Flow Cytometer Adjustable Deflector Plates for Precise Droplet Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometers lack the ability to make fine adjustments to the drop deposition position in the horizontal plane, leading to inefficiencies in sorting particles into collection devices that are not at exact right angles to the horizontal plane, such as 1536 well microplates or small collection tubes.
Innovation Solution
A droplet deflector with first and second plates that are adjustably offset from one another, applying a known offset deflection force to the droplet stream, allowing precise control over droplet positioning into collection containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional droplet deflector with fixed plates is used, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of drop deposition position cannot be adjusted for different collection devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the droplet deflector plates adjustable rather than fixed. The first and second plates can be positioned at different offsets from each other, allowing the deflection characteristics to be dynamically adjusted to match different collection device geometries (e.g., multi-well plates, tubes). This adjustability enables precise control over droplet deposition positions without requiring multiple fixed deflector configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the offset distance between the first and second deflector plates. This parameter change allows the same deflector structure to accommodate different collection device types and orientations. By adjusting the plate offset parameter, the system can optimize droplet deflection for specific application requirements, thereby improving manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the collection device is not positioned at exact right angles to the horizontal plane, then adaptability to different collection devices is improved, but the sorting efficiency decreases due to inaccurate droplet positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable plate offset mechanism allows the deflector to adapt dynamically to different collection device orientations. When collection devices are positioned at angles other than exact right angles to the horizontal plane, the deflector plates can be adjusted to compensate for this angular deviation, maintaining accurate droplet positioning and high sorting efficiency across various collection device configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the adjustable offset mechanism that can be tuned based on observed droplet deposition patterns. By monitoring the actual droplet landing positions and comparing them with intended positions, the plate offset can be adjusted to correct positioning errors, thereby maintaining high sorting efficiency even when collection devices are not perfectly aligned with the horizontal plane.
3Loss of substance
If no offset deflection force is applied, then the device complexity is minimal, but particle wastage increases due to droplets landing in incorrect locations
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable offset mechanism enables the deflector to adapt to different collection device geometries, reducing particle wastage by ensuring droplets land in the correct locations. The dynamic adjustability allows optimization of droplet positioning for various applications without requiring a completely complex fixed system for each specific case.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the offset parameter between deflector plates, the system can optimize droplet deflection to match the specific geometry of the collection device. This parameter adjustment minimizes particles landing in incorrect locations, thereby reducing wastage. The ability to adjust the offset parameter provides a simple yet effective way to reduce particle loss without implementing overly complex hardware systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves sorting efficiency by reducing particle wastage and enhancing the yield of particle sorting, particularly for cells, by accurately deflecting droplets into intended locations within multi-well plates or small collection tubes.
Implementation Method 1
Droplets are passed through an electrostatic field and are deflected based on polarity and magnitude of charge on the droplet into one or more partitions
Implementation Method 2
a droplet generator for producing a droplet stream from fluid exiting the flow cell
Implementation Method 3
the light scattering and fluorescence properties of the particles are measured
Implementation Method 4
Particles or components thereof can be labeled with fluorescent dyes to facilitate detection
Implementation Method 5
a sensor detects particles contained in the stream of the type to be sorted. The sensor, upon detecting a particle of the type to be sorted, triggers a sorting mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure include a particle sorter with a droplet deflector configured to apply a known offset deflection force to a droplet stream. Particle sorters according to certain embodiments include a flow cell, a light source, e.g., laser, for irradiating an interrogation point of the flow cell, a detector for detecting light from the interrogation point, a droplet generator for producing a droplet stream from fluid exiting the flow cell and a droplet deflector configured to apply a known offset deflection force to the droplet stream. In some cases, the droplet deflector comprises first and second plates configured to be offset from one another. Methods and particle sorting modules for applying a known offset deflection force are also provided.