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CBC (Complete Blood Count) and Blood Morphology both analyze blood cells, but they differ in purpose and methodology. CBC quantitatively measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to assess overall health. In contrast, Blood Morphology qualitatively examines the shape and structure of blood cells, primarily used when abnormalities are detected in CBC results or when a more detailed diagnosis is required.
CBC can screen for and monitor a wide range of conditions, including anemia, inflammation, and infections. Blood Morphology, on the other hand, provides a definitive diagnosis for blood disorders such as leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, or specific types of anemia when abnormalities are detected through CBC. While CBC alone often provides limited information, requiring a secondary Blood Morphology test for accurate diagnosis, recent advancements that combine CBC and Blood Morphology technologies are making this process more efficient.
CBC can screen for and monitor a wide range of conditions, such as anemia, inflammation, and infections. Blood Morphology, however, allows for a definitive diagnosis of blood disorders—like leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, or certain types of anemia—when abnormalities are detected through CBC. Since CBC alone often provides limited information, secondary testing with Blood Morphology has traditionally been required for accurate diagnosis. Recently, however, technologies that combine CBC and Blood Morphology are emerging, streamlining and improving the efficiency of the traditional diagnostic workflow.
Digital Automated Blood Testing Platform Enhancing Diagnostic Efficiency
Source: noul
Integrated CBC and Morphology Diagnostics
NOUL’s miLab™ BCM is a digital blood testing platform that integrates CBC and Blood Morphology, allowing both tests to be performed simultaneously on a single device. Notably, its on-device AI automatically analyzes cell images, pre-classifying key CBC parameters and blood cell morphologies. When abnormalities are detected, morphology analysis can be performed immediately on the spot, significantly enhancing diagnostic efficiency.
Automated Microscopy Workflow
By simply inserting a cartridge with a small drop of blood into the compact device, the entire microscopy process—from smearing and staining to imaging, analysis, and result generation—is fully automated. Unlike flow cytometry–based systems, it preserves the gold-standard microscopy approach to ensure equivalent performance, while enhancing quality through NGSI (Next Generation Staining & Immunostaining), a solid-based staining method that replaces conventional liquid-based techniques. This allows specialists to interpret results more quickly and with greater accuracy.
Intuitive Result Interface and Remote Support
Cell readings are delivered through an intuitive interface, enabling even non-experts to easily perform blood cell analysis. The results page can be accessed via a viewer on external monitors, allowing real-time review regardless of location. This makes remote diagnosis possible even without on-site specialists, while patient data can be permanently stored, ultimately improving patient convenience and accessibility.
Full Diagnostic Capability with Minimal Blood Required
With only about 5 µL of blood—approximately 98% less than what is typically required for conventional blood tests—both CBC and Blood Morphology can be performed simultaneously. This makes the test especially suitable for pediatric and neonatal patients, where blood collection can be challenging, and also highly useful for individuals who require frequent blood tests on a regular basis.
On-Site Integrated Blood Test Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy
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In most small hospitals or outpatient laboratories, CBC testing is performed on-site immediately after blood collection. When Blood Morphology is required based on the results, the blood sample or prepared slide is sent to the main laboratory for more detailed analysis. This process is common because smaller facilities, such as general hospitals or outpatient labs, rarely have the necessary equipment for Blood Morphology.
Blood Morphology equipment is typically built with advanced microscopes, making it costly and dependent on interpretation by highly trained specialists. However, most small- to medium-sized healthcare facilities lack such in-house expertise. As a result, these systems are usually installed only in large laboratories, where CBC and Morphology are handled as separate processes that inevitably require sample transfer. This, however, introduces risks of time delays and sample degradation, as well as added logistics costs and management burdens. Due to these limitations, there is a growing need to integrate and streamline blood testing workflows for greater efficiency.
miLab™ BCM performs both CBC and Morphology on-site, eliminating time delays and logistics costs associated with sample transfer. Because analysis is carried out immediately at the point of care, it enhances accuracy in Blood Morphology testing, where sample freshness is critical. Results can be reviewed through the built-in viewer, and, when needed, accessed via external monitors to support remote consultation. This not only improves the efficiency of specialists but also enables hospitals to strengthen patient trust through faster and more accurate diagnoses.
Rapid and Accurate Readings Even in Challenging Situations
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In some cases, blood tests reveal emergency situations such as sepsis, acute bleeding, or suspected leukemia. In these scenarios, medical experts must deliver results as quickly and accurately as possible. However, during late hours or weekends, immediate diagnosis is often challenging. This issue is particularly common in hospitals or laboratories that operate CBC and Blood Morphology separately. Most reference labs performing Blood Morphology have specialists only on-site during weekday hours. While they can receive samples, actual analysis often takes place the next business day, making rapid response in emergencies difficult.
miLab™ BCM is a portable, compact device that automates the entire microscopy workflow—including smearing and staining—simply by inserting a cartridge. This allows rapid testing even when specialists are not on-site. Additionally, AI pre-analyzes key blood parameters and cell types, reducing dependence on personnel, and assists experts in accurate interpretation, enabling case analysis and remote consultation even late at night or on weekends.
Shaping a New Paradigm in Global Hematology with Innovative Technology
Source: noul
With the global decline of pathologists and cytologists specializing in microscopy, the adoption of innovative technologies to improve diagnostic efficiency has become not just an option, but a necessity. NOUL’s miLab™ aims to enhance diagnostic workflows and workforce efficiency with its innovative technology, which automates the entire microscopy process through a simple cartridge inserted into a compact device. By doing so, it strives to elevate diagnostic standards worldwide and promote healthcare equity.
In addition to the integrated blood testing platform miLab™ BCM introduced today, all miLab™ products—including the malaria diagnostic platform miLab™ MAL and the cervical cancer cell screening platform miLab™ CER—are expanding their presence globally, reaching Europe, Africa, and Asia. Recently, miLab™ BCM has also established partnerships with global CBC manufacturing companies and plans to continue expanding its global network and distribution channels to bring miLab™ to even more countries.
