Coulter Corporation

Coulter International Corp.

Other

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Frank J Lucas

Gerald E Jaffe

James H Carter

Alexander Burshteyn

Carlos Aparicio

Eileen Landrum

Nazle Kuylen

Steven E Bott

John W Joubran

Adry Galiounghi

Michael L Bell

Harold R Crews

John A Maples

Jack D McNeal

Sandra Socarras

Cecilia Smith

Julie Wilkinson

Oilda Rubio

Ravindra S Shukla

Nancy M Garcia

Paul W Price

Maria Elena Insausti

Ursino Del Valle

A method and apparatus for preparing biological cell samples for intracellular analysis. The invention is based upon the recognition that many of the steps of the conventional methods for such sample preparation can be eliminated, leading to a process that readily lends itself to automation and the advantages associated therewith. The method of the invention comprises the steps of (a) cell-fixation, (b) permeabilization and (c) staining (or labeling) of intracellular molecules of interest by probes that are readily detectable by flow cytometric techniques, all without any intervening cell-washing (and re-suspension) steps. Rather, the single cell-washing step is effected after these three steps have been carried out. Preferably, the washing step is carried out by passing the fixed, permeabilized and stained cell sample through a semi-permeable membrane that serves to filter out (by transmission) interferants to waste while retaining the cells of interest.

Method and apparatus for preparing cell samples for intracellular antigen detection using flow cytometry

A method for utilizing a filtration device for removing interferants from a test sample containing a mixture of a composition of interest and interferants in an automated apparatus is disclosed. The filtration device includes a microporous hollow fiber membrane having a plurality of pores sized to retain the composition of interest while allowing smaller diameter interferants to pass through the membrane.

Apparatus and method for sample purification and analysis

A method for utilizing a filtration device for removing interferants from a sample containing cells in an automated apparatus is disclosed. The filtration device includes a microporous hollow fiber membrane having a plurality of pores sized to retain cells while allowing smaller diameter interferants to pass through the membrane. The apparatus also includes a means for of moving the sample from a sample container to and from the filtration device. The disclosed method utilizes a vacuum source to aspirate the sample into a lumen of the hollow fiber membrane so that the sample is retained in the lumen space until expelled into an analysis container or transported to an analyzer.

Apparatus for biological sample preparation and analysis

The ability to determine the stage or pathway of cysteine proteases in a single cell assay has long been desired as a material event in apoptosis. The present invention relates to a method and assay reagents for determining enzyme activity and relating said activity to the apoptotic pathway. In addition, the method find utility in distinguishing apoptotic activity from necrotic activity.

Method and reagent for monitoring apoptosis and distinguishing apoptosis

The invention provides a cell control product for use with a cytoenzymology assay to confirm enzymatic activity in devices employing electronic and/or optical means. The cell control product comprises a lyophilized mammalian cell which is capable of being rehydrated in water to exhibit cellular structure and cellular enzymatic activity so that said lyophilized cells can function effectively as a cytoenzymology cell control in an enzymatic analysis. The cellular structure of the cell control is capable of being authenticated by light scatter or microscopy analysis and the cellular enzymatic activity is capable of being authenticated by fluorescence analysis. The cell control exhibits a real time stability when stored at between 2 and 8.degree. C. for at least a two month period of time. Preferably the mammalian cell is an abnormal cell selected from Molt 4, CCRF-CEM and HL-60 cell lines.

Cell control used to confirm enzymatic activity

An assay compound or a salt thereof for assaying the activity of an enzyme inside a metabolically active whole cell is disclosed. The assay compound includes a leaving group and an indicator group. The leaving group is selected from the group comprising amino acids, peptides, saccharides, sulfates, phosphates, esters, phosphate esters, nucleotides, polynucleotides, nucleic acids, pyrimidines, purines, nucleosides, lipids and mixtures thereof. The indicator group is selected from compounds which have a first state when joined to the leaving group, and a second state when the leaving group is cleaved from the indicator group by the enzyme. Preferably, the indicator compounds are rhodamine 110, rhodol, and fluorescein and analogs of these compounds. A method of synthesizing the compound as well as methods of using these compounds to measure enzyme activity are also disclosed.

Method for determining activity of enzymes in metabolically active whole

Assay reagent

Method of making an assay compound

A method for assaying the activity of an enzyme inside a metabolically active whole cell is disclosed. The assay compound includes a leaving group and an indicator group. The leaving group is selected from the group comprising amino acids, peptides, saccharides, sulfates, phosphates, esters, phosphate esters, nucleotides, polynucleotides, nucleic acids, pyrimidines, purines, nucleosides, lipids and mixtures thereof. The indicator group is selected from compounds which have a first state when joined to the leaving group, and a second state when the leaving group is cleaved from the indicator group by the enzyme. Preferably, the indicator compounds are rhodamine 110, rhodol, and fluorescein and analogs of these compounds. A method of synthesizing the compound is also disclosed.

A system for treating waste effluent and recovering solids and solvent material including a reservoir mounted on a stand connected by means to a solvent migrator including an adjustable trough for receiving new solution, a secondary reservoir with a cloth or absorbent material designed to contact the fluid in the secondary reservoir, while parallel to the sun's rays, an automatic leveling means and apparatus for recirculation of waste effluent including a leveling ball, and suction tubing for the recirculation of fluid, a solar unit comprised of glass panels to form a collecting dome with collecting troughs and a bonnet to shade the top of the pyramid formed by the dome panels and mirrors for the reflection of sunlight, all of which is connected to a chemical trap and subsequently a collecting means for the pure product.

Waste effluent treatment and solvent recovery system

The device is applicable to a lawn mower of the rotary type having a rotor on a vertical axis, with cutting blades movable to an outer active position in which they extend radially beyond the rotor, and an inner inactive position in which they are retracted within the rotor; a solenoid is utilized to project the cutting blades to active position, and they are spring-loaded to retract them in inactive position; the solenoid is activated by a switch controlled by the usual manual traction control lever, utilized for throwing the motor into drive condition, so that the cutting blades are moved to active position automatically when the mower is put in drive condition and to inactive position when the mower is stopped; the solenoid is actuated by the magneto of the engine provided in the mower.

Lawn mower safety device

Growing community of inventors

Boca Raton, FL, United States of America

Frank J Lucas