Systems, methods, and apparatus for sample dispersion

A system for detecting particles in a sample, comprising:

• a sample dispersion system comprising a movable sample container configured to completely enclose a fluid including a plurality of sample particles, the sample container having a housing with two or more orifices for the introduction of said fluid and/or the passage of carrier solution into the sample container and/or the passage of fluid from the sample container, wherein said fluid and carrier solution are flowable from an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice and the orifices are connected to valves or otherwise configured to halt fluid flow in a closed state and to allow fluid flow in an open state;
• a detector for detecting one or more of said sample particles;
• a channel for delivery of said fluid to the detector, said channel in fluid communication with an outlet orifice on the sample container and with said detector;
• and
• a carrier reservoir in fluid communication with the sample container, wherein the carrier reservoir contains a liquid carrier solution for moving a plurality of sample particles in liquid flow,
• wherein the fluid including a plurality of sample particles is introduced via an orifice into the sample container;
• liquid carrier solution is introduced via an inlet orifice into the sample container from the carrier reservoir;
• the sample container containing said fluid is moved about an axis in relation to the flow of carrier solution through the sample container, said movement dispersing a plurality of said sample particles in said fluid;
• said fluid and carrier solution are caused to exit the sample container via an outlet orifice when open;
• and sample particles flow through the channel to the detector for detection of one or more sample particles.

A method for dispersing particles in a fluid stream for analytical purposes, comprising:

• providing a sample dispersion system comprising a movable sample container configured to completely enclose a fluid including a plurality of sample particles, the sample container having a housing with two or more orifices for the introduction of said fluid and/or the passage of carrier solution into the sample container and/or the passage of fluid from the sample container, wherein said fluid and carrier solution are flowable from an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice and the orifices are connected to valves or otherwise configured to halt fluid flow in a closed state and to allow fluid flow in an open state;
• providing a device for analyzing one or more of said sample particles;
• providing a channel for delivery of said fluid and carrier solution to the device, said channel in fluid communication with an outlet in the sample container and said device;
• introducing said fluid via an orifice into the sample container;
• providing a carrier reservoir in fluid communication with the sample container, wherein the carrier reservoir contains a liquid carrier solution for moving a plurality of sample particles in liquid flow;
• introducing liquid carrier solution via an inlet orifice into the sample container from the carrier reservoir;
• causing the sample container containing said fluid and said liquid carrier solution to move about an axis in relation to the flow of carrier solution through the sample container, said movement dispersing a plurality of said sample particles in said fluid;
• causing said fluid and carrier solution to exit the sample container via an outlet orifice when open;
• and
• causing sample particles to flow through the channel to the device for analysis of one or more sample particles.

A sample introduction system, comprising:

• a sample container configured to receive and completely enclose a liquid sample that is comprised of a plurality of at least one type of sample particle for analysis that is within a liquid carrier fluid, wherein the sample container is configured to rotate about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of gravity;
• a carrier reservoir in fluid communication with the sample container, wherein the carrier reservoir contains a liquid carrier fluid for moving a plurality of sample particles in liquid flow;
• one or more actuators operably configured to rotate the sample container;
• and
• a controller configured to control one or more actuators and cause rotation of the sample container about the axis and/or cause the liquid sample to flow at a respective rotational rate or flow rate that is dependent on a buoyancy of the at least one type of particle within the liquid carrier fluid.