U.S. patent application number 16/994254 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for methods and systems for sample analysis.
The applicant listed for this patent is Abbott Laboratories. Invention is credited to Martin Krockenberger.
Application Number | 20210123852 16/994254 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005328981 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
![](/patent/app/20210123852/US20210123852A1-20210429\US20210123852A1-2021042)
United States Patent
Application |
20210123852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krockenberger; Martin |
April 29, 2021 |
Methods and Systems for Sample Analysis
Abstract
The present disclosure includes provides methods for analyzing
biological samples to identify, classify, and/or quantify platelets
in the sample. The present disclosure also provides systems and
methods for analyzing a blood sample to determine presence of
platelet clumps in the sample. Also provided are systems configured
for performing the disclosed methods and computer readable medium
storing instructions for performing steps of the disclosed
methods.
Inventors: |
Krockenberger; Martin; (Los
Gatos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Abbott Laboratories |
Abbott Park |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005328981 |
Appl. No.: |
16/994254 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15987620 |
May 23, 2018 |
10794814 |
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16994254 |
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62511237 |
May 25, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 2015/1402 20130101;
G01N 15/1459 20130101; G01N 2015/0038 20130101; G01N 15/1429
20130101; G01N 2015/0073 20130101; G01N 2015/1006 20130101; G01N
2015/0084 20130101; G01N 2015/1481 20130101; G01N 15/1436 20130101;
G01N 15/1404 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 15/14 20060101
G01N015/14 |
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A method of identifying a sample as comprising platelet clumps,
the method comprising: incubating a sample with a reagent
comprising a cell permeable fluorescent dye and a red blood cell
lysis agent for a period of time sufficient to lyse red blood cells
and to fluorescently stain nucleus-containing cells; flowing the
sample through a flow cell of the flow cytometer; optically
interrogating the sample flowing through the flow cell; detecting
optical signals from the interrogated sample; identifying events
associated with a fluorescent signal below a threshold, wherein
identified events have a fluorescent signal below the fluorescent
signal from white blood cells (WBCs); and determining size of the
identified events, wherein presence of events having a size larger
than platelets indicates that the sample comprises platelet
clumps.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising selecting the
identified events that are of a larger size than that of platelets;
fitting a line to the selected events; extending the line into
signals associated with WBCs; and reclassifying WBCs near the line
as platelet clumps.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the signals comprise one or
more of fluorescence (FL), intermediate angle scatter (IAS),
polarized side scatter (PSS), or axial light loss (ALL).
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the signals comprise
fluorescence (FL) and polarized side scatter (PSS).
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the sample is a whole blood
sample.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein optically interrogating the
particles comprises exciting the cells using a laser.
21. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions
that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing
device to: detect optical signals from an interrogated sample,
wherein the optical signals are generated from flowing the sample
through a flow cell of a flow cytometer and optically interrogating
the flowing sample, wherein the sample has been incubated with a
reagent, comprising a cell permeable fluorescent dye and a red
blood cell lysis agent, for a period of time sufficient to lyse red
blood cells and to fluorescently stain nucleus-containing cells;
identify events associated with a fluorescent signal below a
threshold, wherein identified events have a fluorescent signal
below the fluorescent signal from white blood cells (WBCs); and
determine size of the identified events, wherein presence of events
having a size larger than platelets indicates that the sample
comprises platelet clumps.
22. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21,
wherein the instructions comprise instructions that cause the
computing device to: select the identified events that are of a
larger size than that of platelets; fit a line to the selected
events; extend the line into signals associated with WBCs; and
reclassify WBCs near the line as platelet clumps.
23. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21,
wherein the signals comprise one or more of fluorescence (FL),
intermediate angle scatter (IAS), polarized side scatter (PSS), or
axial light loss (ALL).
24. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21,
wherein the signals comprise intermediate angle scatter (IAS) and
polarized side scatter (PSS).
25. A flow cytometer, comprising: a flow cell; an optical particle
interrogation system optically coupled to the flow cell; and the
non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/511,237 filed May 25, 2017, which
application is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to hematology systems and
methods. More specifically, present disclosure relates detection of
platelets in a biological sample, such as, a blood sample. The
present disclosure also relates to detection of platelet clumps in
a biological sample, such as, a blood sample. Platelets, also
called thrombocytes, are small colorless disk-shaped cell fragment
without a nucleus, found in large numbers in blood and involved in
clotting. Un-activated platelets are lens-shaped biconvex discoid
structures, 2-3 .mu.m in diameter and are the smallest cells in
blood.
[0003] Low platelet concentration is thrombocytopenia and is due to
either decreased production or increased destruction. Elevated
platelet concentration is thrombocytosis and is either congenital,
reactive (to cytokines), or due to unregulated production: one of
the myeloproliferative neoplasms or certain other myeloid
neoplasms. A disorder of platelet function is referred to as a
thrombocytopathy.
[0004] Detection of platelets is often limited by noise in the
analyzer. Noise can be caused by the light source (such as,
fluctuation in laser power), the amplifying electronics or other
sources. The methods disclosed herein separate platelets from
noise.
[0005] Platelet clumps can be present in blood samples and can
often form in collected sample and can interfere with cell counts.
The methods disclosed herein identify presence of platelet clumps
in a sample.
SUMMARY
[0006] Aspects of the instant disclosure include a method for
differentiating platelets events from noise in a flow cytometer.
The method may include flowing a sample comprising platelets
through a flow cell of the flow cytometer; optically interrogating
the sample flowing through the flow cell; detecting optical signals
from the interrogated sample; separating detected signals into
signals corresponding to Red Blood Cells (RBCs) events and events
smaller than RBC events; separating the signals corresponding to
events smaller than RBC events into putative platelet events and
putative noise; converting signals corresponding to putative
platelet events and putative noise into logarithmic scale; fitting
the converted signals using Gaussian mixture model to generate a
fitted distribution for the putative platelet events and putative
noise; and identifying the putative platelet events as platelet
events when the location and width of the fitted distribution is
within range for platelet events.
[0007] In other aspects, the method includes prior to the
identifying, comparing the location and width of the fitted
distribution for the putative platelet events to the location and
width of the fitted distribution for the putative noise, wherein
when the distributions are outside of accepted range, fitting a
Gaussian mixture model with a higher constraint for noise.
[0008] In some aspects, fitting the converted signals using
Gaussian mixture model may involve using an expectation
maximization algorithm. For example, the log for putative platelet
events and putative noise can be plotted as a histogram and modeled
using Gaussian mixture modeling.
[0009] In some aspects, a computer-implemented data analysis system
may perform Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm to create
Gaussian mixture model (GMM) for the log data for putative PLT
events and putative noise. In some aspects, EM algorithm may be
performed iteratively to improve a solution for the GMM.
[0010] In some aspects, a computer-implemented data analysis system
may perform Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm to create
Gaussian mixture model (GMM) for the log data for putative PLT
events and putative noise as well as putative WBC and RBC events.
In such cases, the GMM may be used to fit events smaller than WBCs
and RBCs.
[0011] In other aspects, the method includes wherein the detecting
signals from the interrogated sample is performed at a frequency of
100 recordings/second, 1000 recordings/second, 10,000
recordings/second, or 100,000 recordings/second.
[0012] In other aspects, the method includes wherein the signals
comprise one or more of intermediate angle scatter (IAS), polarized
side scatter (PSS), or axial light loss (ALL).
[0013] In other aspects, the method includes wherein the signals
comprise intermediate angle scatter (IAS) and polarized side
scatter (PSS).
[0014] In some aspects, the sample is a whole blood sample. In some
aspects, the sample is an unlysed whole blood sample which contains
intact RBCs. In some aspects, the sample is a whole blood sample
that is stained with a cell permeable fluorescent dye that binds to
nucleic acids and contains RBCs. In other aspects, the sample is a
whole blood sample that is stained with a cell permeable
fluorescent dye that binds to nucleic acids and is lysed to remove
intact RBCs. In other aspects, the sample has been incubated with a
RBC lysis reagent and is not stained with a cell permeable
fluorescent dye that binds to nucleic acids.
[0015] In other aspects, the method includes wherein optically
interrogating the particles comprises exciting the cells using a
laser.
[0016] In other aspects, a system for performing the method for
differentiating platelets events from noise in a flow cytometer as
disclosed herein is provided. In certain aspects, the system may be
comprise a flow cytometer.
[0017] Aspects of the instant disclosure include a non-transitory
computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed
by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the
steps for differentiating platelets events from noise in a flow
cytometer, as provided herein.
[0018] Aspects of the instant disclosure include a method for
identifying a sample as comprising platelet clumps. The method may
include incubating a sample with a reagent comprising a fluorescent
dye and a red blood cell lysis agent for a period of time
sufficient to lyse red blood cells and to fluorescently stain
nucleus-containing cells; flowing the sample through a flow cell of
the flow cytometer; optically interrogating the sample flowing
through the flow cell; detecting optical signals from the
interrogated sample; identifying events associated with a
fluorescent signal below a threshold, wherein identified events
have a fluorescent signal below the fluorescent signal from white
blood cells (WBCs); and determining size of the identified events,
wherein presence of events having a size larger than platelets
indicates that the sample comprises platelet clumps.
[0019] In other aspects, the method includes selecting the
identified events that are of a larger size than that of platelets;
fitting a line to the selected events; extending the line into
signals associated with WBCs; and reclassifying WBCs near the line
as platelet clumps. The reclassifying removes the platelet clumps
event from the WBCs events to provide a correct WBCs count.
[0020] In other aspects, the method includes wherein the signals
comprise one or more of intermediate angle scatter (IAS), polarized
side scatter (PSS), axial light loss (ALL), or fluorescence
(FL).
[0021] In other aspects, the method includes wherein the signals
comprise FL and PSS.
[0022] In some aspects, the sample is a whole blood sample. In
other aspects, the sample has been stained with a fluorescent dye
that binds to nucleic acid. In other aspects, the sample has been
incubated with a RBC lysis reagent.
[0023] In other aspects, the method includes wherein optically
interrogating the particles comprises exciting the cells using a
laser.
[0024] In other aspects, a system for performing the method for
identifying a sample as comprising platelet clumps as disclosed
herein is provided. In certain aspects, the system may be comprise
a flow cytometer.
[0025] Aspects of the instant disclosure include a non-transitory
computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed
by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the
steps for identifying a sample as comprising platelet clumps, as
provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0026] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary method for differentiating
platelets from noise signals detected from a hematology
analyzer.
[0027] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method for detecting presence of
platelet (PLT) clumps in a sample analyzed in a hematology
analyzer.
[0028] FIG. 3 provides a plot of logarithmic polarized side scatter
(log PSS) and logarithmic intermediate angle scatter 3 (log IAS3)
derived from PSS and IAS signals detected from a hematology
analyzer for a first sample.
[0029] FIG. 4 provides a histogram for noise and platelet related
data depicted in FIG. 3.
[0030] FIG. 5 provides a plot of logarithmic polarized side scatter
(log PSS) and logarithmic intermediate angle scatter 3 (log IAS3)
derived from PSS and IAS signals detected from a hematology
analyzer for a second sample.
[0031] FIG. 6 provides a histogram for noise and platelet related
data depicted in FIG. 5.
[0032] FIG. 7A depicts a plot for PSS (X-axis) and FL (Y-axis)
recorded from a flow cytometer. Events having FL signals below that
for WBCs are indicated by +. FIG. 7B depicts classification of
additional PLT clumps by extending a line fitted to the identified
PLT clumps into signals for WBCs.
[0033] FIG. 8A depicts a plot for PSS (X-axis) and FL (Y-axis)
recorded from a flow cytometer. Events having FL signals below that
for WBCs are indicated by +. FIG. 8B depicts classification of
additional PLT clumps by extending a 3D line fitted to the
identified PLT clumps into signals for WBCs.
DEFINITIONS
[0034] The term "assessing" includes any form of measurement, and
includes determining if an element is present or not. The terms
"determining", "measuring", "evaluating", "assessing" and
"assaying" are used interchangeably and include quantitative and
qualitative determinations. Assessing may be relative or
absolute.
[0035] The term "bodily fluid" as used herein generally refers to
fluids derived from a "biological sample" which encompasses a
variety of sample types obtained from an individual or a population
of individuals and can be used in a diagnostic, monitoring or
screening assay. The definition encompasses blood and other liquid
samples of biological origin. The definition also includes samples
that have been manipulated in any way after their procurement, such
as by mixing or pooling of individual samples, treatment with
reagents, solubilization, or enrichment for certain components,
such as nucleated cells, non-nucleated cells, pathogens, etc.
[0036] The term "biological sample" encompasses a clinical sample,
and also includes cells in culture, cell supernatants, cell
lysates, serum, plasma, biological fluid, and tissue samples. The
term "biological sample" includes urine, saliva, cerebrospinal
fluid, interstitial fluid, ocular fluid, synovial fluid, whole
blood, blood fractions such as plasma and serum, and the like.
[0037] As used herein, the term "event" means a particle generating
a signal that is sufficient to trigger at least one detector, such
as, for example, the IAS detector, whereby that at least one
detector signals the analyzer to collect measurements of that
particle on all of the detectors enabled on the analyzer, e.g.,
ALL, IAS, PSS, and DSS. Particles include, but are not limited to,
are white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), red blood cell
fragments, platelets (PLT), lipids, and platelet (PLT) clumps.
[0038] As used herein, the terms and phrases "diluent", "sheath",
and "diluent/sheath", and the like, mean a sheath diluent of the
type suitable for use with CELL-DYN.RTM. Sapphire.TM.,
CELL-DYN.RTM. Ruby.TM., CELL-DYN.RTM. 3000 series, and
CELL-DYN.RTM. 4000 series hematology analyzers, which sheath
diluents are commercially available from Abbott Laboratories, Santa
Clara, Calif., and incorporated herein by reference.
[0039] As used herein, the term "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid,
which is a polymeric chromosomal constituent of living cell nuclei.
As used herein, the term "RNA" means ribonucleic acid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The present disclosure includes methods of. Also provided
are systems configured for performing the disclosed methods and
computer readable medium storing instructions for performing steps
of the disclosed methods.
[0041] Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to
particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It
is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for
the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not
intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention
will be limited only by the appended claims.
[0042] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that
each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper
and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening
value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention.
The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may
independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also
encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically
excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes
one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those
included limits are also included in the invention.
[0043] Certain ranges are presented herein with numerical values
being preceded by the term "about." The term "about" is used herein
to provide literal support for the exact number that it precedes,
as well as a number that is near to or approximately the number
that the term precedes. In determining whether a number is near to
or approximately a specifically recited number, the near or
approximating un-recited number may be a number which, in the
context in which it is presented, provides the substantial
equivalent of the specifically recited number.
[0044] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, representative illustrative methods and materials are
now described.
[0045] All publications and patents cited in this specification are
herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication
or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference
to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection
with which the publications are cited. The citation of any
publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and
should not be construed as an admission that the present invention
is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior
invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be
different from the actual publication dates which may need to be
independently confirmed.
[0046] It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims,
the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted
that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As
such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for
use of such exclusive terminology as "solely," "only" and the like
in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a
"negative" limitation.
[0047] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon
reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments
described and illustrated herein has discrete components and
features which may be readily separated from or combined with the
features of any of the other several embodiments without departing
from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Any recited
method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any
other order which is logically possible.
Methods
[0048] Methods for Differentiating Platelets Events from Noise
[0049] The instant disclosure includes methods for differentiating
platelets events from noise in a flow cytometer. The present
methods are useful in uncovering platelet (PLT) populations that
may be masked by noise and hence provide a more accurate PLT count
than prior art methods.
[0050] Aspects of methods for differentiating PLT events from noise
include flowing a sample comprising platelets through a flow cell
of the flow cytometer, optically interrogating the sample flowing
through the flow cell, detecting optical signals from the
interrogated sample, separating detected signals into signals
corresponding to Red Blood Cells (RBCs) events and events smaller
than RBC events, separating the signals corresponding to events
smaller than RBC events into putative platelet events and putative
noise, converting signals corresponding to putative platelet events
and putative noise into logarithmic scale, fitting the converted
signals using Gaussian mixture model to generate a fitted
distribution for the putative platelet events and putative noise;
and identifying the putative platelet events as platelet events
when the location and width of the fitted distribution is within
range for platelet events.
[0051] The instant method involves using a lower threshold than
prior art methods which lower threshold allows for inclusion of PLT
data that may also include noise. The instant methods then parse
out PLT data from noise in order to detect these PLT which had been
masked by noise. In some aspects, the detected signals are signals
above a size threshold of 1 centiliter. In contrast, prior art
methods have a higher threshold which while decreasing noise also
erroneously decreases PLT count.
[0052] The present methods for differentiating PLT events from
noise may include a first threshold that separates signals
corresponding to RBCs from signals corresponding to events smaller
than RBCs, which smaller events include platelets, as well as, cell
fragments, debris, and noise.
[0053] The signals corresponding to events smaller than RBCs are
subjected to a further threshold--a second threshold which is lower
than the first threshold. The second threshold is set such that
some signals that may correspond to noise are also included. This
lower threshold enables inclusion of weaker signals from smaller
PLTs which may have been discarded if a higher threshold was used.
In some embodiments, the second threshold may be set to screen out
data that corresponds to events or noise having a size of less than
1 centiliter. In some instances, the first threshold may be set
such that data corresponding to events having a greatest diameter
of 6 .quadrature.m or higher having a greatest diameter less than 6
.quadrature.may be subjected to a second threshold that separates
data for events having a greatest diameter less than 1
.quadrature.m from events having a greatest diameter of 1 is to
than 6 .quadrature. corresponding to events having a greatest
diameter of 1 than 6 .quadrature.m may then be analyzed to identify
PLTs in these events and to differentiate them from noise.
[0054] The step of identifying and differentiating PLTs from noise
may involve converting signals corresponding to putative platelet
events and putative noise into logarithmic scale.
[0055] The instant method may be performed on signals collected at
a rate of at least 100 events/sec, such as, at least 1000-250,000
events/sec, 10,000-250,000 events/sec, 10,000-250,000 events/sec,
100,000-250,000 events/sec, e.g., 100,000 events/sec or 250,000
events/sec.
[0056] In certain aspects, the collected raw data may be converted
into a logarithmic (log) scale. The conversion may involve a step
of converting analog data into digital data. The conversion of
analog data to digital data may be carried out prior to applying
the first threshold, prior to applying the second threshold or
after applying the second threshold. In some cases, the conversion
of analog data to digital data to produce log data may be performed
after the first threshold has been applied and events smaller than
RBC events have been separated from RBC events and prior to
applying the second threshold that separates out the signals that
are obvious noise signals (e.g., signals corresponding to particles
having a size of less than 1 centiliter).
[0057] The method may further include applying Gaussian mixture
model to the converted data to separate putative PLT events from
noise. In certain cases, the method may include fitting the
converted signals using Gaussian mixture model to generate a fitted
distribution for the putative platelet events and putative noise.
In certain embodiments, when the location and width of the fitted
distribution of the putative PLT events is within range for PLT
events, the putative PLT events are identified as platelets.
[0058] In certain cases, the method may include prior to the
identifying, comparing the location and width of the fitted
distribution for the putative platelet events to the location and
width of the fitted distribution for the putative noise, wherein
when the distributions are outside of accepted range, the converted
date may be fitted differently. For example, the converted data may
be fitted using a Gaussian mixture model with a higher constraint
for noise, followed by identifying PLT events and noise.
[0059] In certain cases, the signals detected by the flow cytometer
and analyzed by the present methods may include one or more of
intermediate angle scatter (IAS), polarized side scatter (PSS), or
axial light loss (ALL). In other case, the signals detected by the
flow cytometer and analyzed by the present methods may include
intermediate angle scatter (IAS) and polarized side scatter
(PSS).
[0060] In certain cases, the method may be performed in conjunction
with methods that perform complete blood analysis by detecting and
enumerating WBCs, RBCs, and platelets in a whole blood sample. The
whole blood sample may be unlysed and unstained (e.g., not stained
with a cell permeable fluorescent dye that binds to nucleic
acids).
[0061] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary process involved in
identifying PLTs in a blood sample. As a first step, raw data is
collected and separated into data for large and small events. The
large vents will eventually be classified as RBCs (or WBCs) and the
small events represent both PLT and noise. A threshold is applied
to cut out data that is obviously noise (e.g., data corresponding
to particle size of less than 1 centiliter). The remainder of the
data is transformed into log. In some instances, IAS3 channel is
used to transform event peaks to log and is fitted using GMM
(Gaussian mixture modelling) for small events (i.e., events smaller
than WBCs and RBCs). Next, the location and widths of the fitted
PLT and noise distributions is analyzed to determine whether these
are in acceptable range. If the model fits, the small events are
separated into PLTs and noise. If the model does not fit, a limited
GMM for larger events (e.g., smaller than WBCs and RBCs and larger
than 3 centiliter, 2 centiliter, or 1 centiliter) is applied and
PLT and noise classified. As noted herein, this process may be
performed in conjunction with determining complete blood cell count
for a whole blood sample and thus may not involve lysis of RBCs. In
certain case, the method may not involve staining the nuclei of
cells in the blood sample with a fluorescent dye.
Methods of Detecting Platelet Clumps
[0062] On occasion, platelet clumps may form in a test sample
before the sample is submitted to a platelet counting instrument
(e.g., a hematology analyzer) for analysis. As a result, the
platelet (PLT) count that is obtained may be artificially low. In
addition, the PLT clumps may be counted as WBCs. Aspects of the
instant disclosure include a method for identifying a sample as
comprising platelet clumps. The method may further include
providing a corrected WBC concentration after subtracting signals
from PLT clumps. In certain aspects, when the number of PLT clumps
is higher than a threshold for acceptable number of PLT clumps, the
sample may be flagged and the cell count obtained for the sample
disregarded. The system may further relay a failed test to a
user.
[0063] In certain embodiments, a method of identifying a sample as
comprising platelet clumps may include incubating a sample with a
reagent comprising a cell permeable fluorescent dye and a red blood
cell lysis agent for a period of time sufficient to lyse red blood
cells and to fluorescently stain nucleus-containing cells; flowing
the sample through a flow cell of the flow cytometer; optically
interrogating the sample flowing through the flow cell; detecting
optical signals from the interrogated sample; identifying events
associated with a fluorescent signal below a threshold, wherein
identified events have a fluorescent signal below the fluorescent
signal from white blood cells (WBCs); and determining size of the
identified events, wherein presence of events having a size larger
than platelets indicates that the sample comprises platelet
clumps.
[0064] In certain cases, the size threshold may be set such that
particles having a greatest diameter greater 8 and having a FL
signal less than the threshold for WBCs may be identified as PLT
clumps.
[0065] In certain aspects, the method may further involve,
selecting the identified events that are of a larger size than that
of platelets; fitting a line to the selected events; extending the
line into signals associated with WBCs; and reclassifying WBCs near
the line as platelet clumps. Reclassification of the WBCs into PLT
clumps in turn corrects the WBCs count.
[0066] In certain aspects, the number of PLT clumps may be higher
than a threshold. In such cases, the sample may be flagged as
containing more PLT clumps than can be tolerated and the method may
involve discarding the cell counts determined for this sample.
[0067] In certain aspects, the method of identifying PLT clumps may
include using a 3 dimensional (3D) line to classify clumps. For
example, instead of fitting a line to the selected events, a 3D
line may be fitted to events having a FL signal below the threshold
for FL signals for WBCs. 3D line fitting may be used when more than
5% of the PLT count is PLT clumps. In other words, when the number
of PLT clumps identified using line fitting is higher than 5% of
the number of PLTs in the blood sample, the events having a
threshold lower than that for identifying WBCs are fitted using a
3D line and the method repeated by extending the 3D line into
signals associated with WBCs; and reclassifying WBCs near the line
as platelet clumps. Reclassification of the WBCs into PLT clumps in
turn corrects the WBCs count.
[0068] In certain cases, the signals analyzed to identify PLT
clumps may be one or more of fluorescence (FL), intermediate angle
scatter (IAS), polarized side scatter (PSS), or axial light loss
(ALL). In some aspects, the signals analyzed to identify PLT clumps
may be fluorescence (FL) and polarized side scatter (PSS).
[0069] In some aspects, the sample may be stained with a
fluorescent dye that is cell permeable and binds to nucleic acid.
Using such a fluorescent dye ensures labeling of WBCs but not of
normal RBCs and platelets. In some cases, the sample may also be
lysed to remove RBCs.
[0070] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary process involved in
identifying and classifying PLT clumps in a blood sample. As a
first step, data is analyzed to select for particles having low
fluorescence (i.e., below threshold set for nucleated blood cells,
such as, WBCs). These particles are indicated as non-FL particles.
PLT clumps have low fluorescence but have a size similar to WBCs. A
line is fit to the PLT clumps and the line is extended into
fluorescent (FL) particles to determine the number of particles
near the line. If few particles are near the line, these are
reclassified as PLT clumps (instead of WBCs). Presence of a large
number of particles near the line indicated that a 3D line fit
would be more accurate and a 3D line is fitted to the particles
having low fluorescence as defined above. The fitted 3D line is
extended into FL particles to determine the number of particles
near the line and these are reclassified as PLT clumps (instead of
WBCs).
[0071] As used herein, the term "trigger" means the minimum value
of a signal that a measurement of the signal must exceed to be
considered valid. Events providing a signal value above the trigger
value are analyzed. Events providing a signal value below the
trigger value are not included in data analysis. A scale of 0 to
5000 or a scale of 0 to 6000 is used for each channel of detection.
Each value on the scale represents a gradation of the strength of a
signal, with the value of 0 being the lowest strength and the value
of 5000 (or 6000) being the highest strength. In the methods for
differentiating PLTs from noise as described herein, the trigger
may be set such that a lower signal triggers the detectors which
while allowing more noise to be detected would ensure detection of
signals from PLTs.
[0072] In some aspects, raw data that may be collected for blood
analysis and in the methods disclosed herein may include events
having at least five dimensions of information; namely ALL, IAS,
PSS, DSS and FL1, along with time tags and other relevant
information. In some aspects, only two or three of these types of
raw data may be used in the methods disclosed herein. For example,
in the methods for differentiating PLTs from noise, raw data
corresponding to PSS and ALL may be used. In other aspects, such as
in a method for identifying PLT clumps, FL and PSS and FL and ALL
may be used.
[0073] Subjects from which a specimen may be acquired include but
are not limited to human subjects, mammalian subjects (e.g.,
primates (apes, gorillas, simians, baboons, orangutans, etc.),
ungulates (e.g., equines, bovines, camelids, swine, etc.), canines,
felines, rodents (mice, rats, etc.), etc. Specimens may include
biological fluid samples and biological samples (such as, a
hematological sample, e.g., a blood sample) which may be processed
prior to assessing, e.g., diluted, lysed, etc. e.g., those
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,011,773 and 9,028,778; the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0074] WBCs contain a relatively high concentration of DNA in their
nuclei. When appropriately designed, a fluorescent dye can be used
to differentiate between different sub-populations of WBCs and to
differentiate WBCs from non-nucleated cells. For example,
lymphocytes and basophils have different fluorescence signatures,
despite having similar light scatter signatures. Further, mature
RBCs do not contain DNA. Therefore, a fluorescent dye can be
selected to differentiate between populations of blood cells. The
purpose of the dye is to penetrate into live cells easily, bind DNA
with high affinity, and emit strong fluorescence with adequate
Stokes shift when the dye is excited by an appropriate source of
light. The peak absorption of the dye in the visible band may
substantially match the wavelength of the source of light (within
50 nm of the wavelength of the source of light, more preferably,
within 25 nm of the wavelength of the source of light), in order to
be properly excite the dye and achieve optimal results.
[0075] The fluorescent dye selected is such that it is: 1) capable
of binding nucleic acids, 2) capable of penetrating cell membranes
of WBCs and nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs), 3) excitable at a
selected wavelength when subjected to a source of light, 4) emits
fluorescence upon excitation by the source of light, and 5) is
biostable and soluble in a liquid. The dye may be selected from
group consisting of: acridine orange, SYBR 11, SYBR Green series
dye, hexidium iodide, SYTO 11, SYTO 12, SYTO 13, SYTO 14, SYTO 16,
SYTO 21, SYTO RNA Select, SYTO 24, SYTO 25 and any equivalents
thereof. The dye is used to label WBCs and nRBCs, "screen out"
unlysed RBCs and fragments of RBCs and platelets based on a
fluorescence trigger configured in the hematology analyzer, and
differentiate between sub-populations of WBCs. The dye is typically
present at a concentration of from about 0.1 ng/mL to about 0.1
mg/mL. While various dyes are available, the dye selected is
generally paired with the excitation source of the hematology
analyzer such that a single exclusive dye is used to stain and
excite fluorescence emission in nRBCs and all WBC sub-populations
intended to be identified, quantified, and/or analyzed. As such, a
single (i.e., exclusive) dye can be used to identify, quantify, and
analyze WBC subpopulations, at once.
[0076] In one embodiment, a fluorescent dye is provided in a
reagent, with combinations of 1) at least one surfactant, 2) at
least one buffer, 3) at least one salt, and/or 4) at least
antimicrobial agent, in sufficient quantities for carrying out
staining and activating up to 1,000.times.103 cells per microliter.
The at least one surfactant, such as "TRITON" X-100 or saponin, is
used to destroy the membranes of RBC, and reduce the sizes of
fragments of RBCs. The at least one surfactant is typically present
at a concentration of from about 0.001% to about 5%. The at least
one antimicrobial agent, such as those from "TRIADINE" or "PROCLIN"
families, is used to prevent the contamination of the reagent from
microbes. The concentration of the at least one antimicrobial agent
is sufficient to preserve the reagent for the shelf life required.
The at least one buffer, such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or
4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), is used
to adjust the pH of reaction mixture for controlling lysis of RBCs
and preserving WBCs. The at least one buffer is typically present
at a concentration of from about 0.01% to about 3%. The pH
typically ranges from about 3 to about 12. The at least one salt,
such as NaCl or Na2SO4, is used to adjust the osmolality to
increase the effect of lysing and/or optimize WBC preservation. The
at least one salt may be present at a concentration of from about
0.01% to about 3%. In certain cases, the at least one buffer can
serve as the at least one salt, or the at least one salt can serve
as the at least one buffer.
[0077] In general, lower osmolality, or hypotonicity, is used to
accelerate the lysis of RBCs. The osmolality typically ranges from
about 20 to about 250 mOsm. Lysis of RBCs can be made to occur at a
temperature above room temperature (e.g., between about 30.degree.
C. to about 50.degree. C., such as about 40.degree. C.) over a
relatively short period of time (e.g., less than about 25 seconds,
less than about 17 seconds, or even less than about 9 seconds),
following mixing of the sample of blood and the reagent at a ratio
of about one part by volume sample to about 35 parts by volume
reagent.
[0078] The scatter and fluorescence data for analysis is generally
collected with a plurality of optical channels and at least one
fluorescence channel, as described above.
[0079] In certain aspects, a fluorescence (FL) trigger may be used.
FL trigger is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,091,625, which
is herein incorporated by reference.
[0080] As such, aspects of the systems and methods presented herein
use a fluorescence trigger for collecting and analyzing WBCs and
WBC sub-populations. In one embodiment, prior to platelet (PLT)
clumps detection, a fluorescence trigger is set between signals
from RBCs and signals from WBCs (and nRBCs, when present). The
optical and fluorescence information collected may then be used to
distinguish (or differentiate) WBCs and WBC sub-populations from
the PLT clumps. For example, two-dimensional cytograms can be used
to identify and distinguish particles. As noted herein, in some
aspects, the FL trigger may be set lower for data that is to be
analyzed for overlap between platelets and noise. In other cases,
in a method for analyzing overlap between platelets and noise,
fluorescence signal is not used, and thus FL trigger may not be
used.
[0081] As used herein, the expression "fluorescence information"
means data collected from a fluorescence channel of a hematology
analyzer. As used herein, the expression "fluorescence channel"
means a detection device, such as a photomultiplier tube, set at an
appropriate wavelength band for measuring the quantity of
fluorescence emitted from a sample.
[0082] The method described herein may involve an automated method
for simultaneous analysis of white blood cell differential,
erythroblasts, red blood cells, and platelets and PLT clumps in
liquid, such as, for example, blood. Other biological fluids, such
as, for example, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites fluid, pleural fluid,
peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, synovial fluid, dialysate
fluid, and drainage fluid, can be used to determine various
parameters of these fluids.
Systems
[0083] The instant disclosure includes systems for differentiating
platelets events from noise in a flow cytometer. The systems of the
instant disclosure involve components configured to perform the
methods for differentiating platelets events from noise in a flow
cytometer.
[0084] The instant disclosure also includes systems for identifying
a sample as comprising platelet clumps, optionally correcting WBC
count based on the detected number of PLT clumps and/or flagging
the sample if the number of PLT clumps precludes an accurate cell
analysis.
[0085] In certain embodiments, the system may include a flow
cytometer that includes a flow cell, an optical particle
interrogation system optically coupled to the flow cell and a
non-transitory computer readable medium as further described
herein. Such systems may include circuitry configured to perform
one or more of the steps of the methods of as described herein.
[0086] The components of the instant systems may be assembled in a
single device or may be assembled as a system of components
separated between in two or more devices. In some instances, a
device, a system or components thereof that performs the functions
may be external but near (i.e., attached to the external housing of
or on the same working surface or within the same room or building,
etc.) a hematology analyzer that processes the sample. In other
instances, a device, a system or components thereof that perform
the functions may be positioned internally (i.e., within, inside
of, or housed within) a hematology analyzer that processes the
specimen and/or obtains the data.
[0087] By "data processing unit", as used herein, is meant any
hardware and/or software combination that will perform the
functions required of it. For example, any data processing unit
herein may be a programmable digital microprocessor such as
available in the form of an electronic controller, mainframe,
server or personal computer (desktop or portable). Where the data
processing unit is programmable, suitable programming can be
communicated from a remote location to the data processing unit, or
previously saved in a computer program product (such as a portable
or fixed computer readable storage medium, whether magnetic,
optical or solid state device based).
[0088] Substantially any circuitry can be configured to a
functional arrangement within the devices and systems for
performing the methods disclosed herein. The hardware architecture
of such circuitry, including e.g., a specifically configured
computer, is well known by a person skilled in the art, and can
comprise hardware components including one or more processors
(CPU), a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an
internal or external data storage medium (e.g., hard disk drive).
Such circuitry can also comprise one or more graphic boards for
processing and outputting graphical information to display means.
The above components can be suitably interconnected via a bus
within the circuitry, e.g., inside a specific-use computer. The
circuitry can further comprise suitable interfaces for
communicating with general-purpose external components such as a
monitor, keyboard, mouse, network, etc. In some embodiments, the
circuitry can be capable of parallel processing or can be part of a
network configured for parallel or distributive computing to
increase the processing power for the present methods and programs.
In some embodiments, the program code read out from the storage
medium can be written into a memory provided in an expanded board
inserted in the circuitry, or an expanded unit connected to the
circuitry, and a CPU or the like provided in the expanded board or
expanded unit can actually perform a part or all of the operations
according to the instructions of the programming, so as to
accomplish the functions described.
[0089] The systems of the instant disclosure may further include a
"memory" that is capable of storing information such that it is
accessible and retrievable at a later date by a computer. Any
convenient data storage structure may be chosen, based on the means
used to access the stored information. In certain aspects, the
information may be stored in a "permanent memory" (i.e. memory that
is not erased by termination of the electrical supply to a computer
or processor) or "non-permanent memory". Computer hard-drive,
CD-ROM, floppy disk, portable flash drive and DVD are all examples
of permanent memory. Random Access Memory (RAM) is an example of
non-permanent memory. A file in permanent memory may be editable
and re-writable.
[0090] In addition to the components of the devices and systems of
the instant disclosure, e.g., as described above, systems of the
disclosure may include a number of additional components, such as
data output devices, e.g., monitors and/or speakers, data input
devices, e.g., interface ports, keyboards, etc., fluid handling
components, slide handling components, power sources, etc.
[0091] The hematology analyzer for detecting signals from a sample
flowing through a flow cell of the hematology analyzer may include
illumination and detection optics of an apparatus suitable for
hematology analysis (including flow cytometry).
[0092] In one embodiment, the blood sample analysis is conducted by
means of Multiple Angle Polarized Scattering Separation technology
(MAPSS), with an optional enhancement from fluorescence
information. At least one photodiode, or at least one
photomultiplier tube, or both at least one photodiode and at least
one photomultiplier tube, are used to detect light scattered by
each blood cell passing through a flow cell. Two or more
photodiodes are used for measuring axial light loss (ALL) signals,
which measure about 0.degree. scatter (e.g. 0.degree.-1.degree.),
and intermediate angle scatter (IAS) signals, which measure low
angle (e.g., about 3.degree. to about 15.degree.) scatter. Two or
more photomultiplier tubes are used for detecting 90.degree.
polarized side scatter (PSS) signals and 90.degree. depolarized
side scatter (DSS) signals. Additional photomultiplier tubes are
used for fluorescence (FL1) measurements within appropriate
wavelength range(s), depending on the choice of wavelength of the
source of light. Each event captured on the system thus exhibits a
plurality of dimensions of information, such as ALL, IAS (one or
more channels, such as 2 or 3 channels), PSS, DSS, and fluorescence
(one or more channels, such as 2 channels). The information from
these detection channels is used for further analysis of blood
cells. In certain aspects, the illumination and detection optics of
an apparatus suitable for hematology analysis may include the
components depicted in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 9,091,625 which is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Referring to FIG.
1 of U.S. Pat. No. 9,091,625, an apparatus 10 comprises a source of
light 12, a front mirror 14 and a rear mirror 16 for beam bending,
a beam expander module 18 containing a first cylindrical lens 20
and a second cylindrical lens 22, a focusing lens 24, a fine beam
adjuster 26, a flow cell 28, a forward scatter lens 30, a bulls-eye
detector 32, a first photomultiplier tube 34, a second
photomultiplier tube 36, and a third photomultiplier tube 38.
[0093] The source of light may be a laser. In alternative
embodiments, a laser is selected that emits light at a wavelength
between about 350 nm to about 700 nm; for example, in one
embodiment a laser that emits light at about 488 nm is used. The
source of light 12 can be a vertically polarized air-cooled
Coherent Cube laser, commercially available from Coherent, Inc.,
Santa Clara, Calif. Lasers having wavelengths ranging from 350 nm
to 700 nm can be used. Operating conditions for the laser are
substantially similar to those of lasers currently used with
"CELL-DYN" automated hematology analyzers. However, other sources
of light can be used as well; such as, for example, lamps (e.g.,
mercury, xenon).
[0094] Additional details relating to the flow cell, the lenses,
the focusing lens, the fine-beam adjust mechanism and the laser
focusing lens can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,165, incorporated
herein by reference, particularly at column 41, line 32 through
column 43, line 11. The forward optical path system shown in FIG. 1
of U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,165 includes a spherical plano-convex lens
30 and a two-element photo-diode detector 32 located in the back
focal plane of the lens. In this configuration, each point within
the two-element photodiode detector 32 maps to a specific
collection angle of light from cells moving through the flow cell
28. The detector 32 can be a bulls-eye detector capable of
detecting axial light loss (ALL) and intermediate angle forward
scatter (IAS). U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,165 describes various
alternatives to this detector at column 43, lines 12-52.
[0095] The first photomultiplier tube 34 (PMT1) measures
depolarized side scatter (DSS). The second photomultiplier tube 36
(PMT2) measures polarized side scatter (PSS), and the third
photomultiplier tube 38 (PMT3) measures fluorescence emission from
about 360 nm to about 750 nm, depending upon the fluorescent dye
selected and the source of light employed. In one embodiment, PMT3
measures fluorescence emission from about 440 nm to about 680 nm,
or more specifically from about 500 nm to about 550 nm. The
photomultiplier tube collects fluorescent signals in a broad range
of wavelengths in order to increase the strength of the signal.
Side-scatter and fluorescent emissions are directed to these
photomultiplier tubes by dichroic beam splitters 40 and 42, which
transmit and reflect efficiently at the required wavelengths to
enable efficient detection. U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,165 describes
various additional details relating to the photomultiplier tubes at
column 43, line 53 though column 44, line 4.
[0096] Sensitivity is enhanced at photomultiplier tubes 34, 36, and
38, when measuring fluorescence, by using an immersion collection
system. The immersion collection system is one that optically
couples the first lens 30 to the flow cell 28 by means of a
refractive index matching layer, enabling collection of light over
a wide angle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,165 describes various additional
details of this optical system at column 44, lines 5-31.
[0097] The photomultiplier tubes 34, 36, and 38 detect either
side-scatter (light scattered in a cone whose axis is approximately
perpendicular to the incident laser beam) or fluorescence (light
emitted from the cells at a different wavelength from that of the
incident laser beam).
[0098] While select portions of U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,165 are
referenced above, U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,165 is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
Computer Readable Medium
[0099] The instant disclosure includes computer readable medium,
including non-transitory computer readable medium, which stores
instructions for differentiating platelets events from noise in a
flow cytometer. Aspects of the instant disclosure include computer
readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a
computing device, cause the computing device to perform one or more
of the steps of for differentiating platelets events from noise in
a flow cytometer.
[0100] In certain aspects, the non-transitory computer readable
medium stores instructions that, when executed by a computing
device, cause the computing device to detect optical signals from
an interrogated sample, wherein the optical signals are generated
from flowing the sample through a flow cell of a flow cytometer and
optically interrogating the flowing sample; separate detected
signals into signals corresponding to Red Blood Cells (RBCs) events
and events smaller than RBC events; separate the signals
corresponding to events smaller than RBC events into putative
platelet events and putative noise; convert signals corresponding
to putative platelet events and putative noise into logarithmic
scale; fit the converted signals using Gaussian mixture model to
generate a fitted distribution for the putative platelet events and
putative noise; and identify the putative platelet events as
platelet events when the location and width of the fitted
distribution is within range for platelet events.
[0101] In some instances, the instructions comprise instructions
that cause the computing device to prior to the identifying
comparing the location and width of the fitted distribution for the
putative platelet events to the location and width of the fitted
distribution for the putative noise, wherein when the distributions
are outside of accepted range, fitting a Gaussian mixture model
with a higher constraint for noise.
[0102] In certain aspects, the instructions comprise instructions
for converting collected raw data into a logarithmic (log) scale.
The conversion may involve a step of converting analog data into
digital data. The conversion of analog data to digital data may be
carried out prior to applying the first threshold, prior to
applying the second threshold or after applying the second
threshold. In some cases, the conversion of analog data to digital
data to produce log data may be performed after the first threshold
has been applied and events smaller than RBC events have been
separated from RBC events and prior to applying the second
threshold that separates out the signals that are obvious noise
signals (e.g., signals corresponding to particles having a size of
less than 1 centiliter).
[0103] In certain aspects, the instructions include instructions
for applying Gaussian mixture model to the converted data to
separate putative PLT events from noise. In certain cases, the
instructions include instructions to include fitting the converted
signals using Gaussian mixture model to generate a fitted
distribution for the putative platelet events and putative noise.
In certain embodiments, when the location and width of the fitted
distribution of the putative PLT events is within range for PLT
events, the putative PLT events are identified as platelets.
[0104] In certain cases, the instructions include instructions for,
prior to the identifying, comparing the location and width of the
fitted distribution for the putative platelet events to the
location and width of the fitted distribution for the putative
noise, wherein when the distributions are outside of accepted
range, the converted date may be fitted differently. For example,
the converted data may be fitted using a Gaussian mixture model
with a higher constraint for noise, followed by identifying PLT
events and noise.
[0105] In certain cases, the signals detected by the flow cytometer
and analyzed by the present methods may include one or more of
intermediate angle scatter (IAS), polarized side scatter (PSS), or
axial light loss (ALL). In other case, the signals detected by the
flow cytometer and analyzed by the present methods may include
intermediate angle scatter (IAS) and polarized side scatter
(PSS).
[0106] In some instances, a computer readable medium of the instant
disclosure stores instructions that cause a computing device to
perform the steps for identifying a sample as comprising platelet
clumps, optionally correcting WBC count based on the detected
number of PLT clumps and/or flagging the sample if the number of
PLT clumps precludes an accurate cell analysis.
[0107] In some aspects, the non-transitory computer readable medium
stores instructions that, when executed by a computing device,
cause the computing device to detect optical signals from an
interrogated sample, wherein the optical signals are generated from
flowing the sample through a flow cell of a flow cytometer and
optically interrogating the flowing sample, wherein the sample has
been incubated with a reagent, comprising a cell permeable
fluorescent dye and a red blood cell lysis agent, for a period of
time sufficient to lyse red blood cells and to fluorescently stain
nucleus-containing cells; identify events associated with a
fluorescent signal below a threshold, wherein identified events
have a fluorescent signal below the fluorescent signal from white
blood cells (WBCs); and determine size of the identified events,
wherein presence of events having a size larger than platelets
indicates that the sample comprises platelet clumps.
[0108] In certain embodiments, the instructions comprise
instructions that cause the computing device to select the
identified events that are of a larger size than that of platelets;
fit a line to the selected events; extend the line into signals
associated with WBCs; and reclassify WBCs near the line as platelet
clumps.
[0109] In certain embodiments, instructions in accordance with the
methods described herein can be coded onto a computer-readable
medium in the form of "programming", where the term "computer
readable medium" as used herein refers to any storage or
transmission medium that participates in providing instructions
and/or data to a computer for execution and/or processing. Examples
of storage media include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk,
magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile
memory card, ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray disk, solid state disk, and
network attached storage (NAS), whether or not such devices are
internal or external to the computer. A file containing information
can be "stored" on computer readable medium, where "storing" means
recording information such that it is accessible and retrievable at
a later date by a computer.
[0110] The computer-implemented method described herein can be
executed using programming that can be written in one or more of
any number of computer programming languages. Such languages
include, for example, Java (Sun Microsystems, Inc., Santa Clara,
Calif.), Visual Basic (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash.), and C++
(AT&T Corp., Bedminster, N.J.), as well as any many others.
[0111] The following examples are offered by way of illustration
and not by way of limitation.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Method for Differentiating Platelets from Noise using a Hematology
Analyzer
[0112] Platelets are the smallest cells in blood and their
detection is often limited by noise in the analyzer. Noise can be
caused by the light source (1% fluctuation in laser power), the
amplifying electronics or other sources. Here light scatter
information was collected for a small number of noise events and
all the platelets that are above the noise. On this data an EM
(Expectation-Maximization) algorithm was used to find the most
likely distribution of the noise and the platelets. This algorithm
improves the accuracy of the platelet enumeration because the
algorithm can estimate how many platelets are masked by noise.
[0113] A hematology analyzer with a flow cell, forward and side
scatter detectors and a software algorithm to estimate the number
of platelets in a blood specimen in the presence of noise is
used.
[0114] The hematology analyzer is set up with a low threshold in
the trigger channel. The threshold is set so low, that a large
noise spike is visible at the low end of the platelet distribution.
The data is first log transformed and then analyzed by an EM
algorithm that fits a gaussian distribution to the noise as well as
the platelets. The output of the algorithm is the fraction of
platelets of the total events captured in the data collection. The
platelet event counts are then converted to the platelet
concentration in blood by using the blood volume, dilution, flow
rate and data collection time.
[0115] Data triggered on PSS, displayed log transformed in IAS3 and
PSS is depicted in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 3, first obvious noise
is eliminated by the two parallel lines. Only the events falling
between the two parallel lines are considered further.
[0116] The events falling between the two parallel lines are
plotted as a histogram and an EM algorithm is used to get the most
likely noise (curve on the left side of the graph) and platelet
(curve on the right side of the graph) distributions (see FIG.
4).
[0117] FIG. 4 shows the presence of platelets within the noise
peak. The curve on the left side of the graph relates to noise and
the curve on the right side of the graph corresponds to platelets.
The EM algorithm finds the most likely noise and platelet
distribution that fits the observed data. The final result for this
case is that 25.5% of the filtered events are noise and 74.5% of
the filtered events are platelets. With these numbers we easily can
derive the total platelet event count and the blood concentration
of platelets.
[0118] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another example for differentiating
platelets from noise in a sample having a lower platelet
concentration than that in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 5 depicts the use of
two parallel lines to eliminate the most obvious noise. The events
falling between the two parallel lines are plotted as a histogram
and an EM algorithm is used to get the most likely noise (curve on
the left side of the graph) and platelet (curve on the right side
of the graph) distributions (see FIG. 6).
[0119] As seen in FIG. 6, the curve on the left side of the graph
is the noise distribution and the curve on the right side of the
graph is the platelet distribution. Almost half of the platelet
counts are hidden below the noise peak. But the EM algorithm
provides a good estimate of the platelet events in this
measurement. The final result for this case is that 72% of the
filtered events are noise and 28% of the filtered events are
platelets.
[0120] The use of a lower threshold thus enables counting of
platelets below the threshold after the noise is identified and
filtered out.
Example 2
Method for Classifying PLT Clumps using a Hematology Analyzer
[0121] FIG. 7A depicts a plot for PSS (X-axis) and FL (Y-axis)
recorded from a flow cytometer. Events having FL signals below that
for WBCs are selected as PLT clumps and are indicated by +. FIG. 7B
depicts classification of additional PLT clumps by extending a line
fitted to the identified PLT clumps in FIG. 7A into signals for
WBCs. WBCs reclassified as PLT clumps are depicted by +.
[0122] FIG. 8A depicts a plot for PSS (X-axis) and FL (Y-axis)
recorded from a flow cytometer. Events having FL signals below that
for WBCs are selected as PLT clumps and are indicated by +. FIG. 8B
depicts classification of additional PLT clumps by extending a 3D
line fitted to the identified PLT clumps into signals for WBCs.
WBCs that are reclassified as PLT clumps are indicated by +.
[0123] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity
of understanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain
changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.
[0124] Accordingly, the preceding merely illustrates the principles
of the invention. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the
art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not
explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the
invention and are included within its spirit and scope.
Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein
are principally intended to aid the reader in understanding the
principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the
inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being
without limitation to such specifically recited examples and
conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles,
aspects, and embodiments of the invention as well as specific
examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and
functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that
such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and
equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed
that perform the same function, regardless of structure. The scope
of the present invention, therefore, is not intended to be limited
to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Rather,
the scope and spirit of present invention is embodied by the
appended claims.
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