Disposable apparatus for use in blood testing

A system for testing a blood sample comprising:

• (a) a disposable apparatus comprising:
• a housing formed therein a first closed receptacle and a first container for preparing a first diluted sample, each connected to one of a first pair of channels, said first container containing a defined volume of first liquid agent;
• and a second closed receptacle and a second container for preparing a second diluted sample, each connected to one of a second pair of channels, said second container containing a defined volume of a second liquid agent;
• a valve disposed in said housing, positionable in distinct positions, at one position said valve connecting said first receptacle and said first container through said first pair of channels, and connecting said second receptacle and said second container through second pair of channels, simultaneously through said valve;
• and
• an opening on said housing connected to said valve through a channel, for introducing a blood sample into said valve;
• wherein at said one position of said valve, a mixture of said first liquid agent and a first part of said blood sample introduced by said valve is caused to move back and forth between said first receptacle and said first container through said valve, thereby forming said first diluted sample, and a mixture of said second liquid agent and a second part of said blood sample introduced by said valve is caused to move back and forth between said second receptacle and said second container through said valve, thereby forming said second diluted sample;
• and
• (b) an instrument comprising:
• operating arms adapted to position said valve of said disposable apparatus at one of said distinct positions for receiving a blood sample and at another of said positions for diluting said blood sample;
• measurement stations for particle counting;
• and
• conduits adapted to fluidly connect said first and second receptacles of said disposable apparatus, respectively, to said measurement stations.

A method of simultaneously preparing two diluted samples for testing on a blood testing instrument, comprising:

• (a) receiving a blood sample through an opening into a valve of a disposable apparatus, said disposable apparatus comprising:
• a housing including a first closed receptacle and a first closed container for preparing a first diluted sample, each connected to one of a first pair of channels, said first container containing a defined volume of first liquid agent;
• and a second closed receptacle and a second closed container for preparing a second diluted sample, each connected to one of a second pair of channels, said second container containing a defined volume of second liquid agent;
• said opening on said housing connected to said valve through a channel;
• and said valve disposed in said housing, positionable in distinct positions;
• (b) positioning said valve to one position to connect said first receptacle and said first container through said first pair of channels, and to connect said second receptacle and said second container through second pair of channels, simultaneously through said valve;
• (c) causing a mixture of said first liquid agent and a first part of a blood sample in said valve to move back and forth between said first receptacle and said first container through said valve, thereby forming said first diluted sample;
• and causing a mixture of said second liquid agent and a second part of said blood sample in said valve to move back and forth between said second receptacle and said second container through said valve, thereby forming said second diluted sample.