Patent ID: 6959618

Claim:
Apparatus for characterizing cells in a biological liquid sample, comprising a sensor unit and a docking station for removably receiving the sensor unit, the sensor unit adapted for collection and storage of the liquid sample before and after measurement, and comprising: a housing with a first chamber for holding the biological liquid sample before measurement, a collection chamber for collection of the liquid sample after measurement and having an inlet/outlet for connection to a source of positive or negative gas pressure, a wall separating the first chamber and the collection chamber and containing an orifice for the passage of the cells from the first chamber to the collection chamber, and a first electrode in the first chamber and a second electrode in the collection chamber, each electrode being electrically connected to a respective terminal member accessible from the exterior of the sensor unit, the docking station comprising a port for connection with the source of positive or negative gas pressure and forming a gas connection with the inlet/outlet when the sensor unit is received in the docking station, and electrical connector members for connecting to the respective terminal members when the sensor unit is received in the docking station.