Abstract:
Methods are provided for detecting fetal chromosomal aberrations by detecting statistically-significant differences between normal and aberrant chromosomes.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the controlled instrumentation processing of cells and other particles with a filter device measures a parameter of the flow through the filter device of a fluid carrying the particles. A measure of the change of fluid flow through the filter device yields desired information for quantizing the particles and for quantizing the obstruction of the filter device by the particles. The method and apparatus typically operate automatically. Cytological test methods and instruments can employ the invention to quantize and to collect cells.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for preparing a stool sample in order to screen for the presence of indicators of a disease, for example a subpopulation of cancerous or precancerous cells. The methods take advantage of the recognition that cellular debris from cancerous and precancerous cells is deposited onto only a longitudinal stripe of stool as the stool is forming in the colon. Accordingly, methods of the invention comprise obtaining a representative sample, such as a circumferential or cross-sectional sample of stool in order to ensure that any disease indicator, such as cellular debris that is shed by colonic cells, is obtained in the sample.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for detecting loss of heterozygosity in a nucleic acid sample. These methods are particularly useful for identifying individuals with gene mutations indicative of early colorectal cancer.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for detecting the presence of mutant sequences in a subpopulation of gene sequences in a biological sample. These methods are particularly useful for identifying individuals with gene mutations indicative of early colorectal cancer.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the controlled instrumentation processing of cells and other paricles with a filter device measures a parameter of the flow through the filter device of a fluid carrying the particles. A measure of the change of fluid flow through the filter device yields desired information for quantizing the particles and for quantizing the obstruction of the filter device by the particles. The method and apparatus typically operate automatically.
Abstract:
A vision inspection system operable with foreground illumination provides user identification of selected regions of a known object for later comparison to an unknown object. A gray scale pixel array of each selected region is processed for edges and this processed data array is stored as a template for each region. Gray scale illumination data from larger corresponding areas of the unknown object are processed for edges to form gradient maps. The first template is iteratively compared to the first gradient map. A correlation value greater than a threshold value causes the system to examine the second and possibly third gradient maps on the unknown object. Distance and angular relationships of the regions are used to both identify and orient the object under test. Once the unknown object is identified and its orientation determined, various visual attributes and measurements of the object can be determined through use of visual tools.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods and devices for drawing blood, in which the blood collected into a container closely resembles the blood as it existed before collection (i.e., as it existed in vivo). In some embodiments this may be achieved by modulating a flow rate of blood into the collection container in order to preserve the integrity of the blood. By modulating the flow rate of the blood, shear forces acting on cells and cellular components in the blood are reduced. This preserves the integrity of such cells and cellular components and facilitates more accurate detection and analysis of low-abundance analytes.
Abstract:
A method for analyzing genomic data that includes obtaining genomic sequence information from an anonymous individual, processing the information via a secure computerized algorithm, and presenting phenotypic information to the individual based upon the genomic sequence information.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for the preparation of stool samples to increase the yield of relevant DNA, and further provides methods for isolating and analyzing target DNA for characteristics indicative of colorectal cancer. Methods for screening patients for the presence of cancerous or pre-cancerous colorectal lesions are also provided.