Self-Stabilizing Cell Sorter Jet with Automatic Charge Delay Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow sorting systems face challenges in accurately predicting drop break-off points due to perturbations in fluid streams, leading to loss of valuable particles and contamination, requiring complex setup and alignment procedures that demand highly trained operators.
Innovation Solution
A self-stabilizing cell sorter system with automatic charge delay control and phase determination, using circuitry to continuously adjust and maintain the charge delay interval and drop break-off point, allowing for autonomous operation and correction of temperature and pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of charge delay time is performed before sorting, then setup simplicity is improved, but sorting precision deteriorates due to drift from pressure and temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the actual drop break-off point is continuously monitored and compared with the target position. The charge delay time is automatically adjusted based on detected deviations, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains sorting precision despite environmental changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting drop break-off point deviations and adjusting charge delay parameters without requiring operator intervention. This self-service capability eliminates manual setup while maintaining precision through continuous autonomous correction.
2Device complexity
If charge delay time is fixed before sorting, then operational complexity is reduced, but accuracy deteriorates due to inability to correct drift during sorting
Solution Approach 1:
The charge delay time parameter transitions from a static fixed value to a dynamic adjustable parameter. The system continuously adapts the charge delay timing based on real-time detection of drop break-off point variations, enabling the parameter to respond dynamically to changing conditions while maintaining sorting accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If automatic charge delay control is implemented, then sorting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical alignment procedures with electronic sensing and control circuitry. Instead of requiring precise mechanical positioning of components, the invention uses electrical detection of drop break-off points and electronic adjustment of charge timing, substituting mechanical complexity with more manageable electrical control 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
Enables accurate and autonomous sorting with reduced operator dependency, maintaining precision and purity by automatically setting and adjusting the charge delay interval and drop break-off point, ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
a piezo-electric oscillator unit which vibrates the fluid stream to break it into drops at a defined frequency
Implementation Method 2
the drops containing particles of interest are electrically charged and deflected into a collection tube by passage through an electric field
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein are improved cell sorter systems and methods. Such systems and methods provide a self-stabilizing sorter jet to automate calibration, and address the issue of drift in cell sorting systems. The systems and methods presented make it possible to determine and set the charge delay interval automatically with circuitry in the cell sorter. These circuits can set, monitor, and adjust the time delay continuously, allowing for a completely automatic, autonomous, turn-key, self-stabilizing sorter jet.