Abstract:
A compact apparatus for automatically analyzing a blood sample having a pumping assembly, a dilution assembly and a measuring assembly. The pumping assembly includes pumps for air, lysis and diluent. The dilution assembly includes a sampling needle, and containers for waste, white corpuscle dilution, and red corpuscle dilution. The measuring assembly includes a measuring chamber, and a device for counting platelets, red corpuscles, white corpuscles and hemoglobin in the blood sample. Both red and white corpuscles are counted in the same measuring chamber. A plurality of pipes establish fluid communication between the elements of the apparatus. A plurality of electro-valves are adapted to automatically open and close the pipes thereby regulating fluid flow between the pumping assembly, the dilution assembly and the measuring assembly. One of the electro-valves is adapted to shutoff a diluent source and substitute water therefor, whereby the apparatus is rinsed with the water to avoid crystalization.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of French Patent Application No. 97 14520 filed Nov. 19, 1997 and International Application No. PCT/FR98/02440 filed Nov. 16, 1998. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an automatic hematologic counting and analyzing device. More precisely it relates to a device making it possible, in particular, to automatically measure platelets, red corpuscles, white corpuscles and hemoglobin in blood. 
     2. Description Of The Related Art 
     French Patent No. 2,629,208 describes an automatic hematologic analyzer. This device, even though already simplified, remains relatively complex. This complexity means that such a device is necessarily bulky and furthermore its manufacturing cost is high. The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the known difficulties of the prior art by reducing the number of useful parts in the device thereby minimizing the volume of the device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device of the present invention is of very compact size. Its prime feature is its compactness considering its high performance in matters of analysis, storage and the processing of hematologic measurements. In order to realize such a concept, each assembly and subassembly was studied at length to optimize the mechanical principles of dilution and acquisition of this analyzer. The operating principle of the device of the present invention is described in detail in French Patent No. 2,629,208, EP 0 508 495 and EP 0 335 789 whose descriptions are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The present invention relates to an automatic hematologic counting and analyzing device that is arranged in three assemblies: a pumping assembly including an air pump driven by a first motor and three pumps for lysis, diluent and sampling, respectively, actuated by a second motor; a diluting assembly including three containers for waste material, first dilution for white corpuscles and second dilution for red corpuscles, respectively; and a measuring assembly including a measuring chamber. 
     The careful grouping of the various elements constituting the device makes it possible to minimize the volume necessary. 
     The measuring unit of the device is a single measuring chamber that makes it possible to carry out the counting of platelets, red corpuscles and white corpuscles. By using only one measuring chamber, the cost of the device is lowered and the volume of the device is reduced. 
     The device has a set of valves that advantageously includes a valve that permits the use of water instead of an isotonic diluent. Rinsing with distilled water makes it possible to put the device on standby without risking crystallization due to salts present in the diluent. 
    
    
     The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawing. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the fluid connections of the device of the present invention. 
     According to the embodiment shown, the device of the present invention makes it possible to carry out hematologic measurements. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The device of the present invention includes a pump assembly P, a dilution assembly D, and a measuring assembly M. A set of electro-valves and pipes preferably interconnect the assemblies. The device also includes an electronic assembly for amplification and acquisition of electrical pulses and various peripherals for data acquisition (such as a bar code reader, external PC keyboard, etc.), display, printing and transmission of results. 
     The dilution assembly D includes a blood sampling device that has a sampling needle  1  driven by a raising and lowering motor M 3 , and a set of containers for waste material  2 , white corpuscle dilution  3  and red corpuscle dilution  4 , driven in translation by a motor M 4 . A sampling tube  5  is disposed in a tube holder  6 . 
     The pump assembly P has a pump  10  with three pistons  11 ,  12  and  13  that are driven by a motor M 2 . The lysis piston  11 , preferably of average size, connected to an electro-valve EV 9 , ensures the distribution of a lysis reagent that is useful in the measurement of leukocytes. The diluent piston  12  connected to an electro-valve EV 4  ensures the distribution of the diluent necessary for the dilution of the blood. The piston  13  is a micro-piston that is directly connected to the sampling needle  1  and that is used for sampling blood by volume difference. An air pump  14  having a piston  15  is driven by a motor M 1  and actuates the measuring assembly M. 
     The measuring assembly M includes an expansion vessel  24  connected to the air pump  14 , a measuring chamber  20  having a main chamber  21  connected to an electro-valve EV 1 , and a lateral chamber  22  connected to an electro-valve EV 3 . A micro-orifice  23 , also called a counting orifice, is disposed between the main chamber  21  and the lateral chamber  22 . A set of pipes and a set of electro-valves ensure interconnection of the various parts. 
     The pipes are fed by sources of diluent  30  (preferably isotonic diluent), water  31  (preferably distilled water), lysis  32 , transflux  33  and air  34 . An outlet  35  is provided for drainage. Devices monitor the respective levels of the diluent at  40 , the lysis at  42  and the transflux at  43 . The monitoring of air pressure is carried out by  2  a device  44 . 
     The electro-valves form a communication logic between the different parts of the device. A first sub-set of electro-valves is used for switching liquids; thus the electro-valve EV 1  is used as a general drainage valve, the electro-valve EV 3  is used for priming transflux in the lateral chamber  22 , EV 4  is an electro-valve for the intake and distribution of diluent  30  or water  31 , EV 5  is an electro-valve that is used for selecting the diluent  30  or the water  31 , and EV 11  is an electro-valve that manages all of the transfer from the containers  2 ,  3  and  4  of the dilution assembly D. The electro-valve EV 9  is used for the distribution of lysis  32 , and EV 13  and EV 7  are electro-valves that are used for selecting the containers  2 ,  3  and  4  of the dilution assembly D to be transferred. EV 15  is an electro-valve that distributes diluent through the sampling needle  1  for rinsing the inside of the needle, or distributes diluent on the outside of the sampling needle  1  for the first part of the dilution or for rinsing the outside of the needle. 
     A second sub-set of electro-valves is used for controlling the air circuits. EV 12  is an electro-valve that is used for selecting the intake of the air pump  14 , and EV 16  is an electro-valve that connects the air pump  14  with the atmosphere. EV 10  is an electro-valve that permits the intake of air and the transfer of liquid. This electro-valve is used for the counting phase. 
     An interesting and fundamental feature of the concept of the device of the present invention is the ability of the dilution assembly D to replace the diluent  30  (9 per 1000) with the water  31  by means of the electro-valve EV 5 . In effect, the water  31  allows rinsing for the purpose of putting the device on standby without risk of crystallization due to salts present in the diluent. 
     An apparatus based on the arrangement described hereinabove can be produced in a volume having a 33 cm height, 21 cm width and 24 cm depth, including all peripheral equipment. 
     The functioning of the device will now be described in detail. It is assumed that the priming cycles have been carried out and the reagents are correctly primed. The sampling tube  5  containing blood to be analyzed is inserted in the tube holder  6  and the set of containers  2 ,  3 , and  4  is pushed into the apparatus. Under the action of the motor M 4 , the sampling tube  5  is positioned under the sampling needle  1 . The dilution phase is then carried out. The sampling needle  1  is lowered into the sampling tube  5  due to the action of the motor M 3 . 
     Under the action of the motor M 2 , the desired quantity of blood is drawn up by withdrawing the micro-piston  13 . In this way a quantity of diluent  30  proportional to the displacement of the diluent piston  12  is drawn in while the presence of diluent  30  is constantly monitored by the monitoring device  40 . The sampling needle  1  is withdrawn from the blood by raising it with the motor M 3 . A complementary quantity of diluent  30  is then aspirated by the action of the motor M 2  while the presence of diluent  30  continues to be monitored by the monitoring device  40 . This complementary diluent  30  makes it possible to have the quantity necessary for dilution and rinsing. 
     The set of containers  2 ,  3 , and  4  is displaced by the motor M 4  in order to bring the waste material container  2  of the dilution assembly D under the sampling needle  1 . The sampling needle  1  is lowered into the waste material container  2  by the motor M 3 . 
     The electro-valves EV 4  and EV 15  are operated and the motor M 3  slowly raises the sampling needle  1 . Then, by the action of the motor M 2 , diluent  30  is pushed in order to rinse the external part of the sampling needle  1 . 
     The electro-valves EV 4  and EV 15  are turned off and it is verified that the sampling needle  1  is completely raised. The motor M 4  displaces the set of containers  2 ,  3  and  4  and brings the white corpuscle dilution container  3  under the sampling needle  1 . The sampling needle  1  is lowered by the action of the motor M 3  into the white corpuscle dilution container  3 . The electro-valves EV 4  and EV 15  are operated and the motor M 2  is actuated in order to.bring a small quantity of diluent  30  into the white corpuscle dilution container  3 . 
     The electro-valve EV 15  is turned off and the motor M 2  is actuated in order to bring the quantity of diluent  30  necessary for the correct dilution ratio into the white corpuscle dilution container  3  while ensuring its mixing with all of the blood. The sampling needle  1  is raised and lowered by the motor M 3  in order to ensure drop-removal, and the sampling needle  1  is repositioned above the white corpuscle dilution container  3  for aspiration. A sampling is carried out as before but this time with pre-diluted blood, that is to say the blood that is in the white corpuscle dilution container  3 . The motor M 4  brings the red corpuscle dilution container  4  under the sampling needle  1 . The motor M 3  lowers the sampling needle  1  into the red corpuscle dilution container  4 . The electro-valves EV 4  and EV 15  are operated and the motor M 2  is actuated in order to rinse the external part of the sampling needle  1  with diluent  30 . The electro-valves EV 4  and EV 15  are turned off and the sampling needle  1  is raised by the action of the motor M 3  in order to bring it out of the blood. The sampling needle  1  is lowered and raised by the action of the motor M 3  in order to ensure drop-removal. 
     The electro-valves EV 10 , EV 11  and EV 12  are operated and the motor M 1  is started in order to draw in the liquid from the red corpuscle dilution container  4 , which is then transferred into the measuring chamber  20 . The pressure is monitored continuously by the monitoring device  44 . The electro-valve EV 11  is turned off, the electro-valve EV 1  is operated and the motor M 1  is actuated for draining. 
     The electro-valve EV 1  is turned off and the electro-valve EV 16  is operated in order to restore atmospheric pressure in the red corpuscle dilution container  4 . The electro-valves EV 10 , EV 11  and EV 16  are then turned off. 
     The dilution of the red corpuscles is then carried out in a similar way to that of the white corpuscles. The sampling needle  1  is then raised. 
     The counting of the red corpuscles is then carried out. The electro-valves EV 10 , EV 11  and EV 12  are operated, and the liquid in the red corpuscles dilution container  4  is aspired and transferred into the measuring chamber  20 . The pressure is monitored continuously by the monitoring device  44 . 
     The electro-valves EV 10  and EV 11  are turned off, the electro-valve EV 16  is operated and the motor M 1  is actuated in order to return the piston  15  of the air pump  14 . 
     The electro-valves EV 12  and EV 16  are turned off, the electro-valve EV 3  is operated and the motor M 1  is actuated in order to prime the transflux  33  in the lateral chamber  22 . The presence of the transflux  33  is monitored by the monitoring device  43 . 
     The electro-valve EV 3  is turned off and the electro-valve EV 16  is operated in order to restore atmospheric pressure. 
     The electro-valve EV 16  is turned off and the motor M 1  is actuated in order to decrease pressure in the lateral chamber  22 . The pressure is continuously monitored by the monitoring device  44 . An electronic counting cycle is then carried out, including controlled programming of probe voltage, acquisition of the white corpuscles of the hemoglobin, and counting the platelets over the programmed duration with a simultaneous monitoring of probe voltage and pressure. The motor M 1  is actuated to adjust incorrect pressure levels identified by the monitoring device  44 . The red corpuscles are counted over the programmed duration while simultaneously monitoring the voltage of the probe and the pressure. 
     The electro-valve EV 16  is operated in order to restore atmospheric pressure and the motor M 1  is actuated in order to take a maximum quantity of air  34 . The electro-valve EV 16  is turned off, the electro-valves EV 10 , EV 12  and EV 1  are operated, and the motor M 1  is actuated in order to drive the liquid to the drainage outlet  35 . Simultaneously, the motor M 2  is actuated in order to aspirate the quantity of diluent  30  necessary for rinsing the measuring chamber  20 . The presence of diluent  30  is monitored continuously by the monitoring device  40 . The electro-valve EV 1  is turned off. 
     A rinsing cycle is then carried out. The electro-valve EV 4  is operated and the motor M 2  is actuated in order to put diluent  30  into the red corpuscle dilution container  4 . The electro-valves EV 10  and EV 11  are operated and then the motor M 1  is actuated in order to transfer rinsing liquid into the measuring chamber  20 . The electro-valve EV 11  is turned off, the electro-valve EV 1  is operated and the motor M 1  is actuated in order to drive the rinsing liquid to the drainage outlet  35 . 
     All of the electro-valves and the motors are then turned off and the white corpuscles are counted. The electro-valve EV 9  is operated and the motor M 2  is actuated in order to take the programmed quantity of lysis  32  while continuously monitoring the presence of lysis  32  with the monitoring device  42 . The electro-valve EV 9  is turned off and the electro-valves EV 7 , EV 10 , EV 11  and EV 12  are operated. The motor M 2  is actuated in order to drive the lysis  32 , and the motor M 1  is actuated simultaneously in order to aspirate the liquid which is in the white corpuscle dilution container  3 . The electro-valves EV 7 , EV 10  and EV 11  are turned off, the electro-valve EV 16  is operated and the motor M 1  is actuated in order to return the piston  15  of the air pump  14 . The white corpuscles are counted in a way similar to that of the red corpuscles. 
     An electronic counting cycle is carried out including, controlled programming of probe voltage, counting white corpuscles over the programmed duration with simultaneous monitoring of probe voltage and pressure, and acquisition of the hemoglobin value. The electro-valve EV 16  is operated in order to restore atmospheric pressure and the motor M 1  is actuated in order to take a maximum quantity of air  34 . 
     The electro-valve EV 16  is turned off, the electro valves EV 10 , EV 12  and EV 1  are operated, the motor M 1  is actuated in order to expel the liquid through the drainage outlet  35  and the electro-valve EV 1  is turned off. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the description set forth above without departing from the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the claims that follow.