Flow Cytometer Laser Beam Delivery via Prism Dispersion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing beam-delivery systems for flow-cytometers, which rely on dichroic filters, become complex and difficult to align due to the need for multiple mirrors and varied optical paths, making it challenging to customize or upgrade for new wavelengths and fluorophores.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus using a dispersion-compensation prism and directing-prisms to deliver multiple laser beams of different wavelengths directly, forming a converging and diverging fan of beams that are focused into spaced-apart or overlapping elongated focal spots within the flow-cell, eliminating the need for multiple mirrors and simplifying alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dichroic filters and multiple mirrors are used to deliver multiple laser beams, then multiple wavelengths can be delivered to the flow-cell, but the system becomes complex and alignment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser beams of different wavelengths into a single optical path using a beam combining optics system. The beams are spatially overlapped and directed through a common optical path to the flow cell, eliminating the need for separate mirror paths for each wavelength. This merging approach reduces the number of optical components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining multi-wavelength delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam combining optics system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it combines multiple wavelengths, directs all beams through a single optical path, and delivers them to the flow cell. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate dichroic filters and mirrors for each wavelength, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility in delivering multiple laser wavelengths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dichroic filters are used for different wavelengths, then multiple fluorophores can be excited, but alignment of filters and mirrors becomes increasingly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser beams into a single optical path using beam combining optics, eliminating the need for multiple dichroic filters. By combining the beams spatially and directing them through a common path, the system maintains the capability to excite multiple fluorophores while significantly reducing the number of alignment-critical components. The single optical path approach removes the complexity of aligning multiple filters and mirrors at various angles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mirrors are used to redirect beams, then different wavelengths can be directed to the flow-cell, but the optical path lengths become varied and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser beams into a single optical path, eliminating the need for multiple mirrors to redirect different wavelengths. The beam combining optics system directs all wavelengths through a common optical path of uniform length to the flow cell, simplifying the optical architecture and ensuring consistent path lengths for all beams while maintaining the capability to deliver multiple wavelengths.
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
This solution simplifies the beam-delivery system, allowing for easier customization and upgrade by reducing optical path complexity and improving alignment, enabling efficient delivery of multiple wavelengths to the flow-cell for advanced flow-cytometry applications.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersion-compensation prism. The directing-prisms are arranged to transmit the laser radiation beams directly therethrough without internal reflection into the dispersion compensation-prism as a converging fan of beams in a first plane. The beams are transmitted by the compensation-prism as a converging fan of beams, intersect, then proceed as a diverging fan of beams
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of optical elements including a cylindrical optical element is configured and arranged to focus the diverging fan of laser-radiation beams as a plurality of spaced-apart elongated focal spots at a location in which the cytometer flow-cell is positioned
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus for delivering to a flow-cell of a flow-cytometer a plurality of beams of laser radiation each thereof having a different wavelength. The apparatus includes a dispersion compensation-prism and a plurality of directing-prisms equal in number to the number of laser-beam. The directing-prisms are arranged to direct the laser radiation beams directly therethrough into the dispersion compensation-prism as converging fan of beams in a first plane. The beams are transmitted by the compensation-prism as a converging fan of beams intersecting then proceeding as a diverging fan of beams in the first plane. A spherical focusing lens is arranged cooperative with a cylindrical lens for focusing the plurality of laser-beams as a plurality of spaced apart elongated focal spots in a plane in which the cytometer flow-cell is located.