System and Method for Separating Samples in a Continuous Flow

One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method for identifying within a single record the location of each of a plurality of samples suspected of containing particles of interest wherein the single record is obtained from a flowing stream of the plurality of samples passing through a particle analyzer. The method comprises introducing into a conduit the plurality of samples suspected of containing particles of interest wherein each ones of the plurality of samples are separated by fluid gaps to produce a plurality of samples separated by fluid gaps and wherein each of the plurality of samples further comprises marker particles. The plurality of samples separated by fluid gaps are flowed through the conduit as a flowing sample stream to a detector of a particle analyzer. The particle analyzer is for example a flow cytometer. The particles of interest when present and/or marker particles are detected as the plurality of samples pass the detector of the particle analyzer. A record over time for the particles of interest when present and/or marker particles in each of the plurality of samples are obtained in the single file once the plurality of samples pass the incident beam of light of the particle analyzer. A time position in the record is identified where particles of interest within any one of the plurality of samples would be located if present based upon the detection of marker particles present within each combined sample from the flowing stream of the plurality of samples.