Compact Flow Cytometer Sheath Pumping for Stable Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometry devices face challenges such as inaccurate measurements due to pressure fluctuations and require large, costly equipment, particularly in air pressurized sheath fluid systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flow cytometer system that incorporates a plurality of syringe pumps operated by stepper motors to drive sheath fluid, providing constant pressure and controllable flow, reducing system size and cost, and eliminating clogs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If air pressurized sheath fluid systems are used, then flow can be driven through the cytometer, but pressure fluctuations cause inaccurate measurements and the equipment becomes large and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air pressure source from the system and replaces it with electronic syringe pumps. This removes the problematic air pressurization mechanism that caused both pressure fluctuations and system complexity, while maintaining the essential function of driving sheath fluid through the cytometer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical air pressurization system with an electronically controlled syringe pump system. This substitution eliminates the need for large air tanks and pressure regulation equipment, reducing system size and cost while providing more stable, controllable pressure through electronic actuation
2Stability of the object's composition
If air pressurized sheath fluid systems are used, then flow can be maintained, but pressure fluctuations occur during measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements electronic control of syringe pumps with programmable flow rates and pressure management. This feedback-controlled system can detect and correct pressure variations in real-time, maintaining stable flow conditions throughout the measurement process and eliminating the pressure fluctuations inherent in air-pressurized systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamically controllable syringe pumps that can adjust flow rates and pressure on-demand. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain optimal stable pressure conditions during measurement while adapting to different measurement requirements, providing superior pressure stability compared to static air pressurization 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
The system achieves more accurate and consistent measurements by maintaining constant pressure and flow, while being compact and cost-effective, with the ability to adjust pressure and flow rates for different sensitivity requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Some implementations utilize a plurality of positive displacement pumps to move the sample and the sheath fluid throughout the system
Implementation Method 2
A flow cytometer or flow instrument hydrodynamically focuses a fluid suspension of particles into a thin stream so that the particles flow in substantially single file
Data Source
AI summary
A compact flow instrument for multiplexed analysis of a pooled population of subsets of particles exposed to a sample includes an examination zone with one or more examination compartments for irradiating a passing particle with electromagnetic radiation (EMR), one or more EMR sources for irradiating the passing particle, one or more detectors configured to detect EMR emitted or scattered by the passing particle, a syringe pump driven by a stepper motor to deliver sheath fluid in characteristic pulses according to each step of the stepper motor for transporting the passing particle, and a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the syringe pump to deliver sheath fluid to transport the passing particle, capture the detected EMR at a rate commensurate with the velocity of the transported particle as it passes through the examination zone, and compile information about the captured EMR.