| 主权项 |
1. A method for determining an estimate of a concentration of analyte particles E(C), wherein the analyte particles of a sample of predetermined volume are divided into a number (N) of two or more compartments, at least part of the analyte particles that are present in any of the (N) compartments provide for a measurable signal and the estimated concentration of analyte particles E(C) is a function of the measured signals, characterized in that the method comprises or consists of
a) measuring a signal from two or more of the (N) compartments and assigning to at least part, preferably all compartments a value (ki), wherein (i) represents the index number of the compartment represented by an integer 0 to N−1 and compartment (i) is assigned a first value (ki), if the compartment (i) comprises or consists of a predetermined threshold number of analyte particles (mtri) or a predetermined threshold concentration of analyte particles (ctri), preferably one, two, three or more analyte particles in a compartment, and compartment (i) is assigned a second value (ki), if the compartment (i) comprises or consists of less than the threshold number or concentration of analyte particles indicating the first value, b) determining a value (τi) for two or more of the (N) compartments respectively based on one or more measurements of signals in compartment (i) and (i) represents the index number of the compartment represented by an integer 0 to N−1, wherein the values (τi) depend on the number of analyte particles in the compartment (i) and comprise univocal functions of the number of analyte particles in compartment (i) and wherein at least for one compartment thereof a value (ki) is assigned according to step a), and c) determining the estimate of concentration of analyte particles E(C) as a function of part or all values (ki) assigned in step a) and part or all values (τi) determined in step b). |
