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Control of flow cytometer having vacuum fluidics

  • US 5,395,588 A
  • Filed: 02/19/1993
  • Issued: 03/07/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A flow cytometer control system for controlling the delivery of a cell sample drawn from a vessel, comprising:

  • a flow cell, in communication with a cell sample vessel, for performing cell sample analysis;

    an intake passage, connected to said flow cell, providing an ingress communication path for sheath fluid into said flow cell;

    first outlet passage, connected to said flow cell, providing a first egress communication path for said sheath fluid out of said flow cell;

    a vacuum pump with motor means, in vacuum communication with said first outlet passage and a second outlet passage, for pulling said sheath fluid through said flow cell;

    flow resistor means, connected to said intake passage, for developing a pressure drop along said intake passage to cause cell sample to be aspirated from said vessel into said flow cell;

    a first valve, connected to said intake passage, for controlling the flow of said sheath fluid into said flow cell at a predetermined cell sample flow rate;

    a second valve, connected to said first outlet passage, for controlling the flow of said sheath fluid out of said flow cell;

    control means for opening said second valve for a predetermined time prior to opening said first valve in order to permit a vacuum to be developed in said flow cell before opening said first valve thereby pulling cell sample through said flow cell to increase sample flow into said analysis region; and

    said control means being operatively connected to said first and second valves.

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