Dynamic characterization of particles with flow cytometry
AssigneeUniversity of Washington
InventorsThomas J. Matula, Jarred Swalwell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Flow cytometry concepts are modified to enable dynamic characterizations of particles to be obtained using optical scattering data. Particles in flow will be introduced into a sample volume. Light scattered by a particle in the sample volume is collected and analyzed. What differentiates the concepts disclosed herein from conventional flow cytometry is the use of an acoustic source that is disposed to direct acoustic energy into the sample volume. As the particle passes through the sample volume, it responds to the acoustic energy, causing changes in the light scattered by the particle. Those changes, which are not measured during conventional flow cytometry, can be analyzed to determine additional physical properties of the particle.
Claims23
A system for measuring properties of a particle contained in a flow of fluid, comprising:
- (a) a sampling volume into which the flow of fluid containing the particle can be directed, the sampling volume including a region of interest;
- (b) an acoustic transducer configured to direct acoustic energy toward the particle when the particle is proximate the region of interest, such that the particle experiences a vibrational effect due to the acoustic energy while in at least a portion of the region of interest;
- (c) a light source for illuminating the region of interest with light;
- (d) a sensor for capturing light scattered by the particle while the particle is in the region of interest, producing a signal;
- and
- (e) a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor manipulating the signal from the sensor to determine at least one property of the particle in the region of interest.
A method for measuring properties of particles using scattered light, comprising the steps of:
- (a) directing acoustic energy at a particle entrained in a flow of fluid;
- (b) illuminating the particle entrained in the flow of fluid;
- (c) collecting light scattered from the particle, while the particle is vibrating as a result of interacting with the acoustic energy;
- and
- (d) correlating relative scattered light intensity changes collected while the particle is vibrating as a result of interacting with the acoustic, energy with at least one property of the particle.
An optical flow cytometer, comprising:
- (a) a sampling volume into which a flow of fluid containing a particle can be directed, the sampling volume including a region of interest;
- (b) an acoustic transducer configured to direct acoustic energy toward the particle when the particle is proximate the region of interest, such that the particle experiences a vibrational effect due to the acoustic energy while in at least a portion of the region of interest;
- (c) a light source for illuminating the region of interest with light;
- (d) a sensor for capturing light scattered by the particle while the particle is in the region of interest, producing a signal;
- and
- (e) a processor coupled to receive the signal from the sensor, the processor manipulating the signal from the sensor to determine at least one property of the particle in the region of interest as a function of scattering intensity.
A method for measuring at least one property of a particle using scattered light, comprising the steps of:
- (a) collecting light scattered from a particle during changing pressure conditions experienced by the particle;
- (b) generating a scattering intensity amplitude and time relationship for the particle using data collected during the changing pressure conditions;
- (c) fitting the scattering intensity amplitude and time relationship to a model for describing the motion of the particle, to produce a fitted relationship;
- and
- (d) determining at least one property of the particle using the fitted relationship.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.