Flow Cytometer Position Detection Using Overlapping Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometry methods using random structured illumination patterns struggle with detecting position deviations of the flow line due to sensitivity to positional deviations and difficulties in precisely controlling the flow line, which affects data reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometer is designed with a microfluidic device, a light source, a photodetector, and a calculation device that calculates the position of an observation object in the width direction of the flow path by detecting peak intensities of optical signals at multiple detection lines with overlapping portions, allowing for real-time monitoring and correction of flow path positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a random structured illumination pattern is used for detection, then measurement speed is improved, but sensitivity to position deviation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path width direction is divided into multiple detection lines (first, second, third, fourth detection lines) positioned at different locations. By segmenting the detection into multiple spatial zones, the system can track position deviations more accurately across the flow path while maintaining the benefits of random structured illumination for rapid measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates position deviations based on detection results from multiple detection lines and feeds this information back to adjust subsequent measurements. This feedback mechanism compensates for the sensitivity to position deviation by continuously correcting for flow line variations, enabling both fast measurement and accurate position detection.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detection lines are arranged to overlap in the width direction, then position detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple detection lines serve dual purposes: they detect the position of observation objects and simultaneously detect position deviations of the flow line. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high position detection accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same detection infrastructure serves multiple measurement goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection lines are arranged in the width direction of the flow path with overlapping portions, creating a two-dimensional detection network. This spatial arrangement in another dimension (width direction rather than only length direction) enables accurate position detection while the overlapping configuration provides redundancy without requiring completely separate detection systems.
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 solution enables precise detection of position deviations of the flow line, improving data reproducibility and allowing for real-time correction of flow path positions, thereby enhancing the accuracy of flow cytometry measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector configured to detect the intensity of an optical signal emitted from the observation object in a time series when the illumination light is irradiated to the observation object flowing through the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A flow cytometer includes a microfluidic device, a light source, a photodetector, an information generation device, a calculation device, and a flow path position control device. In the microfluidic device, a first position detection line is arranged on a flow path, a second position detection line is arranged with a portion overlapping the first position detection line in a width direction, and a position detection distance, which is a distance between the first position detection line and the second position detection line in a length direction of the flow path, changes with a position in the width direction. The calculation device includes a time difference calculation unit configured to calculate a time difference between the time when the photodetector has detected a peak intensity of an optical signal at any one detection position on the first position detection line and the time when the photodetector has detected the peak intensity of the optical signal at any one detection position on the second position detection line and a position calculation unit configured to calculate the position of the observation object in the width direction on the basis of the time difference and a corresponding relationship between the time difference and the position in the width direction.