Sample carrier for optical measurements

A method for determining a property of a biological sample, the method comprising:

• placing the sample into one or more sample chambers of a sample carrier, the one or more sample chambers defining at least first, second, and third regions thereof, a height of the one or more sample chambers varying between the first, second, and third regions in a predefined manner, the sample carrier including:
• a first substrate that defines a first surface,
• a second substrate that defines one or more surfaces that oppose the first surface, the second substrate being shaped to define the one or more surfaces that oppose the first surface, such that one or more surfaces that oppose the first surface define the manner in which the height of the one or more sample chambers varies between the first, second, and third regions, and
• an adhesive layer that adheres the first substrate to the second substrate;
• determining a concentration of one or more components within the biological sample;
• based upon the determined concentration of the one or more components within the biological sample, selecting two out of the first, second, and third regions upon which to perform, respectively, first and second optical measurements, such that in response to the one or more components having a relatively lower concentration, regions having a relatively larger height difference are selected, and in response to the one or more components having a relatively higher concentration, regions having a relatively smaller height difference are selected;
• performing the first optical measurement upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the first selected region;
• performing the second optical measurement upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the second selected region;
• and
• determining the property of the sample by using a relationship between the first optical measurement, the second optical measurement, and the predefined variation in height between the first selected region and the second selected region.

A computer software product, for use with a biological sample that is placed within a sample carrier that comprises one or more sample chambers configured to house the sample, the one or more sample chambers defining at least first, second, and third regions thereof, a height of the one or more sample chambers varying between the first, second, and third regions, in a predefined manner, the sample carrier including a first substrate that defines a first surface, and a second substrate that defines one or more surfaces that oppose the first surface, the second substrate being shaped to define the one or more surfaces that oppose the first surface, such that one or more surfaces that oppose the first surface define the manner in which the height of the one or more sample chambers varies between the first, second, and third regions, and an adhesive layer that adheres the first substrate to the second substrate;

• the computer software product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium in which program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer cause the computer to perform the steps of:
• determining a concentration of one or more components within the biological sample;
• based upon the determined concentration of the one or more components within the biological sample, selecting two out of the first, second, and third regions upon which to perform, respectively, first and second optical measurements, such that in response to the one or more components having a relatively lower concentration, regions having a relatively larger height difference are selected, and in response to the one or more components having a relatively higher concentration, regions having a relatively smaller height difference are selected;
• receiving data relating to the first optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the first selected region;
• receiving data relating to the second optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the second selected region;
• and
• determining the property of the sample by using a relationship between the first optical measurement, the second optical measurement, and the predefined variation in height between the first selected region and the second selected region.