Method for preserving cells, and uses of said method
US5648222A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 27, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2525
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides a method for preserving cells which comprises the steps of (a) suspending cells in a physiologically-acceptable, isotonic medium; and (b) fixing the cells so suspended at a temperature of less than about 10.degree. C. under sufficiently hypertonic conditions so as to disperse the cells in a single, unagglutinated state, thereby preserving cells. This invention also provides a method for detecting cells separated from a sample which have been preserved according to the aforementioned method. This invention also provides a method for visualizing cells. Also provided is a method for detecting a metabolic process in cells present in a sample. This invention also provides a method for detecting the presence of rare cells in a sample which specifically possess on their surfaces a moiety recognized by a known ligand comprising preserving cells separated from the sample according to the aforementioned method for preserving cells. The subject invention also provides for quantitatively determining and isolating rare cells detected according to the aformentioned method. Further provided are methods for determining whether a fetus is afflicted with a genetic abnormality…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.