As we said earlier, the red cell count is used in thediagnosis of many diseases. For example, a red cellcount that drops below normal values may indicateanemia and leukemia. On the other hand, a red cellcount that rises above the normal values may indicatedehydration.The Unopette® Method is used to manually countred blood cells. Material requirements and thestep-by-step procedures for performing this procedureare provided in the following sections.Materials Required for Unopette ProcedureThe Unopette procedure consists of a disposablediluting pipette system that provides a convenient,precise, and accurate method for obtaining a red bloodcell count. To perform a red blood cell count using theUnopette method, you will need to obtain thefollowing materials:A disposable Unopette (see fig. 7-8) for RBCcounts. The Unopette consists of—a shielded capillary pipette (10 microliter (Fl)capacity), and—a plastic reservoir containing a premeasuredvolume of diluent (1:200 dilution).Hemacytometer and coverglassMicroscope with light sourceHand-held counterLaboratory chitUnopette ProcedureThe Unopette procedure for counting red bloodcells is as follows:1. Puncture the diaphragm in the neck of thediluent reservoir with the tip of the capillaryshield on the capillary pipette. See figure 7-9.2. After obtaining free-flowing blood from alancet puncture of the finger, remove theprotective plastic shield from the capillarypipette. Holding the capillary pipette slightlyabove the horizontal, touch the tip to the bloodsource (see fig. 7-10, view A). The pipette will7-113mm1mmHM3f0707Figure 7-7.—Improved Neubauer Ruling.CAPILLARYPIPETTE SHIELDCAPILLARY PIPETTEPLASTIC RESERVOIRWITH DILUENTHM3f0708Figure 7-8.—Unopette® for RBC count.
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