood cells (WBCs), and/or hemoglobin absorbence-based measurements.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second structure is for applying a shearing effect on the sample to nearly eliminate clumping of the sample.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second structure is a sample injector having a T-junction to a flow channel of the microfluidic circuit.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein channels of the first structure, second structure, sphering mechanism, and/or hydrodynamic focusing chamber, have connecting ends which are about the same size to reduce a presence of bubbles.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure comprises:
a channel having a continuous path that is approximately straight for a first distance, curved about between 90 and 270 degrees for a second distance and approximately straight for a third distance; and
wherein:
the channel is situated in a field of force having a first direction; and
the first distance and the third distance are approximately parallel to the first direction.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein:
the channel is a sphering channel; and
the field of force is a gravity force.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure comprises:
a channel; and
wherein:
the channel comprises:
a first segment having an elongated dimension approximately perpendicular to a first direction;
a second segment connected to the first segment, having an elongated dimension that curves about between 90 and 270 degrees; and
a third segment connected to the second segment, having an elongated dimension approximately perpendicular to the first direction;
the channel is situated in a field of force;
the field of force has a force in the first direction; and
the second segment is situated in a plane approximately parallel to the first direction.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the channel is a sphering channel.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure comprises:
a channel; and
wherein the channel comprises:
a first segment;
a second segment connected to the first segment;
a third segment connected to the first segment; and
a fourth segment connected to the second and third segments;
the second segment sequentially curves in a first direction and a second direction way;
the third segment sequentially curves the second direction and the first direction;
the channel is situated in a field of force; and
the channel has an elongated dimension approximately perpendicular to a direction of the field of force.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein:
the channel is a sphering channel: and
the field of force is a gravity field.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure comprises:
a channel; and
wherein the channel comprises:
an inside surface; and
wherein the inside surface is hydrophilic.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the channel is a sphering channel.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure comprises:
a channel; and
wherein channel comprises:
an inside surface; and
wherein the inside surface is hydrophobic.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the channel is a sphering channel.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure comprises:
a channel; and
wherein the channel comprises:
an inside surface; and
wherein the inside surface is an electro-wetable surface.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the channel is a sphering channel.
20. The system of claim 18 , wherein:
the channel has a first end for an entry of a flow of a fluid;
the channel has a second end for an exit of the flow of a fluid;
the first end has a first terminal;
the second end has a second terminal; and
the first terminal and the second terminal are for an application of an electric potential.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the inside surface has an energy change with the application of a voltage.
22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure comprises
a channel; and
wherein:
the channel comprises a first end and a second end;
the channel is subject to an electric field; and
the channel has an elongated dimension approximately perpendicular to the electric field.
23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the channel is a sphering channel.
24. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first structure comprises:
a channel; and
wherein:
the channel comprises a first end and a second end;
the channel is subject to a magnetic field; and
an elongated dimension of the channel is approximately perpendicular to the magnetic field.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the channel is a sphering channel.
26. A cytometer comprising:
a microfluidic circuit; and
wherein:
the microfluidic circuit comprises:
a shearing mechanism; and
a sphering mechanism; and
the sphering mechanism comprises a channel for sphering red blood cells;
the shearing mechanism comprises an injector attached to the channel to form a junction for providing blood into the channel so as to produce a shear on the blood at a wall in the channel to reduce or eliminate clumping.
27. The cytometer of claim 26 , wherein:
the microfluidic circuit is for providing a blood count; and
the blood count comprises red cell indices.
28. A hematology analyzer comprising:
a fluidic circuit for providing a blood count; and
wherein:
the blood count comprises a red blood count, a platelet count, mean cell volume determination of RBCs, multi-part differential counts of white blood cells (WBCs), and/or hemoglobin absorbence-based measurements; and
the fluidic circuit comprises:
a shearing mechanism;
a sphering mechanism connected to the shearing mechanism;
a sheathing mechanism;
a hydrodynamic focusing chamber connected to the sphering mechanism and the sheathing mechanism; and
an optical channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing chamber for at least partially achieving the blood count.
29. The analyzer of claim 28 , wherein
the sphering mechanism comprises a first channel for sphering red blood cells;
the shearing mechanism comprises a second channel attached to a third channel to form a T-like junction for providing blood into the third channel to produce a shear on the blood at a wall in the third channel so as to nearly eliminate clumping of blood cells; and
the first channel is connected to the third channel.