Biocompatible apparatus for ultrasensitive and rapid detection of contaminants in liquids
AssigneeCoors Brewing Company
InventorsDaniel A. Buttry, Guoying Chen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A biocompatible flow cytometry system such that low levels of bacteria or other particles in a sample will not adsorb onto the system's surfaces. The biocompatible flow cytometry system comprises an upper chamber assembly. The upper chamber comprises a biocompatible input system, a means for retaining and adjusting the biocompatible system, a sheath fluid input port, and a means of interfacing with a glass tube. The interface between the biocompatible system and a glass tube allows for the low level contaminants to be irradiated with a laser source selected to interact with marked bacteria and cause them to fluoresce at a wavelength that can be detected.
Claims23
A flow through detection apparatus for liquid samples comprising:
- means for introducing a fluid sample into a flowing sheath fluid whereby said sample is contained within biocompatible surfaces before introduction into the fluid sheath;
- means for detecting the fluid sample's contents;
- and
- means for directing the fluid sheath.
A biocompatible, adjustable flow-through system for detection, having an upper chamber which comprises:
- a biocompatible sample input tube, a sheath fluid input port, a retaining means, and means for interfacing with a glass tube;
- a glass tube for flow interfaced with said upper chamber;
- and
- a means for detecting contaminants in said flow.
A flow through detection apparatus for liquid samples comprising:
- a biocompatible sample input system;
- an upper chamber attached to said sample input system by a sealing mechanism;
- a sheath fluid input port attached to said chamber such that it creates an entry point for sheath fluid;
- a rigid elongated tube fixedly attached to said chamber so that the fluid sheath passes within the tube and is directed by the tube;
- a bottom chamber which is attached to the elongated tube and serves as a receptacle for the fluid sheath;
- an illumination apparatus for illuminating the sample with a predetermined wavelength of light as the sample passes through the tube wherein said wavelength of light is selected so as to cause certain of the sample contents to fluoresce;
- detection means which detects the light emitted by the florescence of the sample;
- alignment means which permits a user to adjust the position and attitude of the liquid sample relative to the light source.
A method for sheath flow cytometry, using a biocompatible, adjustable flow-through cytometer chamber system, comprising the steps of:
- labeling a sample for detection;
- injecting the labeled sample into the cytometer;
- delivering sheath fluid to cytometer;
- slowing of the sheath fluid rate so as to maximize fluorescence detection;
- employing an radiant energy source directed to the sample;
- utilizing an optical system which reduces the scattering of light;
- filtering undesired wavelengths;
- and
- continuously measuring the fluorescent signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.