Flow Cytometer Excitation Light Recycling for Detection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow cytometers have low utilization efficiency of excitation light as most of it is absorbed by the emission filter without irradiating the fine particles, leading to reduced fluorescent light emission and increased costs due to high laser light source requirements.
Innovation Solution
A fine particle detection device with a first and second irradiation portion, separation, and detection portions that reuse excitation light by guiding it back to the flow passage to re-irradiate and detect fluorescent light, using spectroscopic elements and optical waveguides to separate and re-direct excitation light, thereby increasing its utilization efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a flow cytometer uses a laser light source to irradiate fine particles in a flow passage, then fluorescent light can be detected from the particles, but the utilization efficiency of the excitation light is low because most of it is blocked by the emission filter without irradiating the particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the excitation light that would otherwise be discarded by the emission filter. The emission filter separates fluorescent light from excitation light, and the recovered excitation light is redirected through a mirror and optical fiber back to the flow passage to irradiate additional particles, thereby reducing energy loss and improving utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a continuous cycle where excitation light is used, filtered to separate fluorescent signal, and then the unused excitation light is continuously recycled back to irradiate more particles. This continuous reuse maximizes the useful action of the excitation light source without requiring increased laser power
2Measurement precision
If the laser light source output is increased to improve detection accuracy and signal strength, then fluorescent light detection is enhanced, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the filtered excitation light, the system recovers and redistributes it to irradiate additional particles. This allows the same laser power to achieve the detection sensitivity that would otherwise require a more expensive, higher-power laser source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy pathway where the excitation light is effectively used twice - once for initial particle irradiation and again after recycling. This multiplies the effectiveness of the original light source without requiring additional laser hardware
3Measurement precision
If the emission filter blocks excitation light to detect only fluorescent light, then detection specificity is improved, but excitation light utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into distinct functional zones: the emission filter separates fluorescent light detection from excitation light recycling pathways. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of detection specificity (by filtering) and energy utilization (by redirecting separated excitation light back to particles)
Solution Approach 2:
The emission filter acts as an intermediary that selectively transmits fluorescent light to detectors while reflecting excitation light back into the recycling optical path. This intermediary component enables the system to simultaneously achieve detection specificity and energy recovery
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 configuration significantly enhances the utilization efficiency of excitation light, allowing for higher detection accuracy and signal strength equivalent to doubling the laser light source output without increasing manufacturing costs, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The optical filter includes a first area having a wavelength selectivity to block reflection light and an unnecessary scattered light component from the fine particle but transmit fluorescence
Implementation Method 2
a first irradiation portion configured to radiate excitation light to a flow passage in which a fine particle flows to excite fluorescent light from the fine particle
Data Source
AI summary
A fine particle detection device according to the present disclosure includes: a first irradiation portion configured to radiate excitation light to a flow passage in which a fine particle flows to excite fluorescent light from the fine particle; a first separation portion configured to separate the excitation light and the fluorescent light from light that has been radiated to the flow passage by the first irradiation portion; a first detection portion configured to detect the fluorescent light separated by the first separation portion; a second irradiation portion configured to radiate the excitation light separated by the first separation portion to the flow passage to excite the fluorescent light from the fine particle; a second separation portion configured to separate the excitation light and the fluorescent light from light that has been radiated to the flow passage by the second irradiation portion; and a second detection portion configured to detect the fluorescent light separated by the second separation portion.