Positive selection sorting of cells
First Claim
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1. A method for automatically sorting anchorage dependent cells by selective destruction of unwanted cells in situ comprising:
- (a) culturing a heterogeneous population of anchorage dependent cells on a support surface;
(b) identifying wanted and unwanted cells by;
(i) focussing a focussed radiant energy beam at a non-lethal energy level upon each cell, thereby eliciting a distinguishable response;
(ii) monitoring the response with a discriminating means;
(iii) determining the wanted from unwanted cells with a control means;
(iv) selectively altering the intensity of a focussed radiant energy beam to a lethal energy level thereby destroying unwanted cells;
(v) directing the movement of said lethal and said non-lethal beam means in relationship to said surface with an automatic coordinating means so as to impact all cells in a motion coordinated with said discriminating means and automatically adjusting said lethal means to destroy said unwanted cells.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for positive selection of viable cells based upon differing chemical or physical properties or dynamic processes using a focussed radiant energy beam, such as a laser beam (11) to kill unwanted cells is described. The apparatus includes a microscope (14) with a photomultiplier (27) which is used to selectively detect light from certain cells produced by an attenuated laser beam irradiating the cells for identifying the cells to be killed or saved. Based upon identification, selected cells to be killed are exposed to the unattenuated laser beam.
135 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for automatically sorting anchorage dependent cells by selective destruction of unwanted cells in situ comprising:
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(a) culturing a heterogeneous population of anchorage dependent cells on a support surface; (b) identifying wanted and unwanted cells by; (i) focussing a focussed radiant energy beam at a non-lethal energy level upon each cell, thereby eliciting a distinguishable response; (ii) monitoring the response with a discriminating means; (iii) determining the wanted from unwanted cells with a control means; (iv) selectively altering the intensity of a focussed radiant energy beam to a lethal energy level thereby destroying unwanted cells; (v) directing the movement of said lethal and said non-lethal beam means in relationship to said surface with an automatic coordinating means so as to impact all cells in a motion coordinated with said discriminating means and automatically adjusting said lethal means to destroy said unwanted cells.
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2. An apparatus for automatically sorting anchorage dependent cells by selective destruction of unwanted cells in situ comprising:
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(a) a cell support surface; (b) a first focussed radiant energy beam selectively directed in a path intersecting said cell support surface, said first beam and said surface relatively moveable with respect to each other to access said beam to all cells attached to said surface; (c) discriminating means which monitors a response of said cells to said first beam at a non-lethal energy level; (d) a second focussed radiant energy beam adjusted selectively to alter the intensity of said second focussed radiant energy beam at a lethal energy level thereby destroying said unwanted cells; (e) control means which determines wanted from unwanted cells; and (f) automatic coordinating means selectively directing the movement of said beams in relationship to said surface so as to impact all cells with said beams in a motion coordinated with said discriminating means and automatically adjusting said beams to destroy said unwanted cells. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for automatically sorting anchorage dependent cells by selective destruction of unwanted cells in situ, the combination comprising:
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a cell support surface having connections for nutritional, thermal and chemical adjustment of cell environment; a focussed radiant energy beam having at least two energy intensities and directed in a path intersecting said cell support surface, said beam and said surface relatively moveable with respect to each other to access said beam to all cells attached to said surface; cell discriminating means in an aligned relation with said beam and intersecting said cell surface in congruence with said beam and being correlated to said beam to first select a non-lethal energy intensity for recognition of wanted and unwanted cells, said discriminating means providing criteria for the selection of a second lethal energy intensity for said beam; adjusting means providing the feedback control connection responsive to criteria provided by said discriminating means and selective of the energy intensity of said beam; and automatic coordinating means in control of movement of said beam in relation to said cell support surface in traversing the entire of said surface, automatically responsive to recognition by said discriminating means and shifting of said beam from non-lethal to lethal intensity by manipulation of said adjusting means, and selectively sustaining the environment of said cells on said support surface in preservation of cell life support conditions and the flushing of debris from said support surface during and after lethal exposure of unwanted cells on said support surface to said beam at lethal intensity.
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Specification