Patent ID: 7903241
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: G01N,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a cell volume of a red blood cell within a blood sample, comprising the steps of: depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by an interior surface of a first panel, and an interior surface of a second panel, wherein both panels are transparent, and the chamber has a known or determinable height extending between the interior surfaces of the panels, which height is such that at least one red blood cell within the sample contacts both of the interior surfaces; imaging the at least one red blood cell contacting the interior surfaces, and producing image signals; determining a mean optical density of a portion of the red blood cell in contact with both interior surfaces, and a total optical density of the red blood cell, both on a per image unit basis; and determining a volume of the imaged red blood cell using the mean optical density of the portion of the cell in contact with the interior surfaces, the total optical density, and the height of the chamber.