Sample identification/sorting apparatus and sample identification/sorting method

A sample identification/sorting apparatus that dispenses a target sample to a collection container, comprising:

• an optical information measuring unit that irradiates light onto a sample, which is a measurement target dispersed in a liquid flowing through a flow path, to measure optical information of the sample;
• a dispensing unit that dispenses a sorting solution including the target sample therein, which is a sorting target, to the collection container;
• a control unit that determines whether the sample needs to be sorted on the basis of the optical information and controls driving of the dispensing unit on the basis of determination result;
• a sample storage portion that stores the sample dispersed in the liquid;
• a flow cell including a first flow path through which the liquid flows and the optical information measuring unit that measures the optical information of the sample;
• and
• a sorting nozzle that includes a second flow path communicating with the first flow path of the flow cell and dispenses the sorting solution including the target sample to the collection container;
• a sealing liquid introduction portion which supplies sheath liquid to the first flow path of the flow cell such that the sheath liquid surrounds the liquid in a tubular manner;
• and
• an introduction nozzle including a third flow path which introduces the liquid from the sample storage portion to the first flow path of the flow cell,
• wherein the second flow path has one exit without branching,
• wherein a difference between a flow direction of the liquid at an outlet of the sample storage portion and a flow direction of the liquid at the leading end of the sorting nozzle is less than 90 degrees, and
• wherein the liquid that is surrounded by the sheath liquid in the first and second flow paths from the flow cell to the sorting nozzle flows along a straight line within a cylindrical space with a constant diameter.

A method of identifying and sorting a sample by irradiating light onto the sample, which is a measurement target dispersed in a liquid flowing through a flow path, to measure the optical information of the sample, determining whether the sample needs to be sorted on the basis of the optical information, and sorting the target sample, which is a sorting target, to the collection container on the basis of a determination result, the method comprising:

• storing the sample dispersed in a liquid in a sample storage portion;
• causing the liquid to flow through a first flow path of a flow cell and measuring the optical information of the sample by an optical information measuring unit;
• dispensing a sorting solution including a target sample to a collection container from a sorting nozzle that includes a second flow path that communicates with the first flow path of the flow cell;
• introducing the liquid from the sample storage portion to the first flow path of the flow cell by a third flow path of an introduction;
• and
• supplying a sheath liquid to the first flow path of the first cell such that the sheath liquid surrounds the liquid in a tubular manner,
• wherein the second flow path has one exit without branching,
• wherein a difference between a flow direction of the liquid at an outlet of the sample storage portion and a flow direction of the liquid at the leading end of the sorting nozzle is less than 90 degrees,
• wherein the flow direction of the liquid in the first, second, and third flow paths from the sample storage portion to the leading end of the sorting nozzle is changed at an angle of less than 90 degrees,
• wherein the sample identification/sorting apparatus further includes an introduction nozzle including the third flow path that introduces the liquid from the sample storage portion to the first flow path of the flow cell, and
• wherein the liquid that is surrounded by the sheath liquid in the first and second flow paths from the flow cell to the sorting nozzle flows along a straight line within a cylindrical space with a constant diameter.