Method and apparatus for controlled instrumentation of particles with a filter device

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 wherein in the applying step, said applied pulses in said succession repeat at a rate such that, after application of a first such pulse and before application of the next successive pulse, the parameter in the measuring step equilibrates to a value selectively related to the value prior to application of the first such pulse.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of E. transferring the particles collected on the filter device to an optical element for examination.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 1 wherein the parameter in the measuring step is fluid pressure across the filter device.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 1 wherein the parameter in the measuring step is velocity of the fluid flow through the filter device.

Claim 9

A cytological method for determining a measure responsive to the number of cells in a liquid medium, said method comprising the steps of A. providing a flow path for a liquid medium with cells carried therein across a filter device that blocks cells larger than a selected threshold size and that passes smaller cells, B. applying a selected fluid signal to the flow path for at least a selected time, for producing flow of the liquid medium through said filter device, said signal applying step including applying a succession of selected signal pulses to the fluid, C. measuring a parameter responsive to the change in flow through said filter device in response to each applied signal pulse, said applied pulses in said succession repeating at a rate such that, after application of a first such pulse and before application of the next successive pulse, the measured parameter in the measuring step returns to a value selectively related to the value prior to application of the first such pulse, and D. determining said measure responsive to a selected change in said measured parameter responsive to the change in obstruction of said filter device by cells larger than said threshold size, during said selected time.

Claim 10

A cytological method for determining a measure responsive to the number of cells in a liquid medium, said method comprising the steps of A. providing a flow path for a liquid medium with cells carried therein across a filter device that blocks cells larger than a selected threshold size and that passes smaller cells, B. applying a selected fluid signal to the flow path for at least a selected time, for producing flow of the liquid medium through said filter device, said signal applying step including applying a succession of selected signal pulses to the fluid, C. measuring a parameter responsive to the change in flow through said filter device in response to each applied signal pulse, said applied pulses in said succession repeating at a rate such that, after application of a first such pulse and before application of the next successive pulse, the measured parameter in the measuring step returns to a value selectively related to the value prior to application of the first such pulse, and D. determining said measure responsive to a selected change in said measured parameter responsive to the change in obstruction of said filter device by cells larger than said threshold size, during said selected time.

Claim 11

A cytological method for determining a measure responsive to the number of cells in a liquid medium, said method comprising the steps of A. providing a flow path for a liquid medium with cells carried therein across a filter device that blocks cells larger than a selected threshold size and that passes smaller cells, B. applying a selected fluid signal to the flow path for at least a selected time, for producing flow of the liquid medium through said filter device, said signal applying step including applying a succession of selected signal pulses to the fluid, C. measuring a parameter responsive to the change in flow through said filter device in response to each applied signal pulse, the parameter being measured being the time for flow of the fluid through the filter device or the pressure of the fluid across the filter device to equilibrate by a selected amount, and D. determining said measure responsive to a selected change in said measured parameter responsive to the change in obstruction of said filter device by cells larger than said threshold size, during said selected time.

Claim 12

A cytological method for determining a measure responsive to the number of cells in a liquid medium, said method comprising the steps of A. providing a flow path for a liquid medium with cells carried therein across a filter device that blocks cells larger than a selected threshold size and that passes smaller cells, B. applying a selected fluid signal to the flow path for at least a selected time, for producing flow of the liquid medium through said filter device, said signal applying step including applying a succession of selected signal pulses to the fluid, C. measuring a parameter responsive to the change in flow through said filter device in response to each applied signal pulse, the parameter being measured being the time for flow of the fluid through the filter device or the pressure of the fluid across the filter device to equilibrate by a selected amount, and D. determining said measure responsive to a selected change in said measured parameter responsive to the change in obstruction of said filter device by cells larger than said threshold size, during said selected time.

Claim 13

A method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising the step of E. transferring the cells collected on the filter device to cytological examination apparatus.

Claim 14

Apparatus for providing a quantitative measure of an unknown quantity of particles carried in a fluid, said apparatus comprising A. a filter device that blocks particles above a threshold size and passes smaller particles and means for providing a flow path for the fluid, with the particles carried therein across said filter device, B. means for applying a known fluid signal, as a function of time, to the flow path, including across the filter device, said signal-applying means applying a fluid signal that includes a succession of known flow-producing pulses having like polarity, C. means for measuring, for each applied pulse, the time for a parameter of flow of the fluid through the filter device to equilibrate by a selected amount and D. means for determining from said measured time, and from calibration information, a quantitative measure of particles in the fluid above said threshold size.

Claim 15

Apparatus for providing a quantitative measure of an unknown quantity of particles carried in a fluid, said apparatus comprising A. a filter device that blocks particles above a threshold size and passes smaller particles and means for providing a flow path for the fluid, with the particles carried therein across said filter device, B. means for applying a known fluid signal, as a function of time, to the flow path, including across the filter device, said signal-applying means applying a fluid signal that includes a succession of known flow-producing pulses having like polarity, C. means for measuring, for each applied pulse, the time for a parameter of flow of the fluid through the filter device to equilibrate by a selected amount and D. means for determining from said measured time, and from calibration information, a quantitative measure of particles in the fluid above said threshold size.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for affecting the length of time for equilibration of the measured parameter of the fluid.