Design and Clinical Results of Hematrak: An Automated Differential Counter

A differential white blood cell classifier is described. The system, which is based upon a three-color flying spot-scanner approach, utilizes recognition parameters based on the principle of geometrical probability functions which are generated at high speed in a dedicated computer. The result is a pattern recognition system capable of performing a routine clinical differential cell count at the rate of 100 cells/40s on a traditionally prepared specimen. The Hematrak system was evaluated in a routine clinical laboratory which reported that reproducibility, normal cell recognition accuracy, and the detection of abnormality were at least comparable to the manual technique.