MICROPARTICLE ANALYSIS

A method for analyzing the dimensional characteristics of micron or submicron-sized bodies such as particles, cells, organisms, and the like, by using particle detecting means to produce an electrical primary pulse as a function of a dimensional index of the bodies, ant thereafter feeding the primary pulse to secondary pulse-producing means, which means are triggered at different time intervals during the duration of the primary pulse or during the duration of a number of primary pulses generated by the same type of bodies such that a plurality of secondary pulses are procuded. These secondary pulses, each having an amplitude reflecting the relative amplitude of the primary pulse at the time of triggering are produced for subsequent use to reflect the shape of the primary pulse such that a characterization of the bodies being analyzed can thereby be obtained. The secondary pulses not only can be used either to profile the primary pulse or to permit the area integration thereof, but the technique of a multi-point triggering of secondary pulses is useful also in biological particle total count and size distribution assay methods in that the "signature" of the particle population being studied is meaningfully emphasized even if only a single-pass sample run is employed.