Flow cytometers and detection system of lesser size

• US 7,105,355 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2002
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Inventors: Takayama, Shuichi, Kurabayashi, Katsuo, Huh, Dongeun, Tung, Yi-Chung, Skerlos, Steven J., Grotberg, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): WALLENHORST, MAUREEN
• Application Number:
  US10/198,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20030054558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 436/63, 436/164, 436/165, 436/172, 436/180, 436/181, 422/73, 422/81, 422/82.05, 422/82.08, 422/82.09, 422/82.11, 422/83
• US Class Current: 436/165
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1404 Handling flow, e.g. hydrodynamic focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1484 microstructural devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1006 for cytology
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1413 Hydrodynamic focussing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/491 by separating the blood components G01N15/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Gas focusing flow cytometers are fabricatable employing simple and inexpensive manufacturing techniques. When such cytometers or conventional cytometers are combined with fiber optical light paths and laser diode and semiconductor photodetectors, light weight and handheld, optionally disposable devices which maintain high performance are possible.

Claims

1. A flow cytometer cell, comprising

a) fluid sample inlet comprising a fluid sample channel;

b) at least one focusing fluid inlet comprising a fluid focusing channel;

c) a convergent focusing zone, said fluid sample channel and said fluid focusing channel communicating with an upstream end of said convergent focusing zone, said convergent focusing zone narrowing to form an inlet to an interrogation zone;

d) an interrogation zone, said interrogation zone comprising a channel through which sample fluid enveloped by focusing fluid flows, said interrogation zone terminating in an outlet,

further comprising at least three optical waveguide light impingement and/or collection path(s), internal ends of said optical waveguide light path(s) terminating at or proximate to said interrogation zone, an opposing end of said optical waveguide light path(s) in communication with or adapted to be placed in communication with a light source or a photodetector, said at least three fiber optic waveguides comprising at least a first fiber optic wave guide illuminating said interrogation channel, and at least two fiber optic waveguides conveying light from said interrogation channel to at least one detector, said three fiber optic waveguides all located in a plane which includes the interrogation channel.

2. A flow cytometer cell, comprising

a) a fluid sample inlet comprising a fluid sample channel;

b) at least one focusing fluid inlet comprising a fluid focusing channel;

c) a convergent focusing zone, said fluid sample channel and said fluid focusing channel communicating with an upstream end of said convergent focusing zone, said convergent focusing zone narrowing to form an inlet to an interrogation zone;

d) an interrogation zone, said interrogation zone comprising a channel through which sample fluid enveloped by focusing fluid flows, said interrogation zone terminating in an outlet,

further comprising at least three optical waveguide light impingement and/or collection path(s), internal ends of said optical waveguide light path(s) terminating at or proximate to said interrogation zone, an opposing end of said optical waveguide light path(s) in communication with or adapted to be placed in communication with a light source or a photodetector, said at least three fiber optic waveguides comprising at least two fiber optic wave guides illuminating said interrogation channel, and at least one fiber optic waveguide conveying light from said interrogation channel to at least one detector, said three fiber optic waveguides all located in a plane which includes the interrogation channel.