Modular monitor and control system for cell sorter stream

• US 9,360,850 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Issued: 06/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rutgers University
• Original Assignee: Rutgers University
• Inventors: Roberts, Arthur I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liew, Alex
• Application Number:
  US14/552,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20150146962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3422 using video scanning devices, e.g. TV-cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1425 using an analyser being characterised by its control arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1459 the analysis being performed on a sample stream
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1406 Control of droplet point
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0658 the plurality of throttling means being arranged for the control of a single flow from a plurality of converging flows G05D7/0652 takes precedence; ratio control G05D11/13

Abstract

A modular monitor and control system which monitors the fluid jet and droplet formation region in a stream-in-air cell or particle sorter and controls sheath fluid and sample flows via the first and second valves. The system includes a processor which receives digital video image signals of the fluid jet and droplet formation region in the sorter; continuously analyzes the digital image signals to determine a significant change in the digital image signal; and triggers at least a relay switch activation signal in response to a determined significant change. At least one relay switch which is separate from the cell sorter and in communication with the processor is connected with the first and second valves and configured to close the first and second valves upon activation of the relay switch via the relay switch activation signal.

Claims

1. A modular monitor and control system configured to monitor the fluid jet and droplet formation region in a stream-in-air particle sorter and control flows of sheath fluid and particle suspension sample via first and second valves, the system comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive digital video image signals of the fluid jet and droplet formation region in the sorter;

continuously analyze the digital video image signals to determine a significant change in the digital image signal; and

trigger an alert signal in response to a determined significant change, the alert signal including at least a relay switch activation signal; and

at least one relay switch separate from the particle sorter and in communication with the processor, the at least one relay switch connected with the first and second valves and configured to close the first and/or second valve upon activation of the at least one relay switch via the relay switch activation signal.

2. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 further comprising an analog-to-digital video converter separate from the sorter and configured to receive an analog signal of a video image of the fluid jet and droplet formation region in the sorter and convert it into the digital signal received by the processor.

3. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the processor runs motion-detection video monitoring software to analyze the digital video image signals and determine a significant change in the digital image signal.

4. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to compare current image signals to preceding image signals and/or compare current image signals to an initial image signal and analyzes the signals to detect any changes therebetween beyond a threshold value.

5. The modular monitor and control system of claim 4 wherein the threshold value is adjustable.

6. The modular monitor and control system of claim 4 wherein an operator can select between comparing the current image signals to the preceding image signals or the initial image signal.

7. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the processor is an independent component relative to the particle sorter and is configured to receive video image signals therefrom via a wired or wireless connection.

8. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the processor is an integral component of the particle sorter and software, independent of software configured to control operation of the particle sorter, is configured to continuously analyze the digital video image signals to determine a significant change in the digital image signal and trigger an alert signal in response to a determined significant change.

9. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the alert signal further includes an alarm signal configured to cause an audible alarm.

10. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the alert signal further includes a message signal configured to cause a visual message to be displayed on a display monitor.

11. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the alert signal further includes a remote message signal configured to cause a warning message to be sent to a remote location.

12. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one relay switch is a multiple-channel relay switch, with one channel associated with the first valve and one channel associated with the second valve and with ability to control each channel independently.

13. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one relay switch includes two independent relay switches, with one of the relay switches associated with the first valve and the other relay switch associated with the second valve.

14. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the first and second valves are electrically operated and the at least one relay switch is electrically connected to the first and second valves.

15. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the first and second valves are fluidly activated by third and fourth valves which are electrically operated and the at least one relay switch is electrically connected to the third and fourth valves.

16. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one relay switch includes latching switches which remain in a current state until commanded to switch states.

17. The modular monitor and control system of claim 16 further comprising an input which allows an operator to return the latching relay switches to a state in which control of the first and second valves is returned to the particle sorter and operator.

18. The modular monitor and control system of claim 1 further comprising a housing in which at least the at least one switch is positioned.

19. The modular monitor and control system of claim 18 wherein an A/D converter is positioned within the housing.

20. The modular monitor and control system of claim 18 wherein the processor is positioned within the housing.