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AssigneeBeckman Coulter, Inc.
InventorsYangang Liu, Tung Rung Wang, Ian Nguyen, Shirley Pfeifer, Jack McNeal
Estimating the term…
A device and method for performing a preliminary test on a neat serum sample contained in a primary collection tube is provided herein. The method includes the steps of positioning of an optical probe near the primary collection tube and monitoring the neat serum sample in the primary collection tube to determine whether an interferant, such as hemolysis, icteris and lipemia are present in the serum sample. From this test, a hemolytic index, an icteric index and a lipemic index can also be established for the neat serum sample. Based upon these serum indices, the neat serum sample can be transferred to a clinical analyzer for additional testing or to waste receptacle because the sample is compromised. Additionally, a volume test can be performed on the serum sample in the primary collection tube so that the serum sample can be properly allocated during subsequent testing.
A method for preliminarily testing a neat serum sample contained in a primary collection tube, the method comprising the steps of:
A device for performing a preliminary screening test on a neat serum sample in a primary collection container, the device comprising an optical probe, the optical probe including (i) a probe body which is adapted to be moved relative to the sample container and to be positioned above or below the sample surface, (ii) a collector which is secured to the probe body and is adapted to receive information from the sample without removing the sample from the primary collection container, and (iii) a detector electrically connected to the collector, the detector receiving information from the collector and performing a preliminary test on the sample contained in the container to determine the suitability of the sample for additional testing wherein the optical probe includes an input for directing an illumination beam through the sample towards a container label on the sample container and wherein the collector receives a light beam reflected off the label.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.