System for analysis and selection of encapsulated cellular materials
First Claim
1. An automated system for evaluation and selection of capsules a minority of which contain encapsulated cellular material comprising:
- a first channel through which a first fluid stream containing capsules is introduced into the system and will exit from the system if undeflected;
a second channel through which a second fluid stream is introduced;
a window defined between the first channel and the second channel across which the first fluid stream is directly adjacent the second fluid stream;
a sensor system operably positioned along the first channel upstream of the window, the sensor system equipped to image the minority of the capsules which contain encapsulated cellular material from among the capsules contained in the first fluid stream; and
a fluid jet system pulsed responsive to a control system coupled to the sensor system that identifies the minority of capsules which contain encapsulated materials and controls the fluid jet system for selectively deflecting the minority of the capsules which contain encapsulated cellular material from the first fluid stream across the window and into the second fluid stream such that fluid flow disturbance of the first fluid is generally created only when a capsule containing cellular material is detected by the sensor system,wherein a majority of the capsules not containing cellular material persists flowing through the first channel through which the first fluid stream containing capsules is introduced, without creating a fluid flow disturbance of the first fluid that affects imaging of the capsules by the sensor system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Capsules, entrained in a fluid medium, are directed into a channel deflection system designed to enable evaluation and separation of successfully encapsulated cellular material from the blanks and other debris. Preferably, the fluid media with the capsule is introduced into a first or main channel and the capsules first pass one or more windows in the main channel for evaluation that is conducted by electromagnetic and/or optical means. Preferably, the evaluation results in the selection of acceptable capsules and subsequent removal of the blank capsules from the medium through the use of multiple jets that gently redirect the acceptable capsules into an alternate channel. Preferably, fluid is also introduced into the alternate channel and the main channel and the alternate channel are arranged such that there is a window defined between the two channels where the fluid flow between the two channel is directly adjacent and the jet deflection system can selectively deflect capsules across this window between the two channels with a minimum amount of force and a minimum of turbulence created in either channel.
29 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An automated system for evaluation and selection of capsules a minority of which contain encapsulated cellular material comprising:
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a first channel through which a first fluid stream containing capsules is introduced into the system and will exit from the system if undeflected; a second channel through which a second fluid stream is introduced; a window defined between the first channel and the second channel across which the first fluid stream is directly adjacent the second fluid stream; a sensor system operably positioned along the first channel upstream of the window, the sensor system equipped to image the minority of the capsules which contain encapsulated cellular material from among the capsules contained in the first fluid stream; and a fluid jet system pulsed responsive to a control system coupled to the sensor system that identifies the minority of capsules which contain encapsulated materials and controls the fluid jet system for selectively deflecting the minority of the capsules which contain encapsulated cellular material from the first fluid stream across the window and into the second fluid stream such that fluid flow disturbance of the first fluid is generally created only when a capsule containing cellular material is detected by the sensor system, wherein a majority of the capsules not containing cellular material persists flowing through the first channel through which the first fluid stream containing capsules is introduced, without creating a fluid flow disturbance of the first fluid that affects imaging of the capsules by the sensor system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An automated system for evaluation and selection of encapsulated cellular material comprising:
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a main channel through which a fluid stream containing capsules is introduced; a control system including a sensor system operably positioned along the main channel, the sensor system equipped to image a minority of the capsules containing cellular material from among the capsules contained in the fluid stream; an outlet channel fluidically coupled to the main channel; and a fluid jet system operably positioned along the channel downstream of the sensor system, wherein the fluid jet system comprises a plurality of impulse jet nozzles arranged for sequential pulsing under control of the control system, each jet nozzle in the plurality of impulse jet nozzles configured to generate a fluid jet characterized by a jet momentum, the jet momentum calculated so that upon sequential pulsing, paired pulsing, or pulsing in unison of the impulse jet nozzles each of the minority of capsules containing cellular material is selectively deflected from the main channel into the output channel without generally contacting the main channel or the output channel and without generally causing a fluid flow disturbance in the fluid stream flowing in the first channel that would otherwise disrupt the imaging of the capsules, such that the capsules other than the minority of capsules containing cellular material remain in the fluid stream flowing in the main channel.
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13. An automated system for evaluation and selection of encapsulated cellular material comprising:
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a main channel through which a fluid stream containing capsules is introduced; a control system including a sensor system operably positioned along the main channel that images the capsules, the control system evaluating the images to determine whether any portion of the cellular material is outside the capsule; an outlet channel fluidically coupled to the main channel; and a fluid jet system operably positioned along the channel downstream of the sensor system and pulsed in response to the control system based on the determination as to whether any portion of the cellular material is outside the capsule in order to move the capsule from the main channel to the outlet channel while reducing disturbance of the fluid stream with respect to the sensor system.
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Specification