Patent ID: 6197523
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for detecting the presence or absence of individual circulating epithelial cancer cells in an anticoagulated whole blood sample, 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 the walls of the container;b) combining the blood sample with one or more epitope-specific labeling agents so as to differentiate any individual epithelial cancer cells from other cells in the blood sample;c) combining the blood sample with a colorant which is operable to clarify individual epithelial cancer cell morphology in all individual epithelial cancer cells in the blood sample;d) placing the blood sample in the container and centrifuging the blood sample in the container so as to cause any individual epithelial cancer cells present in the blood sample to localize in said free volume in the container;e) enumerating any individual differentiated epithelial cancer cells found in situ in the free volume in the container;f) examining the cell morphology of any individual differentiated epithelial cancer cells in situ in the free volume in the container;g) said combining steps being performed either before or after the blood sample is placed in the container; andh) said enumerating and examining steps being performed in no particular order.