Measurement of serum lipoproteins
AssigneeAtherotech, Inc.
InventorKrishnaji R Kulkarni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Although a more accurate estimate of a person's risk of cardiovascular disease can be made on the basis of the number of lipoprotein particles per unit volume in the person's blood, current methods all rely on measuring the mass of lipoprotein cholesterol per unit volume. It has been discovered that a rapid and accurate lipoprotein particle count can be obtained by photometry. A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the number of lipoprotein particles in a sample using photometry.
Claims51
A method for quantifying a lipid in a sample, the method comprising:
- a. separating the sample into at least an LDL fraction, an IDL fraction, and a VLDL fraction;
- b. obtaining photometric measurements of at least one of the LDL fraction, the IDL fraction, and the VLDL fraction;
- and
- c. calculating a particle count for each fraction from which a photometric measurement was obtained, wherein the particle count is an approximately linear function of the photometric measurement.
A method of measuring lipoprotein particle number in a sample, the method comprising:
- a. separating a first lipid fraction in the sample;
- b. obtaining a photometric measurement in the first lipid fraction;
- and
- c. calculating a particle count for the first lipid fraction that is a function of the photometric measurement.
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An apparatus for quantifying serum lipids in a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a. sampling needle configured to puncture the bottom of a sample vessel;
- b. a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the sampling needle to receive a liquid sample from the needle;
- c. a light scattering counter connected to the second end of the tube and configured to measure light scattering in the sample when conveyed through the tube;
- d. an optical sensor positioned to measure the optical absorbance in the tube and capable of distinguishing air from liquid;
- e. a primary pump configured to pump the sample from the needle through the tube to the counter;
- f. a solenoid valve downstream of the sensor and connected to the sensor to receive an electrical signal causing the valve to close when air is detected by the sensor;
- g. a flush reservoir connected to the tube
- h. a liquid conduit positioned to collect the sample from the bottom of a sample vessel;
- i. a light scattering counter positioned to receive the sample from the conduit and
- j. a sensor proximate to the conduit, wherein the sensor measures a fluid property within the conduit, and wherein said fluid property significantly differs in air and in liquid.
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An apparatus for quantifying lipoprotein particles in one or more lipid fractions, the apparatus comprising:
- a. means for containing a liquid sample having vertically stratified fractions;
- b. means for counting particles in a liquid sample;
- and
- c. means for conveying the lowest stratified fraction from the containing means to the counting means.
51-63. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.