FLOWCELL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PARTICLE ANALYSIS IN BLOOD SAMPLES

본 발명은 입자들을 함유하는 샘플을 분석하기 위한 장치, 시스템, 조성물, 및 방법에 관한 것이다. 일부 태양에서, 본 시스템은 시각적 분석기일 수 있는 분석기를 포함한다. 일 태양에서, 본 발명은 입자 이미징 시스템에 관한 것으로, 본 시스템은 입자들을 함유하는 샘플을 유동시키는 플로우셀, 및 샘플의 이미지 분석을 위한 이미지를 캡처링하는 광학 고분해능 이미징 디바이스를 포함한다. 본 발명의 다른 조성물, 방법 및 특징이 본 명세서에 개시되어 있다. A method for imaging a plurality of particles using a particle analysis system configured for combined viscosity and geometric hydrofocusing is provided. The particles are included in a biological fluid sample having a sample fluid viscosity. The method comprises flowing a sheath fluid along a flowpath of a flowcell. The sheath fluid has a sheath fluid viscosity that differs from the sample fluid viscosity by a viscosity difference in a predetermined viscosity difference range. The method also comprises injecting the biological fluid sample into the flowing sheath fluid within the flowcell so as to provide a sample fluid stream enveloped by the sheath fluid. The method further comprises flowing the sample fluid stream and the sheath fluid through a reduction in flowpath size toward an imaging site, such that a viscosity hydrofocusing effect induced by an interaction between the sheath fluid and the sample fluid stream associated with the viscosity difference, in combination with a geometric hydrofocusing effect induced by an interaction between the sheath fluid and the sample fluid stream associated with the reduction in flowpath size, is effective to provide a target imaging state in at least some of the plurality of particles at the imaging site while a viscosity agent in the sheath fluid retains viability of cells in the sample fluid stream leaving structure and content of the cells intact when the cells extend from the sample fluid stream into the flowing sheath fluid. The plurality of particles are imaged at the imaging site.