Flow Cytometer 3D Morphology Extraction via Coherent Diffraction Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow cytometers face challenges in accurately analyzing three-dimensional morphology parameters of particles due to their reliance on two-dimensional imaging techniques, which are complex and labor-intensive, and are limited by high flow speeds and poor signal-to-noise ratios.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometer assembly that uses a coherent light source to illuminate particles, detecting spatially coherent distributions of elastically scattered light to extract three-dimensional morphology parameters, combined with non-coherent light source imaging for enhanced data acquisition and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional two-dimensional imaging techniques are used in flow cytometers, then imaging capability is provided, but analysis complexity increases and three-dimensional morphology extraction becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional two-dimensional bright-field microscopy with diffraction imaging technology that uses spatially coherent light distributions. This substitution enables automatic extraction of three-dimensional morphology parameters through mathematical analysis of diffraction patterns, eliminating the need for complex manual analysis of two-dimensional images while providing genuine three-dimensional structural information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental imaging parameter from intensity-based two-dimensional imaging to spatially coherent diffraction pattern detection. By measuring the angular distribution of scattered light intensities and applying diffraction theory, the system extracts three-dimensional morphological parameters directly, transforming the measurement approach to achieve both simplicity and three-dimensional capability.
2Productivity
If high flow speeds are used in flow cytometers, then productivity increases, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional intensity-based scattering detection with diffraction imaging that measures spatially coherent light distributions. This substitution inherently improves signal-to-noise ratio because diffraction patterns provide structured information that is more resistant to noise, enabling accurate three-dimensional morphology measurement even at high flow speeds where conventional methods fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatially coherent light as an intermediary between the particle and detector. The coherent light creates diffraction patterns that encode three-dimensional morphological information in a way that is more robust to flow speed variations and noise, effectively mediating the measurement process to maintain precision at high productivity.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional fluorescence or bright-field microscopy is used, then two-dimensional images are acquired, but three-dimensional structural information is lost due to focal depth compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional microscopy with diffraction imaging that inherently captures three-dimensional information. By measuring the angular distribution of scattered light in the diffraction pattern and applying diffraction theory, the system reconstructs three-dimensional morphological parameters directly, eliminating the information loss that occurs when three-dimensional structures are compressed into two-dimensional focal planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional intensity imaging to three-dimensional diffraction pattern measurement. The diffraction pattern contains spatial frequency information that encodes three-dimensional structural data, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the measurement that conventional microscopy cannot provide, allowing full three-dimensional reconstruction without focal depth compression.
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
Enables the extraction of detailed three-dimensional morphology parameters from particles, improving analysis efficiency and accuracy, and increasing the signal-to-noise ratio for enhanced imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A detector is configured to detect a spatially coherent distribution of elastically scattered light from the particle excited by the coherent light source
Data Source
AI summary
A flow cytometer assembly includes a fluid controller configured to form a hydrodynamically focused flow stream including an outer sheath fluid and an inner core fluid. A coherent light source is configured to illuminate a particle in the inner core fluid. A detector is configured to detect a spatially coherent distribution of elastically scattered light from the particle excited by the coherent light source. An analyzing module configured to extract a three-dimensional morphology parameter of the particle from a spatially coherent distribution of the elastically scattered light.