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Method for performing automated analysis

  • US 5,891,734 A
  • Filed: 07/17/1996
  • Issued: 04/06/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An automated method for distinguishing and differentiating cells in a whole blood sample with an automated instrument system capable of performing both hematology and fluorescent cytometry analysis to which the whole blood sample is provided, upon selection of a series of one or more tests to be performed on the whole blood sample by the automated instrument system, the automated method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) correlating the tests to be performed on the whole blood sample;

    (b) aspirating a first volume of the whole blood sample;

    (c) dispensing aliquots of the whole blood sample into at least three sample receiving vessels;

    (d) diluting a first aliquot of the whole blood sample with a diluent reagent;

    (e) lysing a second aliquot of the whole blood sample with a lysing reagent;

    (f) mixing a third aliquot of the whole blood sample with a fluorescent reagent;

    (g) transporting the first aliquot of diluted whole blood sample through an impedance flow transducer of the automated instrument system;

    (h) detecting and counting red blood cells and platelets in the first aliquot of diluted whole blood sample with the impedance flow transducer;

    (i) transporting the second aliquot of lysed whole blood sample through an optical flow transducer;

    (j) detecting multi-angle light scatter from the second aliquot of lysed whole blood sample and counting and differentiating white blood cells in the second aliquot of whole blood sample with the optical flow transducer;

    (k) detecting multi-angle light scatter and fluorescence from the second aliquot of lysed whole blood sample or the first aliquot of diluted whole blood sample and counting and differentiating nucleated red blood cells or reticulocytes or both therein with the optical flow transducer;

    (l) transporting the third aliquot of the whole blood sample through the optical flow transducer;

    (m) detecting multi-angle light scatter and fluorescence from the third aliquot of whole blood sample and counting and differentiating platelets or platelet clumps or both therein with the optical flow transducer;

    (n) storing detecting and differentiating data for multiple tests performed on the whole blood sample; and

    (o) reporting results of each of the multiple tests performed on the whole blood sample in a quantitative manner if so requested,wherein the instrument system automatically performs all method steps without physically separating cells from the whole blood sample or an aliquot thereof and results of the hematology analysis may be utilized in at least reporting of results of fluorescent cytometry testing.

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