Patent ID: 6422065
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method in which a sample of cells suspended in a liquid medium, wherein the cells have at least one measurable property distinct from that of the liquid medium, is subjected to analysis by a method including the steps of:(a) passing a first aliquot of the sample cell suspension through a sensor, (b) measuring said at least one property of the cell suspension, (c) recording the measurement of said property for the first aliquot of cells; (d) subjecting the first or at least one other aliquot of the sample cell suspension to an alteration in at least one parameter of the cell environment which has the potential to alter the shape of the cells in the sample to a known or identifiable extent to create an altered cell suspension, (e) passing said altered cell suspension through a sensor, (f) measuring said at least one property of the altered cell suspension, (g) recording the measurement of said at least one property for said altered suspension, (h) comparing the data from steps (c) and (g) and determining a sample specific cell shape compensation factor, (i) applying the cell shape compensation factor to the measurement of said at least one property of the first aliquot of cells in step (c) in the calculation of a cell parameter, so as to take account of a variation in cell shape between the first aliquot of cells in step (c) and said altered cell suspension in step (g).