Patent ID: 8703418

Claim:
A method of isolating X-chromosome bearing sperm cells and Y-chromosome bearing sperm cells wherein the X-chromosome bearing sperm cells and the Y-chromosome bearing sperm cells have differing sperm head volumes, the method comprising: a) generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation having initial waveform characteristics; b) traversing the volume of each sperm head with the beam of electromagnetic radiation having initial waveform characteristics, wherein the initial waveform characteristics are altered by traversing the volume of each sperm head; d) analyzing the altered wave form characteristics of the beam of electromagnetic radiation; e) assessing the volume of each sperm head by determining a phase shift in the electromagnetic radiation; f) assessing an orientation of each sperm head by determining a phase shift in the electromagnetic radiation; and g) differentiating between X-chromosome bearing sperm cells and Y-chromosome bearing sperm cells based upon the orientation and the volume of each sperm head.