Flow cytometer with optical system assembly having vibration isolation and shear protection structures

A flow cytometer, comprising:

• a light source unit comprising a light source;
• a flow cell unit comprising a flow cell with an investigatory flow path to conduct sample fluid flow through the flow cell during operation of the flow cytometer to perform a flow cytometry investigation of sample fluid in the flow cell;
• a first optical path between the light source and the flow cell to direct light from the light source to at least a portion of the investigatory flow path;
• a light detection system comprising a light detector;
• a second optical path between the flow cell and the light detection system to direct at least a portion of light from the investigatory flow path to the light detection system;
• an enclosure;
• a flow cytometry optical system assembly disposed in the enclosure, the flow cytometry optical system assembly comprising a support platform and flow cytometry optical components supported by the support platform, the flow cytometry optical components comprising the light source unit, flow cell unit and light detector;
• a vibration isolation structure, wherein the flow cytometer has an operational configuration in which the flow cytometry optical system assembly within the enclosure is supported by the vibration isolation structure to provide a barrier to propagation of vibrations to the flow cytometry optical system assembly;
• and
• a shear protection structure that is moveable between a first position to protect the vibration isolation structure from damage by shear stresses and a second position to not protect the vibration isolation structure from damage by shear stresses;
• and wherein:
• in the operational configuration the shear protection structure is in the second position;
• the flow cytometer has a shipping configuration in which the shear protection structure is in the first position;
• the vibration isolation structure comprises a plurality of vibration isolation mounts supported by and extending above corresponding support members within the enclosure;
• and
• the shear protection structure includes a slidable member that is slidable relative to a said support member between the first position and the second position.