Flow cytometry apparatus with uniform incoherent light excitation
First Claim
1. A flow cytometry apparatus for determining characteristics of cells or the like flowing in a liquid stream comprising:
- means for moving cells, substantially one at a time, in a liquid flow stream;
an excitation light source for providing a beam of incoherent light to illuminate said cells moving in said flow stream;
an elongate, solid, light transmissive prism having its longitudinal axis aligned substantially along said light beam between said source and said flow stream, said prism having internally reflective side surfaces and light transmissive end surfaces so that non-uniform incoherent light from said source directed into said prism through one of its end surfaces exits said prism through the opposite end surface in uniform fashion as the light is directed toward said cells;
means for detecting light associated with each moving cell as it passes through said area of illumination; and
means for using said detected light to determine one or more characteristics of said cells.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flow cytometry apparatus for determining one or more characteristics of particles or the like flowing in a liquid stream includes a nozzle for generating a liquid flow stream for moving particles therethrough substantially one at a time. An arc lamp provides a beam of incoherent light to illuminate the particles moving in the flow stream. A prism in the light beam modifies non-uniform incoherent light, as provided by said arc lamp, to a more uniform beam of illumination which is directed to the flowing particles. A detector is included for detecting light with respect to each moving particle and for associating the detected light with one or more characteristics of the particles.
85 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A flow cytometry apparatus for determining characteristics of cells or the like flowing in a liquid stream comprising:
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means for moving cells, substantially one at a time, in a liquid flow stream; an excitation light source for providing a beam of incoherent light to illuminate said cells moving in said flow stream; an elongate, solid, light transmissive prism having its longitudinal axis aligned substantially along said light beam between said source and said flow stream, said prism having internally reflective side surfaces and light transmissive end surfaces so that non-uniform incoherent light from said source directed into said prism through one of its end surfaces exits said prism through the opposite end surface in uniform fashion as the light is directed toward said cells; means for detecting light associated with each moving cell as it passes through said area of illumination; and means for using said detected light to determine one or more characteristics of said cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A flow cytometry apparatus for determining characteristics of cells or the like flowing in a liquid stream comprising:
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means for moving cells, substantially one at a time, in a liquid flow stream; an arc lamp for providing a beam of incoherent light to illuminate said cells moving in said flow stream; an elongate, rectangular cross-section, solid, light transmissive prism having its longitudinal axis aligned substantially along said light beam and positioned between said lamp and said flow stream, said prism having internally reflective side surfaces and light transmissive end surfaces so that non-uniform light from said lamp directed to said prism through a first end surface exists said prism through the opposite, second end surface in uniform fashion toward said cells; a lens in contact with said first end surface of said prism and positioned adjacent to and facing said lamp for focusing light into the prism through said first end surface thereof; means for detecting light associated with each moving cell as it passes through said area of illumination; and means for using said detected light to determine one or more characteristics of said cells. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification