Method for differentiating or detecting particles in a sample by identifying signal segments of time-resolved, optical raw signals from the sample on the basis of single photon detection

US6208815A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• EVOTEC BIOSYSTEMS GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Claus Seidel · Göttingen, DE
• Rolf W. Günther · Hersbruck, DE
• Stefan A. Lupke · Thornhill, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 12, 1999
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 12, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N15/0211
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for differentiating or detecting particles in a sample in which several classes of particles may be present by identifying signal segments of time-resolved, optical raw signals from the sample on the basis of single photon detection (single pulse detection), wherein the sample contains at least two classes of particles; the sample is illuminated by a light source; the optical raw signals emitted by the sample, which are derived from at least one measuring volume element V, V.ltoreq.10.sup.-12 l, are detected with at least one detector unit; at least one particle generates a signal fraction during its residence in the measuring in the measuring volume element; a signal segment of the optical raw signals is determined by the particle's actively and/or passively entering and then leaving again the measuring volume element; the optical raw signals are segmented into arbitrary segments; at least one set of statistical data based on the optical raw signals is established for at least one arbitrarily chosen segment; and the at least one set of statistical data or at least one combination of several sets of statistical data is evaluated for the presence of features characteristic …