Microfluidic device for full blood count

Abstract

A microfluidic device (10) for full blood count includes a first measurement channel (11) and a second measurement channel (12) separated from the first measurement channel (11). The microfluidic device (10) furthermore includes a first inlet (13) for providing a whole blood sample to the first and second measurement channel (11, 12), a second inlet (14) for providing a lysis agent for white blood cell count in to the first channel (11), a third inlet (15) for providing a quench solution to the first channel (11), and a fourth inlet (16) for providing a lysis agent for hemoglobin measurement to the second channel (12). A method for forming such a microfluidic device (10) and a method for performing a full blood count test using such a microfluidic device (10) are described.

1 . A method for manufacturing a microfluidic device for full blood count, the method comprising:
 providing a first measurement channel,   providing a second measurement channel the second measurement channel separated from the first measurement channel,   providing a first inlet for providing a whole blood sample to the first and second measurement channel,   providing a second inlet at the first measurement channel for providing a lysis agent for white blood cell count in to the first channel,   providing a third inlet at the first measurement channel for providing a quench solution to the first channel, and   providing a fourth inlet at the second measurement channel for providing a lysis agent for hemoglobin measurement to the second channel.   
     
     
         2 . A method for performing full blood count, the method comprising:
 providing a blood sample to a first and a second measurement channel of a microfluidic device, the first and second measurement channel being separated from each other,   providing a lysis agent suitable for white blood cells to the blood sample in the first channel,   providing a quench solution to the blood sample in the first channel,   providing a lysis agent for hemoglobin to the blood sample in the second channel,   at the end of the first channel performing measurements for determining white blood cell counts, and   at the end of the second channel performing measurements for determining properties of red blood cells.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein performing measurements for determining white blood cell counts is performed by impedance measurements. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein performing measurements for determining properties of red blood cells is performed by optical measurements. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein providing a lysis agent suitable for white blood cells to the blood sample in the first channel is performed by providing a mixture of formic acid and saponin. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein providing a quench solution to the blood sample in the first channel is performed by providing a solution of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein providing a lysis agent for hemoglobin to the blood sample in the second channel is performed by providing a solution of SLS in phosphate buffered saline.