Back to results
US 11,698,333 B2Granted
Sample liquid-sending apparatus, flow cytometer, and sample liquid-sending method
AssigneeSony Corporation
InventorKatsutoshi Tahara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
[Solving Means] A sample liquid-sending apparatus includes a placement portion, a suction mechanism, and a vibrator. A sample container is placed in the placement portion, the sample container containing a suspension of a sample. The suction mechanism includes a nozzle configured to be inserted into the sample container placed in the placement portion, and suctions the sample through the nozzle. The vibrator vibrates the nozzle.
Claims11
A sample liquid-sending apparatus, comprising:
- a placement portion in which a sample container is placed, wherein the sample container contains a suspension of a sample;
- a suction mechanism moveable relative to the sample container, wherein the suction mechanism includes:
- a nozzle support;
- a nozzle configured to be inserted into the sample container placed in the placement portion, wherein the nozzle is held by the nozzle support;
- and
- at least one pump connected to the nozzle and configured to suction the sample through the nozzle;
- a vibrator configured to vibrate the nozzle, wherein the vibrator is one of attached to the nozzle support or mounted on the nozzle;
- a detector connected to and between the nozzle and the at least one pump, wherein the detector is configured to detect samples, including the sample, suctioned by the suction mechanism;
- and
- a controller connected to the suction mechanism, the vibrator, and the detector, wherein the controller is configured to:
- set a threshold with respect to a number of the samples detected by the detector;
- and
- control, according to the threshold, at least one of a strength of the vibration or a length of time of the vibration.
10 more elements
A flow cytometer, comprising:
- a placement portion in which a sample container is placed, wherein the sample container contains a suspension of a sample;
- a suction mechanism moveable relative to the sample container, wherein the suction mechanism includes:
- a nozzle support;
- a nozzle configured to be inserted into the sample container placed in the placement portion, wherein the nozzle is held by the nozzle support;
- and
- at least one pump connected to the nozzle and configured to suction the sample through the nozzle;
- a vibrator configured to vibrate the nozzle, wherein the vibrator is one of attached to the nozzle support or mounted on the nozzle;
- a detector connected to and between the nozzle and the at least one pump, wherein the detector is configured to detect samples, including the sample, suctioned by the suction mechanism;
- an analyzer connected to the detector and configured to output a count value of a number of the samples detected by the detector;
- and
- a controller connected to the suction mechanism, the vibrator, and the detector, wherein the controller is configured to:
- set a threshold with respect to the number of the samples detected by the detector;
- and
- control, according to the threshold, at least one of a strength of the vibration or a length of time of the vibration.
11 more elements
A sample liquid-sending method, comprising:
- inserting a nozzle into a sample container containing a suspension of a sample, wherein
- the nozzle is included in a suction mechanism,
- the nozzle is held by a nozzle support,
- the suction mechanism is moveable relative to the sample container, and
- the sample container is placed in a placement portion;
- vibrating the nozzle by a vibrator, wherein the vibrator is one of attached to the nozzle support or mounted on the nozzle;
- suctioning the sample through the nozzle using at least one pump of the suction mechanism;
- detecting, by a detector, samples, including the sample, suctioned by the suction mechanism;
- setting, by a controller, a threshold with respect to a number of the samples detected by the detector;
- and
- controlling, by the controller, according to the threshold, at least one of a strength of the vibration or a length of time of the vibration.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.