US3907437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cell classification system
Assignee: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1973-04-26
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A system for differentiating among biological cells by determining the shape of the cell nuclei compared to a sphere. The nuclei are dyed and measurement is made of the transmission through the nuclei of the cells of radiation to which the nuclei are optically dense. The number of cells corresponding to each of several different degrees of transmission is then counted.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomas Hirschfeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/02; G01N15/0205; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1468; G01N15/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
Method of determining the comparative shape of cell nuclei of a population of cells characterized in having the same mass of nuclear DNA in each cell, and comprising the steps of measuring for each of said nuclei the magnitude of a shapedependent function other than volume, which is proportional to the concentration of DNA in said each of said nuclei, and comparing said magnitude with a differentily determined value of said function for the same concentration of DNA, whereby to obtain from the comparison a value which is indicative of the shape of said nuclei.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
Method of determining the comparative shape of cell nuclei of a population of cells characterized in having the same mass of nuclear DNA in each cell, and comprising the steps of measuring for each of said nuclei the magnitude of a shapedependent function other than volume, which is proportional to the concentration of DNA in said each of said nuclei, and comparing said magnitude with a differentily determined value of said function for the same concentration of DNA, whereby to obtain from the comparison a value which is indicative of the shape of said nuclei.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of measuring comprises directing onTo said nuclei radiation to which said nuclei are optically thick and determining the extent of absorption of said radiation by said nuclei in sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method as defined in claim 2 including the step of dyeing the cell nuclei before directing said radiation thereon and wherein said radiation has a wavelength at or near the absorption maxima of said dye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of directing comprises directing said radiation onto said nulei so that the determination of absorption is substantially independent of orientation of said nuclei when irradiated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Method as defined in claim 1 including counting the number of said nuclei for each of which the comparison of said magnitude with said value falls within a preselected range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein said value is determined as if said mass were in an arbitrarily selected shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method as defined in claim 6 wherein said shape is a sphere.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for determining the comparative shape of cell nuclei of a population of cells characterized in having the same mass of nuclear DNA in each cell said apparatus comprising in combination; means for directing beam of radiation in a sequence at said nuclei; means for measuring the magnitude of radiation consequently emitted by each of said nuclei so as to produce a series of signals of magnitude variable in proportion to the concentration of DNA in said each of said nuclei and dependent upon the shape of said nuclei; and means for counting the number of said signals having magnitudes falling within each of a plurality of preselected ranges of values thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for determining the comparative shape of cell nuclei of a population of cells characterized in having the same mass of nuclear DNA in each cell said apparatus comprising in combination; means for directing beam of radiation in a sequence at said nuclei; means for measuring the magnitude of radiation consequently emitted by each of said nuclei so as to produce a series of signals of magnitude variable in proportion to the concentration of DNA in said each of said nuclei and dependent upon the shape of said nuclei; and means for counting the number of said signals having magnitudes falling within each of a plurality of preselected ranges of values thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including means for directing said radiation onto said nuclei from at least three different substantially mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including means for directing said radiation onto said nuclei approximately hemispherically.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including means for gathering substantially hemispherically radiation emitted from each of said nuclei as a consequence of radiation being directed onto said nuclei.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for measuring comprises means for determining the optical thickness of said nuclei.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |