Abaxis, Inc.

Vladimir E Ostoich

Kenneth P Aron

Dennis M Bleile

Tammy L Burd

Carol T Schembri

Robert E Nagle

Steven N Buhl

Thuy N Tang

Chi-Sou Yu

Bhaskar Bhayani

Boris Braynin

Daniel M Bernstein

Paul J Lingane

Branko Huc

Christian Skieller

Terri Bogart

Methods and systems are provided for detecting the accidental use of short and long samples in the clinical analysis of a sample, specimen, or assay. The systems can include a clinical analyzer for determining one or more values for one or more measurable characteristics of a sample. These values are used in combination with reference data stored in a data module to generate a probability that the sample tested is a short sample, a long sample, or an acceptable sample. This probability and/or the status of the sample as a short sample, a long sample, or an acceptable sample are output to a user.

Systems for the detection of short and long samples

Systems and methods for the detection of short and long samples

The present invention provides lyophilized reagent spheres comprising reagents suitable for analysis of biological samples, in particular analysis of blood samples in centrifugal analyzers. Also provided are diluents which are conveniently used in such analyzers.

Reagent compositions for analytical testing

The present invention provides a compact, highly automated photometric analyzer for measuring the concentration of substances found in a fluid, typically a blood sample or other body fluid sample taken from a patient. The operator places a small quantity of the sample into a special rotor and then loads the rotor into the analyzer. The analyzer accepts the rotor, centrifuges and dilutes the sample, and distributes the sample into a plurality of cuvettes near the outer edge of the rotor. Some of these cuvettes hold reagents which react with the sample. The analyzer then measures light absorption within the sample at a number of preselected frequencies. According to the present invention, a pair of specially designed apertures direct light from the sample through a plurality of beam splitters, interference filters, and associated photodetectors. The system also includes means for performing automatic calibration and error checking functions. These means include a through hole through the rotor, and an opaque body carried by the rotor. Additionally, measurements may be repeated through a given cuvette and the results averaged to minimize the effect of random variations between measurements.

Methods for photometric analysis

A centrifugal rotor comprising a plurality of peripheral cuvettes and a collection chamber spaced radially inward from the cuvettes is disclosed. The rotor includes a means for introducing fluid into the collection chamber and plurality of generally radial inlet channels connecting each cuvette to the chamber. Each inlet channel has a discrete flow path for fluid to enter the cuvette and another discrete flow path for gas to exit the cuvette as the cuvette is filled. Positioned radially inward from each cuvette is a reflective surface capable of deflecting a light beam from a generally vertical direction to a generally horizontal direction or vice versa. As the rotor is spun, fluid enters the cuvettes from collection chamber through the inlet channels, which also allow gas in the cuvettes to escape, thus avoiding the creation of bubbles in the cuvette after the cuvettes are filled. The contents are then optically analyzed by passing a light beam horizontally through the cuvette.

Apparatus and method for optically analyzing biological fluids

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Vladimir E Ostoich