System and methods for sub-population identification within a mixture of particles based on critical ranges of values
AssigneeABS Global, Inc.
InventorsJim Harrington, Dan Antonuk, Fred Savage, David Appleyard, Matthew Ebersole
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for identification and discrimination of subpopulations within a mixture of particles. The systems and methods implement continuous calibration of the classification of particles within the mixture to provide consistency in operation and to reduce inter- and intra-batch processing variation. The systems and methods produce advantageously sorted particle products.
Claims19
A method for identifying subpopulations within a mixture of particles, the subpopulations comprising two or more subpopulations, each subpopulation being distinguishable by a characteristic, the method comprising:
- measuring the characteristics of the two or more subpopulations in a first set of particles in the mixture of particles;
- distinguishing the values of the measured characteristics for each of the two or more subpopulations in the first set of particles in the mixture of particles;
- assigning a critical range of values to each of the two or more subpopulations based on the distinguishing;
- subsequent to assigning the critical range of values, measuring the characteristics of the two or more subpopulations in a second set of particles in the mixture of particles;
- subsequent to measuring the characteristics of the two or more subpopulations in the second set of particles in the mixture of particles, distinguishing the values of the measured characteristics for each of the two or more subpopulations in the second set of particles;
- updating the critical range of values based on the distinguishing of the values of the measured characteristics for each of the two or more subpopulations in the second set of particles in real time;
- assigning a subpopulation classification to particles in the mixture of particles based on the updated critical range of values;
- and
- sorting said particles in the mixture of particles according to the classification assigned to the particles based on the updated critical range of values.
A method for identifying multiple sets of particles within a mixture of particles, each set of particles having a characteristic different from the other sets of particles, comprising:
- providing the mixture of particles;
- detecting a characteristic of a first set of particles within the mixture of particles to produce a signal indicative of the characteristic for the first set of particles;
- generating event data for the signal indicative of the characteristic for said first set of particles;
- compiling the event data for the first set of particles;
- generating a distribution of event data for the first set of particles;
- calculating at least one discrimination value that defines a subpopulation of particles based on the distribution of event data for the first set of particles;
- identifying a plurality of subpopulations of particles based on the at least one discrimination value;
- assigning a critical range of values to each subpopulation of the plurality of subpopulations of particles;
- classifying particles in the subpopulation of particles based on the discrimination value that defines said subpopulation of particles;
- updating the critical range of values based on the classifying, in real time;
- and
- sorting said particles in the subpopulation of particles according to the classification assigned to the particles in the subpopulation of particles based on the updated critical range of values.
A system for producing a sexed sperm sample, comprising:
- a sample delivery apparatus for delivery of a mixture of sperm cells,
- a flow cytometry apparatus,
- a control comprising stored instructions configured to:
- distinguish values of measured characteristics for each subpopulation in a plurality of subpopulations in the mixture of sperm cells,
- assign a critical range of values to each of the subpopulations based on the distinguishing,
- update the critical range of values based on the distinguishing of the values of the measured characteristics for subpopulations in a second set of particles in real time,
- assign a subpopulation classification to particles in the mixture based on the updated critical range of values, and
- sort said particles in the mixture according to the classification assigned to the particles based on the updated critical range of values;
- and
- a sorting apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.