External Optical Sensor for Flow Cytometer Misalignment Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow cytometers face challenges in detecting misalignment and stability issues of laser beams and core streams due to limitations in visual inspection, which can lead to inaccurate results and are hazardous for operators.
Innovation Solution
A continuous monitoring module for flow cytometers that includes an external device with an optical system and sensors to capture and analyze optical energy from the flowcell, providing a magnified view of the monitoring region and detecting anomalies such as misalignment, without exposing users to harmful light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If direct eye inspection of the flowcell region is performed, then the user can observe the region of interest, but the user is exposed to harmful laser light that can cause eye damage
Solution Approach 1:
A digital microscope or camera system serves as an intermediary between the user's eye and the laser illumination region. The sensor captures optical energy from the flowcell and converts it to an electronic image that can be displayed on a screen, allowing users to observe the monitoring region without direct exposure to harmful laser light.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly viewing the flowcell region, users observe a digital copy or representation of the region captured by a sensor. The sensor creates an electronic image that replicates the visual information of the monitoring region, enabling safe observation through display screens rather than direct optical viewing.
2Measurement precision
If a traditional optical microscope is used to inspect the flowcell region, then sufficient optical resolution is achieved, but the hazard to the user's eyes is increased due to concentrated light delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical microscope system with an electronic imaging system. Instead of using lenses to magnify and deliver concentrated light to the user's eye, a sensor captures the optical energy and converts it to electronic signals that are displayed on a screen, eliminating the hazardous light concentration while maintaining or improving observation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A digital sensor acts as an intermediary between the flowcell region and the user's eye. The sensor captures the optical information and transforms it into an electronic display image, providing the same diagnostic information without the harmful concentrated light delivery that occurs in traditional optical microscopes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a digital microscope is used to monitor the flowcell, then user safety is improved by avoiding direct light exposure, but the device complexity and cost increase due to unnecessary high optical resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resolution parameter requirement from high (as in traditional microscopes) to moderate or low, sufficient only for monitoring flowcell conditions. This parameter change allows the use of simpler, less expensive sensors and optical components while still achieving the monitoring objective, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective sensing components rather than expensive high-resolution microscope systems. The optical system is designed to capture sufficient information for monitoring purposes without requiring the high resolution and complexity of traditional microscopes, making the system more affordable and accessible.
4Measurement precision
If an optical microscope with sufficient resolution and field of view is used, then the monitoring capability is adequate, but the working distance is too short for access to the flowcell mounted inside a working flow cytometer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a direct optical path requiring short working distance to a multi-dimensional approach using a sensor that can be positioned at a distance. The optical system captures light from the flowcell and directs it to a sensor located in a different spatial dimension, allowing adequate working distance while maintaining monitoring capability through the use of mirrors or lens systems that bridge the spatial gap.
5Measurement precision
If a high-resolution optical microscope is attached to the flow cytometer, then monitoring capability is improved, but the instrument requires extensive modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a monitoring system with universal attachment capabilities that can interface with various flow cytometer models without requiring extensive custom modifications. The system uses standardized mounting mechanisms and flexible optical paths that can adapt to different instrument configurations, making it a multi-functional solution that works across multiple platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable and flexible optical components that can be dynamically positioned and configured to match different flow cytometer geometries. The system allows for dynamic adjustment of optical paths, sensor positions, and viewing angles, enabling adaptation to various instrument designs without permanent modifications.
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
Enables safe, continuous monitoring and troubleshooting of flow cytometer performance, improving alignment and stability verification, and extending the usable life of existing instruments with minimal modifications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system configured to capture and monitor optical energy from a flowcell
Implementation Method 2
a first lens positioned to: receive optical energy passing through the monitoring region of the flowcell and substantially collimate the optical energy
Implementation Method 3
receive optical energy passing through the monitoring region of the flowcell and substantially collimate the optical energy in a direction of a first optical path
Implementation Method 4
a second lens positioned to: receive the substantially collimated optical energy from the first lens and substantially focus the substantially collimated optical energy towards the at least one sensor
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to an external monitoring device for a flow cytometer. The external monitoring device comprises: a housing configured to reversibly attach to a portion of the flow cytometer such that an optical system within the housing is aligned with a monitoring region within a flowcell of the flow cytometer. The optical system is configured to continuously capture and monitor at least a portion of the optical energy emanating from the monitoring region of the flowcell. The optical system comprises at least one sensor configured to: detect the optical energy captured by the optical system, and generate, based on the detected optical energy, an image of the monitoring region. The external monitoring device may further comprise a processor configured to continuously provide the image to an electronic device, for example a display or a computing device.