Cell sorter with pivotal scuppers

A compact sorting flow cytometer system comprising:

• a flow cell to form a stream of a plurality of drops of a sample biological fluid with one or more biological cells or particles, the flow cell having a flow cell body with a port receiving a conductive hose fitting to receive a signal from a sort controller to selectively apply a charge to a sheath fluid and at least one drop of the sample biological fluid to form at least one charged drop and otherwise leave a plurality of uncharged drops;
• a deflection unit in communication with the flow cell to receive the at least one charged drop and the plurality of uncharged drops in the stream of the sample biological fluid, the deflection unit including:
• a case having a deflection cone and a deflection chamber in communication with the flow cell to receive the at least one charged drop and the plurality of uncharged drops in the stream, the case further having a tub with a drain in the deflection chamber to aspirate drops into a waste outlet, the case further having a slot at a base;
• a first electrostatic charge plate and a second electrostatic charge plate opposite the first electrostatic charge plate mounted in the deflection cone with a progressively larger gap between each, the first charge plate to receive a high positive voltage and the second charge plate to receive a high negative voltage to form an electrostatic charge field through which the at least one charged drop and the plurality of uncharged drops in the stream pass, wherein the plurality of uncharged drops pass through the electrostatic charge field in a center stream path of drops of the sample biological fluid and the at least one charged drop is deflected away from the center stream path;
• and
• a first pivotal scupper, a second pivotal scupper, and a non-pivotal center collector between the first pivotal scupper and the second pivotal scupper are arranged along a first shaft in the tub of the case, wherein the first pivotal scupper and the second pivotal scupper pivot with the first shaft between a first position to direct drops into the tub for aspiration down the drain and a second position to allow the at least one charged drop deflected away from the center stream path to pass through the slot for collection, wherein the non-pivotal center collector is non-pivotal to direct the plurality of uncharged drops in the center stream path into the tub for aspiration down the drain.