Sample carrier for optical measurements

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are described for determining a property of a biological sample. A sample carrier includes a glass substrate configured to define a first surface of a sample chamber that is configured to receive the sample, and a plastic substrate configured to define a second surface of the sample chamber. The height of the sample chamber at each location within the sample chamber is defined by a gap between the first surface and the second surface. An adhesive adheres the glass substrate to the plastic substrate. The plastic substrate is shaped such that the sample chamber defines a first region and a second region, with the sample chamber defining a predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region. Other applications are also described.

1 . Apparatus for determining a property of a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:
 a sample carrier that comprises:
 a glass substrate configured to define a first surface of a sample chamber that is configured to receive the sample; 
 a plastic substrate configured to define a second surface of the sample chamber, a height of the sample chamber at each location within the sample chamber being defined by a gap between the first surface and the second surface; and 
 an adhesive that adheres the glass substrate to the plastic substrate, 
 the plastic substrate being shaped such that the sample chamber defines a first region and a second region, with the sample chamber defining a predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic substrate is shaped such that the height of the chamber varies between the first and second regions in a predefined stepped manner. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic substrate is shaped such that the height of the chamber varies between the first and second regions in a predefined gradual manner. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic substrate is shaped such that the sample chamber defines at least first, second, and third regions, the height of the sample chamber varying between each of the first, second, and third regions in a predefined manner. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a computer processor configured to:
 receive data relating to a first optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the first region,   receive data relating to a second optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the second region, and   determine the property of the sample by using a relationship between the first optical measurement, the second optical measurement, and the predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a microscope, wherein the computer processor is configured to receive the data relating to at least one of the first and second optical measurements by receiving imaging data from the microscope. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the computer processor is configured to receive the data relating to at least one of the first and second optical measurements by receiving data relating to a parameter selected from the group consisting of: optical absorption, transmittance, fluorescence, and luminescence. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the computer processor is configured to determine the property of the sample by determining a property selected from the group consisting of: a density of a component of the sample, a concentration of a component of the sample, and a count of a component of the sample. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the computer processor is configured to determine an absolute height of the sample chamber within at least one of the first and second regions, using the relationship between the first optical measurement, the second optical measurement, and the predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the computer processor is configured to determine the property of the sample, by:
 subtracting a parameter derived from the first optical measurement from a parameter derived from the second optical measurement; and   determining the property of the sample, based upon a relationship between a result of the subtracting and the predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the computer processor is configured to determine the property of the sample, by:
 dividing a parameter derived from the second optical measurement by a parameter derived from the first optical measurement; and   determining the property of the sample, based upon a relationship between a result of the dividing and the predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the biological sample includes a blood sample, and wherein the computer processor is configured to determine the property of the biological sample by determining a property of the blood sample. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the computer processor is configured to determine the property of the sample by determining a property selected from the group consisting of: a concentration of a given component within the blood sample, a count of a given component within the blood sample, and a density of a given component within the blood sample. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the plastic substrate is shaped such that the sample chamber defines at least first, second, and third regions, the height of the sample chamber varying between each of the first, second, and third regions in a predefined manner. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the computer processor is configured to:
 receive data relating to a third optical measurement that is performed upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the third region; and   to determine the property of the sample, by performing statistical analysis with respect to the first, second, and third optical measurements, and the predefined variation in height between the first, second, and third regions.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the computer processor is configured to:
 determine a signal level of the biological sample, and   based upon the determined signal level, select two out of the first, second, and third regions upon which to perform, respectively, the first and second optical measurements.   
     
     
         18 . A method for determining a property of a biological sample, the method comprising:
 placing the sample into the a sample chamber of a sample carrier, that includes:
 a glass substrate configured to define a first surface of a sample chamber that is configured to receive the sample, 
 a plastic substrate configured to define a second surface of the sample chamber, a height of the sample chamber at each location within the sample chamber being defined by a gap between the first surface and a second surface, and 
 an adhesive that adheres the glass substrate to the plastic substrate, 
 the plastic substrate being shaped such that the sample chamber defines a first region and a second region, with the sample chamber defining a predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region; 
   performing a first optical measurement upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the first region;   performing a second optical measurement upon a portion of the sample that is disposed within the second region; and   determining the property of the sample by using a relationship between the first optical measurement, the second optical measurement, and the predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region.   
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 manufacturing a sample carrier that defines a sample chamber for housing a biological sample, by placing an adhesive between a glass substrate and a plastic substrate; and   coupling the glass substrate to the plastic substrate by applying pressure to the adhesive, such that the glass substrate defines a first surface of the sample chamber and the plastic substrate defines a second surface of the sample chamber, a height of the sample chamber at each location within the sample chamber being defined by a gap between the first surface and a second surface,   the plastic substrate being shaped such that the sample chamber defines a first region and a second region, with the sample chamber defining a predefined variation in height between the first region and the second region.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the adhesive includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive and, wherein coupling the glass substrate to the plastic substrate by applying pressure to the adhesive comprises applying pressure to the pressure-sensitive adhesive.