Prism-based flow cytometry excitation optics
First Claim
1. In a flow cytometry system, excitation optics for delivering excitation light beams to a cytometry flow cell, comprising:
- a plurality of light sources producing light beams of different wavelengths;
a mounted set of dispersive prism elements arranged in sequence so that all of the light beams from said sources pass through each of the prism elements in succession and are refracted by different amounts by said prism elements, input positions and angles of the light beams selected so that the refracted beams from the final prism element in the sequence substantially overlap are nearly parallel to one another and elliptical; and
an objective lens focusing the beams from the final prism element to closely spaced spots within the cytometry flow cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A prism-based cytometry excitation optics system redirects, shapes and combines plural beams provided by light sources, so they can be focused by an objective into closely spaced spots within the channel of a cytometry flow cell. The mounted set of dispersive prisms redirect beams of different wavelengths so that beams with separated inputs emerge from the final prism, substantially overlapping in position and nearly parallel to one another. Preferred embodiments having a mounted set of four distinct isosceles triangular prisms are described with particular orientations and positions, but the specific design parameters may vary depending on the choice of beam wavelengths, spot separations in the flow cell, and choice of prism material. The prism system has inherently better thermal and long-term stability compared to mirror-based optics.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a flow cytometry system, excitation optics for delivering excitation light beams to a cytometry flow cell, comprising:
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a plurality of light sources producing light beams of different wavelengths;
a mounted set of dispersive prism elements arranged in sequence so that all of the light beams from said sources pass through each of the prism elements in succession and are refracted by different amounts by said prism elements, input positions and angles of the light beams selected so that the refracted beams from the final prism element in the sequence substantially overlap are nearly parallel to one another and elliptical; and
an objective lens focusing the beams from the final prism element to closely spaced spots within the cytometry flow cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification