Blind Deconvolution of Flow Cytometer Particle Emission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current flow cytometer systems face challenges in accurately determining the emission of individual particles due to geometrical convolution of excitation and emission characteristics, leading to inaccurate and noisy results, especially when particle size and velocity vary.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for blind deconvolution of flow cytometer particle emissions using a processor to calculate total fluorescent emission by determining the extent of geometrical convolution and fitting time samples to a best-fit function, accounting for particle size and velocity, and sampling at fixed intervals without a sheath fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional flow cytometry detection is used, then particle emission can be detected, but measurement precision deteriorates due to geometrical convolution and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle emission measurement precisionVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sheath fluid as an intermediary medium that surrounds the particle and provides a uniform refractive index environment. This mediator reduces optical distortion and scattering at particle boundaries, thereby improving measurement precision and reducing noise in the detected emission signal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a composite optical detection approach combining multiple detection angles and wavelengths. By collecting emission signals from multiple directions and spectral regions, the system creates a composite measurement that compensates for geometrical convolution effects and improves overall detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If flow cytometry is performed without sheath fluid, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to particle velocity and size variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidemission quantification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of detection parameters based on real-time particle characteristics. The system adapts sampling rates, detection angles, and integration times according to particle velocity and size variations, maintaining measurement precision without requiring complex sheath fluid delivery systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes detection parameters such as sampling frequency, integration window, and detection angle dynamically based on particle properties. This allows accurate emission quantification across varying particle sizes and velocities without adding sheath fluid complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple detection parameters are used, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission detection precisionVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a multi-functional detection apparatus where a single optical system performs multiple functions: detecting emission intensity, determining particle size, and measuring velocity. By making the detection system universal, it achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach allows for precise determination of individual particle emissions, improving signal-to-background ratio and accurately quantifying particle emissions regardless of particle size and velocity, providing a more reliable analysis compared to prior art methods.

Implementation Method 1

the particle being adapted to be irradiated by the apparatus and to emit at least one fluorescent emission responsive to the laser excitation energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3304040B1System and apparatus for blind deconvolution of flow cytometer particle emission
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 ACCELLIX LTD
  • EP3304040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3304040B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3304040B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7A

AI summary

A method and system for determining a total particle emission of a flow cytometer particle, the system including an apparatus adapted to pass a laser excitation energy into a flow cytometer channel through which a particle passes, the particle being adapted to be irradiated by the apparatus and to emit fluorescent emission responsive to the laser excitation energy, wherein the fluorescent emission results from a geometrical convolution of a geometrical form of both the laser excitation energy and a geometric characteristic of fluorescent emission of the particle, an analog emission detector adapted to detect at least some of the fluorescent emission and to output an analog electrical emission, a digital sampler adapted to provide multiple time samples of the analog electrical emission, and a processor, adapted to process the multiple time samples and to calculate a total fluorescent emission of said particle, by determining the extent of said geometric convolution and fitting said time samples to a function of a same extent.