Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of measuring the motility of individual sperm cells which comprises: introducing the sperm cells into a transparent capillary, detecting the optical density disturbances caused by the individual sperm cells being characterized by the use of an optical fiber having a thickness in the range of 10 to 400 microns for said detection, generating an amplitude-modulated analog electrical signal and counting the peaks and valleys of said electrical signal thus providing a Sperm Motility Index (SMI).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to Claim 1, wherein the optical fiber has a thickness in the range of 50 to 150 microns.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
23 words
The method according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the sperm cells concentration is in the range of between 0 to 400X10⁶ cell/ml.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
16 words
The method according to Claims 1 to 3, used for the determination of human sperm cells.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
21 words
The method according to Claims 1 or 2, used for the determination of sperm cells of domestic animals after their dilution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Thee method according to Claims 1 or 2, used for the determination of sperm cells of domestic animals after freezing and thawing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to Claim 6, used for motility evaluation to be applied in artificial insemination.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
16 words
The method according to Claims 1 to 5, used for the evaluation of sperm-cervical mucus penetration.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
18 words
The method according to Claims 1 to 4, used for the measurement of semen longevity of male semen.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for measuring the motility of individual sperm cells which comprises: - a transparent capillary for receiving an aliquot of sperm cells whose motility is to be measured; - an optical fiber having a thickness in the range of 10 to 400 microns for the detection of optical density disturbances caused by the individual sperm cells and generating an amplitude-modulated analog electrical signal according to the optical density disturbances, and - counting means for the peaks and valleys of said electrical signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein said optical fiber has a thickness in the range of 50 to 150 microns.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
28 words
A method of measuring the motility of individual sperm cells, substantially as described and illustrated in the specification and claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
30 words
An apparatus for measuring the motility of individual sperm cells, substantially as described in the specification and the attached drawings and claimed in any one of Claims 10 or 11.