Optical Fiber Flow Cytometry for Stray Light Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometry systems are costly due to the use of expensive lasers and suffer from interference from stray light, which affects fluorescence measurements, requiring a more accurate and cost-effective method for analyzing small bodies in a fluid medium.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber-based system where a fluid is channeled through a passageway within the fiber, intersecting with light guided through the fiber, allowing for the detection of light intensity changes to analyze small bodies, such as bacteria, using a light source and detection system optically coupled to the fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lasers are used as light source in flow cytometry systems, then the intensity and focus of light beam is improved, but the cost of system increases and stray light interference affects fluorescence measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical fiber as an intermediary medium to guide light from the source through the sample. The optical fiber acts as a mediator that transmits light without generating stray light interference, while still providing sufficient intensity for fluorescence excitation. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful stray light effect while maintaining the beneficial light intensity through the fiber optic transmission medium.
2Illumination intensity
If lasers are used as light source in flow cytometry systems, then the light beam focus and intensity is improved, but the overall system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive laser light sources with more economical light sources coupled to optical fibers. The optical fiber itself is a relatively inexpensive component that can be mass-produced, eliminating the need for costly laser systems while still achieving the required light transmission and focus through the fiber optic medium.
3Productivity
If skilled technician adjusts and aligns laser beam, then the interaction efficiency with particles is improved, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber system provides self-aligning characteristics where the fiber optic cable naturally guides the light through the sample without requiring manual beam alignment. The fiber itself performs the alignment function that would otherwise require skilled technician intervention, making the system easier to operate while maintaining efficient particle interaction.
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 reduces costs by using optical fibers instead of lasers, minimizes interference, and provides accurate measurements of small bodies' presence, size, and vitality by assessing light intensity changes, enhancing the precision of fluid analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber with a core, and a passageway traversing the optical fiber including its core
Implementation Method 2
a light source system optically coupled to the optical fiber to propagate light in the core of the optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
a light detection system optically coupled to the optical fiber for detecting an intensity of the light exiting the fiber
Implementation Method 4
a passageway traversing the optical fiber including its core, and in which the fluid is to be channeled
Data Source
AI summary
A flow cytometer type apparatus and method for analyzing a fluid, where the fluid is fed through a passageway within an optical fiber and the light is guided by the fiber across the passageway and intersects the fluid therein. The apparatus includes an optical fiber with a passageway traversing it, a channeling system to channel the fluid medium within the passageway, a light source to propagate light within the optical fiber and across the passageway, and a detection system for detecting an intensity of the light exiting the fiber. The method includes channeling the fluid medium through the passageway, propagating light within the optical fiber, and detecting an intensity of the light output. Preferably, the fluid includes small bodies, like bacteria which are analyzed by assessing the detected exiting light intensity.