System and method for flow cytometry

A system for flow cytometry, the system comprising:

• a microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic channel receives a sample fluid from a first source and additionally receives an additional fluid from a second source;
• a first light conveying structure having first and second ends, wherein the first end is arranged proximate to the microfluidic channel;
• and
• at least one microfluidic prism is arranged proximate to the second end of the first light conveying structure;
• and
• a re-packing system having a re-packing passage leading between the microfluidic channel and an outlet, the re-packing passage serving to drain at least a portion of one or both of the sample fluid and the additional fluid, whereby an average spacing between particles within the sample fluid is reduced between a first location within the microfluidic channel upstream of the re-packing system and a second location within the microfluidic channel downstream of the re-packing system, and whereby an average speed of movement of the particles within the sample fluid is reduced between the first and second locations,
• wherein light emanating from the microfluidic channel is provided to the first light conveying structure at the first end, conveyed by way of the first light conveying structure to the second end, and in turn provided to the at least one microfluidic prism, and
• wherein the at least one microfluidic prism in turn outputs a plurality of portions of the light at a plurality of different frequency ranges, respectively, in a plurality of different directions, respectively.

A system for flow cytometry, the system comprising:

• a microfluidic channel;
• a first light conveying structure having first and second ends, wherein the first end is arranged proximate to the microfluidic channel;
• at least one microfluidic prism is arranged proximate to the second end of the first light conveying structure;
• and
• a first lens structure arranged between the microfluidic channel and the first end of the first light conveying structure, and additionally comprising a second lens structure arranged between the second end of the first light conveying structure and the at least one microfluidic prism, wherein each of the first and second lens structures is a respective fluidic lens having a respective outer wall and a respective internal fluid, wherein at least one of the first and second lens structures is connected to a tap by which the respective internal fluid can be driven into or removed from the respective lens structure, and wherein the first light conveying structure is selected from the group consisting of a waveguide and an optical fiber,
• wherein light emanating from the microfluidic channel is provided to the first light conveying structure at the first end, conveyed by way of the first light conveying structure to the second end, and in turn provided to the at least one microfluidic prism,
• wherein the at least one microfluidic prism in turn outputs a plurality of portions of the light at a plurality of different frequency ranges, respectively, in a plurality of different directions, respectively.