Optical detection system for flow cytometry
First Claim
1. An optical detection system for analyzing predetermined characteristics of a flow stream, the flow stream having a central axis along the direction of flow, the optical detection system comprising:
- one or more light sources positioned on a first side of the flow stream for providing light through the flow stream;
lens means positioned on the first side of the flow stream for focusing the light from each of the one or more light sources to a common focal point or region located on a second opposite side of the flow stream;
light receiving means for receiving the light from the one or more light sources, and for providing at least one signal in response thereto, at least a portion of the light receiving means located at or near the common focal point or region of the lens means; and
processing means for receiving the at least one signal from the light receiving means and for using the at least one signal for analyzing the predetermined characteristics of the flow stream.
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Abstract
An optical detection system for flow cytometry that uses two or more light sources positioned laterally at different distances from a central axis of a flow stream for providing light through different parts of the flow stream. One or more lenses are used to focus the light from the two or more light sources through the flow stream and onto a common focal point or region on the opposite side of the flow stream. One or more light detectors are then placed at, near or around the common focal point or region. A processor or the like receives at least one output signal from the one or more light detectors to analyze and determine selected characteristics of the flow stream.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical detection system for analyzing predetermined characteristics of a flow stream, the flow stream having a central axis along the direction of flow, the optical detection system comprising:
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one or more light sources positioned on a first side of the flow stream for providing light through the flow stream; lens means positioned on the first side of the flow stream for focusing the light from each of the one or more light sources to a common focal point or region located on a second opposite side of the flow stream; light receiving means for receiving the light from the one or more light sources, and for providing at least one signal in response thereto, at least a portion of the light receiving means located at or near the common focal point or region of the lens means; and processing means for receiving the at least one signal from the light receiving means and for using the at least one signal for analyzing the predetermined characteristics of the flow stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for analyzing predetermined characteristics of a flow stream, the flow stream having a central axis along the direction of flow, the method comprising:
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providing light from a first side of the flow stream; focusing the light to a common focal point or region located on a second opposite side of the flow stream; receiving the light at or near the common focal point or region; and determining the predetermined characteristics of the flow stream by analyzing the light that is received at or near the common focal point or region. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. An optical detection system for analyzing predetermined characteristics of a flow stream, the flow stream having a central axis along the direction of flow, the optical detection system comprising:
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first and second arrays of light sources, each light source array including two or more spaced light sources positioned on a first side of the flow stream for providing light through the flow stream; first and second arrays of lenses, each lens array including two or more lenses, the first and second lens arrays corresponding with the first and second light source arrays, wherein the lenses of the first and second arrays are positioned on the first side of the flow stream for focusing the light from each of the two or more light sources in the first and second light source arrays to first and second common focal points or regions, respectively, located on a second opposite side of the flow stream; first and second light receiving means for receiving the light from the first and second light source arrays, respectively, and for providing at least one signal in response thereto, at least a portion of the first and second light receiving means located at or near the first and second common focal points or regions of the first and second lens arrays, respectively; and processing means for receiving the at least one signal from the first and second light receiving means and for using the at least one signal for analyzing the predetermined characteristics of the flow stream. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification