Air-Coupled Laser Architecture for Flow Cytometer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometers with air-coupled laser sources face alignment issues due to differential thermal expansion, leading to erroneous results, and the use of fiber optic cables to mitigate this problem results in laser light loss.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flow cytometer architecture that includes air-coupled laser sources mounted on a mounting plate with a beam-shaping optic system and spacers to compensate for thermal expansion, eliminating the need for fiber optic cables and maintaining precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber optic cables are used to deliver the laser beam, then thermal expansion alignment issues are reduced, but laser light delivery is decreased due to greater losses in the fiber optic cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fiber optic cable from the system entirely, extracting the problematic intermediate medium that causes both thermal expansion issues and light loss. The laser source is positioned to directly illuminate the sample through air coupling, eliminating the fiber optic interface that causes attenuation and alignment sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as the intermediary medium between the laser source and the sample, replacing fiber optic cables. This air-coupled configuration eliminates the optical losses associated with fiber optic interfaces while maintaining the ability to deliver laser light to the sample through controlled beam paths.
2Loss of energy
If air-coupled laser sources are used, then laser light delivery is improved by eliminating fiber optic losses, but alignment precision deteriorates due to differential thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and arrangement parameters of the optical system by transitioning from a fixed fiber optic coupling to an air-coupled configuration with adjustable mounting. This allows for parameter adjustments in the beam path and positioning to compensate for thermal effects while maintaining high light delivery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capabilities to the laser mounting system, allowing for real-time or adjustable positioning to compensate for thermal expansion. This dynamic flexibility enables the system to maintain alignment precision despite temperature variations, while preserving the high light delivery advantages of air-coupled architecture.
3Illumination intensity
If Gaussian beam laser sources are used, then maximum intensity is achieved at the beam center, but alignment control complexity increases to ensure precise beam striking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric beam shaping optics to transform the symmetric Gaussian beam into an asymmetric beam profile. This asymmetric shaping distributes the laser intensity more uniformly across the desired illumination area, reducing the sensitivity to precise alignment while maintaining high overall intensity through the asymmetric optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beam shaping optics as intermediary elements between the Gaussian laser source and the sample. These optical intermediaries (lenses, mirrors, or beam shapers) modify the beam profile to achieve more uniform illumination, thereby reducing the alignment control complexity required to achieve optimal sampling of the sample.
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
This solution reduces the effects of thermal expansion on laser alignment, minimizing errors and preserving laser intensity by focusing the beam at the center of the fluid core stream without the losses associated with fiber optic cables.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air-coupled laser source generating a corresponding laser beam
Implementation Method 2
The at least one beam-shaping optic system receives the corresponding laser beam from the at least one air-coupled laser source and focuses it at the center of the fluid core stream
Implementation Method 3
the alignment of the laser source with the fluid core stream can get altered due to the differential thermal expansion of the components used to mount the laser source and cuvette
Implementation Method 4
Cytometers use the principle of light scattering and fluorescence to generate data pertaining to the particles present in the fluid
Implementation Method 5
the particles reflect, scatter or emit light when the laser beam strikes them
Implementation Method 6
Cytometers use the principle of light scattering and fluorescence to generate data pertaining to the particles present in the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The architecture of air-coupled laser sources in a flow cytometer is provided. The flow cytometer includes a mounting plate with a first major surface and a second major surface. A cuvette is mounted on the first major surface and a fluid core stream flows through the cuvette essentially parallel to the major surfaces of the mounting plate. A first air-coupled laser source is mounted on the first major surface. The first air-coupled laser source generates a first laser beam. The flow cytometer also includes a first beam-shaping optic system corresponding to the first air-coupled laser source. The first beam-shaping optic system receives the first laser beam and focuses it at the center of the fluid core stream perpendicular to the fluid core stream.