Flow Cytometry Effluent Back Pressure for Virus Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow cytometry systems face challenges in accurately and robustly analyzing virus-size particles due to limitations in existing technologies, particularly in maintaining fluid flow control and reducing gravity-induced effects, which affect the analysis of smaller particles like virus particles, virus-like particles, and extracellular vesicles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flow cytometry evaluation system that applies positive back pressure to the fluid sample effluent system, using a pressurized gas delivery system to impede fluid flow towards an effluent collection vessel, thereby counteracting gravity-induced effects and improving flow control and accuracy for virus-size particles analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flow cytometry systems use conventional effluent collection without back pressure, then the system structure is simple, but gravity-induced effects cause poor flow control and air bubble formation affecting virus-size particle analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic pressure control by introducing a pressurized gas source (nitrogen or air reservoir with pressure regulator) to apply controlled back pressure to the effluent collection vessel. This pneumatic mechanism counteracts gravity-induced flow instability and prevents air bubble formation, achieving reliable flow control for virus-size particle analysis without requiring complex mechanical flow control devices.
2Reliability
If the effluent collection vessel is positioned at a lower elevation than the investigation zone, then gravity aids fluid flow, but gravity-induced effects cause flow instability and air bubble formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by applying controlled back pressure (e.g., 0.5-5 psi) to the effluent collection vessel using a pressurized gas system. This pressure parameter adjustment counteracts the adverse effects of gravity on flow stability while preventing air bubble formation, achieving reliable and stable fluid flow through the investigation zone for accurate virus-size particle analysis.
3Measurement precision
If flow cytometry systems are designed for virus-size particles with low flow rates, then analysis accuracy improves, but flow control becomes more sensitive to gravity-induced effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pressure feedback control by using a pressure regulator in the pneumatic system to maintain constant back pressure on the effluent collection vessel. This feedback mechanism ensures stable flow conditions at low flow rates required for virus-size particle analysis, making the system robust against gravity-induced flow variations and preventing air bubble formation that would compromise measurement precision.
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 enhances the flexibility and convenience of flow cytometry systems, allowing for accurate and robust analysis of virus-size particles by maintaining consistent fluid flow and reducing the formation of air bubbles, thus improving the system's usability and maintainability.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized gas delivery system configured to apply pressurized gas to pressurize at least a portion of the fluid sample effluent system at an applied gas pressure that provides a positive back pressure in the effluent fluid conduction path impeding fluid flow through the effluent fluid conduction path toward the effluent fluid inlet
Implementation Method 2
counteracting gravity-induced effects and improving flow control and accuracy for virus-size particles analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A flow cytometry evaluation system includes a sample effluent system with an effluent collection vessel with an effluent fluid inlet to receive an effluent of the fluid sample exiting the investigation zone during a flow cytometry evaluation; and an effluent fluid conduction path from the investigation zone to the effluent fluid inlet. A pressurized gas delivery system in fluid communication with the sample effluent system applies pressurized gas to the fluid sample effluent system to impede fluid flow through the effluent fluid conduction path toward the effluent fluid inlet during a flow cytometry investigation