Synthetic polymer particles for use as standards and calibrators in flow cytometry
US6074879A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/101666
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention describes novel methods for calibrating or standardizing flow cytometry instruments using synthetic polymer particles or beads having physical properties which provide advantages for their use in such instruments. The polymer particles or beads employed in the calibration methods are spherical, have an average particle diameter of from about 1 to about 8 microns, a relatively narrow particle distribution, and a low refractive index, i.e., from about 1.35 to about 1.45. The particles are safe, stable for long time periods and are particularly suitable for employment as hematology analyzer calibration substances. The invention provides an advantageous improvement over the types of standards currently used to calibrate a variety of instruments that rely on light scatter combined with other parameters to identify and measure biological particles or cells, as well as nonbiological particles. In particular, using the calibration/standardization method and polymer particles according to the present invention allows hematology instruments to be calibrated and standardized for subsequent accurate and reliable determinations of red blood cells, reticulocytes, white blood cells …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.