(19)

(11)

EP 0 832 279 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.04.1998 Bulletin 1998/14 (21) Application number: 96915790.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.05.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 33/ 573( . ) G01N 33/ 574( . ) C12Q 1/ 34( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/006860 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/036729 (21.11.1996 Gazette 1996/51)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DE FR GB LI NL (30) Priority: 18.05.1995 US 19950443776 18.05.1995 US 19950444051 18.05.1995 US 19950444056 18.05.1995 US 19950445217 (71) Applicant: Coulter International Corp. Miami, Florida 33196 (US)	(72) Inventors: LUCAS, Frank, J. Boca Raton, FL 33431 (US) JAFFE, Gerald, E. Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 (US) BOTT, Steven, E. Pembroke Pines, FL 33029 (US) CARTER, James, H. Plantation, FL 33325 (US) (74) Representative: Selby-Lowndes, Guy Francis Charles  Moonrakers Durfold Wood Plaistow Billingshurst West Sussex RH14 0PL Plaistow Billingshurst West Sussex RH14 0PL (GB)