(19)

(11)

EP 1 721 168 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 04.05.2006 (43) Date of publication: 15.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/46 (21) Application number: 05723395.9 (22) Date of filing: 18.02.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 35/00(2006.01) G01N 35/02(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/005415 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/093432 (06.10.2005 Gazette 2005/40)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA HR LV MK YU (30) Priority: 05.03.2004 US 794702 05.03.2004 US 794686 05.03.2004 US 794685 (71) Applicant: Beckman Coulter, Inc. Fullerton, California 92834 (US)	(72) Inventors: VEINER, Craig, R. Miami, FL 33186 (US) TAPPEN, Frank, M. Plantation, FL 33317 (US) DEL VALLE, Roberto Coral Gables, FL 33134 (US) (74) Representative: Hucker, Charlotte Jane  Gill Jennings & Every LLP Broadgate House 7 Eldon Street London EC2M 7LH London EC2M 7LH (GB)