Flow Cytometer Optical Train with Independent Laser Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow cytometry systems with multiple lasers face challenges in adjusting individual laser beams without affecting adjacent beams, leading to lower data quality and increased calibration complexity due to the coupling of focusing lenses across all beams.
Innovation Solution
The system uses converging beams propagated through an optical train with dichroic elements, allowing independent adjustment of each laser beam and reducing aberrations, enabling improved data quality and easier alignment by decoupling the optical paths of adjacent lasers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single focusing lens is used for multiple laser beams, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adjustment of one beam degrades the focus of adjacent beams and increases calibration complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent optical subunits, each handling a specific laser beam with its own focusing lens. This segmentation allows each beam to be adjusted independently without affecting others, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and adjustment independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent stacks optical subunits in the vertical dimension (z-axis) to combine multiple laser beams spatially separated in the horizontal plane. This dimensional arrangement allows independent focusing lenses to coexist without interfering with each other, maintaining both device compactness and adjustment independence.
2Measurement precision
If laser beams are spatially separated to reduce cross talk, then the measurement precision is improved, but the uncertainty of particle position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spatial separation distances to different optical subunits based on their specific requirements. Each laser beam can be optimally positioned to achieve the right balance between reducing cross-talk and maintaining particle position precision, rather than using a uniform separation for all beams.
3Device complexity
If collimated beams are used with a single focusing lens, then the device complexity is reduced, but the interchangeability of light sources becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the optical system into independent subunits, each with its own focusing lens, the patent enables easy interchangeability of light sources. Each optical subunit can be independently replaced or modified without affecting other beams, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and adaptability.
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 allows for independent focus adjustment of each laser beam, enhancing data quality, simplifying calibration, and improving the interchangeability of light sources, resulting in higher analysis precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a converging element configured to convert the light beam into a converging light beam
Implementation Method 2
passing at least one of the converging light beams through at least one dichroic element
Data Source
AI summary
The present set of embodiments relate to a system, method, and apparatus for an optical configuration in a flow cytometer that allows for independent adjustment of focusing for each light source. Such systems, methods, and apparatuses require a final focusing element to be moved near the beginning of the optical train and for each optical element coming after the final focusing element to be configured to accommodate converging light beams while minimizing the introduction of aberrations into those beams.