Abstract: Methods are provided for monitoring treatment of a subject using heparin therapy or a ligand, such as an CD20 or CD52 antibody, that binds to a cellular marker and to which the subject may develop masking reactions or auto-antibodies that inhibit evaluation of treatment. The methods involve adding to a single container a sample containing cells that express the cellular target with (i) a soluble ligand that binds the cellular target, (ii) a soluble ligand that binds the soluble analyte or a competing soluble analyte; and (iii) a capture medium that binds directly to the soluble analyte, indirectly to the soluble analyte, or to the soluble ligand that binds to the soluble analyte. Complexes formed in the container by interaction of these components are substantially simultaneously analyzed and quantitated without physically separating the complexes. Kits for performing the assays are also provided.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a biological sample containing at least one cell type bearing at least one cellular target and at least one soluble analyte, involves adding to a single container the sample with (i) at least one soluble ligand that binds the cellular target, (ii) either at least one soluble ligand that binds the soluble analyte or at least one competing soluble analyte; and (iii) a solid phase capture medium that binds directly to the soluble analyte, indirectly to the soluble analyte, or to the soluble ligand that binds to the soluble analyte. Various complexes involving the capture medium and soluble analyte, the capture medium and the soluble ligand, and/or the cellular target and a soluble ligand are simultaneously analyzed without physically separating the complexes.

Abstract: The method of this invention is directed to the rapid preparation of a whole blood sample for photooptical analysis. In the preferred embodiments of this method, a whole blood sample, lytic reagent system and immunological stain (optional) are contacted with the sample in a common reaction vessel (i.e. cuvette or test tube), with gentle asymmetric vortex mixing, so as to maintain the particulate matter of the sample at an essentially homogeneous concentration throughout the sample. An aliquot of the contents of the reaction vessel can, thereafter, be analyzed for identification and/or quantification of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: The method of this invention is directed to the rapid preparation of a whole blood sample for photooptical analysis. In the preferred embodiments of this method, a whole blood sample, lytic reagent system and immunological stain (optional) are contacted with the sample in a common reaction vessel (i.e. cuvette or test tube), with gentle asymmetric vortex mixing, so as to maintain the particulate matter of the sample at an essentially homogeneous concentration throughout the sample. An aliquot of the contents of the reaction vessel can, thereafter, be analyzed for identification and/or quantification of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: Automatic biological sample mixing apparatus for use in flow cytometry, wherein a sample container is secured loosely at its top by means of a multi-reagent dispensing head; and the container is mounted at its bottom on a resilient support disposed on an elliptically rotated member, to cause reagents introduced into the container to be thoroughly mixed with a sample in the container in a fast, efficient, gentle, and accurately repeatable manner.