# US 2010/0165341 A1 · Compact Detector For Simultaneous Particle Size And Fluorescence Detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0165341 A1 - Document ID: US20100165341A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/642,705 - Filed: 2009-12-18 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-18 - Assignees: Biovigilant Systems, Inc. - Inventors: John Y. Babico; Chen Liang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100165341A1 ## CPC - G01J 3/4406: {Fluorescence spectrometry} - G01J 3/02: Details - G01J 3/0216: {using light concentrators or collectors or condensers} - G01J 3/0229: {using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters} - G01N 15/1459: {the analysis being performed on a sample stream} - G01N 21/53: within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke - G01N 21/645: {Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters} - G01N 21/6486: {Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells (G01N21/6428 takes precedence)} - G01N 15/1436: {the optical arrangement forming an integrated apparatus with the sample container, e.g. a flow cell} - G01N 2015/019: {Biological contaminants; Fouling} - G01N 2015/1493: {Particle size} - G01N 2021/6469: {Cavity, e.g. ellipsoid} - 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) - 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 A particle detection and classification system is disclosed. The system determines the size of measured particles by measuring light scattered by the particles. The system simultaneously determines whether measured particles are biological or non-biological by measuring fluorescent light from the particles. The system uses a parabolic reflector, and optionally, a spherical reflector to collect fluorescence light. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A particle detection and classification system comprising: a sampling area including a fluid to be measured; a light source on a first side of said sampling area; a first detector on a second side of said sampling area; a second detector on a second side of said sampling area; a parabolic reflector having a vertex located on the first side of said sampling area and a focal point within said sampling area; wherein, said light source supplies substantially collimated light to said sampling area along a first axis, said first detector measures light scattered in the direction of the second side of said sampling area at predetermined angles, said parabolic reflector collects light emitted by illuminated particles within the sampling area by fluorescence and directs said collected light in a substantially collimated fashion in the direction of the second side of second sampling area, and said second detector measures fluorescence light collected by said parabolic reflector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a scattered light collector lens located on the second side of said sampling area having a front focal point located within said sampling area, wherein scattered light traversing said scattered light collector lens is intercepted by said first detector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the scattered light collector lens collimates light scattered by particles within said sampling area, and further comprising a scattered light condenser lens that receives collimated light from said scattered light collector lens and focuses said collimated light onto said first detector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a beam blocking device arranged on said first axis on said second side of said sampling area, wherein said beam blocking device intercepts light from said light source after it emerges from said sampling area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further comprising a long-pass filter arranged on said first axis on said second side of said sampling area, wherein long-pass filter selectively transmits light having a wavelength of light emitted by fluorescence by illuminated particles in said sample area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, further comprising a fluorescent light condenser lens located on the second side of said sampling area that receives collimated light from said parabolic reflector and directs said collimated light to said second detector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6 wherein any combination of said second detector, beam blocking device, long-pass filter and fluorescent light condenser lens are sized and/or arranged to partially block light scattered in the direction of the second side into a predetermined range of angles. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises an LED or a diode laser, and wherein said light source emits at a wavelength of approximately between 350 nm and 410 nm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a spherical reflector on a second side of said sampling area, wherein said spherical reflector has a center of curvature co-incident with said focal point of said parabolic reflector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising a scattered light collection lens having an optical power and position such that the sampling area is imaged onto said first detector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising a scattered light collection lens that receives collimated light from said parabolic reflector and focuses said collimated light onto said first detector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said sampling area is defined by a fluid line carrying a fluid having an index of refraction greater than 1.0. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein said fluid line has a substantially rectangular cross section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein said spherical reflector includes a pair of optically absorptive masks arranged to intercept stray light caused by interaction between light from said light source and the corners of said fluid line. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, further comprising a first cylindrical lens in optical communication with said first detector and a second cylindrical lens in optical communication with said second detector. ### Claim 16 A particle detection and classification system comprising: a sampling area including a fluid to be measured; a light source on a first side of said sampling area; a first detector on a second side of said sampling area; a second detector on a second side of said sampling area; a parabolic reflector having a vertex located on the first side of said sampling area and a focal point within said sampling area; wherein, said light source supplies substantially collimated light defining a first axis, and wherein said light source, said sampling area, said first detector and said second detector are located along said first axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising a spherical reflector on a second side of said sampling area, wherein said spherical reflector has a center of curvature co-incident with said focal point of said parabolic reflector. ### Claim 18 A particle detection and classification system comprising: a sampling area including a fluid to be measured; a light source on a first side of said sampling area; a first detector on a second side of said sampling area; a second detector on a second side of said sampling area; a parabolic reflector having a vertex located on the first side of said sampling area and a focal point within said sampling area; a first cylindrical lens in optical communication with said first detector and a second cylindrical lens in optical communication with said second detector; wherein, said sampling area is defined by a fluid line carrying a fluid, wherein said fluid line or said fluid has an index of refraction greater than 1.0. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising a spherical reflector on a second side of said sampling area, wherein said spherical reflector has a center of curvature co-incident with said focal point of said parabolic reflector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein said spherical reflector includes a pair of optically absorptive masks arranged to intercept stray light caused by interaction between light from said light source and the edges of said fluid line.