Integrated apparatus for hematological analysis and related method

1. Integrated apparatus for hematological analyses, wherein it comprises, arranged substantially in line and integrated substantially in a single machine, an optical device to detect substantially instantaneously the speed of blood sedimentation (ESR) by measuring the optical density, or absorbance, of a blood sample, and a measuring assembly with a cell-counter function, said optical device for the detection of the ESR and said measuring assembly sharing a circuit for circulation of the same blood sample to be subjected first to the detection of the ESR and then to other measurements such as counting the red cells, white cells, platelets, the hematocrit and other parameters relating to the form and size of the corpuscle part of the blood, said optical device for the detection of the ESR and said measuring assembly with a cell-counter function sharing a pump associated on the circuit and for circulating the blood sample, said apparatus further including a single command and control unit controlling and governing the functioning of said optical device to detect the speed of blood sedimentation and said measuring assembly.

2. Integrated apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said optical device to detect the speed of blood sedimentation is arranged in series with said measuring assembly.

3. Integrated apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a blood sample source, the blood sample source is common to both said optical device for the detection of the ESR and said measuring assembly with a cell-counter function, wherein said optical device for the detection of the ESR and said measuring assembly with a cell-counter function are both disposed downstream of the blood sample source.

4. Integrated apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a collection element for one or more containers containing blood samples, associated with a pick-up member, said pick-up member being in fluid communication with said optical device so as to be able to make a sample of said blood circulate in close sequence and substantially without any break in continuity through a capillary tube of said optical device to detect the ESR and through said measuring assembly with cell-counter function.

5. Integrated apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein said pick-up member includes a needle member, said one or more containers having a sealing top able to be perforated by said needle member.

6. Integrated apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein said optical device includes means for instantaneously interrupting the blood flow (stopped flow) along said capillary tube.

7. Method to perform hematological analyses, wherein it provides that a blood sample, taken under control of a single command and control unit from a container by means of a pick-up needle member, is sent to and made to circulate in a single circuit which passes in close sequence, and substantially without any break in continuity, first through an optical device under control of the single command and control unit to detect substantially instantaneously the speed of blood sedimentation (ESR) by measuring the optical density, or absorbance, of the blood sample, and then through a measuring assembly under control of the single command and control unit to count the cells, or other measurement connected with counting cells, wherein said optical device and said measuring assembly are a single machine sharing a pump associated on the single circuit, and are arranged in line and without any break in continuity in order to be able to perform on the same blood sample first the measurement of the ESR and then other measurements such as counting the red cells, white cells, platelets, the hematocrit and other parameters relating to the form and size of the corpuscle part of the blood.

8. Method as in claim 7 , wherein the speed of blood sedimentation is detected by means of an instantaneous stoppage of the flow of the blood sample passing in a capillary tube of said optical device, and by sending an optic beam through said capillary tube in order to detect the optical density at the point of stoppage of the blood inside the capillary tube, after which detection of the flow of blood is restarted for transit through said measuring assembly.