System and method for multiple laser triggering

Abstract

A system for measuring the irradiance of a fluorescently labeled particle having a cytometric flow chamber; a plurality of excitation light sources; a plurality of scatter detectors, each configured to detect light from only one of the plurality of excitation light sources and arranged so as to detect scattered light from the particle; a trigger connected to the plurality of scatter detectors, the trigger emitting a signal when scattered light incident on one of the scatter detectors is exceeding a predetermined threshold value; collection optics; at least one fluorescence detector to receive emissions collected by the collection optics and generate an output, the at least one fluorescence detector being configured to respond only to a discrete number of wavelength bands; and an integrator for recording the output of the at least one fluorescence detector in response to a signal from the trigger.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Patent Application No. 10 / 763,652, filed January 23, 2004, entitled "Multiple Laser Triggering System and Method," which is incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to flow cytometry, and more particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for using multiple lasers in flow cytometry. Background technique [0004] In a typical flow cytometer 10 , as shown in FIG. 1 , a sample solution of particles 12 is mixed with a sheath fluid 14 . The particles can be fluorescently labeled and can be cells or microspheres made of polystyrene or other materials. The sheath fluid 14 flows in such a way that it hydraulically focuses the particle-containing sample solution 12 for analysis. The particle-containing sample solution 12 and the sheath fluid 14 flow along the flow channel 16 . Excitation light source 18, typically a la...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0010] Alternative solutions for temporal separation, such as the use of gated amps or delay lines, require prior knowledge of the relative separation of the excitation sources and cannot correct for deviations in the excitation source or core velocity during the experiment

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