US3836849A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for classifying particles
Assignee: Coulter Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-14
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1991-10-14
Abstract
Abstract To enhance the selectivity of the electronic classification of particles which are to be sensed in an electronic field which includes a high frequency energization and which thereby employs the electronic opacity of the particles as a basis for their classification, the particles are treated, for example, by a lysing agent, which selectively causes the opacity of certain types of the particles to change; whereby, each distinctive type of particle acquires a distinctive opacity range that is subject to electronic detection. Further selectivity can be obtained by electronically excluding after the treatment and before classification any undesired opacity range.
Inventors
- 👤 P Ferro
- 👤 W Coulter
- 👤 M Ingram
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/1031; G01N15/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In a method for the electronic classification of different types of particles such classification having as one basis the detection of the electronic opacity of the particles, the steps of: subjecting all of the particles to treating means which selectively acts nondestructively upon said different types of particles by significantly changing the electronic opacity of at least one of the particle types, electronically sensing at least tHe opacity of each particle in an electronic field that includes a high frequency energization, and detecting the electrical result of said sensing in a manner which enables the classification of said particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a method for the electronic classification of different types of particles such classification having as one basis the detection of the electronic opacity of the particles, the steps of: subjecting all of the particles to treating means which selectively acts nondestructively upon said different types of particles by significantly changing the electronic opacity of at least one of the particle types, electronically sensing at least tHe opacity of each particle in an electronic field that includes a high frequency energization, and detecting the electrical result of said sensing in a manner which enables the classification of said particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said subjecting to treating means alters the impedance of at least said one particle type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said subjecting to treating means alters the internal impedance of said one particle type to a greater extent than said subjecting alters the impedance of another of the particle types.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 3 in which said treating means causes a chemical reaction with said particle types whereby their internal impedances are selectively altered.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said detecting includes the electronic exclusion of particles whose opacity falls within at least one defined range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 5 in which said exclusion is in an opacity range of particles the opacity of which was significantly changed by said treating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said treating means causes a chemical reaction with at least said one particle type to change is opacity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 7 in which at least said one particle type possesses internal contents which, by said chemical reaction is removed, at least partially.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said treating means comprises a lysing agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 9 in which said lysing agent is selected from the group of those detergents, plant alkaloids, and enzymes which are capable of functioning as lysing agents.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the detergent is a quarternary ammonium salt which is capable of functioning as a lysing agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 11 in which said quarternary ammonium salt is selected from the group of hexacytyltrimethylammonium bromide, hexatrimethylammonium chloride, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the plant alkaloid is a saponin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the enzyme is streptolysin-O.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 10 in which at least said one particle type is found in whole blood.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 in which at least said one particle type is found in whole blood and said treating means comprises a lysing agent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 16 in which said blood particles possess internal contents and said lysing agent is employed to the extent that the particles are caused to lose at least some of their internal contents, but the particles otherwise remain intact.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 17 which further comprises the step of creating a suspension of the particles in a fluid having an impedance different from the impedance of the internal contents of the particles; whereby, when said internal contents are lost, said contents are replaced by said fluid to effect a detectable change in the impedance of the internal contents of the particles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 18 in which said detecting includes the electronic exclusion of particles whose opacity falls within at least one defined range.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 19 in which said exclusion is in an opacity range of particles the opacity of which was significantly changed by said treating means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 19 in which said exclusion is accomplished by subtracting from said electrical result of said sensing of all particles an electrical value equal to the electrical value of the opacity response attributable to the defined opacity range.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 21 in which said lysing agent causes a chemical reaction to attain the lysing result.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3502973A
Cited
US3498112A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |