Fluorescence flow cytometry device and method
AssigneeE. I. Spectra, LLC
InventorHarold E. Ayliffe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flow cytometer including a laser, indexing structure, adjustment structure, and sensor structure. The cytometer is conventionally used with a removable microfluidic cassette, which is installed at a first position that is enforced by the indexing structure. The adjustment structure changes a relative position between an interrogation aperture of the cassette and the laser beam. Feedback from the sensor structure is used to optimize propagation of the laser through the interrogation aperture to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) autofluorescence caused by beam impingement onto the cassette.
Claims20
A microfluidic interrogation apparatus, comprising:
- indexing structure effective to hold a microfluidic device at an installed position such that an interrogation aperture of said microfluidic device is urged near to a desired location, said microfluidic device being of the type arranged to urge particles of interest through said interrogation aperture in a substantially single-file arrangement;
- a source of stimulation radiation structured to emit radiation as a beam oriented for propagation of radiation in a particular direction;
- adjustment means to refine alignment of said interrogation aperture, from an initially installed position, and with respect to said beam, to maximize beam propagation into said interrogation aperture;
- sensor means disposed to provide steering feedback to said adjustment means;
- and
- a first photodetector disposed to detect Stokes-shift emission radiation from a particle disposed inside said interrogation aperture.
A method, comprising the steps of:
- urging an interrogation aperture of a microfluidic device near to a desired location, said microfluidic device being of the type arranged to urge particles of interest through an interrogation aperture in a substantially single-file arrangement;
- emitting radiation as a beam oriented for propagation of radiation in a particular direction;
- refining with an adjuster alignment of said interrogation aperture, from an initially installed position, and with respect to said beam, to maximize beam propagation into said interrogation aperture;
- providing steering feedback to said adjuster;
- detecting Stokes-shift emission radiation from a particle disposed inside said interrogation aperture;
- adjusting a relative position of said microfluidic device with respect to said beam to maximize beam propagation into said interrogation aperture;
- processing a sample of particle-carrying fluid to detect Stokes-shift radiation from one or more particle of interest in said sample;
- and
- removing said microfluidic device from its position near the desired location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.