Flow Cytometry Fluidics Control for Stable Particle Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometry systems face challenges in accurately controlling fluid flow velocity, leading to misrepresentation of cell or particle identities, and often have complex and unreliable fluid control systems.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometry system with dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure particle velocity, combined with a stepper motor modulated valve and feedback control system to maintain constant flow rates using differential pressure across a flow channel, ensuring consistent particle velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fluid control systems are used in flow cytometers, then flow rate control is achieved, but the system becomes overcomplicated and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes peristaltic pumps from the fluid control system, extracting the problematic mechanical pumping mechanism. Instead, it uses a vacuum pump combined with electronically controlled valves to regulate fluid flow, thereby simplifying the system architecture while maintaining or improving reliability through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical peristaltic pumping system with an electronically controlled vacuum-based fluid handling system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity and reliability issues of peristaltic pumps while enabling precise flow control through electronic valve modulation and vacuum pressure regulation.
2Measurement precision
If fluid flow velocity varies in flow cytometry, then measurement can be performed, but cell or particle identity is misrepresented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring differential pressure across the flow channel and using this information to dynamically adjust vacuum pump operation and valve positioning. This closed-loop control maintains constant fluid flow velocity, ensuring accurate particle velocity measurements and correct cell or particle identity determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts flow control parameters (vacuum pressure, valve opening degree) to maintain constant fluid flow velocity. By changing these parameters in response to measured differential pressure, the system ensures stable flow conditions necessary for accurate particle velocity measurement and identity characterization.
3Ease of operation
If peristaltic pumps are used for fluid control, then flow rate can be controlled, but the system becomes potentially damaging and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes peristaltic pumps from the system, eliminating the source of potential particle damage. The replacement vacuum-based system provides flow control without the mechanical squeezing action that can harm sensitive cells or particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanically aggressive peristaltic pump system with a gentler vacuum-based fluid handling system. This replacement maintains flow rate control capability while eliminating harmful mechanical stresses on particles, improving both ease of operation and particle integrity.
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 provides stable and reliable fluid control, enabling accurate measurement of particle velocity and identity across varying conditions, while avoiding complex and potentially damaging peristaltic pumps.
Implementation Method 1
A first scatter channel detects a first light scatter generated by a particle passing through a first laser beam, wherein the particle flows in a sample fluid. A second scatter channel detects a second light scatter generated by the particle passing through a second laser beam
Implementation Method 2
The total flow rate of the sample fluid and sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across a flow channel in the flow cell
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus are provided for flow cytometry. In one example, the flow cytometry system includes dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure velocity of particles in a core stream of sample fluid. The total flow rate of the sample fluid and the sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across ends of a flow channel in the flow cell.