Disposable Flow Cell Layout for Side-Scatter Cell Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow cytometers and cell sorters face biohazard risks due to contamination and cross-contamination, require complex fluid system changes, struggle with sideward scattered light detection in flat-plate flow cells, and have challenges in accurate cell concentration measurement and multicolor staining analysis.
Innovation Solution
A disposable chip-type flow cell with a flat-plate configuration, incorporating a flow path, illumination unit, detection unit, constant-pressure pump, electromagnetic valves, and control unit, enables sideward scattered light detection, accurate cell concentration measurement, and multicolor staining analysis without fluorescence correction, using push-pull pressures for particle separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional flow cytometer uses a non-disposable flow cell, then the device can perform analysis, but it requires complex fluid system changes and cleaning procedures to prevent carry-over and cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable flow cells that are discarded after a single use to eliminate carry-over and cross-contamination issues. This replaces the complex cleaning and fluid system change procedures required with permanent flow cells, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flat-plate flow cell is used for disposable analysis, then cost-effectiveness and ease of disposal are improved, but sideward scattered light detection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the detection difficulty by positioning photodetectors at specific locations and orientations relative to the flat-plate flow cell. The detection unit is configured to receive sideward scattered light through the flat plate structure, utilizing optical geometry to overcome the limitation of the disposable configuration.
3Measurement precision
If conventional flow cells are used, then analysis can be performed, but accurate cell concentration measurement and multicolor staining analysis are challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flow cell design and analysis system that simultaneously enables accurate cell concentration measurement and multicolor staining analysis. The universal configuration of the flow cell and detection system allows multiple measurement functions to be performed without requiring separate specialized equipment, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity.
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 solution provides a biohazard-safe, cost-effective method for sample analysis with sideward scattered light detection, accurate cell concentration measurement, and multicolor staining analysis, preventing cross-contamination and enabling efficient particle separation and data presentation.
Implementation Method 1
When a cell passes through an illumination region, light is scattered depending on the size, shape, and refractive index of the cell
Implementation Method 2
To detect a cell specifically dyed with a fluorescent dye by fluorescence
Implementation Method 3
a constant-pressure pump which applies a pressure pulse to the particles in the sample liquid flowing through the flow path
Implementation Method 4
electromagnetic valves, and control unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method for separating a target particle from a sample solution, using a disposable flow cell formed on a substrate that includes a sample flow path and a sample reservoir formed on the substrate, wherein the sample flow path is connected to the sample reservoir for introducing the sample solution, the sample flow path comprises an illuminating region for illumination by an external illumination unit, wherein the sample reservoir is adapted to be airtightly connected to an external constant air pump such that a constant air pressure can be applied to the sample solution by the external constant air pump; and a first branched flow path and a second branched flow path perpendicularly connected, respectively, to both sides of the sample flow path at a location downstream of the illumination region.