Flow Cytometer Optical System Independent Filter Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow cytometer optical systems require precise arrangement of beam splitters and filters, making it difficult to easily swap or modify detection parameters, which affects the reliability and ruggedness of the system.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with independently filtered detectors and a lens system that allows for flexible arrangement, including truncated lenses with wavelength-specific coatings, enabling easy filter swapping without affecting other channels and improving system reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam splitters and filters are arranged in a particular order (monotonically increasing or decreasing order) to ensure proper function, then the detector subsystems function correctly, but the system complexity increases and filter swapping becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into independent detector subsystems, each with its own beam splitter and filter assembly. This segmentation allows each detector to operate independently with its own wavelength selection, eliminating the need for a single complex arrangement that affects all detectors. Each subsystem can be configured and swapped without affecting others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable and interchangeable filter assemblies that can be dynamically reconfigured. Filters are not fixed in a static arrangement but can be swapped and repositioned easily, allowing the system to adapt to different detection requirements without requiring complete re-arrangement of the optical path.
2Measurement precision
If filters are arranged in a fixed order to ensure proper wavelength detection, then detection accuracy is maintained, but adaptability decreases and modification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each detector subsystem is designed with universal components that can handle multiple wavelength ranges. The beam splitters and filter assemblies are configured to work with various filter types, allowing the same detector subsystem to detect different wavelength bands by simply swapping filters rather than requiring dedicated components for each wavelength range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures multiple filter assemblies with different wavelength specifications that can be quickly swapped into position. This preliminary preparation of various filter options allows rapid reconfiguration for different detection needs while maintaining proper wavelength detection accuracy through pre-tested optical paths.
3Reliability
If the optical system is arranged with precise alignment of beam splitters, then detection reliability improves, but system ruggedness decreases and ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment-critical components (beam splitters and filters) into separate, self-contained assemblies that can be pre-aligned and tested independently. These modular assemblies are then installed as complete units, removing the need for complex in-situ alignment procedures and making the system more robust to handling and reconfiguration.
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 new optical system allows for easy modification of detection parameters and increased reliability by allowing filters to be swapped independently, enhancing the ruggedness and efficiency of the flow cytometer.
Implementation Method 1
a lens system (18) with multiple lens surfaces (20) arranged around the interrogation zone (12)
Implementation Method 2
The multiple detectors (24) are each coupled to a local filter (26) that independently filters the collected light for specific wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
a detection system (22) with multiple detectors (24) arranged to detect the light collected and collimated by the lens system (18)
Data Source
AI summary
The preferred embodiments of the invention is an optical system for a flow cytometer including a flow channel with an interrogation zone, and an illumination source that impinges the flow channel in the interrogation zone from a particular direction. The optical system preferably includes a lens system and a detection system. The lens system preferably includes multiple lens surfaces arranged around the flow channel and adapted to collect and collimate light from the interrogation zone. The detection system preferably includes multiple detectors adapted to detect light from the lens system. Each detector preferably includes a local filter that independently filters for specific wavelengths. Thus, the user may easily swap the filters in any order to achieve the same detection parameters.