Method and apparatus for mixing blood samples for cell analysis

1. A method for preparing a sample of whole blood for blood cell analysis in a hematology instrument in which a characteristic morphology of individual cell types is sensed by such instrument to differentiate one cell type from another in the whole blood sample, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) dispensing predetermined volumes of whole blood and reagent material in a mixing chamber; and

(b) mixing said volumes together by injecting a stream of air under pressure at the top surface of the contained volumes for a time and at a pressure sufficient to produce a homogeneous mixture containing blood cells having a characteristic morphology after the mixing step, said air stream being directed at the surface of materials within the mixing chamber at an angle of less than about 10 degrees measured with respect to a normal to said surface and at a region offset from the center of the mixing chamber.

2. The method as defined by claim 1 wherein said air stream is applied at a pressure not greater than 10 pounds per square inch and from a distance between 2 and 20 mm.

3. A method for preparing a sample of whole blood for white cell analysis in a hematology instrument which operates to differentiate different types of blood cells on the basis of a characteristic morphology of different cell types, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) dispensing predetermined volumes of whole blood and reagent material in a mixing chamber; and

(b) mixing said volumes together by injecting a stream of air under pressure at the top surface of the contained volumes for a time sufficient and at a pressure sufficient to produce a homogeneous mixture containing blood cells having a characteristic morphology after the mixing step, said air stream being directed at said top surface at a region offset from the center of the mixing chamber and at a first angle of less than about 6 degrees measured with respect to a normal to said top surface and in a radial plane containing the central longitudinal axis of said mixing chamber, and at a second angle of not greater than about 10 degrees measured in a plane normal to said radial plane.

4. The method as defined by claim 3 wherein said first angle is about 2 degrees, and wherein said second angle is about 6 degrees.

5. The method as defined by claim 3 wherein said air stream is applied at a pressure not greater than 10 pounds per square inch from a distance between 2 and 20 mm.

6. The method as defined by claim 5 wherein said air stream pressure is about 5 pounds per square inch.

7. The method as defined by claim 1 wherein said reaction vessel comprises (i) a cup portion including a housing defining a mixing chamber for receiving and supporting said predetermined volumes of blood and reagent material; and (ii) a cap portion sealable with said cup portion to enclose said mixing chamber, said cap portion having at least a first port for admitting said predetermined volumes of blood and reagent material to said mixing chamber for mixing, and a second port supporting a rectilinear tube through which said air stream can be directed at said angle and at said region of the surface of the materials within said mixing chamber.

8. The method as defined by claim 7 wherein said first port is adapted to receive a blood-dispensing probe by which a blood sample can be dispensed into said mixing chamber, and wherein cap portion has a third port formed therein through which a reagent liquid can be directed at said probe while said probe is received by said first port for the purpose of cleansing said probe.

9. The method as defined by claim 8 wherein said third port is angularly disposed with respect to said first port.