Lab Equipment

Hematology analyzer / Cell Counter:

Uses[edit]
Hematology analyzers are used to conduct a complete blood count (CBC), which is usually the first
test requested by physicians to determine a patient's general health status. [5] A complete blood count
includes red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin, and platelet counts, as well as
hematocrit levels. Other analyses include: [citation needed]

 RBC distribution width

 Mean corpuscular volume
 Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
 Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations
 WBC differential count in percentage and absolute value
 Platelet distribution width
 Platelet mean volume
 Large platelet cell ratio
 Platelet criteria[6]

Techniques[edit]

 Flow Cytometry
 Spectrophotometry
 Electrical Impedance (Coulter's Principle)
 Digital Microscopy with AI

3-Part Differential Cell Counter[edit source]

Schematic diagram of 3-part analyzer.

A 3-part differential cell counter uses Coulter's Principle to find the size and volume of the
cell. The sample is lysed and dissolved into an electrolyte solution in a container, which also
holds a smaller container. The smaller container has 2 pumps running to and from its
solution, one creating a vacuum and the other replacing the lost solution. The smaller
container has a small hole (an orifice) near the bottom of the container. Coulter's principle is
applied through the use of two electrodes. One electrode (the internal electrode) is within the
 smaller container, and the other (the external electrode) is outside of the smaller container
but within the electrolyte/sample solution. As the vacuum draws the sample cells through the
orifice, the cell momentarily causes electrical resistance to the current as it passes through
the orifice. This resistance is recorded, measured, amplified, and processed which can then
be interpreted by the computer into a histogram. The 3-part analyzer is able to differentiate
between 3 types of WBC's, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes.[7]

5-Part Differential Cell Counter[edit source]

This type of hematology analyzer utilizes both Coulter's Principle and flow cytometry to
determine the granularity, diameter, and inner complexity of the cells. Using hydrodynamic
focusing, the cells are sent through an aperture one cell at a time. During this, a laser is
directed at them, and the scattered light is measured at multiple angles. The absorbance is
also recorded. The cell can be identified based on the intensity of the scattered light and the
level of absorbance.[8] A 5-part cell counter can differentiate all WBC types (neutrophils,
lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes). 5-part analyzers are more expensive
than 3-part analyzers, but provide more in-depth information about the sample. Specific jobs,
such as allergy testing, require 5-part differential analysis. However, most medical tasks can
be completed with the 3-part analyzer.[citation needed]

Components: The Hematology Analyzer is broken down into five key components: 1. Power
Source 2. Control Unit 3. Collecting System 4. Data Storage 5. Processing system
References: [9]

3 Part
Test: neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes
Methode: Electrical Impedance
5 to 15 number of reagents use
End user maintenance is easy and automatic
process
No training is needed
5 Part
Test: neutrophils, lymphocytes,
basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes
Methode: Electrical Impedance, fluorescent
flow cytometry, volume conductivity scatter,
peroxidase staining.
2 to 3 number of reagents use
Inventory maintenance is critical
Training is needed