Patent ID: 6911315
Filing Date: 2005-06-28
Classification: C07K,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for analyzing an anticoagulated whole blood sample for the presence or absence of target circulating blood cells which are characterized by target cell membrane epitopes which epitopes are expressed as the result of a particular biological cellular condition in the target cells, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a transparent container having a cavity containing an insert, said container and insert combining to form a free volume between the insert and a wall or walls of the container; b) combining the blood sample with one or more target epitope-specific labeling agents so as to calorimetrically differentiate any individual target cells in the blood sample from other cells in the blood sample; c) placing the blood sample in the container and centrifuging the blood sample in the container so as to cause any individual target cells present in the blood sample to localize in said free volume in the container; d) examining the centrifuged blood sample for the presence or absence of any individual differentiated target cells found in situ in the free volume in the container; and e) said combining step being performed either before or after the blood sample is placed in the container.