Patent ID: 8219366
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: C12Q,G06F,G16B

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of determining a cycle threshold (Ct) value for a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) data curve having a parabolic shape, the method comprising the steps, implemented in a computer system, of: receiving a data set representing a PCR growth curve, the data set having a plurality of coordinate values (x,y), where x is a cycle number and y is an indicator of accumulated growth; approximating the data set using a two segment piecewise linear function having a first linear segment ending at x* and a second linear segment beginning at x*, wherein the two segment piecewise linear function has the form:  where a, b, and c are parameters for the approximation; determining, with the computer system: estimating, with the computer system, the Ct value of the data set using:  and outputting the Ct value for display or further processing.