Method and apparatus for measuring white blood cell count
AssigneePortascience Incorporated
InventorsWai Tak Law, Yuri Nikolyukin, Inna Nikolyukin
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Abstract
A method for quantitatively measuring white blood cell count involves capture of white blood cells from a fluid sample by a retainer, removal of the red blood cells and other interfering substances by a wash solution, and reading the result of a color reaction in which an ester which is present on the white blood cells cleaves a chromogenic substrate which produces a water insoluble dye. The apparatus for use in the present method includes a retainer for white blood cells that optionally has a dye substrate immobilized therein and an absorption layer that wicks and takes up all excess washing solution flowing past the sample.
Claims15
A method for counting white blood cells in a sample comprising:
- a. capturing white blood cells from the sample on a retainer;
- b. removing interfering substances form the white blood cells captured on the retainer by washing the retainer with a washing solution;
- c. contacting the sample with a chromogenic substrate cleaved by an enzyme present on the white blood cells which produces a water insoluble dye, wherein said substrate is either immobilized on the membrane or comprises part of the washing solution;
- and
- d. reading the color change resulting from the enzyme present in the white blood cells.
A method for detecting mastitis comprising counting white blood cells in a sample of milk comprising:
- a. capturing white blood cells from the sample on a retainer;
- b. removing interfering substances form the white blood cells captured on the retainer by washing the retainer with a washing solution;
- c. contacting the sample with a chromogenic substrate cleaved by an enzyme present on the white blood cells which produces a water insoluble dye, wherein said substrate is either immobilized on the membrane or comprises part of the washing solution;
- and
- d. reading the color change resulting from the enzyme present in the white blood cells.
A device for counting white blood cells comprising:
- a. a white blood cell capture retainer on which is optionally immobilized a dye substrate and
- b. an absorption layer that wicks and takes up excess washing solution flowing past a sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.