Ortho Diagnostics Systems, Inc.

Ortho Diagnostic Systems Inc.

Ortho Diagnostics, Inc.

Robert A Hoffman

W Peter Hansen

Russell J Gershman

Peter J Natale

Stefan J Kirchanski

J Garland O'Connell

Richard L Kane

Giora Davidovits

Stephen H Ip

Brandon J Price

Samples are prepared and applied to a cuvette, and the cuvette is translated in a given direction. Laser light is coupled to the sample through a Bragg cell, which causes the beam to scan the sample transversely to the given direction. Select optical parameters are monitored, and when they occur, the scan is stopped or slowed for a more complete analysis of the illuminated cell.

Methods and apparatus for analysis of particles and cells

Red cell samples are passed through a zone of focused illumination, and a scatter vs. time pulse is obtained for each. Each pulse is analyzed for pulse width, pulse area, and pulse shape. These parameters are respectively collected, and three coefficients of variation are obtained for each such collection. In addition to these three abnormality factors, the mean of the pulse shape collection constitutes a fourth. The four are respectively subject to statistical criteria, and are combined in predetermined fashion for a single red cell morphology index.

Screening method for red cell abnormality

Methods for the determination of phagocytic and killing ability of selected leukocyte subclasses based upon the use of three part differentials obtained by light scatter characteristics and gated fluorescence. Particles having multiple fluorescent labels associated therewith, one of which is sensitive to reactive oxygen, incubated with the leukocytes. Detection of the fluorescent labels permits identification of cells having phagocytic ability, as determined by presence of the non-sensitive label, and also the identification of those with killing ability as determined by the decrease in fluorescence from the sensitive label.

Simultaneous detection of leukocyte phagocytic and killing ability

Method for discriminating unstained cells from stained cells in a heterogeneous population. Specified cell types are stained with an absorbing stain and all cells are passed through the class of flow cytometry instrumentation employing focused collimated light sources. Detection of low angle and wide angle light scatter permits differentiation between the cell types on the basis that cells stained with an absorbing stain produce comparatively less low angle light scatter and comparatively more wide angle light scatter than do unstained cells.

Method for discriminating between unstained and absorbing dye stained

A sample having a mixture of unknown stained cells and known cells having different staining characteristics is analyzed rapidly, a cell at a time, in a flow cytometry system having a sample stream dimension in the range of expected cell dimensions. The cells are illuminated with focused illumination and fluorescence is detected and related to the number of cells. The resulting histogram of the mixture sample may be analyzed by counting the cells in a controlled population below a relatively low threshold value of fluorescence intensity to form a first fraction and relating this fraction to the fraction of cells in the sample mixture below the threshold value of fluorescence intensity to determine the number of unknown cells in the sample mixture.

Method for counting overlapping cell populations in a distribution

Fluorescence volume exclusion signals are utilized to evaluate cell volume. Cells are suspended in a medium which is furnished with a fluorescent dye which neither penetrates nor adheres to the cells. Cells are analyzed by an optical flow cytometer, with illumination which causes the dye medium to fluoresce. Passage of a cell through the sensing zone therefore reduces the amount of fluorescent medium being illuminated, and proportionally reduces the fluorescence output signal. Fluorescence volume exclusion pulse height and area are related to cell volume.

Automated method for cell volume determination

Specified subclasses of blood cells, such as of lymphocytes, are automatically identified based on utilization of antigenic determinants on the cell surface, their reactivity with antibodies which fluoresce under known circumstances, and utilization of principles of flow cytometry. A blood sample is first incubated with a reagent including antibodies to the lymphocyte subclass to be identified, the antibodies being directly or indirectly made fluorescently responsive to particular light (e. g. argon ion laser). The sample is illuminated, a cell at a time, by such focused coherent light, and forward light scatter, right angle light scatter, and fluorescence are detected and used to identify and enumerate cells of the specified subclass.

Growing community of inventors

Mansfield, MA, United States of America

Robert A Hoffman