Apparatus and method for transferring and analyzing suspended particles in a liquid sample

An analysis apparatus, comprising:

• a first planar member (FPM) having an FPM first portion and an FPM second portion;
• a second planar member (SPM) having a SPM first portion and a SPM second portion;
• wherein the FPM second portion and the SPM second portion are spaced apart from one another to define an analysis chamber disposed between the FPM second portion and the SPM second portion, wherein the analysis chamber has a first height extending between the FPM second portion and the SPM second portion;
• and
• wherein the FPM first portion and the SPM first portion are spaced apart from one another to define an ante-chamber disposed between the FPM first portion and the SPM first portion, wherein the ante-chamber has a second height extending between the FPM first portion and the SPM first portion, wherein the second height is greater than the first height;
• wherein the ante-chamber extends lengthwise between an externally exposed open end and a second end opposite the open end, wherein the open end is configured to directly receive liquid whole blood from an external source, and the second end is contiguous with and in fluid connection with the analysis chamber;
• a plurality of first separators disposed within the ante-chamber;
• and
• a plurality of second separators disposed within the analysis chamber;
• wherein the open end of the ante-chamber is configured to cause a sample of the liquid whole blood engaged across the second height of the open end of the ante-chamber to be drawn into the ante-chamber by capillary action, and the analysis chamber is configured to draw the sample of liquid whole blood from the ante-chamber by capillary action once the sample of liquid whole blood in the ante-chamber engages with the analysis chamber.