Digital Particle Imaging System for Flow Cytometry Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow cytometry systems are expensive, complex, physically large and fragile, require trained technicians for installation, use large volumes of sheath fluid, and have limitations in sensitivity, acquisition time, and throughput, making them unsuitable for cost-effective and efficient material measurement and imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
A system configured with a fluid handling subsystem for sample transfer and cleaning, an optics subsystem using LEDs and imaging sensors for illumination and detection, and an immobilization subsystem with a magnet for particle immobilization, enabling cost-effective, mechanically stable, and high-sensitivity imaging and analysis of particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow cytometry systems are used to measure particles, then measurement capability is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital imaging to create a visual copy of particle appearance rather than using complex flow cytometry detection. The imaging system captures photographs of particles on a substrate, allowing measurement and analysis through image processing algorithms that extract size, shape, and other characteristics from the visual copy, thereby simplifying the physical system while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex flow cytometry system by isolating the imaging and analysis components. Instead of requiring the full flow cytometry apparatus with fluidics, lasers, and detectors, the invention extracts only the particle visualization and measurement aspects through simple digital imaging on a substrate.
2Measurement precision
If flow cytometry systems are used, then particle interrogation is achieved, but physical size and fragility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical flow cytometry apparatus with a compact digital imaging system that creates visual copies of particles. By using a standard substrate and digital camera instead of complex optical trains and detection systems, the physical footprint is dramatically reduced while maintaining particle analysis capability.
3Measurement precision
If flow cytometry systems are used, then particle measurement is achieved, but acquisition time and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables parallel periodic imaging of multiple particle fields on a substrate, allowing simultaneous acquisition of many particles rather than sequential flow-based measurement. The system can rapidly capture multiple images across the substrate area, significantly increasing throughput while maintaining measurement accuracy through consistent periodic imaging intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional flow-based particle interrogation to two-dimensional spatial imaging of particles on a substrate. This dimensional change allows simultaneous measurement of many particles across the field of view rather than measuring particles one at a time through a flow stream, dramatically increasing throughput.
4Measurement precision
If flow cytometry systems are used, then particle analysis is achieved, but sheath fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the particle analysis function from the fluid-based flow cytometry system by depositing particles on a solid substrate for imaging. This eliminates the need for continuous sheath fluid flow to transport and focus particles, as particles are stationary on the substrate during imaging, thereby eliminating sheath fluid consumption entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic flow-based particle transport system with a mechanical deposition system where particles are placed on a substrate. This substitution eliminates the need for fluid dynamics and sheath fluid, using instead a simple dry or wet deposition process followed by stationary imaging.
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
The system achieves equivalent performance to flow cytometers while being more affordable, mechanically stable, and easier to install and use, with improved sensitivity, shorter acquisition times, and higher throughput, and eliminates the need for sheath fluid, allowing for final washes to reduce background noise.
Implementation Method 1
an immobilization subsystem for holding the sample during the measurement interval. In a preferred form, the immobilization subsystem includes a magnet and the sample includes magnetic beads where the magnet can be selectively operated to immobilize the magnetic beads during imaging
Implementation Method 2
An optics subsystem includes an illumination configuration, such as a plurality of LED's
Implementation Method 3
a collection configuration, such as one or more imaging sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for performing measurements of one or more materials are provided. One system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels. Another system is configured to image one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. An additional system is configured to substantially immobilize one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. A further system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels, to image the one or more materials in the imaging volume, to substantially immobilize the one or more materials in the imaging volume, or some combination thereof.