Patent ID: 6287870
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B01L,G01N,G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of examining characteristics of at least one formed constituent which is contained in an aqueous-based biologic fluid sample, said method comprising:a) the step of providing a sample container which includes a sample chamber having a known volume, said chamber being defined by a first wall, side walls, and a transparent sample-viewing portion, which sample-viewing portion is disposed opposite to said first wall; said chamber further including a layer of an expendable hydrogel disposed on said chamber first wall, said expandable hydrogel layer having a planar surface which faces said sample-viewing portion of said chamber, and said expandable hydrogel layer having a volume which will cause said hydrogel to essentially fill said chamber when said hydrogel layer is expanded as a result of absorbing essentially all of the aqueous constituent of the sample;b) the step of introducing the fluid sample into said chamber on said hydrogel layer, and allowing the aqueous constituent of said fluid sample to be absorbed by and expand said hydrogel layer, while capturing formed constituents from said fluid sample on a surface of said expanding hydrogel layer in said chamber; andc) examining at least one of the formed constituents which is captured on the surface of the expanded hydrogel layer in the chamber.