Apparatus for distinguishing multiple subpopulations of cells
First Claim
1. An apparatus for distinguishing multiple subpopulations of particles, each of which have been labeled with different fluorochromes in pre-determined ratios comprising:
- means for exciting the fluorochromes on each particle as it flows in a liquid path;
means for detecting the quantity of fluorescence emitted by the different fluorochromes associated with each particle and determining the ratio of fluorescence quantities of any two fluorochromes associated with each particle; and
means for classifying said particles into a plurality of subpopulations categories by associating said determined ratios with pre-determined ratios.
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Abstract
A method of distinguishing multiple subpopulations of cells from a single sample of cells of a variety of types comprises labeling particles with two or more marking agents. These particles are marked in a plurality of different pre-selected ratios of the agents ranging between zero percent and one hundred percent of each agent. Each such agent has distinguishing, quantifiable marking characteristics. The differently labeled particles are mixed with cells suspected of having specific receptors for the differently labeled particles. Each cell is analyzed to determine the ratio of any two identifiable marking characteristics associated with each cell so that it can be classified in a subpopulation category if its ratio of marking characteristics is related to one of the pre-selected ratios of marking agents.
An apparatus for carrying out the above-described method is also within the purview of the present invention.
320 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for distinguishing multiple subpopulations of particles, each of which have been labeled with different fluorochromes in pre-determined ratios comprising:
- means for exciting the fluorochromes on each particle as it flows in a liquid path;
means for detecting the quantity of fluorescence emitted by the different fluorochromes associated with each particle and determining the ratio of fluorescence quantities of any two fluorochromes associated with each particle; and
means for classifying said particles into a plurality of subpopulations categories by associating said determined ratios with pre-determined ratios. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- means for exciting the fluorochromes on each particle as it flows in a liquid path;
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6. An apparatus for distinguishing multiple subpopulations of particles from a sample of cells flowing in a liquid path, said particles having been labeled in pre-determined ratios with different marking agents having quantifiable characteristics, comprising:
- means for detecting the quantifiable characteristics associated with each particle and determining a ratio of any two quantifiable characteristics associated with each particle; and
means for associating said determined ratios with pre-determined ratios so that the particles can be classified into a plurality of subpopulation categories.
- means for detecting the quantifiable characteristics associated with each particle and determining a ratio of any two quantifiable characteristics associated with each particle; and
Specification