Counting compartment and method for sample analysis
AssigneeMinitub GmbH
InventorsGeorg Wippenbeck, Christian Simmet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a counting chamber for a microscope, adjustable in height. The method measures a cell count at two different chamber heights and deduces the concentration of particles without an exact calibration of the absolute height, as the height difference gives a measurement of the “missing” volume and therefore an estimate of the particle concentration.
Claims19
A flow-through counting compartment for analyzing samples comprising cells or particles,
- said counting compartment comprising:
- (1) a lid or top part comprising a top measurement window;
- (2) a bottom part comprising a bottom measurement window;
- and
- (3) at least two different depths provided by the bottom and top measurement windows,
- wherein the bottom and/or top measurement window comprises one or more steps.
A counting device for analyzing samples comprising cells or particles comprising:
- a counting compartment,
- a control unit,
- filling means,
- removing means,
- a light microscope and/or a fluorescence microscope,
- and,
- one or more sensors,
- wherein said counting compartment comprises:
- (1) a lid or top part comprising a top measurement window;
- (2) a bottom part comprising a bottom measurement window;
- and
- (3) at least two different depths provided by the bottom and top measurement windows,
- wherein the bottom and/or top measurement window comprises one or more steps.
A method for analyzing samples comprising cells or particles, comprising the step of controlling the depth of a counting compartment or sensor measurement, comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing a sample comprising cells and/or particles to be analyzed;
- (2) providing a counting compartment comprising a marking in the lid and a marking in the bottom or in its measurement windows (which allows z axis-calibration), and/or
- providing a counting compartment or device comprising a sensor (such as a white-light interferometer sensor, current sensor, capacitive sensor or laser sensor),
- (3) loading the counting compartment with the sample,
- (4) measuring the distance between the marking in the lid and the marking in the bottom or in its measurement windows (i.e. z axis-calibration) or by measuring the depth with the sensor;
- and then determining the depth of the loaded counting department;
- optionally comprising the use of a correction value or factor;
- (5) determining the sample value(s) to be measured,
- (6) opening the counting compartment by opening or lifting the lid or top part;
- (7) rinsing the counting compartment and thereby removing the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.