Liquid flow cytometer
First Claim
1. A liquid flow cytometer for counting and classification of particles such as biological cells or other microscopic particles in liquids, where the cytometer comprises an optical system for irradiation and detection in a metering zone (7), thus enabling optical dispersion and fluorescence caused by the particles to be simultaneously detected when the particles pass the metering zone, wherein the optical system in a first beam path (S1) comprises a mirror reflector (9) with its focal point in the metering zone (7), a quarter-wave plate (8) between the metering zone (7) and the mirror reflector (9), a lens (6) with its focal point in the metering zone (7) and located between the metering zone (7) and a dichroic mirror (5), the dichroic mirror (5) being provided in such a manner that it gives a partial reflection substantially orthogonal to the axis of the lens (6), the reflection direction being in a second beam path (S2) of the optical system, and in the second beam path (S2) a beam splitter (4) located between the dichroic mirror (5) and a light source (1), the beam splitter (4) producing a third beam path (S3) orthogonal to the second beam path (S2), wherein the cytometer further comprises a first detector (13) provided in the first beam path (S1) after the dichroic mirror (5) and arranged for the detection of fluorescence emitted by the particles in the metering zone (7), together with a second detector (16) provided in the third beam path (S3) and arranged for the detection of optical dispersion caused by the particles in the metering zone (7).
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Abstract
A liquid flow cytometer for counting and classification of particles such as biological cells and other microscopic particles in liquids that involves an optical system for irradiation and detection in a metering zone (7), thus enabling optical dispersion and fluorescence caused by the particles to be simultaneously detected when the particles pass the metering zone, includes in a first beam path (S1) a mirror reflector (9) with its focal point in the metering zone (7), a quarter-wave plate (8) between the metering zone (7) and the mirror reflector (9), a lens (6) with its focal point in the metering zone (7) and located on the opposite side of it together with a dichroic mirror (5) behind the lens and provided in such a manner that it gives reflection to a second beam path (S2). In the second beam path (S2) a beam splitter (4) is provided between the dichroic mirror (9) and a known per se light source (1), and produces a third beam path (S3). The cytometer includes a first detector (13) provided in the first beam path (S1) behind the dichroic mirror (5) and arranged for the detection of fluorescence emitted by the particles in the metering zone (7), together with a second detector (16) provided in the third beam path (S3) and arranged for the detection of optical dispersion caused by the particles in the metering zone (7).
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A liquid flow cytometer for counting and classification of particles such as biological cells or other microscopic particles in liquids, where the cytometer comprises an optical system for irradiation and detection in a metering zone (7), thus enabling optical dispersion and fluorescence caused by the particles to be simultaneously detected when the particles pass the metering zone, wherein the optical system in a first beam path (S1) comprises a mirror reflector (9) with its focal point in the metering zone (7), a quarter-wave plate (8) between the metering zone (7) and the mirror reflector (9), a lens (6) with its focal point in the metering zone (7) and located between the metering zone (7) and a dichroic mirror (5), the dichroic mirror (5) being provided in such a manner that it gives a partial reflection substantially orthogonal to the axis of the lens (6), the reflection direction being in a second beam path (S2) of the optical system, and in the second beam path (S2) a beam splitter (4) located between the dichroic mirror (5) and a light source (1), the beam splitter (4) producing a third beam path (S3) orthogonal to the second beam path (S2), wherein the cytometer further comprises a first detector (13) provided in the first beam path (S1) after the dichroic mirror (5) and arranged for the detection of fluorescence emitted by the particles in the metering zone (7), together with a second detector (16) provided in the third beam path (S3) and arranged for the detection of optical dispersion caused by the particles in the metering zone (7).
Specification