Visual microscopy using KOVA® chamber technology (Cat. No. 3518345001, Kova International Inc., Garden Grove, CA), a standardized methodology according to European urinalysis guidelines [14 (link)], was used as a harmonized comparison method across the three evaluation centers. Two KOVA slides of each sample were prepared and counted using bright field microscopy, each by two experienced operators, to reduce counting error; the mean value was then calculated. Further details on the KOVA procedure are provided in
The iQ200 analyzer (Iris Diagnostics, Chatsworth, CA) is a second-generation automated microscopy analyzer that captures images from planar flow of urine particles. A neural network (Auto-Particle Recognition™) is used to classify and quantify particles in the sample; 500 photographs are taken from each urine sample and compared with standard images.