DI-60

The Sysmex DI-60 is an automated, cell-locating image analysis system. It is connected directly to the analyser track and therefore eliminates the need for manual intervention in the haematology workflow in the imaging cycle.

The device itself consists of an automated microscope, an extremely high quality digital camera and a computer system that collects and pre-classifies cells from stained blood smears. It automatically locates cells on the slide and takes an image of each cell found, after which it analyses and pre-classifies them using advanced image processing. The number of white blood cells that are analysed is user-definable.

To perform a differential count with morphology assessment, a thin film of blood is wedged on a glass slide from a peripheral blood sample and stained according to the RAL MCDh, May-Grünwald Giemsa or Wright protocol. With XN, this is done fully automatically by the SP-10 slide maker and stainer module. The DI-60 analyser acquires and pre-classifies the cells, after which the operator verifies and modifies the suggested classification of each cell if necessary. The operator may also introduce additional observations and comments when needed.

The DI-60 can pre-classify 12 WBC categories. These include segmented and band neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, atypical lymphocytes, plasma cells, promyelocytes, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, and blast cells. In addition to white blood cells, the system also pre-classifies the following five non-WBC categories: smudge, artefacts, giant platelets, platelet clumps and nucleated red cells. These are reported as the number of NRBC/100 WBC. Cells that are pre-classified with a low confidence level are placed in a category called “Unidentified.”

The device also presents an overview that can be used to characterise red blood cell morphology. Thirty-five images are collected in the optimal RBC examination area for pre-characterising the following characteristics: polychromasia, hypochromasia, anisocytosis, macrocytosis, microcytosis, and poikilocytosis. The system also provides tools that let the user improve the efficiency and consistency of estimating the PLT concentration. All images and results are stored in a database.