Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
393 words
A method for identifying subpopulation of cells of interest without interference from other cells comprising a. providing a sample of at least three types of cells including at least a first and second type of cell which form a subpopulation of cells of interest and at least a third type of cell which interferes with the identification of said subpopulation, b. dividing said sample into at least two aliquots, c. labelling a first antibody which is specific for said third type of cells but not for said subpopulation with at least two fluorochromes, each of said fluorochromes having distinct emission spectra, d. forming a mixture of said differently labelled first antibody with a first one of said sample aliquots so as to label said third type of cells with said first antibody, e. providing excitation energy to said first sample aliquot by cytometry techniques to excite each type of said fluorochromes, f. performing a first analysis by analyzing each cell to determine the fluorescence emitted and to count said third type of cells and distinguish said third type of cells from said subpopulation, g. retaining the information provided by said first analysis, h. labelling a second antibody which is specific for said first type of cells of said subpopulation with at least one of said fluorochromes used to label said first antibody, i. labelling a third antibody which is specific for said second type of cells of said subpopulation with at least one of the other of said fluorochromes used to label said first antibody, j. forming a mixture of said differently labelled first antibody, said labelled second antibody and said labelled third antibody with another of same sample aliquots so as to label said first, second and third type of cells with the antibody specific for the respective type of cell, k. providing excitation energy to said second sample aliquot by cytometry techniques to excite each type of said fluorochromes, l. performing a second analysis by analyzing each cell to determine the fluorescence emitted and to count said first, second and third types of cells and to distinguish each type of cell, m. applying the retained information of said first analysis to remove the effect of said third type of cells and to provide a direct proportional analysis of said first and said second type of said subpopulation of cells of interest.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
393 words
A method for identifying subpopulation of cells of interest without interference from other cells comprising a. providing a sample of at least three types of cells including at least a first and second type of cell which form a subpopulation of cells of interest and at least a third type of cell which interferes with the identification of said subpopulation, b. dividing said sample into at least two aliquots, c. labelling a first antibody which is specific for said third type of cells but not for said subpopulation with at least two fluorochromes, each of said fluorochromes having distinct emission spectra, d. forming a mixture of said differently labelled first antibody with a first one of said sample aliquots so as to label said third type of cells with said first antibody, e. providing excitation energy to said first sample aliquot by cytometry techniques to excite each type of said fluorochromes, f. performing a first analysis by analyzing each cell to determine the fluorescence emitted and to count said third type of cells and distinguish said third type of cells from said subpopulation, g. retaining the information provided by said first analysis, h. labelling a second antibody which is specific for said first type of cells of said subpopulation with at least one of said fluorochromes used to label said first antibody, i. labelling a third antibody which is specific for said second type of cells of said subpopulation with at least one of the other of said fluorochromes used to label said first antibody, j. forming a mixture of said differently labelled first antibody, said labelled second antibody and said labelled third antibody with another of same sample aliquots so as to label said first, second and third type of cells with the antibody specific for the respective type of cell, k. providing excitation energy to said second sample aliquot by cytometry techniques to excite each type of said fluorochromes, l. performing a second analysis by analyzing each cell to determine the fluorescence emitted and to count said first, second and third types of cells and to distinguish each type of cell, m. applying the retained information of said first analysis to remove the effect of said third type of cells and to provide a direct proportional analysis of said first and said second type of said subpopulation of cells of interest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said subpopulation of cells of interest include T cells and B cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said subpopulation of cells include helper cells and suppressor cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said subpopulation of cells include suppressor cells and natural killer cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said third type of interfering subpopulation cells is monocytes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said third type of interfering cells is monocytes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said third type of interfering cells is monocytes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said third type of interfering cells is monoctyes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sample is a peripheral blood sample.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein said peripheral blood sample is treated to recover a mononuclear cell fraction prior to proceeding with Step b through Step m.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said information retained from said first analysis is stored in a computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein the information obtained by performing said second analysis is stored in said computer and the retained information of said first analysis is applied by said computer to the information obtained from said second analysis to provide a direct proportional analysis of said first and said second type of cells from said subpopulation of cells of interest.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cytometry technique is flow cytometry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein a further component of said subpopulation of cells of interest is identified by being labeled with both said second antibody and said third antibody.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said further component is separately accounted for during said application of said retained information of said first analysis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein more than one type of interfering cells is identified and accounted for during said second analysis.