Compact Flow Cytometer Detection Module Using Micro-Mirror Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow cytometers are limited in detecting multiple fluorochromes simultaneously due to overlapping emission spectra and signal crosstalk, leading to a restricted number of detectable fluorochromes and compromised fluorescence signals.
Innovation Solution
A compact flow cytometer detection module with multiple detectors and an adjustable optical system that minimizes image degradation through careful control of aberrations and reimaging, using a 1f image array with reduced bending power and fewer reimages, allowing for better resolution of both long and short wavelength fluorochromes and reduced scattered light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the collimating lens focal length is increased to reduce light beam divergence, then the image quality is improved, but the device size becomes larger and the number of detectors is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path into multiple segments using a series of spherical micro-mirrors that sequentially relay and reimagine the light beam. This segmentation allows the optical system to achieve long effective focal length without requiring a physically large single lens, thereby maintaining image quality while reducing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where multiple spherical micro-mirrors are positioned within a compact optical housing, with each mirror nested in the optical path of the previous one. This nesting allows the light beam to be relayed through multiple imaging stages in a space-efficient manner, achieving long optical path length without proportional increase in device volume.
2Quantity of substance
If spherical micro-mirrors are used to reimage light and avoid diverging collimated light, then the number of detectors can be increased, but optical aberrations from reflections limit the detector count
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple spherical micro-mirrors in sequence, performing partial reimaging at each stage. Each mirror contributes a portion of the total imaging function, and by chaining multiple such partial actions, the system achieves the cumulative effect of high detector count while managing aberrations through distributed optical processing rather than relying on a single perfect mirror.
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 approach enables a significant increase in the number of detectable fluorochromes while maintaining image quality, allowing for more precise analysis of fluorochrome-labeled particles with improved signal accuracy and reduced noise from scattered light.
Implementation Method 1
the incident light is re-imaged using spherical micro-mirrors for each detector in a detector chain
Implementation Method 2
the number of detectors is limited by the aberration introduced by reflections from the spherical micro-mirrors
Implementation Method 3
Prior flow cytometry fluorescence detection systems limited the divergence by increasing the collimating lens focal length
Implementation Method 4
The detection module is a wavelength de-multiplexing system
Implementation Method 5
One or more different optical filters can be arranged before the emitted fluorescence from the fluorochrome-labelled particles reaches each detector
Implementation Method 6
a plurality of detectors respectively comprising a plurality of objective lenses, and a plurality of detectors with light being in communication with each
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
In one embodiment, a flow cytometer is disclosed having a compact light detection module. The compact light detection module includes an image array with a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side. Each of the plurality of filters reflects light to one of the plurality of micro-mirrors and passes light of a differing wavelength range and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors reflects light to one of the plurality of filters, such that incident light into the image array zigzags back and forth between consecutive filters of the plurality of filters and consecutive micro-mirrors of the plurality of micro-mirrors. A radius of curvature of each of the plurality of micro-mirrors images the fiber aperture onto the odd filters and collimates the light beam on the even filters.