Flow Cytometry Optical Measuring Device with Scattered Light Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measuring devices require cumbersome adjustments and are difficult to miniaturize due to the need to adjust multiple focal points for condenser, objective, and pinhole lenses, complicating the detection of side scattered light in flow cytometry.
Innovation Solution
An optical measuring device with a scattered light detecting section that uses a scattered light separating mask to separate scattered light into low and high numerical aperture components, allowing for downstream detection of side scattered light without the need for upstream detection systems, and includes a relay lens system for conjugate plane formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple focal points for condenser, objective, and pinhole lenses are adjusted to detect side scattered light, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the side scattered light detection function from the upstream detection system and relocates it to the downstream detection system. By removing the need for separate upstream detection optics (condenser lens, pinhole, and their associated focal point adjustments), the optical system complexity is reduced while maintaining measurement precision through the downstream detection approach combined with numerical aperture filtering.
2Measurement precision
If multiple focal points for condenser, objective, and pinhole lenses are adjusted to detect side scattered light, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the side scattered light detection function with the existing downstream detection system. Instead of maintaining separate upstream detection optics that would increase device volume, the side scattered light detection is integrated into the downstream detection path by utilizing the objective lens and adding numerical aperture filtering, thereby reducing overall device size while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If scattered light is separated into low and high numerical aperture components for separate detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a mask with specific transmission characteristics at a particular location in the optical path. The mask is designed to transmit only light within a specific numerical aperture range (0.1 to 0.3), creating a localized filtering function that separates scattered light components without requiring complex optical systems. This localized approach simplifies the overall device complexity while achieving precise component separation.
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
Facilitates easier adjustment of the optical system and reduces device size by enabling separate detection of side and forward scattered components on the downstream side, improving measurement accuracy and device compactness.
Implementation Method 1
The forward scattered component 113 generated from the minute particle 110 is condensed with fluorescence and the exciting light 111 by an objective lens 106
Implementation Method 2
a scattered light separating mask for separating the scattered light into a low NA (numerical aperture) component having a numerical aperture less than or equal to a specific value and a high NA component having a numerical aperture greater than the specific value
Implementation Method 3
each minute particle is excited by the laser light to generate fluorescence and/or scattered light
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an optical measuring device including: a light applying section configured to apply exciting light to a sample flowing in a channel; and a scattered light detecting section configured to detect scattered light generated from the sample irradiated with the exciting light on the downstream side of the sample in the traveling direction of the exciting light; the scattered light detecting section including a scattered light separating mask for separating the scattered light into a low numerical aperture component having a numerical aperture not greater than a specific value and a high numerical aperture component having a numerical aperture greater than the specific value; a first detector for detecting the low numerical aperture component; and a second detector for detecting the high numerical aperture component.