A lightguide assembly for an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample

Abstract

A lightguide assembly (7) for an apparatus (1) for hemolyzing a blood sample is disclosed. The lightguide assembly (7) comprises a neon light bulb (10), a light emitting diode / LED (8) including a reflector element (11), and a lightguide (9). The LED (8) is mounted in the lightguide (9), so that the lightguide (9) spatially fixes the LED (8), and the lightguide (9) is configured to transmit light emitted from the neon light bulb (10) past the reflector element (11) of the LED (8), when mounted in the apparatus (1). An apparatus (1) for hemolyzing a blood sample with such a lightguide assembly (7) and a method for assembling such an apparatus (1) are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] A LIGHTGUIDE ASSEMBLY FOR AN APPARATUS FOR HEMOLYZING A BLOOD SAMPLE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a lightguide assembly for an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample. The lightguide assembly is applied for optically analysing a blood sample accommodated in the apparatus prior to and / or after hemolyzing of the blood sample, e.g. by optically measuring at least one parameter of the blood sample.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Apparatuses for hemolyzing a blood sample and for measuring at least one parameter thereof, sometimes referred to as 'hemolyzers', are known in the art. In such apparatuses, ultra-sonic means for generating ultra-sonic waves may be arranged at or near a sample chamber, e.g. a cuvette, so as to cause hemolyzing of a blood sample accommodated in the sample chamber by means of the ultra-sonic waves. Furthermore, such apparatuses may comprise optical measuring means, e.g. in the form of a suitable light source, e.g. a light emitting diode (LED), arranged at one side of the sample chamber, and a suitable optical detector arranged at an opposite side of the sample chamber, so as to allow at least one parameter of the blood sample to be optically measured. One example of an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample is described in WO 2010 / 006603 Al.

[0006] In order to be able to calibrate the optical measuring means, hemolyzers may, in addition to the light source of the optical measuring means, be provided with a calibrating light source, e.g. in the form of a neon light bulb. The calibrating light source should be arranged in the apparatus in such a manner that light emitted from the calibrating light source as well as light emitted from the measuring light source reaches the sample chamber. It may be considered inappropriate if the calibrating light source is arranged between the measuring light source and the sample chamber, because this may result in the calibrating light source partly blocking light emitted from the measuring light source, and this may lead to inaccurate and / or unreliable measurements. Accordingly, it may be preferred to arrange the measuring light source between the calibrating light source and the sample chamber. However, this results in the measuring light source, in particular a reflector element of the measuring light source, at least partly blocking the light emitted from the calibrating light source. This may have the consequence that the calibrating light reaching the sample chamber is insufficient to obtain appropriate calibration of the optical measuring system. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample, and a lightguide assembly for such an apparatus, in which accurate and reliable calibration can be obtained in an easy manner.

[0008] According to a first aspect the invention provides a lightguide assembly for an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample, the lightguide assembly comprising a neon light bulb, a light emitting diode (LED) including a reflector element, and a lightguide, wherein the LED is mounted in the lightguide, so that the lightguide spatially fixes the LED, and wherein the lightguide is configured to transmit light emitted from the neon light bulb past the reflector element of the LED, when mounted in the apparatus.

[0009] Thus, according to the first aspect, the invention provides a lightguide assembly comprising a neon light bulb, a light emitting diode (LED) and a lightguide. In the present context the term 'lightguide' should be interpreted to mean an element or a component being capable of guiding light, at least within a certain wavelength interval, therethrough. Thus, the lightguide is capable of transmitting light, and is thus at least partly transparent to light, at least to light of certain wavelengths.

[0010] The LED includes a reflector element which reflects part of the light emitted from the LED, so as to ensure that a larger portion of the emitted light is directed towards a sample chamber. This will be described in further detail below. The LED is mounted in the lightguide.

[0011] Accordingly, the LED and the lightguide are spatially fixed relative to each other, i.e. the lightguide spatially fixes the LED. This will also be described in further detail below.

[0012] The lightguide is further configured to transmit light emitted from the neon light bulb past the reflector element of the LED. Accordingly, the lightguide is transparent to the light emitted from the neon light bulb, in the sense that a major part of the light emitted from the neon light bulb is transmitted through the lightguide, and only a smaller part of the light is reflected or scattered within the lightguide. Thus, essentially only the part of the light emitted from the neon light bulb which is blocked by the LED, in particular by the reflector element of the LED, is prevented from passing through the lightguide having the LED mounted therein.

[0013] Thus, the lightguide serves a dual purpose of spatially fixing the LED and transmitting the light emitted from the neon light bulb. The lightguide assembly is configured to form part of or be mounted in an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample, i.e. essentially an apparatus as described above. When the lightguide assembly is mounted in such an apparatus, it may form part of an optical measuring system of the apparatus. In particular, the LED may form a measuring light source, and the neon light bulb may form a calibrating light source. Thus, when the lightguide assembly is mounted in the apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample, the light emitted from the LED is preferably directed towards a sample chamber. Since the lightguide spatially fixes the LED, it is ensured that the LED is maintained firmly and appropriately in place relative to and within the apparatus, thus ensuring accurate and reliable optical measurement of at least one relevant parameter of a blood sample accommodated in the apparatus. For instance, the spatial fixation of the LED by the lightguide may ensure an optimal optical path through the apparatus for the light emitted from the LED.

[0014] Furthermore, the lightguide ensures that light emitted from the neon light bulb is appropriately transmitted therethrough, past the reflector element of the LED, thus ensuring that sufficient calibration light can reach the sample chamber, and may be passed further on to a calibration unit.

[0015] Thus, the lightguide, with its dual purpose of spatially fixing the LED and transmitting light emitted from the neon light bulb, ensures that optical measurements of relevant parameters of the blood sample can be reliably and accurately obtained, based on light emitted from the LED, while ensuring that sufficient calibration light from the neon light bulb can reach the sample chamber, thus ensuring appropriate and accurate calibration of the optical measuring system. Furthermore, the dual purpose lightguide forms an easy, reliable and cost effective manner of obtaining this.

[0016] The lightguide may be configured to transmit light with a wavelength within the interval 400 nm to 750 nm, such as within the interval 450 nm to 700 nm, such as within the interval 475 nm to 675 nm, essentially unattenuated through the lightguide. This will ensure that the wavelengths primarily emitted from the neon light bulb are allowed to pass through the lightguide essentially unhindered, i.e. that a major part of the emitted light is transmitted by the lightguide, and only a minor part is scattered or reflected by or within the lightguide. Thus, it is ensured that the part of the light emitted from the neon light bulb, which is not blocked by the reflector element of the LED is in fact allowed to pass essentially unhindered through the lightguide, thus reaching the sample chamber and being available for calibration purposes. The lightguide may be configured to transmit at least 40%, such as at least 50%, such as at least 60%, such as at least 70%, of the light emitted from the neon light bulb past the reflector element of the LED. The part of the emitted light which is not transmitted past the reflector element of the LED may be primarily due to the reflector element of the LED blocking the emitted light. According to this embodiment, it is efficiently ensured that sufficient calibration light is available without requiring a high output or intensity from the neon light bulb.

[0017] The reflector element of the LED may define an area in a plane substantially perpendicular to a direction of light emitted from the neon light bulb which is at most 70%, such as at most 60%, such as at most 50%, of a total cross sectional area of the lightguide and LED at the position of the reflector element. According to this embodiment, the area blocked by the reflector element of the LED, as seen from the neon light bulb, is relatively small as compared to the total cross sectional area defined by the lightguide with the LED mounted therein. More particularly, at least 30% of the total cross sectional area is left for free passage for the light emitted from the neon light bulb, i.e. for transmission through the lightguide and past the reflector element of the LED. This also ensures that sufficient calibration light is available.

[0018] Light emitted from the neon light bulb and transmitted past the reflector element by the lightguide may be essentially parallel to light emitted from the LED. According to this embodiment, the light emitted from the neon light bulb and the light emitted from the LED is directed essentially in the same direction, e.g. towards a sample chamber when the lightguide assembly is mounted in an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample.

[0019] The LED may be embedded in the lightguide. According to this embodiment, the LED is at least partly surrounded by the lightguide, and thus firmly spatially fixated thereby.

[0020] The lightguide may comprise a through-going bore, and the LED may be mounted in the through-going bore. For instance, the LED may be tightly fitted in the through-going bore. This will also ensure that the LED is firmly spatially fixated by the lightguide.

[0021] The lightguide may be made from a polycarbonate. For instance, the lightguide may be made from Lexan®, such as Lexan® 124 R or Lexan® HF 1130 R. As an alternative, the lightguide may be made from a polyamide, such as Grilamid®, e.g. Grilamid® TR55. Such materials are inexpensive and easy to form into desired shapes. For instance, the lightguide may be formed by means of injection moulding. Furthermore, the optical properties of these materials allow light of relevant wavelengths to be transmitted through the material, thus making them appropriate for the lightguide.

[0022] The lightguide may comprise a body portion accommodating the LED and a mounting portion extending away from the body portion, and at least part of the light emitted from the neon light bulb and transmitted past the reflector element by the lightguide may pass through the mounting portion.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the lightguide comprises two portions, i.e. the body portion and the mounting portion. The body portion accommodates the LED, for instance the LED may be embedded in the body portion. The body portion may, e.g., have a substantially cylindrical shape with the LED mounted along a centre axis thereof.

[0024] The mounting portion extends away from the body portion. In the case that the body portion has a substantially cylindrical shape, the mounting portion may extend radially away from the body portion, i.e. in a direction being substantially perpendicular to the centre axis of the substantially cylindrical body portion. Thus, the cross sectional area of the lightguide is larger in the region defined by the mounting portion than in the region defined by the body portion. Thus, the mounting portion represents a part of the lightguide which is unblocked by the LED, in particular by the reflector element of the LED. The mounting portion may be arranged at an end of the body portion, in which case the mounting portion may be regarded as a 'foot' of the lightguide.

[0025] Accordingly, the mounting portion forms a part of the lightguide which the light emitted from the neon light bulb can appropriately pass through, without being blocked by the reflector element of the LED. However, it is not ruled out that, additionally, at least some of the light emitted from the neon light bulb may be transmitted through a part of the body portion which is not blocked by the reflector element of the LED.

[0026] The mounting portion may further form a part of the lightguide which can easily be gripped by an operator with the purpose of mounting the lightguide, with the LED, in an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample. Furthermore, the mounting portion may form an abutment surface towards other parts of the apparatus, thus ensuring correct and accurate mounting of the lightguide assembly in the apparatus.

[0027] According to a second aspect the invention provides an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample, the apparatus comprising a sample chamber for receiving the blood sample, a hemolyzer unit and a lightguide assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the lightguide assembly is positioned adjacent to the sample chamber so that light emitted from the LED as well as light emitted from the neon light bulb and transmitted past the reflector element of the LED by the lightguide reaches the sample chamber.

[0028] In the present context the term 'apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample' should be interpreted to mean an apparatus being capable of causing hemolyzing of a blood sample accommodated therein, e.g. by means of ultra-sonic waves, and for measuring at least one relevant parameter of the blood sample, e.g. by means of an optical measuring system.

[0029] The apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention comprises a sample chamber for receiving the blood sample, a hemolyzer unit and a light guide assembly according to the first aspect of the invention. Thus, the remarks set forth above with reference to the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable here.

[0030] The sample chamber may, e.g., be in the form of a cuvette, and it may be provided with side walls, e.g. in the form of windows. The volume of the sample chamber may be in the range of 0.1 .1 to 20.0 .1, preferably approximately 1 p.1. The distance between opposing side walls of the sample chamber may be within the range of 0.05 mm to 0.30 mm, preferably approximately 0.1 mm.

[0031] The hemolyzer unit is a part of the apparatus which causes hemolyzing of a blood sample accommodated in the sample chamber. For instance, the hemolyzer unit may comprise ultrasonic means for generating ultra-sonic waves in the side walls of the sample chamber, thus transferring the ultra-sonic waves to the blood sample accommodated in the sample chamber and causing hemolyzing thereof. The ultra-sonic means may be arranged adjacent to, such as in abutment with, the side walls of the sample chamber, so as to ensure efficient transfer of the ultra-sonic waves to the blood sample. For instance, the ultra-sonic means may be adapted to oscillate at a frequency within the range of 20 kHz to 100 kHz, preferably at approximately 30 kHz.

[0032] The ultra-sonic means may comprise at least one piezoelectric element connected to the side walls of the sample chamber. Piezoelectric elements are inexpensive, and use of piezoelectric elements makes the activation of the ultra-sonic means very controllable.

[0033] The hemolyzer unit may further comprise at least one mass element coupled to the ultrasonic means in order to increase the inertia of the reciprocating resonance. The at least one mass element may comprise at least one spring element elastically securing the at least one mass element, e.g. to a housing of the apparatus.

[0034] The lightguide assembly is positioned adjacent to the sample chamber, in such a manner that light emitted from the LED as well as light emitted from the neon light bulb and transmitted past the reflector element of the LED by the lightguide reaches the sample chamber. Accordingly, the LED may be applied as a measuring light source of an optical measuring system of the apparatus, and the neon light bulb may be applied as a calibrating light source of the optical measuring system. As described above, the lightguide, spatially fixating the LED, ensures that the LED is maintained firmly and accurately in position relative to the apparatus, notably relative to the sample chamber, and in particular in a position which provides an optimal optical path for the light emitted from the LED through the sample chamber and towards an optical sensor arranged at an opposite side of the sample chamber. Simultaneously, and due to the dual purpose of the lightguide, the lightguide ensures that the light emitted from the neon light bulb is transmitted through the lightguide, thus reaching the sample chamber, to a sufficient extent to ensure that appropriate and accurate calibration of the optical measuring system can be performed.

[0035] The lightguide of the lightguide assembly may be mounted in a part of the hemolyzer unit. For instance, the lightguide may be mounted in the ultra-sonic means, e.g. in a moving mass of the ultra-sonic means. This ensures that the lightguide, and thus the other parts of the lightguide assembly, is appropriately positioned relative to the sample chamber.

[0036] According to a third aspect the invention provides a method for assembling an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a hemolyzer unit with a sample chamber in a housing of the apparatus, mounting a light emitting diode (LED) with a reflector element in a lightguide, mounting the lightguide with the LED and the reflector element in the housing adjacent to the sample chamber, and mounting a neon light bulb adjacent to the lightguide.

[0037] The apparatus being assembled by means of the method according to the third aspect of the invention may be an apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention. Thus, the remarks set forth above with reference to the first and second aspects of the invention are equally applicable here.

[0038] In the method according to the third aspect of the invention, a hemolyzer unit with a sample chamber is initially mounted in a housing of the apparatus. The hemolyzer unit may include ultra-sonic means arranged adjacent to a sample chamber, i.e. immediately next to the sample chamber, such as in abutment with or in contact with the sample chamber. This allows that, when in use, a blood sample accommodated in the sample chamber can be hemolyzed by the hemolyzer unit. The sample chamber and the hemolyzer unit may, e.g., be of the kind described above with reference to the second aspect of the invention.

[0039] Furthermore, a light emitting diode (LED) with a reflector element are mounted in a lightguide, e.g. of the kind described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention. This may be done by mounting the reflector element on the LED and subsequently mounting the LED with the reflector element in the light guide. Alternatively, the LED may be mounted in the lightguide, and the reflector element may subsequently be mounted on the LED in the lightguide.

[0040] Next, the lightguide with the LED and the reflector element is mounted in the housing adjacent to the sample chamber, i.e. immediately next to the sample chamber, e.g. in abutment with the sample chamber or with a part of the hemolyzer unit which may in turn be arranged in abutment with the sample chamber. This will allow light emitted from the LED to reach the sample chamber, in order to enable optical measurement of at least one parameter of a blood sample accommodated in the sample chamber.

[0041] Finally, a neon light bulb is mounted adjacent to the lightguide. Accordingly, when in use, light emitted by the neon light bulb can be transmitted through the lightguide, past the reflector element of the LED, and reach the sample chamber, in order to enable calibration of the optical measurement system of the apparatus, including the LED.

[0042] The step of mounting the lightguide with the LED and the reflector element in the housing may comprise mounting the lightguide in a part of the hemolyzer unit. As described above with reference to the second aspect of the invention, this may include mounting the lightguide in the ultra-sonic means of the hemolyzer unit, e.g. in a mass element of the ultrasonic means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

[0044] Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0045] Fig. 3 shows an LED and a neon light bulb of a prior art optical measurement system,

[0046] Fig. 4 shows a lightguide assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0047] Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a lightguide assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0048] Figs. 7-10 show a lightguide for a lightguide assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate an apparatus 1 for hemolyzing a blood sample according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus 1 and Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus 1.

[0051] The apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 enclosing an interior part of the apparatus 1, and a sample chamber 3, in the form of a cuvette, for receiving a blood sample to be hemolyzed. The apparatus 1 further comprises a hemolyzer unit comprising ultra-sonic means 4, in the form of piezoelectric elements, arranged in contact with side walls 5 of the sample chamber 3, and mass elements 6 coupled to the respective ultra-sonic means 4. Thus, vibrations of the ultra-sonic means 4 are transferred to the side walls 5, and thus to the blood sample accommodated in the sample chamber 3, so as to cause hemolyzing of the blood sample. The mass elements 6 increase the inertial of the reciprocating resonance, thus enhancing the transfer of vibrations from the ultra-sonic means 4 to the side walls 5.

[0052] A lightguide assembly 7 according to an embodiment of the invention is mounted in one of the mass elements 6. The lightguide assembly 7 comprises an LED 8 mounted in a lightguide 9 and a neon light bulb 10 arranged adjacent to the lightguide 9, i.e. immediately next to, such as in abutment with the lightguide 9. In Fig. 2 the neon light bulb 6 is arranged below or under the lightguide 9. The lightguide 9 spatially fixes the LED 8 and is configured to transmit light emitted from the neon light bulb 10 past a reflector element (not shown) of the LED 8. Thus, light emitted from the LED 8 as well as light emitted from the neon light bulb 10 can reach the sample chamber 3.

[0053] The LED 8 forms a measuring light source of the apparatus 1, and the neon light bulb 10 forms a calibrating light source of the apparatus 1. The lightguide assembly 7 will be described in further detail below with reference to Figs. 3-6.

[0054] Fig. 3 shows an LED 8 and a neon light bulb 10 of a prior art optical measurement system, the LED 8 including a reflector element 11. It can be seen that the LED 8 is relatively large, and it would fit directly into the mass element 6 of the apparatus 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As a consequence, the reflector element 11 is also relatively large, and therefore a large part of the light emitted from the neon light bulb 10 is blocked by the reflector element 11, and thus prevented from reaching the sample chamber, as illustrated by the arrows. Thus, in order to ensure sufficient calibration light to obtain appropriate and reliable calibration, the neon light bulb 10 needs to be capable of emitting light with a certain intensity.

[0055] Fig. 4 shows a lightguide assembly 7 according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising an LED 8 with a reflector element 11 and a neon light bulb 10. The LED 8 of Fig. 4 is significantly smaller than the LED 8 of Fig. 3, and consequently the reflector element 11 is also significantly smaller. This has the consequence that a smaller portion of the light emitted from the neon light bulb 10 is blocked by the reflector element 11, and therefore a larger portion of the emitted light reaches the sample chamber. Accordingly, appropriate and reliable calibration can be obtained without imposing additional requirements on the intensity of the light emitted from the neon light bulb 10.

[0056] The smaller size of the LED 8 has the consequence that the LED 8 does not fit directly into the mass element 6 of the apparatus 1 of Figs. 1 and 2. Therefore the LED 8 is mounted in a lightguide (not shown) which spatially fixes the LED 8, thus ensuring that an optimal optical path of the light emitted from the LED 8 is obtained. Furthermore, the lightguide is configured to transmit light emitted from the neon light bulb 10, thus ensuring that the light emitted from the neon light bulb 10 and not blocked by the reflector element 11 of the LED 8 is allowed to reach the sample chamber. For instance, the lightguide may be substantially transparent to light with wavelengths corresponding to the light emitted from the neon light bulb 10. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a lightguide assembly 7 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the light guide assembly 7, and Fig. 6 is a partly cross sectional view of the lightguide assembly 7, disclosing details of the LED 8 of the lightguide assembly 7.

[0057] The lightguide assembly 7 comprises an LED 8 mounted in a lightguide 9 and a neon light bulb 10 arranged adjacent to the lightguide 9. The lightguide 9 comprises a body portion 9a and a mounting portion 9b. The body portion 9a is provided with a through-going bore 12 in which the LED 8 is mounted, the LED 8 fitting snugly in the through-going bore 12. This spatially fixes the LED 8 relative to the lightguide 9 in a firm manner.

[0058] The body portion 9a has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the mounting portion 9b extends away from the body portion 9a in a substantially radial direction. Thus, the mounting portion 9b may be regarded as forming a 'foot' of the lightguide 9. When the lightguide 9, with the LED 8 mounted therein, is being mounted in an apparatus for hemolyzing a blood sample, the mounting portion 9b may be gripped by the person performing the mounting. This allows the lightguide 9 to be mounted in an easy and reliable manner, due to easy handling of the lightguide 9. Furthermore, the mounting portion 9b may form an abutment surface towards other parts of the apparatus, e.g. towards the mass element 6 shown in Fig. 2, thus ensuring that the lightguide 9, and thus the lightguide assembly 7, is accurately mounted in the apparatus.

[0059] The lightguide 9 is configured to transmit light emitted from the neon light bulb 10 past a reflector element (not shown) of the LED 8. For instance, the lightguide 9 may be transparent to the light emitted from the neon light bulb 10. In particular, the light emitted from the neon light bulb 10 may pass through the mounting portion 9b of the lightguide 9.

[0060] Figs. 7-10 illustrate a lightguide 9 for a lightguide assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lightguide 9, Fig. 8 is a top view of lightguide 9, and Figs. 9 and 10 are side views of the lightguide 9. The body portion 9a, the mounting portion 9b and the through-going bore 12 can be clearly seen.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lightguide assembly (7) for an apparatus (1) for hemolyzing a blood sample, the lightguide assembly (7) comprising a neon light bulb (10), a light emitting diode (LED) (8) including a reflector element (11), and a lightguide (9), wherein the LED (8) is mounted in the lightguide (9), so that the lightguide (9) spatially fixes the LED (8), and wherein the lightguide (9) is configured to transmit light emitted from the neon light bulb (10) past the reflector element (11) of the LED (8), when mounted in the apparatus (1).

2. A lightguide assembly (7) according to claim 1, wherein the lightguide (9) is configured to transmit light with a wavelength within the interval 400 nm to 750 nm essentially unattenuated through the lightguide (9).

3. A lightguide assembly (7) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lightguide (9) is configured to transmit at least 40% of the light emitted from the neon light bulb (10) past the reflector element (11) of the LED (8).

4. A lightguide assembly (7) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector element (11) of the LED (8) defines an area in a plane substantially perpendicular to a direction of light emitted from the neon light bulb (10) which is at most 70% of a total cross sectional area of the lightguide (9) and LED (8) at the position of the reflector element (11).

5. A lightguide assembly (7) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein light emitted from the neon light bulb (10) and transmitted past the reflector element (11) by the lightguide (9) is essentially parallel to light emitted from the LED (8).

6. A lightguide assembly (7) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the LED (8) is embedded in the lightguide (9).

7. A lightguide assembly (7) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lightguide (9) comprises a through-going bore (12), and wherein the LED (8) is mounted in the through-going bore (12).

8. A lightguide assembly (7) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lightguide (9) is made from a polycarbonate.

9. A lightguide assembly (7) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lightguide (9) comprises a body portion (9a) accommodating the LED (8) and a mounting portion (9b) extending away from the body portion (9a), and wherein at least part of the light emitted from the neon light bulb (10) and transmitted past the reflector element (11) by the lightguide (9) passes through the mounting portion (9b).

10. A lightguide assembly (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the neon light bulb (10) is a calibrating light source and wherein the LED (8) is a measuring light source.

11. A lightguide assembly (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lightguide (9) is configured to spatially fix the LED (8) such that an optimal optical path of the light emitted from the LED (8) is obtained.

12. An apparatus (1) for hemolyzing a blood sample, the apparatus (1) comprising a sample chamber (3) for receiving the blood sample, a hemolyzer unit and a lightguide assembly (7) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lightguide assembly (7) is positioned adjacent to the sample chamber (3) so that light emitted from the LED (8) as well as light emitted from the neon light bulb (10) and transmitted past the reflector element (11) of the LED (8) by the lightguide (9) reaches the sample chamber (3).

13. An apparatus (1) for hemolyzing a blood sample according to claim 12, wherein the lightguide (9) of the lightguide assembly (7) is mounted in a part of the hemolyzer unit.

14. A method for assembling an apparatus (1) for hemolyzing a blood sample, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a hemolyzer unit with a sample chamber (3) in a housing (2) of the apparatus (1), mounting a light emitting diode (LED) (8) with a reflector element (11) in a lightguide (9), mounting the lightguide (9) with the LED (8) and the reflector element (11) in the housing (2) adjacent to the sample chamber (3), and mounting a neon light bulb (10) adjacent to the lightguide (9).

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of mounting the lightguide (9) with the LED (8) and the reflector element (11) in the housing (2) comprises mounting the lightguide (9) in a part of the hemolyzer unit.

Images