Methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of cells and related optical bio-disc systems

A clinical diagnostic assay is performed on an optical bio disc and is read with a disc drive. Methods and apparatus for detecting and quantifying specific blood cell analytes in biological samples using optical bio disc is disclosed. The method for determining the quantity of a specific type of blood cell in a biological sample includes binding an antibody to a capture zone on the disc, providing a sample to the capture zone, remove portions of the sample that are not bound in the capture zone, and counting bound cells. Also described is method and apparatus for performing a cluster designation count with an optical disc and disc drive and method for making an optical assay disc for performing such cluster designation count.