Patent ID: 8557587

Claim:
A method of generating a sort decision signal for sorting a cell of a plurality of cells in a sort logic controller of a flow cytometer comprising: calculating statistical event probability data in said sort logic controller of said flow cytometer comprising: detecting a biological response of said cell in response to illumination by a source of electromagnetic radiation using optical detectors; calculating a statistical probability that said cell belongs to a predetermined population of one of at least two overlapping Gaussian distribution functions based upon analysis of said biological response using an event probability calculator in said sort logic controller comprising; deconvolving said two Gaussian distribution functions; calculating mean values and standard deviation values for said two Gaussian distribution functions; using said mean values and said standard deviation values in a probability distribution function to derive said statistical event probability data for said at least two overlapping Gaussian distribution functions; comparing values of said statistical event probability data to determine a most likely population of said at least two overlapping Gaussian distribution functions to which said cell belongs; calculating droplet probability data in said sort logic controller comprising: determining a location of said cell in a droplet that is formed in said flow cytometer; comparing said location of said cell in said droplet with probability data indicating a probability that said cell is present in said predetermined droplet using a droplet probability calculator; calculating droplet desirability data for said droplet comprising: combining said statistical event probability data and said droplet probability data using a droplet desirability calculator in said sort logic controller of said flow cytometer; generating a sort decision signal by comparing said droplet desirability data with an internally set threshold using a sort decision calculator in said sort logic controller of said flow cytometer.