Patent ID: 6743634
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for differentiating sub-populations of platelets or basophils from other blood cells and/or particles in a blood sample, said method comprising the stops of:(a) passing the individual blood cells and particles of a blood sample, one at a time, through a cell-interrogation zone in which each blood cell and particle is irradiated by a beam of radiation propagating along an optical axis; (b) simultaneously (i) detecting the level of back-scattered radiation from each irradiated blood cell and particle using a plurality of optical fibers to transmit the back-scattered radiation to a photodetector, and (ii) detecting at least one other measurable effect produced by a blood cell or particle passing through the cell-interrogation zone; (c) producing first and second signals proportional to the detected level of the back-scattered radiation and the other measurable effect, respectively; and (d) using the first and second signals to differentiate from said other blood cells and particles in the blood sample.