Sensor alignment apparatus for an analysis system

An apparatus for adjusting the position of a sensor in a plane perpendicular to a detection axis, the apparatus comprising:

• a first support platform adapted to support said sensor;
• a first adjustment mechanism disposed to adjust the position of said first support platform along a first axis;
• a second support platform slidably connected to said first support platform and supporting said sensor;
• a second adjustment mechanism disposed to adjust the position of said second support platform with respect to said first support platform along a second axis, said first and second axes being generally orthogonal to one another and lying in a plane that is generally perpendicular to said detection axis;
• and
• at least one tube bearing positioned between said first support platform and said second support platform, the at least one tube bearing oriented parallel to the second axis such that a center tube axis defined by the at least one tube bearing extends parallel to the second axis.

An apparatus for adjusting the position of a sensor in a plane perpendicular to a detection axis, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first support platform adapted to support said sensor, wherein said first support platform comprises a support base and a connection shoulder extending from said support base, said connection shoulder having at least one guide groove disposed therethrough;
• (b) a first adjustment mechanism disposed to adjust the position of said first support platform, wherein said first adjustment mechanism comprises:
• a frame;
• a bracket in fixed positional alignment with respect to said frame;
• a securement connecting said bracket with said connection shoulder through said at least one guide groove, said securement being dimensioned to allow movement of said connection shoulder along said guide groove;
• a screw drive disposed at a first end of said bracket and engaging a first end of said connection shoulder;
• and
• a return spring disposed at a second end of said bracket and engaging a second end of said connection shoulder, said drive screw and return spring cooperating to facilitate adjustment of said first support platform along said first axis of said orthogonal axes;
• (c) a second support platform slidably connected to said first support platform and supporting said sensor;
• and
• (d) a second adjustment mechanism disposed to adjust the position of said second support platform with respect to said first support platform along a second axis, said first and second axes being generally orthogonal to one another and lying in a plane that is generally perpendicular to said detection axis.

A flow cytometer comprising:

• (a) an emitter adapted to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• (b) a sensor adapted to detect electromagnetic radiation traveling along a detection axis;
• (c) a flow cell disposed between said emitter and said sensor;
• and
• (d) a sensor alignment unit supporting said sensor for detection of said electromagnetic radiation traveling along said detection axis, said sensor alignment unit adapted to allow adjustment of the position of said sensor along orthogonal axes lying in a plane that is generally perpendicular to said detection axis, wherein said sensor alignment unit comprises:
• a first support platform;
• a first adjustment mechanism disposed to adjust the position of said first support platform along a first axis of said orthogonal axes;
• a second support platform connected to said first support platform and supporting said sensor;
• a second adjustment mechanism disposed to adjust the position of said second support platform with respect to said first support platform along a second axis of said orthogonal axes.