Method and apparatus for detecting and counting platelets individually and in aggregate clumps

A method for enumerating platelets within a blood sample having a plurality of platelets, comprising the steps of:

• providing an analysis device that includes an imaging unit and a programmable analyzer;
• depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by a first panel and a second panel;
• admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the platelets to fluoresce upon exposure to one or more predetermined first wavelengths of light;
• imaging the at least a portion of the sample using the imaging unit, including producing image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the platelets;
• identifying the platelets by their fluorescent emissions, using the programmable analyzer based on the image signals;
• determining an average fluorescent emission intensity value for the individual platelets identified within the sample, using the programmable analyzer;
• identifying clumps of platelets within the sample, using the programmable analyzer based on one or more of their fluorescent emissions, area, shape, and granularity;
• and
• enumerating platelets within each platelet clump using the programmable analyzer based on the average fluorescent emission intensity value determined for the individual platelets within the sample.

An apparatus for enumerating platelets within a blood sample, which sample includes a colorant operative to cause the platelets to fluoresce upon exposure to one or more predetermined first wavelengths of light, the apparatus comprising:

• an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by a first panel and a second panel;
• illuminating at least a portion of the sample containing the platelets at the first wavelengths;
• an imaging unit that is operable to image at least a portion of the sample and produce image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the platelets;
• and
• a programmable analyzer adapted to identify the platelets by their fluorescent emissions, using the image signals, and to determine an average fluorescent emission intensity value for the individual platelets identified within the sample, and to identify clumps of platelets within the sample using one or more of their fluorescent emissions, area, shape, and granularity, and to enumerate platelets within each platelet clump using the average fluorescent emission intensity value determined for the individual platelets within the sample.

A method for enumerating giant platelets within a blood sample containing a plurality of platelets, comprising the steps of:

• depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis;
• admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the platelets to fluoresce upon exposure to one or more predetermined first wavelengths of light;
• illuminating at least a portion of the sample containing the platelets at the first wavelengths;
• imaging the at least a portion of the sample, including producing image signals indicative of fluorescent emissions from the platelets;
• identifying the platelets by their fluorescent emissions, using the image signals;
• and
• enumerating the giant platelets within the sample.