Flow Cytometer Spatial Light Modulation for Streamline Deviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging flow cytometers face challenges in achieving high-speed measurement while ensuring robustness against positional deviations of the streamline, which affects the reproducibility and accuracy of morphological measurements of observation targets.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometer design that includes a spatial light modulation unit to structure illumination light and signal light, with multiple optical signal detection positions arranged linearly at equal intervals in the flow path, and trigger signal detection positions separated by a predetermined distance, allowing for robust and high-speed measurement even with positional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a structured illumination pattern is used to observe morphological characteristics in detail, then measurement precision is improved, but the measurement becomes sensitive to positional deviation of the streamline, causing reliability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple measurement regions along the flow direction, with each region having its own structured illumination pattern. By segmenting the measurement into multiple positions and combining the results, the system achieves both high precision morphology measurement and robustness against streamline positional deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the flow direction as an additional dimension for measurement. Instead of relying on a single measurement position, multiple measurement regions are arranged along the flow direction, transforming a single-point measurement into a multi-point spatial measurement that compensates for positional deviations
2Device complexity
If a single-element light receiving element is used with compression sensing method, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented across multiple measurement regions along the flow path. Each region contributes to the overall measurement, effectively increasing the data acquisition rate without requiring a more complex single detector system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous measurement by arranging multiple measurement regions along the flow direction. As particles flow through different regions sequentially, measurements are continuously acquired, increasing productivity while maintaining the simplicity of single-element detectors
3Productivity
If multiple measurement regions are arranged along the flow direction, then measurement speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal detection approach where the same detection mechanism is applied across multiple measurement regions. This multi-functional arrangement increases measurement speed while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate detection systems for each region
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 configuration enables high-speed measurement with good reproducibility and accuracy by maintaining consistent signal detection across varying positions of the observation target, regardless of positional deviations in the streamline.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial light modulation unit that structures illumination light from a light source toward the flow path into light having a predetermined illumination pattern
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector that detects optical signal intensity as intensity of signal light emitted from the observation target
Data Source
AI summary
A flow cytometer includes: a light source; a microfluidic device; a photodetector; an information generation device which generates optical information indicating a morphology of an observation target on the basis of optical signal intensity; and a spatial light modulation unit which is installed on an optical path between the light source and the photodetector and structures any one of illumination light irradiated from the light source toward the flow path and signal light from the observation target. In the flow path provided with the microfluidic device, a plurality of optical signal detection positions are arranged linearly at equal intervals in a predetermined direction of the flow path by structuring the illumination light or the signal light and a plurality of trigger signal detection positions for detecting a trigger signal by which the information generation device starts the generation of the optical information are arranged to be separated by the same predetermined distance in a length direction of the flow path while respectively corresponding to the plurality of optical signal detection positions.