Cytometer having fluid core stream position control
First Claim
1. A cytometer system comprising:
- a flow channel having an axis;
a hydrodynamic focusing channel connected to the flow channel;
an injection channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing channel for injecting a sample into the hydrodynamic focusing channel;
a first sheath fluid channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing channel for delivering a first sheath fluid to a first part of the hydrodynamic focusing channel at a first flow rate;
a second sheath fluid channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing channel for delivering a second sheath fluid to a second part of the hydrodynamic focusing channel at a second flow rate;
a light source proximate to the flow channel;
a light detector proximate to the flow channel for detecting a core stream in the flow channel, wherein the core stream in the flow channel includes at least part of the sample injected by the injection channel; and
a feedback control loop coupled to the detector for controlling a relative measure of the first and second flow rates in the first and the second sheath fluid channels, the feedback control loop adjusting a relative measure of the first flow rate and the second flow rate to move the position of the core stream in the flow channel to a desired position relative to the light detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cytometer having two or more chambers or regions in a containment structure of sheathing fluid that may be used to provide hydrodynamic focusing of another fluid having particles to be observed. The latter fluid may be a core stream which may have its lateral position in a flow or measurement channel affected by control of at least one of the parameters of the several segments of the sheathing fluid. The lateral position of the core stream may be aligned with a light source and detector for a count and observation of the particles. Electrical signals from the detector may be fed back to a processor which may control one or more parameters of the sheathing fluid in the various chambers or regions via pumps, valves, and flow and pressure sensors. This control of parameters may provide for the positioning of the core stream. This cytometer may be miniaturized.
107 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A cytometer system comprising:
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a flow channel having an axis; a hydrodynamic focusing channel connected to the flow channel; an injection channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing channel for injecting a sample into the hydrodynamic focusing channel; a first sheath fluid channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing channel for delivering a first sheath fluid to a first part of the hydrodynamic focusing channel at a first flow rate; a second sheath fluid channel connected to the hydrodynamic focusing channel for delivering a second sheath fluid to a second part of the hydrodynamic focusing channel at a second flow rate; a light source proximate to the flow channel; a light detector proximate to the flow channel for detecting a core stream in the flow channel, wherein the core stream in the flow channel includes at least part of the sample injected by the injection channel; and a feedback control loop coupled to the detector for controlling a relative measure of the first and second flow rates in the first and the second sheath fluid channels, the feedback control loop adjusting a relative measure of the first flow rate and the second flow rate to move the position of the core stream in the flow channel to a desired position relative to the light detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method aligning a core stream in a flow channel of a cytometer, comprising:
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providing a sample fluid; providing a first sheath fluid proximate to the sample fluid; providing a second sheath fluid proximate to the sample fluid; and hydrodynamically focusing the sample fluid into a core stream with the first and second sheath fluids into a flow channel; measuring the flow rate of the first sheath fluid; measuring the flow rate of the second sheath fluid; adjusting the relative flow rate of the first and second sheath fluids to move the position of the core stream in a desired direction. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A means for aligning a cytometer, comprising:
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means for providing a sample fluid; means for providing a plurality of sheathing fluids; means for hydrodynamically focusing the sample fluid into a core stream with the plurality of sheathing fluids; and means for individually sensing and controlling the flows of the plurality the sheathing fluids to effect an alignment of the core stream relative to an axis of a flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification