Patent ID: 6638769
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for quantitative haemoglobin determination in undiluted whole blood comprising the steps of:introducing a sample of undiluted whole blood containing red blood cells having haemoglobin therein by capillary action into a disposable microcuvette having at least one cavity for receiving the sample, the cavity including an essentially non-hygroscopic hemolysing agent in a dry form, the cavity being essentially free of azide and nitrite, whereby the hemolysing agent is dissolved in the whole blood, the agent hemolyses the red blood cells and the haemoglobin contained in the blood cells is released; performing a first absorption measurement at a wavelength range directly on the hemolysed sample in the cuvette, further conducting a second absorption measurement on the hemolysed sample to compensate for background interference, and analyzing the results of the absorption measurements and determining the concentration of haemoglobin in the whole blood sample.