Back to results
US 2019/0195770 A1Published application
Method and devices for analyzing sperm samples
AssigneeMinitub GmbH
InventorsGeorg WIPPENBECK, Christian SIMMET
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for analyzing samples comprising spermatozoa, said method comprising the use of a flow-through counting compartment, wherein the time period between the end of loading and closing is carried out in a controlled and specified time period. The present invention further relates to a counting compartment or chamber suitable for said method and to a counting device comprising said counting compartment.
Claims15
A method for analyzing samples comprising spermatozoa, said method comprising the steps of
- (1) providing a sample comprising spermatozoa to be analyzed;
- (2) providing a flow-through counting compartment, said counting compartment comprising
- (a) a movable lid or top part comprising a top measurement window;
- (b) a bottom part comprising a bottom measurement window, said bottom part being optionally movable;
- (c) at least two different depths provided by the bottom and top measurement window in the range of about 5 to about 100 μm,
- wherein the at least two different depths provided by the bottom and top measurement window are achieved by
- (i) the bottom and/or top measurement window comprise step(s);
- or
- (ii) one of the bottom or top measurement window is placed with inclination;
- or
- (iii) one of the bottom or top measurement window is placed parallel to the other measurement window and is provided with an inclined plane on the side facing the sample liquid;
- or
- (iv) moving the lid or top part and/or the bottom part of the counting compartment,
- (d) optionally, means for moving the lid or top part;
- (e) an inlet and outlet;
- (f) a heating unit, and
- (g) a positioning unit,
- (3) loading the counting compartment with the sample, wherein the lid or top part is in open position;
- (4) closing the counting compartment by closing the lid or top part;
- wherein the time period between the end of the loading step (3) and the closing step (4) is less than 1 s,
- (5) determining a sample value to be measured at the first depth of the at least two different depths,
- optionally, determining further sample characteristics at said first depth of the at least two different depths;
- (6) optionally, determining further sample characteristics at the second depth of the at least two different depths,
- (7) opening the counting compartment by opening or lifting the lid or top part;
- (8) rinsing the counting compartment and thereby removing the sample,
- wherein the sample value to be measured in step (5) is the number of spermatozoa or concentration of spell spermatozoa.
23 more elements
A counting compartment for analyzing samples comprising spermatozoa, said counting compartment comprising
- (a) a lid or top part comprising a top measurement window, said lid or top part being optionally movable;
- (b) a bottom part comprising a bottom measurement window, said bottom part being optionally movable;
- (c1) at least two different depths provided by the bottom and top measurement window in the range of about 5 to about 100 μm,
- wherein the at least two different depths provided by the bottom and top measurement window are achieved by
- (i) the bottom and/or top measurement window comprise step(s);
- or
- (ii) one of the bottom or top measurement window is placed with inclination;
- or
- (iii) one of the bottom or top measurement window is placed parallel to the other measurement window and is provided with an inclined plane on the side facing the sample liquid;
- or
- (iv) moving the lid or top part and/or the bottom part of the counting compartment,
- (c2) at least one further depth which is different from the at least two depths of (c1), said at least one further depth being bigger, and being located in the counting compartment or in the area of the measuring window;
- (d) optionally, means for moving the lid or top part;
- (e) an inlet and outlet;
- (f) a heating unit, and
- (g) a positioning unit.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.