Sample stream centration
AssigneeLife Technologies Corporation
InventorsEric Finan, Michael Ward
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided are, inter alia, flow centration components that can be used in flow cytometers and other applications. A flow centrator can define central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, and having a central bore extending within the flow centration component in the direction of the central axis; the flow centration component defining a splined outer surface that defines a plurality of circumferentially arranged bypass flute channels, the plurality of bypass flute channels extending in the direction of the central axis, and each of the bypass flute channels having a depth and a length. Also provided are related methods that utilize the disclosed components.
Claims10
A flow centration component, comprising:
- the flow centration component defining a central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, and having a central bore extending within the flow centration component in a direction of the central axis;
- the flow centration component defining a splined outer surface that defines a plurality of circumferentially arranged bypass flute channels, wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially arranged bypass flute channels extends continuously from the proximal end to the distal end in the direction of, and parallel to, the central axis, the plurality of circumferentially arranged bypass flute channels extending in the direction of the central axis, and each of the plurality of circumferentially arranged bypass flute channels having a depth HF and a length LF, each of the plurality of circumferentially arranged bypass flute channels maintaining a uniform cross-section profile defined by the depth HF along the length LF, and
- the splined outer surface of the flow centration component defining a cross-sectional dimension that varies as measured along the central axis in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end,
- wherein a cross-sectional profile of the flow centration component defines a first portion having a cross-sectional profile that is angled, curved, or otherwise extends away from the central bore,
- wherein the cross-sectional profile of the flow centration component defines a second portion having a cross-sectional profile that is angled, curved, or otherwise extends away from the central bore,
- wherein the cross-sectional profile of the flow centration component defines a central portion situated between the first portion and the second portion, the central portion having a cross-sectional profile that is uniform with respect to the first portion and the second portion, and
- wherein the cross-sectional profile of the second portion differs from the cross-sectional profile of the first portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.