Flow Cytometry Cell Sorting Systems and Methods of Using the Same
AssigneeBecton, Dickinson and Company
InventorsVladimir Azersky, Alexander Fainshtein
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Abstract
Systems and methods of using the same for sorting cells are provided. The systems may include a cell sorter including a deflector capable of deflecting an analyzed droplet to a deflected droplet receiving location, a support stage including a container and configured to continuously move in two dimensions. The systems and methods of using the same find use in a variety of different applications.
Claims15
A system for sorting cells, the system comprising:
- a cell sorter configured to produce an analyzed stream of droplets and comprising a deflector capable of deflecting an analyzed droplet from the analyzed stream of droplets to a deflected droplet receiving location;
- a support stage comprising a container and configured to continuously move in two dimensions;
- and
- a processor operably coupled to a memory that includes instructions stored thereon to determine the alignment of the container with the deflected droplet receiving location and send a deflection signal to the cell sorter when the container is aligned with the deflected droplet receiving location.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the memory comprises an algorithm for determining a frequency of deflected droplets from the cell sorter.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support stage comprises two or more containers and the system is configured to automatically and sequentially align the two or more containers with the deflected droplet receiving location in the Z dimension via continuous movement of the support stage in the X-Y plane.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system is configured to deflect analyzed droplets that are determined to include a target cell.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stage comprises two or more containers configured as a multi-well tray.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system is a flow cytometer system.
A method for sorting cells into a container, the method comprising:
- (a) loading a sample comprising cells into a system for sorting cells, the system comprising:
- a cell sorter configured to produce an analyzed stream of droplets and comprising a deflector capable of deflecting an analyzed droplet to a deflected droplet receiving location;
- a support stage comprising a container and configured to continuously move in two dimensions;
- and
- a processor operably coupled to a memory that includes instructions stored thereon to determine alignment of the container with the deflected droplet receiving location and send a deflection signal to the cell sorter when the container aligned with the deflected droplet receiving location;
- and
- (b) sorting the cells while operating the system such that the system operates to move the support stage continuously in two dimensions and to send the deflection signal to the cell sorter when the container is aligned with the deflected droplet receiving location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.