Method of stabilizing platelets for determining multiple platelet parameters in reference control and calibrator compositions; and diluents thereof

Claim 1

A method of stabilizing platelets for determining multiple platelet parameters in reference controls and calibrators for electronic particle counting instruments which comprises adding to a platelet rich plasma a composition containing glutaraldehyde in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% w/v, and a non-ionic surfactant which is a mixture of ethoxylates of isomeric linear alcohols having the formula: ##STR2## in which the polyoxyethylene chain is randomly attached to the linear aliphatic chain, n=9 to 13, and x=9 to 13, said nonionic surfactant being present in a concentration of 0.01 to 1% w/v, and the mixture being adjusted to a preselected range of pH and osmolality.

Claim 2

A method of stabilizing platelets for determining multiple platelet parameters in reference controls and calibrators for electronic particle counting instruments which comprises adding to a platelet rich plasma a composition containing glutaraldehyde in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% w/v, and a non-ionic surfactant which is a mixture of ethoxylates of isomeric linear alcohols having the formula: ##STR2## in which the polyoxyethylene chain is randomly attached to the linear aliphatic chain, n=9 to 13, and x=9 to 13, said nonionic surfactant being present in a concentration of 0.01 to 1% w/v, and the mixture being adjusted to a preselected range of pH and osmolality.

Claim 3

A method of stabilizing platelets for determining multiple platelet parameters in reference controls and calibrators for electronic particle counting instruments which comprises adding to a platelet rich plasma a composition containing glutaraldehyde in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% w/v, and a non-ionic surfactant which is a mixture of ethoxylates of isomeric linear alcohols having the formula: ##STR3## in which the polyoxyethylene chain is randomly attached to the linear aliphatic chain, n=9 to 13, and x=9 to 13, said nonionic surfactant being present in a concentration of 0.01% to 1% w/v and the mixture being adjusted to a pH of 7.3 to 7.4 and an osmolality of 290 mOs/kg.

Claim 4

A method of stabilizing platelets for determining multiple platelet parameters in reference controls and calibrators for electronic particle counting instruments which comprises adding to a platelet rich plasma a composition containing glutaraldehyde in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% w/v, and a non-ionic surfactant which is a mixture of ethoxylates of isomeric linear alcohols having the formula: ##STR3## in which the polyoxyethylene chain is randomly attached to the linear aliphatic chain, n=9 to 13, and x=9 to 13, said nonionic surfactant being present in a concentration of 0.01% to 1% w/v and the mixture being adjusted to a pH of 7.3 to 7.4 and an osmolality of 290 mOs/kg.

Claim 7

A method for fixing and stabilizing platelets for use in whole blood controls or stand alone platelet controls which comprises: A. Adding a 2.0 molar aqueous solution of urea to the platelets to be stabilized; B. Within five days adding a fixative-stabilizing composition comprising a. an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, a monobasic phosphate salt and a dibasic phosphate salt, adjusted to a selected pH and osmolality; b. a bacteriostatic agent comprising sodium azide; and c. a nonionic surfactant which is a mixture of ethoxylates of isomeric linear alcohols having the formula: ##STR5## in which the polyoxyethylene chain is randomly attached to the linear aliphatic chain, n=9 to 13, and x=9 to 13, said surfactant being present in a concentration of 0.01 to 1% w/v; and d. Glutaraldehyde in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% w/v; C. Allowing the mixture to stand for two to five days at room temperature; and D. Expressing off the fixative-stabilizing composition, and then resuspending the stabilized platelets in a suspension media for determining multiple platelet parameters.

Claim 8

A method for fixing and stabilizing platelets for use in whole blood controls or stand alone platelet controls which comprises: A. Adding a 2.0 molar aqueous solution of urea to the platelets to be stabilized; B. Within five days adding a fixative-stabilizing composition comprising a. an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, a monobasic phosphate salt and a dibasic phosphate salt, adjusted to a selected pH and osmolality; b. a bacteriostatic agent comprising sodium azide; and c. a nonionic surfactant which is a mixture of ethoxylates of isomeric linear alcohols having the formula: ##STR5## in which the polyoxyethylene chain is randomly attached to the linear aliphatic chain, n=9 to 13, and x=9 to 13, said surfactant being present in a concentration of 0.01 to 1% w/v; and d. Glutaraldehyde in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% w/v; C. Allowing the mixture to stand for two to five days at room temperature; and D. Expressing off the fixative-stabilizing composition, and then resuspending the stabilized platelets in a suspension media for determining multiple platelet parameters.