Flow cytometry apparatus
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for orienting cells in a sheath fluid in a cytometer/sorter, comprising:
- a flow chamber;
means for flowing the sheath fluid through the flow chamber along a direction of flow;
means for obstructing the flow of the sheath fluid in the flow chamber with a first dimension, which extends substantially across the flow chamber and is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow and with a thickness perpendicular to the first dimension of the obstructing means wherein the sheath fluid flows around the thickness so that the sheath fluid converges in only one dimension at the downstream edge of the means for obstructing; and
means for introducing the cells through the means for obstructing the flow to the region where the sheath fluid converges in only one dimension in the sheath fluid to orient the cells, with an aperture wherein as the cells pass from the means for introducing the cells to the region where the sheath fluid converges the cells pass through the aperture with a cross-sectional length substantially less than or equal to the thickness of the means for obstructing the flow.
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Abstract
An obstruction across the flow chamber creates a one dimensional convergence of a sheath fluid. A passageway in the construction directs flat cells near to the area of one dimensional convergence in the sheath fluid to provide proper orientation of flat cells at fast rates.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for orienting cells in a sheath fluid in a cytometer/sorter, comprising:
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a flow chamber; means for flowing the sheath fluid through the flow chamber along a direction of flow; means for obstructing the flow of the sheath fluid in the flow chamber with a first dimension, which extends substantially across the flow chamber and is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow and with a thickness perpendicular to the first dimension of the obstructing means wherein the sheath fluid flows around the thickness so that the sheath fluid converges in only one dimension at the downstream edge of the means for obstructing; and means for introducing the cells through the means for obstructing the flow to the region where the sheath fluid converges in only one dimension in the sheath fluid to orient the cells, with an aperture wherein as the cells pass from the means for introducing the cells to the region where the sheath fluid converges the cells pass through the aperture with a cross-sectional length substantially less than or equal to the thickness of the means for obstructing the flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for orienting flat cells in a sheath fluid in a flow cytometer/sorter, comprising the steps of:
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flowing the sheath fluid through a flow chamber; obstructing the sheath fluid flow with an obstruction wherein the obstruction has a first dimension, which extends substantially across the flow chamber and is substantially perpendicular to the flow of the sheath fluid and with a thickness substantially perpendicular to the first dimension of the obstruction wherein the sheath fluid flows around the thickness of the obstruction so that flow directions of the sheath fluid converge in only one dimension at the downstream edge of the obstruction; and introducing the flat cells through the obstruction and through an aperture to the region where the flow directions of the sheath fluid converges in only one dimension thus orienting the cells, wherein the length of the aperture is substantially less than or equal to the thickness of the obstruction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for orienting cells in a sheath fluid in a flow cytometer/sorter, comprising:
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a flow chamber; means for flowing the sheath fluid through the flow chamber along a direction of flow; means for obstructing the flow of the sheath fluid in the flow chamber so that the sheath fluid converges in only one dimension, wherein the means for obstructing is a rod with a length extending substantially from one side of the flow chamber to an opposite side of the flow chamber; means for directing the cells to the region where the sheath fluid converges in only one dimension in the sheath fluid to orient the cells, wherein the means for directing cells comprises a passageway along part of the length of the rod, which terminates at a passageway aperture; and fins oriented parallel to the flow direction of the sheath fluid, the fins being positioned on each side of the passageway aperture.
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Specification