Flow cell for a flow cytometer system
First Claim
1. A flow cytometer system having an interrogation zone, the flow cytometer system comprising:
- a flow cell body that is a unitary construction and that contains and aligns components of the flow cytometer system;
a focusing lens, coupled to and located within the flow cell body adjacent to the interrogation zone, configured to focus light that impinges the interrogation zone;
a flow channel, coupled to the flow cell body, that conducts and focuses sample fluid through the interrogation zone;
a sample injection probe, removably coupled to the flow cell body, that provides a sample fluid to the flow channel;
a sample injection probe body, removably coupled to the flow cell body, that contains the sample injection probe and aligns the sample injection probe with the flow channel;
a sample injection probe cleaning port, at least partially defined within the sample injection probe body and fluidically coupled to the sample injection probe, that is configured to relieve pressure from the sample injection probe and configured to clean the sample injection probe by introducing sheath fluid therein; and
a bubble purge port fluidically coupled to the flow cell body and defined in the flow cell body upstream from the interrogation zone for a flow direction from the sample injection probe to the interrogation zone, wherein the bubble purge port is configured to selectively purge bubbles prior to their entry into the flow channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The flow cytometer system of the preferred embodiment includes a flow cell body that functions to contain, protect, and align the components of the flow cytometer system; a flow channel, coupled to the flow cell body, that functions to conduct and focus sample fluid through an interrogation zone; and a sample injection probe, removably coupled to the flow cell body, that functions to provide a uniform flow of sample fluid to the flow channel. The flow cytometer system is preferably designed for the flow cytometer field. The flow cytometer system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.
232 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A flow cytometer system having an interrogation zone, the flow cytometer system comprising:
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a flow cell body that is a unitary construction and that contains and aligns components of the flow cytometer system; a focusing lens, coupled to and located within the flow cell body adjacent to the interrogation zone, configured to focus light that impinges the interrogation zone; a flow channel, coupled to the flow cell body, that conducts and focuses sample fluid through the interrogation zone; a sample injection probe, removably coupled to the flow cell body, that provides a sample fluid to the flow channel; a sample injection probe body, removably coupled to the flow cell body, that contains the sample injection probe and aligns the sample injection probe with the flow channel; a sample injection probe cleaning port, at least partially defined within the sample injection probe body and fluidically coupled to the sample injection probe, that is configured to relieve pressure from the sample injection probe and configured to clean the sample injection probe by introducing sheath fluid therein; and a bubble purge port fluidically coupled to the flow cell body and defined in the flow cell body upstream from the interrogation zone for a flow direction from the sample injection probe to the interrogation zone, wherein the bubble purge port is configured to selectively purge bubbles prior to their entry into the flow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A flow cytometer system having an interrogation zone, the flow cytometer system comprising:
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a flow cell body that is a unitary construction and that contains and aligns components of the flow cytometer system; a focusing lens, coupled to and located within the flow cell body adjacent to the interrogation zone, configured to focus light that impinges the interrogation zone; a flow channel, coupled to the flow cell body, that conducts and focuses sample fluid through the interrogation zone; a sample injection probe, removably coupled to the flow cell body, that provides a sample fluid to the flow channel; a sample injection probe body, removably coupled to the flow cell body, that aligns the sample injection probe with the flow channel; and a sample injection probe cleaning port, at least partially defined within the sample injection probe body and fluidically coupled to the sample injection probe, that is configured to relieve pressure from the sample injection probe and configured to clean the sample injection probe by introducing sheath fluid therein.
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Specification