Flow Cytometer Depth Position Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometers face challenges in precisely controlling the movement of observation objects due to positional deviations in the flow line, which affects measurement accuracy and reproducibility, especially when using randomly structured illumination patterns.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometer system that includes a microfluidic device with a flow path, a light source for structured illumination, a photodetector for signal light detection, and an arithmetic device that calculates the depth position of the observation object based on temporal changes in signal light intensity, allowing for real-time correction of positional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If randomly structured illumination patterns are used to achieve high-speed, high-sensitivity measurements, then measurement speed and sensitivity are improved, but positional deviation of flow lines becomes more sensitive and affects measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the depth position of observation objects is continuously detected and used to correct positional deviations in real-time. The arithmetic device calculates depth positions based on temporal signal intensity changes, and this information feeds back to adjust the structured illumination pattern positioning, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy despite flow line deviations while preserving high measurement speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of illumination pattern type from conventional uniform patterns to randomly structured illumination patterns. This parameter change enables high-speed measurement by improving signal characteristics, while the accompanying depth position detection and correction system compensates for the increased sensitivity to positional deviations
2Speed
If structured illumination patterns are irradiated into the flow path to detect observation objects, then high-speed imaging is achieved, but positional deviation in the depth direction by about a pixel size affects measurement reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control where depth position information detected from temporal signal intensity changes is fed back to correct the positioning of structured illumination patterns. This real-time correction compensates for pixel-sized depth deviations, maintaining data reproducibility while preserving the high imaging speed enabled by structured illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of depth positions using the structured illumination pattern before final measurement. By detecting the depth position based on temporal signal intensity changes and correcting deviations in advance, the system ensures that subsequent measurements are performed at the correct position, thereby ensuring reproducibility
3Ease of operation
If flow line position is not corrected in real-time, then device operation is simpler, but measurement results show fluctuations and reproducibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the flow cytometer automatically detects depth positions and corrects positional deviations without requiring external intervention. The arithmetic device autonomously calculates depth positions from temporal signal intensity changes and applies corrections, maintaining measurement reproducibility while keeping the operation simple for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic feedback control where measurement data is continuously monitored for positional deviations, and corrections are applied automatically. This self-correcting mechanism maintains high measurement reproducibility while requiring minimal user intervention, thus preserving operational simplicity
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 enables accurate detection of the passage position of observation objects in the depth direction within the flow path, improving measurement precision and data reproducibility by correcting for positional deviations in real time.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to irradiate the flow path with illumination light, and a photodetector configured to detect, in time series, an intensity of signal light emitted from the observation object when the observation object flowing through the flow path is irradiated with the illumination light
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector configured to detect, in time series, an intensity of signal light emitted from the observation object
Data Source
AI summary
A flow cytometer includes a microfluidic device, a light source, a photodetector that detects, in time series, the intensity of signal light emitted from an observation object when the observation object flowing through a flow path is irradiated with illumination light, an information generation device that generates optical information indicating a structure of the observation object based on the intensity of the signal light, an arithmetic device, and a flow path position control device, wherein the arithmetic device includes a signal intensity acquiring unit that acquires electronic data of temporal changes in the intensity of the signal light detected based on a detection position predetermined in the flow path to detect the depth position in the flow path where the observation object passes through the flow path, a scan unit that performs a scan process to move the flow path in the depth direction and acquire the electronic data at different depth positions, a position calculation unit that calculates the depth position based on the electronic data, and an output unit that outputs position information indicating the depth position calculated by the position calculation unit.