Adjustable Flow Cytometer Aperture for Nanoscale Particle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow cytometers struggle to detect small particles on the nanoscopic scale and accurately discern optical signals and spatial features such as shape and morphology.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable aperture device is integrated into a flow cytometer to create customizable light intensity fringe patterns, allowing for enhanced detection and analysis of particles by adjusting the size and distance of apertures to optimize light interference for specific particle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow cytometers are used, then particles greater than 1000 nm can be detected, but particles on the nanoscopic scale cannot be detected or discerned accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable aperture sizes and spacing distances that can be dynamically changed to optimize detection for different particle sizes. The aperture device allows users to adjust the configuration to create appropriate fringe patterns for detecting particles ranging from nanoscopic scale to larger particles, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision for small particles and adaptability across different particle sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes optical parameters (aperture size, spacing distance) to optimize detection for different particle types. By adjusting these parameters, the system can create fringe patterns with appropriate spatial frequencies for detecting particles of various sizes, enabling both high precision for nanoscopic particles and broad adaptability for different particle scales.
2Measurement precision
If conventional flow cytometers are used, then basic particle detection is possible, but spatial features such as shape and morphology cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture device segments the light beam into multiple paths that create interference fringes, allowing spatial feature detection without requiring complex imaging systems. By dividing the optical path and creating interference patterns, the system extracts shape and morphology information through relatively simple optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture device acts as an intermediary optical element that transforms the light beam to create fringe patterns, enabling spatial feature detection without directly complex imaging. The aperture serves as a mediator between the light source and detector, encoding spatial information into interference patterns that can be analyzed.
3Measurement precision
If fixed aperture size is used, then optical alignment is simplified, but detection accuracy for different particle types cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture device provides dynamic adjustability of aperture size and spacing, allowing optimization for different particle types while maintaining ease of operation through automated or semi-automated adjustment mechanisms. The system can be programmed with preset configurations for different particle types, simplifying the operation despite the adjustable nature.
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 improves detection sensitivity and resolution for particles smaller than 1 μm, reducing errors from vibration and turbulence, and enables precise characterization of spatial features like shape and morphology.
Implementation Method 1
the aperture device including: a first aperture; and a second aperture spaced apart from the first aperture by a distance, the first and second apertures each having an adjustable size allowing the excitation light beam to pass through the aperture device as separate beams of coherent light
Implementation Method 2
a focal lens focusing the separate beams of coherent light to overlap at a focal plane of the focal lens creating a light intensity fringe pattern at an interrogation zone
Implementation Method 3
focusing the separate beams of coherent light to overlap at a focal plane of the focal lens creating a light intensity fringe pattern
Implementation Method 4
a light collection unit receiving scattered and emitted light from the particles passing through the light intensity fringe pattern at the interrogation zone
Data Source
AI summary
An aperture device for a flow cytometer is described. The aperture device includes a first aperture, and a second aperture spaced apart from the first aperture by a distance. The distance between the first and second apertures and a size of the first and second apertures are adjustable to create an optimal light intensity fringe pattern for analyzing a particle having a preselected type or characteristic at an interrogation zone of the flow cytometer.