Information processing method and system for a flow cytometer and flow cytometer

Abstract

A method and system for information processing in a flow cytometer, as well as the flow cytometer itself, are disclosed. The information processing method includes: during data acquisition of a sample loaded in the flow cytometer, converting fluorescence emitted by the sample into a digital signal in each channel of the flow cytometer; determining that an event of detecting a cell has occurred when the value of the digital signal is greater than a first threshold, and initiating monitoring of the digital signal; counting discrete values ​​of the digital signal greater than a second threshold when the value of the digital signal is greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; and generating an indicator signal when the number of counted discrete values ​​reaches a predetermined value, the indicator signal indicating that saturation of the digital signal for the event has occurred in the current channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to flow cytometry detection, and more specifically, to information processing methods and systems for use in flow cytometers, and to flow cytometers themselves. Background Technology

[0002] Flow cytometry is a biological technique used to count and sort tiny particles suspended in a fluid. In a typical flow cytometer, a cell sample stained with a fluorescent dye is illuminated using a suitable light source. The cell sample is excited and emits fluorescence, which is collected and converted into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is then input into a computer for cell sorting and quantitative analysis.

[0003] The fluorescence emitted by cell samples is converted into electrical signals by photoelectric converters in each channel of a flow cytometer. These electrical signals are then converted into digital data that a computer can store and process via analog-to-digital conversion (ADC). This process is known as flow cytometry data acquisition. If the amplitude of the input analog electrical signal exceeds the processing range of the ADC, it will be unable to correctly convert the analog signal into a digital signal and will output a fixed maximum value. In this case, even if the amplitude of the input analog signal increases, the amplitude of the output digital signal will not change. This phenomenon is called signal saturation. When signal saturation occurs, the accuracy of the acquired data decreases, and the acquired data may even become unusable, leading to sample waste. Furthermore, when signal saturation occurs, although the height of the acquired digital signal waveform no longer changes, its width will change with the input signal. In this situation, the user can observe that the area of ​​the signal waveform continues to increase, making it difficult for the user to detect that saturation has actually occurred, leading to incorrect observations. Therefore, there is a need for a method that can accurately and effectively alert the user to signal saturation.

[0004] On the other hand, standardization, performance monitoring, and calibration are crucial for flow cytometers. These processes keep the flow cytometer's parameters and performance within predetermined ranges and ensure that test results vary only within specific limits. Furthermore, standardization of flow cytometers ensures comparability of test results from different instruments, allowing users to identify genuine biological changes rather than differences caused by technical artifacts. Standardization of flow cytometers typically involves using samples with known properties (e.g., standard microspheres).

[0005] Currently, some data acquisition and analysis software for flow cytometry already has the function of automatically initiating standardization processes and quality control. For example, the standardization function can automatically calibrate the channel gain daily based on user-defined target values, and can implement the same target values ​​for the same application on different flow cytometers, so that different flow cytometers can provide consistent detection results.

[0006] However, establishing target values ​​still requires user intervention, which is the most critical and labor-intensive task in the standardization process. Although flow cytometer manufacturers currently provide procedures for establishing target values ​​in their instruction manuals or guide users through software wizards, the process still requires significant manual intervention, leading to inefficiency and a high risk of errors. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure is intended to provide information processing techniques for flow cytometers that substantially avoid one or more problems caused by the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art.

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an information processing method for a flow cytometer is provided, comprising: during data acquisition of a sample loaded in the flow cytometer, converting fluorescence emitted by the sample into a digital signal in each channel of the flow cytometer; determining that an event of detecting a cell has occurred when the value of the digital signal is greater than a first threshold, and starting to monitor the digital signal; counting discrete values ​​of the digital signal greater than the second threshold when the value of the digital signal is greater than the second threshold, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; and generating an indication signal when the number of counted discrete values ​​reaches a predetermined value, the indication signal indicating that the digital signal for the event has saturated in the current channel.

[0009] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an information processing method for a flow cytometer is provided, comprising: a user selecting an acquisition setting item from a plurality of previously created acquisition setting items, wherein the acquisition setting item includes settings for the flow cytometer to perform data acquisition on standard microspheres; applying the standard microspheres and the settings in the selected acquisition setting item to the flow cytometer to perform the data acquisition; automatically gating on a histogram generated by the flow cytometer to define a microsphere population; based on the defined microsphere population, for each channel of the flow cytometer, automatically calculating the median of the area of ​​the predetermined number of pulse signals obtained when a predetermined number of standard microspheres are detected, and automatically setting the median as a target value for the signal intensity of the channel, wherein the target value is used as a reference value when standardizing the flow cytometer.

[0010] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an information processing system for a flow cytometer is provided, comprising a processing unit configured to: during data acquisition of a sample loaded in the flow cytometer, convert fluorescence emitted by the sample into a digital signal in each channel of the flow cytometer; when the value of the digital signal is greater than a first threshold, determine that an event of detecting a cell has occurred and begin monitoring the digital signal; when the value of the digital signal is greater than a second threshold, count discrete values ​​of the digital signal greater than the second threshold, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; and when the number of counted discrete values ​​reaches a predetermined value, generate an indication signal for indicating that saturation of the digital signal for the event has occurred in the current channel.

[0011] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an information processing system for a flow cytometer is provided, comprising a processing unit configured to: select one acquisition setting from a plurality of previously created acquisition setting items based on user operation, wherein the acquisition setting includes settings for the flow cytometer to perform data acquisition on standard microspheres; apply the standard microspheres and the settings in the selected acquisition setting to the flow cytometer to perform the data acquisition; automatically gate a microsphere population on a histogram generated by the flow cytometer; and, based on the defined microsphere population, automatically calculate, for each channel of the flow cytometer, the median of the area of ​​the predetermined number of pulse signals obtained when a predetermined number of standard microspheres are detected, and automatically set the median as a target value for the signal intensity of the channel, wherein the target value is used as a reference value for standardizing the flow cytometer.

[0012] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a flow cytometer including the aforementioned information processing system is provided.

[0013] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the aforementioned information processing method.

[0014] In accordance with other aspects of this disclosure, computer program code and computer program products for implementing the above information processing methods are also provided. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1A The threshold for detecting saturation according to this disclosure is illustrated schematically.

[0016] Figure 1BA flowchart of a method for detecting saturation according to this disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 An example of a user interface for displaying a saturation warning according to this disclosure is shown schematically.

[0018] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Another example of a user interface displaying a saturation warning according to this disclosure is shown schematically.

[0019] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Another example of a user interface displaying a saturation warning according to this disclosure is shown schematically.

[0020] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An example of a user interface for setting the gain value of a channel according to this disclosure is shown schematically.

[0021] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for establishing standardized target values ​​according to this disclosure is shown.

[0022] Figure 7 An example of a user interface for selecting collection settings items according to this disclosure is illustrated.

[0023] Figure 8 The gates on the histogram are shown schematically.

[0024] Figure 9 The user interface schematically illustrates the median values ​​of each channel, which are manually input using conventional techniques.

[0025] Figure 10 An exemplary configuration block diagram of computer hardware implementing the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The specific implementation methods according to this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1A The threshold for detecting saturation according to this disclosure is illustrated schematically. Figure 1B A flowchart of a method for detecting saturation according to this disclosure is shown. During data acquisition of a sample loaded in a flow cytometer, fluorescence emitted by a cell or particle in the sample is converted into fluorescence by a photoelectric converter in one channel. Figure 1A The diagram shows an analog pulse signal. The pulse height represents the signal strength, the pulse width corresponds to time, and the pulse area is the integral of the pulse height over time.

[0028] Then, through analog-to-digital conversion processing including sampling and quantization, the analog signal is converted into a discrete digital signal (not shown), such as... Figure 1B The steps are shown in step S110.

[0029] Because of the significant background noise present in flow cytometry systems, to suppress its adverse effects, a cell or particle is only considered detected—that is, an event—when the acquired digital signal value exceeds a first threshold Th1. Therefore, the first threshold Th1 is used to detect events. When an event is detected, the saturation detection unit begins monitoring the digital signal, such as... Figure 1B The process is shown in step S120. Conversely, when the value of the digital signal is not greater than the first threshold Th1, no processing will be initiated.

[0030] When the value of the digital signal is greater than the second threshold Th2 (the second threshold Th2 > the first threshold Th1), the saturation counter starts counting the discrete values ​​of the digital signal that are greater than the second threshold Th2, such as... Figure 1B Step S130 is shown. Specifically, the discrete values ​​of the digital signal greater than the second threshold Th2 correspond to... Figure 1A The portion of the simulated waveform shown that is greater than the second threshold Th2.

[0031] When the saturation counter reaches a predetermined count value, an indication signal is generated. This indication signal indicates that saturation has occurred in the acquired signal for the current event in the current channel. Figure 1B The step S140 is shown. The indication signal is sent to the information processing unit. As an example, the information processing unit can be implemented as a computer located inside or outside the flow cytometer.

[0032] Based on the received indication signal, the computer can calculate the current channel saturation S according to the following mathematical formula (1):

[0033]

[0034] When the number of events detected by the flow cytometer reaches the third threshold Th3 and saturation occurs, a user interface for saturation warning is generated and displayed by the computer. Figure 2 An example of a user interface is illustrated. This example can be applied to a flow cytometer in single-tube mode, where samples are loaded into test tubes for use in the flow cytometer. Figure 2The user interface displays "Saturation of the following channels overflowed," indicating that the saturation of the channels listed at the bottom of the interface (such as U1-U14) has overflowed (e.g., a saturation rate of 8.50%). Additionally, "Events threshold: 2000" indicates that the third threshold Th3 related to the number of events is 2000, and "Rate threshold 5%" indicates that the threshold related to the saturation rate is 5%. For example, channels with a saturation rate greater than 5% are displayed at the bottom of the interface. After viewing this information, the user can select the "Ignore" button to close the current interface and continue data acquisition, or select the "Stop" button to stop acquisition.

[0035] It should be noted that those skilled in the art can appropriately set the various thresholds and predetermined count values ​​of the saturation counter mentioned above based on actual requirements, professional knowledge and experience, or through experimental methods, and this disclosure does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0036] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Another example of a user interface displaying a saturation warning according to this disclosure is illustrated schematically. This example can be applied to a flow cytometer in plate loader mode, where samples are loaded into the flow cytometer through multiple wells included in the plate. When the number of events detected by the flow cytometer reaches a third threshold Th3 and saturation occurs, a warning is displayed by the computer as shown below. Figure 3A The user interface shown. (and) Figure 2 Similarly, in Figure 3A The user interface displays the channels where saturation occurred and the saturation rate of each channel. After viewing this information, if the user selects the "Ignore current well" button, data acquisition will continue for the sample in the current well. After acquiring data for the current well is complete, acquisition will pause, and a message will be displayed as shown below. Figure 3B The user interface shown. Figure 3B The user interface includes a "Resume" button. Selecting this button will continue data acquisition for the next well. When the saturation threshold Ths is reached again in a subsequent acquisition, a message will appear as shown below. Figure 3A The user interface shown.

[0037] also, Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe user interface also includes an "Ignore whole plate" button. If the user selects this button, data acquisition continues without displaying the saturation warning in the user interface until data acquisition is complete for all holes on the plate.

[0038] also, Figure 3A and Figure 3B The user interface also includes a "Stop" button. If the user selects this button, data collection will stop immediately.

[0039] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Another example of a user interface for displaying saturation warnings according to this disclosure is illustrated schematically, in which a saturation warning can be displayed for a single test tube and / or a single well. Figure 4A As shown, tubes Tube1, Tube2, Tube2-1, and well 01-Well-A1 are marked with dark, solid circles to indicate to the user that saturation occurred during data acquisition for these tubes and wells. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily use other methods to label these tubes and wells, and this disclosure is not limited to these methods. Figure 4A The example shown.

[0040] When the user selects one of the marked test tubes and wells (e.g., test tube Tube1), the following can be displayed: Figure 4B The user interface shown. Figure 4B The diagram schematically illustrates detailed saturation information for tube 1, including the channels where saturation occurred and the saturation rate of each channel.

[0041] In addition, when the user selects Figure 4A Even if the test tubes or wells are not marked as having saturated, it can still be displayed as... Figure 4B A similar user interface, which displays the saturation rate for each channel.

[0042] like Figures 2-4B As shown, the user interface according to this disclosure can present the user with the specific channels that have become saturated and the saturation rate of each channel. In contrast, existing flow cytometer user interfaces typically only provide an overall saturation rate and not the saturation rates of individual channels. Therefore, this disclosure can provide users with more detailed and accurate saturation information.

[0043] In the event of saturation, users can eliminate saturation by adjusting the channel gain value. Figure 5A and Figure 5B An example of a user interface for setting the gain value of a channel according to this disclosure is illustrated schematically. Figure 5AAs shown, for the UV laser, users can individually set the gain for each of the laser's 20 channels U1-U20. Furthermore, for the Violet laser, users can apply the same gain to all channels by simply sliding the slider or directly specifying the gain percentage. Additionally, users can easily switch between these two setting methods by selecting the "Show channels" and "Hide channels" buttons.

[0044] Furthermore, if the user modifies the channel gain, or if the user-set gain value reaches a boundary value, the corresponding channel and laser can be marked. For example, such as... Figure 5B As shown, the gain values ​​of channels U1 and U8 are modified, and the gain values ​​of channels U5 and U9 are the boundary values ​​"1" and "3000" respectively. Therefore, the names of channels U1, U5, U8, and U9, as well as the names of the corresponding laser UVs, are appended with the symbol "*". By doing so, users can easily identify the channels whose gain values ​​have been modified or whose gain values ​​have reached the boundary values, and their corresponding lasers.

[0045] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the user interface according to this disclosure allows users to adjust the gain of each channel individually to eliminate saturation, thus providing a more flexible and precise adjustment method.

[0046] The following describes a technique for establishing target values ​​for the standardization of flow cytometers based on this disclosure. Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for establishing target values ​​according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 6 As shown, in step S610, the user selects one of several pre-created acquisition settings. The acquisition settings include specific settings for data acquisition from samples (e.g., standard microspheres) using the flow cytometer, such as the gain values ​​for each channel of the flow cytometer.

[0047] Figure 7 An example of a user interface for selecting data acquisition settings items according to this disclosure is illustrated schematically. Figure 7 As shown, the Acquisition Settings Catalog includes several pre-created acquisition settings items, such as "QC", "10color durapanel", and "Test01". Users can select an item (e.g., "QC") from these acquisition settings items to apply the specific settings contained within that item during data acquisition. Figure 7The right side shows the specific settings of the selected acquisition setting item "QC", such as the gain values ​​set for multiple channels U1-U20.

[0048] In addition, if no data collection settings item has been created in the data collection settings directory, users can perform operations... Figure 5A The "Export to Catalog" button in the user interface shows how to create a data collection setup project. At this point, the user simply needs to enter the name of the project being created. Figure 5A The gain settings for each channel in the interface can be automatically applied as the specific settings for newly created projects.

[0049] Traditionally, users typically need to manually input specific settings for data acquisition (e.g., gain values ​​for a large number of channels). However, according to this disclosure, users can directly apply the corresponding specific settings through a simple operation, without needing to manually input them.

[0050] See back Figure 6 In step S620, the flow cytometer applies the specific settings selected by the user in the acquisition settings to perform data acquisition.

[0051] After the collection is completed, a gate is set on the histogram generated by the flow cytometer to limit the microsphere population, as shown in step S630. Figure 8 Gate P1 on the histogram is schematically shown. Preferably, this step can be performed using automated gate setting techniques based on advanced algorithms or machine learning models to improve efficiency. Furthermore, any suitable automated gate setting techniques can be applied by those skilled in the art, and this disclosure does not limit this application.

[0052] In step S640, based on the defined microsphere population, the median area of ​​the pulse signal for multiple events is automatically calculated for each channel, and this median is automatically set as the target value for the signal strength of the corresponding channel. Specifically, for each channel, when a predetermined number of events are detected (e.g., when 1000 microspheres are detected), the area of ​​the pulse signal corresponding to each event (e.g., ...) can be calculated. Figure 1A As shown in the figure, a predetermined number of area values ​​can be obtained. The median of the calculated area values ​​is selected and automatically recorded as the target value for the signal intensity of the corresponding channel. In other words, after standardization of the flow cytometer, the signal intensity of the corresponding channel needs to be maintained at approximately this target value.

[0053] Although traditional flow cytometer software can usually automatically calculate the area value and determine the median for each channel, the user still needs to manually input the determined median as the target value for the channel. Figure 9The diagram schematically illustrates a user interface for manually inputting the median values ​​of each channel using traditional techniques. For each channel in this interface, the user needs to paste the median value copied from other interfaces into the corresponding median cell. It can be seen that, in flow cytometers with a large number of channels, this traditional method of manual input is not only inefficient but also prone to errors.

[0054] However, through Figure 6 The method shown according to this disclosure allows users to set target values ​​for a large number of channels in a very short time (approximately a few minutes), thereby greatly improving efficiency and reducing the possibility of errors. This is particularly beneficial for spectral flow cytometers that include a large number of channels.

[0055] The technology according to this disclosure has been described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. According to this disclosure, the user can be notified of the specific channel where signal saturation has occurred and the saturation rate of that channel, thus providing more detailed and accurate saturation information. Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the user can individually adjust the gain for each channel that has experienced saturation to eliminate saturation, thus providing a more flexible and precise adjustment method. In addition, this disclosure provides an automated method for establishing target values ​​for the standardization process of flow cytometry, which greatly improves efficiency and reduces the possibility of errors. This method is particularly beneficial for spectral flow cytometry systems that include a large number of channels.

[0056] It should be noted that the methods described in this disclosure are not necessarily to be executed in the order shown in the flowchart. Where technically feasible, some steps in the methods may be executed in different orders or in parallel.

[0057] The information processing methods for flow cytometers described above can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. Programs included in the software can be stored beforehand in a storage medium located internally or externally to the device. As an example, during execution, these programs are written to random access memory (RAM) and executed by a processor (e.g., a CPU) to implement the various methods and processes described herein. Therefore, this disclosure also includes an information processing system for flow cytometers, comprising a processing unit configured to perform the methods described above. Furthermore, flow cytometers including such an information processing system are also included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0058] In addition, this disclosure also includes computer program code and computer program products for implementing the methods described above, and computer-readable storage media on which the computer program code is recorded.

[0059] Figure 10 An example configuration block diagram of computer hardware is shown for performing the methods of this disclosure according to a program.

[0060] like Figure 10 As shown, in computer 1000, central processing unit (CPU) 1001, read-only memory (ROM) 1002 and random access memory (RAM) 1003 are connected to each other via bus 1004.

[0061] The input / output interface 1005 is further connected to the bus 1004. The input / output interface 1005 is connected to the following components: an input device 1006 formed by a keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc.; an output device 1007 formed by a display, speaker, etc.; a storage device 1008 formed by a hard disk, non-volatile memory, etc.; a communication device 1009 formed by a network interface card (such as a local area network (LAN) card, modem, etc.); and a driver 1010 for driving a removable medium 1011, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory.

[0062] In a computer with the above structure, the CPU 1001 loads a program stored in the storage device 1008 into the RAM 1003 via the input / output interface 1005 and the bus 1004, and executes the program to perform the method described above.

[0063] The program to be executed by the computer (CPU 1001) can be recorded on a removable medium 1011, which is formed as a packaging medium, such as a disk (including a floppy disk), an optical disk (including a compact optical disk-read-only memory (CD-ROM)), a digital multifunction optical disk (DVD), etc.), a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the program to be executed by the computer (CPU 1001) can also be provided via wired or wireless transmission media such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

[0064] When the removable medium 1011 is installed in the drive 1010, the program can be installed in the storage device 1008 via the input / output interface 1005. Alternatively, the program can be received by the communication device 1009 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and installed in the storage device 1008. Alternatively, the program can be pre-installed in the ROM 1002 or the storage device 1008.

[0065] The modules or systems described in this disclosure are for logical purposes only and do not strictly correspond to physical devices or entities. For example, the function of each module described in this disclosure may be implemented by multiple physical entities, or the function of multiple modules described in this disclosure may be implemented by a single physical entity. Furthermore, features, components, elements, steps, etc., described in one embodiment are not limited to that embodiment, but can also be applied to other embodiments, such as replacing specific features, components, elements, steps, etc., in other embodiments, or in combination with them.

[0066] The scope of this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications or variations can be made to the embodiments described herein, depending on design requirements and other factors, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of information processing for a flow cytometer, comprising: During data acquisition of samples loaded in the flow cytometer, in each channel of the flow cytometer, The fluorescence emitted by the sample is converted into a digital signal; When the value of the digital signal is greater than a first threshold, it is determined that an event of detecting a cell has occurred, and monitoring of the digital signal begins. When the value of the digital signal is greater than the second threshold, the discrete values ​​of the digital signal that are greater than the second threshold are counted, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; When the number of counted discrete values ​​reaches a predetermined value, an indication signal is generated to indicate that the digital signal for the event in the current channel has been saturated.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: The user interface is displayed when the number of identified events reaches the third threshold and digital signal saturation occurs. The user interface displays one or more channels that have become saturated, and the saturation rate of each of the one or more channels.

3. The information processing method according to claim 2, wherein The user interface includes one or more interactive elements that can be manipulated by the user to stop the data acquisition or ignore the saturation and continue the data acquisition.

4. The information processing method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The sample is loaded into test tubes or into multiple wells of a plate for loading into the flow cytometer. The user interface identifies the test tube or well where the sample that has become saturated during data acquisition is located.

5. The information processing method according to claim 3, wherein, The interactive elements can be manipulated by the user to adjust the gain of each channel individually, thereby eliminating saturation.

6. An information processing method for flow cytometers, comprising: The user selects one of several pre-created acquisition settings, wherein the acquisition settings include settings for the flow cytometer to perform data acquisition on standard microspheres; The standard microspheres and the settings in the selected acquisition settings are applied to the flow cytometer to perform the data acquisition; Automatically gate the microsphere population on the histogram generated by the flow cytometer; Based on the defined microsphere population, for each channel of the flow cytometer, the median area of ​​the predetermined number of pulse signals obtained when a predetermined number of standard microspheres are detected is automatically calculated, and the median is automatically set as the target value for the signal intensity of the channel. The target value is used as a benchmark value when standardizing the flow cytometer.

7. An information processing system for a flow cytometer, comprising a processing unit configured to: during data acquisition of a sample loaded in the flow cytometer, in each channel of the flow cytometer, The fluorescence emitted by the sample is converted into a digital signal; When the value of the digital signal is greater than a first threshold, it is determined that an event of detecting a cell has occurred, and monitoring of the digital signal begins. When the value of the digital signal is greater than the second threshold, the discrete values ​​of the digital signal that are greater than the second threshold are counted, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; When the number of counted discrete values ​​reaches a predetermined value, an indication signal is generated to indicate that the digital signal for the event in the current channel has been saturated.

8. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein, The processing unit is further configured to display a user interface when the number of determined events reaches a third threshold and digital signal saturation occurs. The user interface displays one or more channels that have become saturated, and the saturation rate of each of the one or more channels.

9. The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein, The user interface includes one or more interactive elements that can be manipulated by the user to stop the data acquisition or ignore the saturation and continue the data acquisition.

10. The information processing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The sample is loaded into test tubes or into multiple wells of a plate for loading into the flow cytometer. The user interface identifies the test tube or well where the sample that has become saturated during data acquisition is located.

11. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein, The interactive elements can be manipulated by the user to adjust the gain of each channel individually, thereby eliminating saturation.

12. An information processing system for a flow cytometer, comprising a processing unit configured to: Based on the user's actions, select one of several existing data acquisition settings projects. The acquisition settings include settings for the flow cytometer to perform data acquisition on standard microspheres; The standard microspheres and the settings in the selected acquisition settings are applied to the flow cytometer to perform the data acquisition; Automatically gate the microsphere population on the histogram generated by the flow cytometer; Based on the defined microsphere population, for each channel of the flow cytometer, the median area of ​​the predetermined number of pulse signals obtained when a predetermined number of standard microspheres are detected is automatically calculated, and the median is automatically set as the target value for the signal intensity of the channel. The target value is used as a benchmark value when standardizing the flow cytometer.

13. A flow cytometer comprising an information processing system according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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