# US 11,892,389 B2 · Flow cytometer including light collection modules, and methods of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,892,389 B2 - Document ID: US11892389B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/511,146 - Filed: 2021-10-26 - Published: 2022-05-19 - Granted: 2024-02-06 - Earliest claimed: 2020-11-16 - Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company - Applicants: Becton, Dickinson and Company - Inventors: Ihor V. Berezhnyy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11892389B2 ## CPC - G01N 15/1436: {the optical arrangement forming an integrated apparatus with the sample container, e.g. a flow cell} - G01N 15/1459: {the analysis being performed on a sample stream} - G01N 15/149: specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties - G01N 2015/1006: {for cytology} - G01N 2015/1452: {Adjustment of focus; Alignment} - 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) ## Abstract Flow cytometers including light collection modules are provided. In embodiments, the subject flow cytometers include a light source for irradiating a particle passing through a flow cell at an interrogation point, an objective lens for focusing particle-modulated light, and a light collection module for collecting objective lens focused light. In some embodiments, the light collection module includes a fiber optic light conveyor and a refractive optical element positioned between the objective lens and the fiber optic light conveyor. In such embodiments, the refractive optical element is configured to direct the objective lens focused light onto the surface of the fiber optic light conveyor by refracting the objective lens focused light such that it propagates along a single optical axis. Methods for using the flow cytometers are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flow cytometer comprising: a light source for irradiating a particle passing through a flow cell at an interrogation point; an objective lens for focusing particle-modulated light; and a light collection module for collecting objective lens focused light, wherein the light collection module comprises: a single fiber optic light conveyor; and a refractive optical element positioned between the objective lens and the single fiber optic light conveyor, wherein the refractive optical element is configured to direct the objective lens focused light onto the surface of the single fiber optic light conveyor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the refractive optical element is a prism. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the refractive optical element is a cylindrical lens. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the refractive optical element is separated from the flow cell by a distance ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the refractive optical element is configured to refract the objective lens focused light such that it propagates along a single optical axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic light conveyor possesses a diameter ranging from 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to simultaneously irradiate a plurality of particles passing through the flow cell at the interrogation point. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the objective lens focused light comprises light from a plurality of focal spots located within the interrogation point. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The flow cytometer according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of focal spots ranges from 2 to 6 focal spots. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The flow cytometer according to claim 8, wherein the light from each of the plurality of focal spots is directed onto the surface of the fiber optic light conveyor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the light collection module further comprises a detector assembly operably coupled to the fiber optic light conveyor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a laser. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The flow cytometer according to claim 12, wherein the light source comprises a second laser. ### Claim 14 A method of analyzing a sample, the method comprising: (a) introducing a sample into a flow cytometer comprising: a light source for irradiating a particle passing through a flow cell at an interrogation point; an objective lens for focusing particle-modulated light; and a light collection module for collecting objective lens focused light, wherein the light collection module comprises: a single fiber optic light conveyor; and a refractive optical element positioned between the objective lens and the single fiber optic light conveyor, wherein the refractive optical element is configured to direct the objective lens focused light onto the surface of the single fiber optic light conveyor; and (b) flow cytometrically analyzing the sample. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the refractive optical element is a prism. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the refractive optical element is a cylindrical lens. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the refractive optical element is separated from the flow cell by a distance ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the refractive optical element is configured to refract the objective lens focused light such that it propagates along a single optical axis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the fiber optic light conveyor possesses a diameter ranging from 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the light source is configured to simultaneously irradiate a plurality of particles passing through the flow cell at the interrogation point.