Flow Cytometer Multi-Spectral Filter Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow cytometry systems face challenges in efficiently capturing and quantifying fluorescent light emitted by small particles due to the need for high-intensity stimulating light and the omnidirectional emission of fluorescing light, leading to reduced measurement efficiency and the requirement for sensitive photodetector systems that can handle faint signals.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometry system that includes a calibration light source emitting different spectral profiles, which are directed through optical paths to determine the filtering characteristics of optical filter elements, allowing for improved light capture and detection by correlating output data with spectral fingerprints and intensity ratios, thereby enhancing measurement accuracy and system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-intensity stimulating light is provided to cause fluorescence at detectable levels, then fluorescence detection sensitivity is improved, but energy consumption increases and the risk of photodamage to samples increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the light collection process by using multiple photodetector systems with different spectral filtering capabilities. Each photodetector is equipped with specific optical filters to capture different wavelength ranges of fluorescent emission, allowing the system to detect fluorescence signals more efficiently across multiple channels simultaneously, thereby reducing the need for excessively high stimulating light intensity
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cytometer is designed with multi-functional photodetector systems that can detect multiple fluorescent indicators concurrently. Each photodetector system is configured with interchangeable optical filters to accommodate different fluorescent markers, enabling a single instrument to perform multiple detection functions without requiring separate high-intensity light sources for each marker
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple photodetector systems with filtering systems are used to process different types of particles or cells, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple photodetector systems that share common optical components and control architecture. Each photodetector can be configured with different optical filters to detect various fluorescent markers, allowing a single instrument to handle multiple particle types and indicators through software configuration rather than requiring entirely separate detection systems for each application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple photodetector systems into a single integrated flow cytometer platform with shared optical paths, control electronics, and data processing units. The photodetectors are arranged to simultaneously detect different wavelength ranges from the same sample stream, merging multiple detection functions into one cohesive system that reduces overall complexity compared to using separate instruments
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 the efficiency of light capture and detection in flow cytometry by accurately determining filtering characteristics, reducing errors, and ensuring consistent performance, even with faint signals, thus enhancing the measurement of fluorescent emissions from small particles.
Implementation Method 1
a calibration light source configured to independently emit different spectral profiles of calibration light
Implementation Method 2
determine the filtering characteristics for the optical filter elements along each optical path
Implementation Method 3
a detector configured to produce output data indicative of the measured intensity of light reaching that detector
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for characterizing optical filters in a flow cytometer and optionally checking the operation of detectors in the flow cytometer. In some embodiments, the system may utilize an LED board having an opening through which the fluorescence and side scatter beams, rays, or images pass and light emitting diodes around the opening that emit light having different spectral profiles. The different spectral profiles allow the system to identify the optical filters that are placed in the flow cytometer, to verify detector operation, to assist in instrumentation troubleshooting, and to provide a quantitative reference for detector comparison.