Patent ID: 6074879
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for calibrating or standardizing a flow cytometry instrument for particle analysis using substantially spherical synthetic particles as calibrators or standards, said calibration or standard synthetic particles having predetermined volume and refractive index values, wherein said instrument provides at least one light scatter-related signal from particles passing through said instrument for analysis, comprising:a) passing said calibration or standard synthetic particles having average particle diameters and refractive indices essentially reproducible of particles to be assayed in a liquid flow stream essentially one cell at a time through an incident beam of light;b) detecting a first and a second measurable signal from said calibration or standard synthetic particles passing through said beam of light;c) determining the intensities of said first and second signals, thereby producing a pair of signal intensities;d) converting said pair of signal intensities into volume and refractive index values to provide standardized signal-gains to the flow cytometer; ande) calibrating the flow cytometer for i) volume and refractive index measurements and for ii) counting analyzable particles having signals within appropriate volume and refractive index ranges.