| abstract |
An apparatus for analyzing a sample of biologic fluid quiescently residing within a chamber (20) is provided. The apparatus includes a field illuminator (40), a positioner (86), a mechanism for determining the volume of a sample field, and an image dissector (42). The field illuminator (40) is operable to illuminate a sample field of known, or ascertainable, area. The positioner (86) is operable to selectively change the position of one of the chamber (20) or the field illuminator (40) relative to the other, thereby permitting selective illumination of all regions of the sample. The mechanism for determining the volume of a sample field can determine the volume of a sample field illuminated by a light source. The image dissector (42) is operable to convert an image of light passing through or emanating from the sample field into an electronic data format. |