# US 11,029,243 B2 · Compact detection module for flow cytometers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,243 B2 - Document ID: US11029243B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/659,610 - Filed: 2017-07-25 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-25 - Assignees: Cytek Biosciences, Inc. - Applicants: Cytek Biosciences, Inc. - Inventors: Ming Yan; Yung-Chieh Hsieh; David Vrane; Eric Chase - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029243B2 ## CPC - G01N 15/1436: {the optical arrangement forming an integrated apparatus with the sample container, e.g. a flow cell} - G01J 1/08: Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for photometry {standard sources, also using luminescent or radioactive material} - G01J 3/021: {using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or particular reflectors} - G01J 3/0208: {using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction} - G01J 3/0218: {using optical fibers} - G01J 3/0256: {Compact construction} - G01J 3/0291: {Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements} - G01J 3/36: Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors - G01N 15/1434: Optical arrangements - G01N 15/1459: {the analysis being performed on a sample stream} - G01N 21/47: Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection (G01N21/25, G01N21/41 take precedence {G01N21/55 takes precedence}) - G01J 2003/1213: {Filters in general, e.g. dichroic, band} - G01N 2015/1006: {for cytology} - G01N 2015/145: {by pattern of light, e.g. fringe pattern} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) ## Abstract In one embodiment, a flow cytometer is disclosed having a compact light detection module. The compact light detection module includes an image array with a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side. Each of the plurality of filters reflects light to one of the plurality of micro-mirrors and passes light of a differing wavelength range and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors reflects light to one of the plurality of filters, such that incident light into the image array zigzags back and forth between consecutive filters of the plurality of filters and consecutive micro-mirrors of the plurality of micro-mirrors. A radius of curvature of each of the plurality of micro-mirrors images the fiber aperture onto the odd filters and collimates the light beam on the even filters. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flow cytometer comprising: a light detection module including a first image array having a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side, wherein each of the plurality of filters reflects light to one of the plurality of micro-mirrors and passes light of a differing wavelength range and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors reflects light to one of the plurality of filters, such that incident light into the image array zigzags back and forth between consecutive filters of the plurality of filters and consecutive micro-mirrors of the plurality of micro-mirrors, wherein a radius of curvature of each of the plurality of micro-mirrors directs light onto even filters and reimages light onto odd filters of the plurality of filters along the row; and; a first plurality of detector channels in a row forming a first detector chain adjacent the first image array, the first plurality of detector channels respectively in light communication with the plurality of filters of the first image array, wherein each detector channel includes a focusing lens, and a photo detector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein the light detection module further includes an input channel that images from an aperture at a fiber to a surface of a first filter of the first plurality of filters; and the flow cytometer further comprises a collection lens with a first side facing a sample chamber and an opposing second side, the first side of the collection lens having a first numeric aperture (NA) and the second side of the collection lens having a second NA less than the first NA; and an optical fiber with a first end aligned with an optical axis of the collection lens and a second end aligned with an optical axis of the input channel of the detection module, the optical fiber having a fiber NA greater than or equal to the second NA of the collection lens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The flow cytometer of claim 2, wherein the input channel magnifies the size of the input image size from the aperture to the surface of the first filter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The flow cytometer of claim 2, wherein the input channel includes a collimating lens to receive launched fluorescent light and collimate the light, a blocking filter to reject a laser light used to stimulate fluorochromes in the collimated light, and a focusing lens to focus the collimated light from the collimating lens onto the first filter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein the light detection module further includes a second image array having a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The flow cytometer of claim 5, wherein the light detection module further includes a second plurality of detector channels in a row forming a second detector chain adjacent the second image array, the second plurality of detector channels respectively in light communication with the plurality of filters of the second image array, wherein each detector channel includes a focusing lens, and a photo detector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The flow cytometer of claim 6, wherein the light detection module further includes an input channel that couples an input image from an aperture at a fiber to a surface of a first filter of the first plurality of filters and a surface of a first filter of the second plurality of filters; and the flow cytometer further comprises a collection lens with a first side facing a sample chamber and an opposing second side, the first side of the collection lens having a first numeric aperture (NA) and the second side of the collection lens having a second NA less than the first NA; and an optical fiber with a first end aligned with an optical axis of the collection lens and a second end aligned with an optical axis of the input channel of the detection module, the optical fiber having a fiber NA greater than or equal to the second NA of the collection lens. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The flow cytometer of claim 7, wherein the input channel magnifies the size of the input image size from the aperture to the surface of the first filter of each of the first and second plurality of filters. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The flow cytometer of claim 7, wherein the input channel includes a collimating lens to receive launched fluorescent light and collimate the light, a blocking filter to reject a laser light used to stimulate fluorochromes in the collimated light, a beam splitter to split the collimated light into a first range of wavelengths and a second range of wavelengths different from the first range, a first focusing lens to focus the collimated light with the first range of wavelengths onto the first filter of the first plurality of filters, and a second focusing lens to focus the collimated light with the second range of wavelengths onto the first filter of the second plurality of filters. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein a radius of curvature of the plurality of micro-mirrors forms a focal length equal to a beam path length from micro-mirror to opposing filter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of filters is a dichroic filter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of filters is a bandpass filter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of filters are a combination of a dichroic filter and a bandpass filter coupled in light communication. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein wherein the light directed by each of the plurality of micro-mirrors is collimated onto even filters. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein wherein the plurality of micro-mirrors in the row of the first image array are concave spherical mirrors. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer of claim 1, wherein wherein the plurality of micro-mirrors in the row of the first image array are concave rectangular mirrors. ### Claim 17 (depends on 5) The flow cytometer of claim 5, wherein wherein the plurality of micro-mirrors in the row of the first and second image arrays are concave spherical mirrors. ### Claim 18 (depends on 5) The flow cytometer of claim 5, wherein wherein the plurality of micro-mirrors in the row of the first and second image arrays are concave rectangular mirrors.