Flow Cytometer Fluid Level Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable flow cytometer systems face issues with sheath fluid depletion and waste fluid overflow, requiring frequent experiment suspension for refilling and cleaning, which can lead to data compromise and hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometer system with integrated sheath and waste fluid volume measurement devices, using capacitive sensors, scales, or other detectors to monitor fluid levels, and a controller to adjust pump operations, preventing depletion and overflow by providing real-time feedback and controlling fluid flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If portable flow cytometer systems use smaller sheath fluid containers and waste fluid containers to improve portability, then the portability is improved, but the system may exhaust sheath fluid or overfill waste containers during experiments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing fluid level sensors that monitor sheath and waste fluid levels before depletion or overflow occurs. The system proactively detects fluid levels and provides warnings or automatic shutdowns to prevent the harmful conditions of empty sheath containers or overflowing waste containers, thus maintaining reliability while using portable-sized containers.
2Ease of operation
If users manually monitor and refill sheath fluid or empty waste containers, then fluid management is possible, but experiments must be suspended and data may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a monitoring system with sensors that continuously track fluid levels in both sheath and waste containers. The system provides real-time feedback to users through displays or alerts, enabling them to manage fluid levels without suspending experiments. This automated feedback loop maintains experiment continuity while ensuring proper fluid management.
3Reliability
If sheath fluid is depleted during sampling, then the system stops operating, but data accuracy is compromised and new experiments must be run
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prevents data loss by proactively monitoring sheath fluid levels before depletion occurs. The system provides advance warning or automatically shuts down before the sheath container becomes empty, ensuring that sampling continues uninterrupted and data integrity is maintained throughout the experiment.
4Reliability
If waste container overflows, then cleaning and sterilization are required, but serious delays and hazardous conditions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prevents waste container overflow by implementing level sensors that detect when the waste container is approaching full capacity. The system provides advance warning or automatically stops waste collection before overflow occurs, eliminating the need for emergency cleaning and sterilization and preventing hazardous conditions.
5Reliability
If users continuously suspend experiments to check fluid levels, then fluid depletion and overflow are prevented, but productivity and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for continuous user monitoring by implementing automated feedback through fluid level sensors and display systems. The system continuously monitors fluid levels and provides real-time information to users, allowing experiments to proceed uninterrupted while maintaining proper fluid management, thus preserving both reliability and productivity.
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 continuous operation by preventing sheath fluid depletion and waste fluid overflow, ensuring data accuracy and safety by automatically managing fluid levels, reducing experiment delays and hazardous conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sheath volume measurement device (38) to measure the fluid in the sheath container (16)
Implementation Method 2
a waste volume measurement device (40) to measure the fluid in the waste container (24)
Implementation Method 3
a sheath pump (12) to pump sheath fluid (14) from a sheath container (16) into an interrogation zone (18)
Implementation Method 4
a waste pump (20) to pump the sheath fluid (14) and a sample fluid (26) as waste fluid (22) from the interrogation zone (18) into a waste container (24)
Data Source
AI summary
The fluidic system of the preferred embodiment includes a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid from a sheath container into an interrogation zone, a sheath volume measurement device to measure the fluid in the sheath container, a waste pump to pump the sheath fluid and a sample fluid as waste fluid from the interrogation zone into a waste container, and a waste volume measurement device to measure the fluid in the waste container. The system also includes a controller connected to the sheath pump, the waste pump, and the volume measurement devices. The sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid from a sample container into the interrogation zone, which functions to provide a location for the fluidic system and an optical system of the flow cytometer to cooperatively facilitate the analysis of the sample fluid.