Method and apparatus for performing hematologic analysis using an array-imaging system for imaging and analysis of a centrifuged analysis tube

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for analyzing a hematologic sample, comprising:
 disposing the hematologic sample within an internal compartment of a capillary tube, which internal compartment has a radial width and an axial length and a float disposed within the capillary tube;   providing a centrifuge and a sample imaging device;   using a processor to execute instructions stored within a memory device, which instructions cause the processor to:
 control the centrifuge to centrifugally spin the capillary tube containing sample about a central axis at speeds sufficient to create constituent layer separation within the sample disposed in the at least one capillary tube; 
 control the sample imaging device to create a digital image of a sample region of the sample disposed within the tube, which sample region extends across all of the radial width and axial length of the internal compartment of the tube in a region of the tube where the float resides after centrifugation, and produce the signals representative of the digital image; 
 produce information relating to the digital image based on the signals from the sample imaging device; and 
 control a sample data display to display the information relating to the digital image of the sample region. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the capillary tube is attached to a platen portion of the centrifuge in a position where the capillary tube extends radially outward from the central axis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample imaging device includes a digital camera. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the sample data display to display the digital image of the sample region. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the sample data display to display superimposed graphic markings based on an analysis of the sample over the digital image to illustrate band boundaries. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the graphic markings are superimposed to identify at least one of a bottom of the tube, a bottom of the float, a red blood cell/granulocyte interphase, a granulocyte/lymphocyte and monocyte interphase, a lymphocyte and monocyte/platelet interphase, a platelet/plasma interphase, a top of the float, or a plasma/air interphase. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information relating to the image based on the signals from the sample imaging device includes complete blood count information.