Flow Cytometer Harmonic Waveform Control for Stable Droplet Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometers face challenges in stabilizing droplet formation due to factors like flow rate, environmental conditions, and particle size, which affect the accuracy of cell sorting, especially in high-speed and long-duration experiments.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometer with a vibration control system that drives the droplet-generating vibration element using a signal with a harmonic superimposed on the fundamental frequency, adjusting waveform parameters based on satellite droplet images to stabilize droplet formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the frequency for droplet formation is increased to improve sorting speed, then productivity increases, but droplet formation stability deteriorates due to external disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of droplets using an imaging unit, detects satellite droplets that indicate unstable formation, and feeds this information back to the vibration control system. The control unit adjusts waveform parameters (phase and amplitude of harmonic components) based on this feedback to stabilize droplet formation even at high frequencies
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes waveform parameters including the phase and amplitude of harmonic components superimposed on the fundamental frequency. By adjusting these parameters based on detected satellite droplets, the system optimizes droplet formation stability while maintaining high sorting speeds
2Measurement precision
If the sorting duration is extended to improve detection accuracy of rare cells, then measurement precision increases, but droplet formation stability deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit continuously monitors droplet formation throughout the sorting process, and the control unit continuously adjusts waveform parameters based on real-time detection of satellite droplets. This continuous feedback mechanism maintains droplet formation stability over extended sorting durations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs continuous imaging and continuous waveform parameter adjustment throughout the sorting process. This uninterrupted feedback control ensures that droplet formation remains stable from the beginning to the end of long-duration experiments
3Reliability
If harmonic components are added to the drive signal to stabilize droplet formation, then droplet formation stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the droplet images themselves as the feedback signal for control. The same imaging unit that monitors droplet formation provides the information needed for adjustment, eliminating the need for separate sensors or complex external control systems
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
Stabilizes droplet formation and charging, enabling accurate and stable droplet sorting even under external disturbances, supporting high-speed and long-duration cell sorting processes.
Implementation Method 1
a droplet forming unit that applies vibration to the fluid using a vibration element to form droplets in the fluid
Implementation Method 2
the vibration element is a piezoelectric element that transforms electrical energy to mechanical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure aims to provide a technique for stably controlling droplet formation.The present disclosure provides a flow cytometer including a vibration control system that controls vibration of a vibration element that generates a droplet. The vibration control system is designed to drive the vibration element with a signal having a waveform in which a harmonic is superimposed on the waveform of a fundamental frequency, and the vibration control system sets a waveform parameter, on the basis of a change caused in a satellite droplet by a change in the waveform parameter of the harmonic.