Optical detection system for flow cytometry
First Claim
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1. An optical detection system for analyzing predetermined characteristics of a flow stream, the flow stream having a width dimension perpendicular to the direction of flow and the flow stream having a central axis extending in the direction of the flow stream, the optical detection system comprising:
- two or more light sources, each for providing a light beam primarily through a different part of the flow stream in the width dimension, wherein the light beams of the two or more light sources are intentionally offset from one another to pass primarily through the flow stream at different distances from the central axis of the flow stream in the width dimension;
light receiving means for receiving the light beam from a selected light source, and for providing at least one signal in response thereto; 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 light sources positioned laterally at different distances from the central axis of the flow stream for providing light through different parts of the flow stream. By using two or more light sources, the particle position can be detected, and the alignment and width of the core stream can be monitored and controlled.
137 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An optical detection system for analyzing predetermined characteristics of a flow stream, the flow stream having a width dimension perpendicular to the direction of flow and the flow stream having a central axis extending in the direction of the flow stream, the optical detection system comprising:
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two or more light sources, each for providing a light beam primarily through a different part of the flow stream in the width dimension, wherein the light beams of the two or more light sources are intentionally offset from one another to pass primarily through the flow stream at different distances from the central axis of the flow stream in the width dimension; light receiving means for receiving the light beam from a selected light source, and for providing at least one signal in response thereto; 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, 8, 9)
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10. A method for analyzing predetermined characteristics of a flow stream, the flow stream having a width dimension perpendicular to the direction of flow and having a central axis along the direction of flow, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing two or more light sources, each for providing a light beam primarily through a different part of the flow stream in the width dimension, wherein the light beams of the two or more light sources are intentionally offset from one another to pass primarily through the flow stream at different distances from the central axis of the flow stream in the width dimension; selecting one of the two or more light sources; activating the selected light source, while deactivating the other light sources; receiving the light from the selected light source, and providing at least one signal in response thereto; and analyzing the predetermined characteristics of the flow stream using the at least one signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for determining the alignment of one or more particles in a flow stream relative to a width dimension of the flow stream, the method comprising:
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activating and deactivating in sequence each of two or more light sources, each light source providing a light beam, wherein the light beams of the two or more light sources are intentionally offset from one another in the width dimension to pass primarily through different parts of the flow stream in the width dimension; monitoring an output response of at least one detector that receives the light from the two or more light sources; detecting a change in the response of the at least one detector when a particle passes between the detector and a corresponding activated light source; determining which of the light sources, when activated, produces the largest change in the response of the at least one detector; selecting the light source that produces the largest change in the response of the at least one detector; and activating the selected light source, while deactivating the other light sources. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for determining the alignment of one or more particles in a flow stream relative to a width dimension of the flow stream, the method comprising:
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activating and deactivating in sequence each of two or more light sources, each light source providing a light beam, wherein the light beams of the two or more light sources are intentionally offset from one another in the width dimension to pass primarily through different parts of the flow stream in the width dimension; monitoring an output response of at least one detector that receives the light from the two or more light sources; detecting a change in the response of the at least one detector when a particle passes between the detector and a corresponding activated light source; determining which of the light sources, when activated, produces a signal with a desired characteristic when a particle passes between the detector and a corresponding light source; selecting the light source that produces the signal with the desired characteristic in the response of the at least one detector; and activating the selected light source, while deactivating the other light sources.
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Specification